Method and system for conveying snow along the width of a displacement snowplow

Abstract

A system for removing contaminants from a surface. The system being attached to a vehicle that is movable in a first direction. The system including a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface and a first conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction.

What is claims is: 
     
         1 . A system for removing contaminants from a surface, the system attached to a vehicle that is movable in a first direction, the system comprising:
 a first scraper for removing contaminants from a surface; and   a first conveyor system including a continuous track element for conveying the contaminants removed from the surface in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor system is tilted at an angle relative to the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the angle is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is variable by a user and/or a controller. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a speed of the first conveyor system varies based on a speed of the vehicle, or by an operator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lift conveyor positioned between the scraper and the first conveyor system, the lift conveyor for moving contaminants in a vertical direction from a rear edge of the scraper to the first conveyor system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first conveyor system is parallel to the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable speed conveyor and/or blower mechanism disposed at a distal end of the first conveyor system, the conveyor and/or blower mechanism configured for ejecting the contaminants leaving the distal end of the first conveyor system in a predetermined direction and distance. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second conveyor system and a second scraper attached to the vehicle, the second conveyor system having a first end positioned adjacent a first end of the first conveyor system, and a second end oriented away from the first conveyor system,   wherein the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system eject contaminants from opposite lateral sides of the vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and the second conveyor systems are aligned by an operator, and rotate in a same direction to eject winter contaminants to a same lateral side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first conveyor system is disposed at a first angle relative to a line perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle and the second conveyor system is disposed at a second angel relative to the line perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A method for removing contaminants from a surface, the method including steps of:
 moving a removal system in a first direction;   placing a scraper of the removal system in contact with a surface for scraping contaminants from the surface; and   moving a first conveyor system of the removal system for transporting the contaminants relative to the system in a second direction wherein the second direction is not aligned with the first direction.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including a step of:
 before said step of moving a conveyor system of the removal system, transporting the contaminants in a vertical direction from the surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further including a step of:
 after said step of moving a conveyor system of the removal system, ejecting said contaminants in a predetermined direction.