Vibratory plow unit

Abstract

A debris removal system for transporting debris includes a plow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the debris when a pushing force is applied to the plow blade. The vibratory assembly for transporting debris includes at least one vibratory unit mounted to the plow blade. The at least one vibratory unit is operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the plow blade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vibratory snowplow assembly for transporting snow or ice, comprising:
 a snowplow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport the snow or ice when a pushing force is applied to the snowplow blade; and   at least one vibratory unit coupled to the snowplow blade, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the snowplow blade.   
     
     
         2 . The debris removal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to couple the snowplow blade to a plowing implement, wherein the plowing implement is configured to apply the pushing force to the connector and the snowplow blade. 
     
     
         3 . The debris removal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling a power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the at least one vibratory unit via an operative connection. 
     
     
         4 . The debris removal system of  claim 3 , wherein the operative connection further comprises an electrical connection for supplying electrical power to the at least one vibratory unit. 
     
     
         5 . The debris removal system of  claim 4 , wherein the electrical connection further comprises an electrical power supply, a ground, a vibratory unit connector for electrically coupling the power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, and a controller connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The debris removal system of  claim 5 , wherein the electrical power supply is the plowing implement's electrical system. 
     
     
         7 . The debris removal system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller includes a switch for controlling a flow of electrical current from the electrical power supply to the at least one vibratory unit. 
     
     
         8 . The debris removal system of  claim 3 , wherein the operative connection further comprises a hydraulic fluid system for supplying hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit. 
     
     
         9 . The debris removal system of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic fluid system further comprises a hydraulic fluid pump fluidically connected to the at least one vibratory unit via at least one hydraulic fluid line and a hydraulic fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid line. 
     
     
         10 . The debris removal system of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic fluid system further comprises at least one hydraulic fluid valve operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit. 
     
     
         11 . The debris removal system of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is operably connected to the at least one hydraulic fluid valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit. 
     
     
         12 . The debris removal system of  claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic fluid system is the plowing implement's hydraulic power system. 
     
     
         13 . A method for transporting snow or ice using a snowplow system, the method comprising:
 providing the snowplow system, the snowplow system including:
 a snowplow blade configured to frictionally engage with a ground surface and transport debris when a pushing force is applied to the snowplow blade; 
 at least one vibratory unit mounted to the snowplow blade, the at least one vibratory unit being operably coupled to a controller via an operative connection, wherein the at least one vibratory unit is configured to vibrate the snowplow blade; and 
   frictionally engaging the snowplow blade with the ground surface;   activating the at least one vibratory unit to break apart the snow or ice; and   transporting the snow or ice by applying the pushing force to the snow or ice.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing the controller for controlling an electric power supply to the at least one vibratory unit via the operative connection, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit comprises supplying electrical power to the at least one vibratory unit via an electrical system, wherein the electrical system includes an electrical power supply, a ground, a vibratory unit connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the at least one vibratory unit, and a controller connector for electrically coupling the electrical power supply to the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing the controller for controlling a hydraulic power supply to the at least one vibratory unit via the operative connection, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit comprises supplying hydraulic power via a hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic fluid pump fluidically connected to the at least one vibratory unit via at least one hydraulic fluid line and a hydraulic fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic fluid line. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hydraulic system further comprises at least one hydraulic valve operable to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the at least one vibratory unit, wherein activating the at least one vibratory unit further comprises controlling a supply of hydraulic power to the at least one vibratory unit by operating the at least one hydraulic valve.