Ice and snow removal system and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method for snow and ice removal from a roadway or other horizontal civil engineering structure. The apparatus may include a conventional plow, a chipper to break apart ice, a nozzle to project a hot liquid to melt snow and ice, a heater to further melt snow and ice, and a vacuum to suction the melted snow and ice slurry for containment in a holding tank. The system is preferably mounted for carriage by a motor vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for snow and ice removal, comprising:
 a head operatively coupled to a motor vehicle;   a sprayer operatively coupled to a source of fluid carried by said motor vehicle and projecting downwardly from said head;   a heater enclosure operatively coupled to a fuel source carried by said motor vehicle, said heater enclosure projecting downwardly from said head; and   a vacuum head operatively coupled to a vacuum source and a suction product holding tank carried by said motor vehicle, said vacuum head projecting downwardly from said head, wherein said sprayer, heater enclosure, and said vacuum head are contained within a hood of said head.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a chipper operatively coupled to said head.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said chipper is operable to provide for a vertical reciprocating action. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said chipper is operable for rotary action about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said head is selectively positioned between an operating position, with the head positioned in proximity to a road surface, and a traveling position, with the head positioned substantially elevated from the road surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plow operatively coupled to said head. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for snow and ice removal, comprising:
 a head operatively coupled to a motor vehicle;   a sprayer operatively coupled to a source of fluid carried by said motor vehicle and projecting downwardly from said head;   a heater enclosure operatively coupled to a fuel source carried by said motor vehicle, said heater enclosure having an opening projecting downwardly from said head; and   a vacuum head operatively coupled to a vacuum source and a suction product holding tank carried by said motor vehicle, said vacuum head projecting downwardly from said head.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising;
 a chipper operatively coupled to said head.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said chipper is operable to provide for a vertical reciprocating action. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said chipper is operable for rotary action about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said head is selectively positioned between an operating position, with the head positioned in proximity to a road surface, and a traveling position, with the head positioned substantially elevated from the road surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a plow operatively coupled to said head.