GB2126632A

GB2126632A - A machine for removing liquid from a surface

Info

Publication number: GB2126632A
Application number: GB08225782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Louis Weatherill
Original assignee: MOTOMOP Ltd
Current assignee: MOTOMOP Ltd
Priority date: 1982-09-09
Filing date: 1982-09-09
Publication date: 1984-03-28
Also published as: WO1984000988A1; EP0118540A1

Abstract

The machine comprises a drive unit (2) with steerable rear wheels (8), driven front wheels (6), an engine (14) and a liquid receiving tank (16), on which drive unit (2) a liquid absorbing unit (4) is pivotally mounted. The liquid absorbing unit (4) comprises a main roller (22), which has an absorbent cover, and a squeeze roller (24) for squeezing absorbed liquid from the cover during operation. The squeeze roller (24) is driven from the engine (14), and drives the main roller (22) by frictional contact. The main roller (22) is hydraulically movable into and out of contact with the ground.

Description

SPECIFICATION A machine for removing liquid from a surface This application relates to a machine for removing liquid from a surface, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a machine for removing surface water from playing fields and other recreational areas.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine for removing liquid from a surface, the machine comprising a powered drive unit which is drivable over a surface from which liquid is to be removed, and a water absorbing unit which is mounted displaceably on the drive unit for movement into and out of contact with the surface.

In a preferred form of the invention, the drive unit has front and rear wheels, of which the front wheels are drivable and the rear wheels are steerable. The drive unit may have a seat for an operator of the machine. A prime mover, such as a petrol engine, is mounted on the drive unit, and in the preferred embodiment this engine drives a hydraulic pump for providing fluid under pressure to hydraulic motors for operating the various systems of the machine. The drive unit also preferwbly has a large capacity tank for receiving liquid absorbed by the water absorbing unit The water absorbing unit preferably comprises a circulating absorbent element, for example a layer of foam mounted on a rigid roller. The roller and the foam layer may be similar to those disclosed in British patent Application No.

8003086. The water absorbing unit may also have a squeeze roller which compresses the foam material at a position on its circulating path so as to squeeze out water absorbed from the surface into a holding tank. If the drive unit has a largecapacity tank, the holding tank is connected to feed liquid to the main tank.

Preferably, the water absorbing unit is pivotally mounted on the drive unit for raising and lowering the water absorbing unit with respect to the ground. It is convenient, especially if there is a pressurized hydraulic system on the machine, for one or more hydraulic cylinders to be provided for raising and lowering the water absorbing unit.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference wiil now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine for removing surface water from playing fields; and Figure 2 is a side view of the machine of Figure 1.

The machine comprises a drive unit 2 to which a water absorbing unit 4 is pivotally connected.

The drive unit has front wheels 6 and rear wheels 8. The rear wheels are steerable under the control of a steering wheel 10 positioned near a seat 1 2 for an operator of the machine. It is sensible for the wheels 6 and 8 to be fitted with wide profile tyres in order to minimise damage to surfaces over which the machine travels.

An engine 14, such as a petrol engine, is mounted on the drive unit 2. The engine 14 drives a hydraulic pump (not shown) which supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure for the purpose of powering various motors on the machine as will be described below.

A large capacity main water tank 1 6 constitutes a large part of the drive unit 2. The tank 1 6 may, for example, have a capacity of approximately 400 litres. Mounted on the water tank 16 is a water pump 1 8 which is driven by a hydraulic motor supplied with fluid from the hydraulic pump connected to the engine 14. The front wheels are also driven by hydraulic motors supplied with fluid by the hydraulic pump.

The water absorbing unit 4 comprises a frame 20 in which is journalled a roller 22. The roller 22 comprises a rigid drum provided with a layer of absorbent foam material. A squeeze roller 24 is also mounted for rotation in the frame and is in contact with the roller 22 to compress the layer of foam material as it passes the roller 24. A holding tank 26 is disposed on the frame 20 beneath the squeeze roller 24. Two double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston units (not shown) are provided for pivoting the water absorbing unit 4 relatively to the drive unit 2, fluid being supplied to these units as required from the hydraulic pump driven by the engine 1 4. Also, there is pipe work for conveying water in the holding tank 26 to the main tank 1 6.

The water absorbing unit 4 can be raised by the hydraulic cylinders to lift the roller 22 clear of the ground. In this condition, the machine can be manoeuvred relatively easily and can travel quite quickly (that is, at a speed of approximately 20 kilometres per hour) enabling it to be driven quickly from one area of surface water to another.

When the machine reaches an area ofsurface water which is to be cleared, the water absorbing unit 4 is lowered by the hydraulic cylinders, so bringing the roller 22 into contact with the ground. Further operation of the hydraulic cylinders lifts the front wheels 6 off the ground so that the weight of the machine is supported only by the steerable rear wheels 8 and the roller 22.

The squeeze roller 24 is then rotated by a hydraulic motor provided with fluid under pressure from the hydraulic pump driven by the engine 14, and this in turn drives the roller 22 by frictional engagement between the rollers 24 and 22, so causing the machine to travel over the area of playing field from which water is to be cleared.

As the roller 22 travels over the ground, its foam layer absorbs water from the surface, which is carried around to the squeeze roller 24. The squeeze roller 24 compresses the foam material, so squeezing the water out of the foam material into the holding tank 26 from which it is directed to the main tank 1 6. From the main tank 16, the water can be pumped by the pump 1 8 to a point away from the playing area. This can be done either continuously or intermittently as the main tank 1 6 becomes full.

When the roller 22 is in contact with the ground, the machine is steerable only to a slight degree, particularly if a wide roller is used.

However, because the roller can be lifted at each end of the area which is to be cleared, it is possible to turn the machine sharply to make another pass without damaging the foam covering the roller 22. The operational speed of the machine with the roller 22 down may, for example, be in the range 0 to 10 km/h.

In a preferred embodiment of the machine, the drive unit is 1 95 cm long and 90 cm wide. The roller 22 is 90 cm in diameter and can be in the range 1 50 to 250 cm in length, depending on the purpose for which the machine is to be used.

A machine in accordance with the present invention can clear water from playing fields or other surfaces at a very high rate, for example at the rate of approximately 40,000 litres per hour.

Furthermore, the machine can travel at a relatively high speed from one work area to another, this being of particular benefit when the machine is used on large areas such as race tracks, golf courses and large playing fields where surface water may need to be cleared only from isolated locations. The large capacity main tank 1 6 means that the machine can be used to collect water on long straight runs, such as on race tracks, without requiring long hose pipes for continuously discharging the water to an offcourse drain. Instead, the machine can be connected to a hose pipe only when the tank is full or, for example, at the end of each run.

Although the present invention has been described primarily in connection with the removal of waterfrom playing fields and other recreational areas, it is also suitable for mopping up spillages of chemicais and other liquids in, for example, industrual premises.

Claims (filed 2/9/83) 1. A machine for removing liquid from a surface, the machine comprising a powered drive unit which is drivable over a surface from which liquid is to be removed, and a liquid absorbing unit which is mounted displaceably on the drive unit for movement into and out of contact with the surface.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the liquid absorbing unit is mounted pivotally on the drive unit.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the liquid absorbing unit is hydraulically displaceable with respect to the driven unit.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the drive unit is provided with a tank for receiving liquid from the liquid absorbing unit.

5. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the drive unit is, provided with ground wheels.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which at least one of the ground wheels is steerable and/or drivable.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the machine is movable between a first configuration, in which all of the wheels engage the surface and the liquid absorbing unit is raised above the surface, and a second configuration, in which the liquid absorbing unit engages the surface and at least one of the wheels is raised above the surface.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid absorbing unit comprises a main roller provided with an absorbent outer layer, and a squeeze roller positioned to squeeze absorbed liquid from the absorbent layer during rotation of the main roller.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, in which a motor is provided, which drives the squeeze roller, the main roller being driven by frictional engagement with the squeeze roller.

1 0. A machine for removing liquid from a surface, the machine comprising a main roller provided with an absorbent outer layer, and a squeeze roller positioned to squeeze absorbed liquid from the absorbent layer during rotation of the main roller, the machine further comprising a motor which drives the squeeze roller, the main roller being driven by frictional engagement with the squeeze roller.

11. A machine for removing liquid from a surface, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ground, the machine is steerable only to a slight degree, particularly if a wide roller is used. However, because the roller can be lifted at each end of the area which is to be cleared, it is possible to turn the machine sharply to make another pass without damaging the foam covering the roller 22. The operational speed of the machine with the roller 22 down may, for example, be in the range 0 to 10 km/h. In a preferred embodiment of the machine, the drive unit is 1 95 cm long and 90 cm wide. The roller 22 is 90 cm in diameter and can be in the range 1 50 to 250 cm in length, depending on the purpose for which the machine is to be used. A machine in accordance with the present invention can clear water from playing fields or other surfaces at a very high rate, for example at the rate of approximately 40,000 litres per hour. Furthermore, the machine can travel at a relatively high speed from one work area to another, this being of particular benefit when the machine is used on large areas such as race tracks, golf courses and large playing fields where surface water may need to be cleared only from isolated locations. The large capacity main tank 1 6 means that the machine can be used to collect water on long straight runs, such as on race tracks, without requiring long hose pipes for continuously discharging the water to an offcourse drain. Instead, the machine can be connected to a hose pipe only when the tank is full or, for example, at the end of each run. Although the present invention has been described primarily in connection with the removal of waterfrom playing fields and other recreational areas, it is also suitable for mopping up spillages of chemicais and other liquids in, for example, industrual premises. Claims (filed 2/9/83)

1. A machine for removing liquid from a surface, the machine comprising a powered drive unit which is drivable over a surface from which liquid is to be removed, and a liquid absorbing unit which is mounted displaceably on the drive unit for movement into and out of contact with the surface.