Title of Invention

"A DEVICE FOR COLLECTING AIR BORNE DUST GENERATED BY MOVING VEHICLES"

Abstract A device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, which comprises a plurality of dust collecting ducts (1) being arranged just behind the wheels (8) of a vehicle, the said ducts being connected to air blowers (2) so as to sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving vehicle, the said air blowers (2) being driven by power taken from a power source (7), the said air blowers (2) being connected through dust collecting pipes (3) to a dust collecting tank (4) containing water (6), the said dust collecting tank (4) being provided with air vent(s) (5).
Full Text This invention relates to a device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles. This invention particularly relates to a vehicle mounted device useful for collecting air borne dust generated by the tyres of the moving vehicles, such as carrying coal, ore or overburden in open cast mining roadways.
In open cast mining particularly in India, where specially during the dry summer season, lot of dust cloud is created due to movement of vehicles, empty or carrying coal, ore or overburden. This cloud of dust which contains lot of fine coal particles creates a hazardous environment which affects not only respiratory system of human beings working in the open cast mining areas but also other people and animals in and around such areas. This dust clouds also affects the nearby trees and plantation, thus posing a serious environmental hazard.
The general practice in the open cast mining roadways to control the creation of dust cloud is by sprinkling of water from a water tanker before the movement of the convoy of vehicles. But this practice is not enough in a country like India where summer temperature is very high due to which sprinkled water evaporates very quickly and the problem of dust clouds persists. At the same time, availability of source of water near the open cast is a big problem. Also running water tanker before every movement of vehicle is a costly affair.
In this context reference may be made to US patent no. 6,454,041, titled: Working vehicle with a (power take-off) PTO apparatus, wherein a working vehicle having a propelling transmission for transmitting power of an engine drive wheels, the propelling transmission being attached to body frames as offset to one side transversely of a vehicle body to produce a utility space in the other side, with a power take-off (PTO) apparatus for transmitting power supplied from the propelling transmission to an external working implement. The PTO apparatus includes an input shaft extending longitudinally of the vehicle body and drivably connected to the propelling transmission, and an output shaft extending parallel to and spaced from the input shaft and drivingly connected to the
external working implement. A mounting mechanism system Is provided to attach the PTO apparatus to vehicle body frames. The mounting mechanism system selectivety fixes the PTO apparatus in at least two pivotal postures about the input shaft.
In the above said US patent no. 6,454,041, a working vehicle with a power takeoff (PTO) apparatus for collection of grass / dust is explained. Here a blower, which is driven by power taken from the engine of the vehicle is placed at the rear of the vehicle along with a dust catcher. Dust collecting duct is arranged in such a manner so that it can collect dust generated behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. But no arrangement is made to collect dust generated by the rear wheels, which is very important in case of vehicle running in the open cast mining. At the same time total power transmission portion of the vehicle is shifted in one side to accommodate the collecting duct, thus altering the basic design of the vehicle.
Another reference may be taken from the US patent no. 4,819,417, titled: Grass clipping catcher, wherein is described an improved lawn mower grass clipping catcher using vortical separation of grass clippings from exhaust air. The catcher includes a vortex exhaust baffle which deflects and diverts upward flow of air and clippings down and outwardly into the vortical flow, decreasing the escape of suspended clippings and dust from the catcher. The clippings fall into a plastic trash barrel which may contain a plastic trash bag. The barrel supports the housing in which the vortical air flow is initiated. The delivery chute is rectangular in cross section and scrolls around the housing to provide smoother air flow at the inlet of the housing by optimizing the tangentiality of entry of the inlet air. The delivery chute is rigid and provides cantilevered support for the housing when the housing is lifted about a hinge and located in a retracted position while the plastic barrel is being emptied.
In the above noted US patent no. 4,819,417 a grass clipping catcher for lawnmowers and more specifically to cyclone separation grass clipping catchers is explained. Here a blower, which is driven by power taken from engine of the vehicle is placed at the rear of the vehicle along with a grass clipping catchers. The grass clipping collecting duct is arranged in such a manner so that it can collect grass clipping in between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. But no arrangement is made to collect grass clipping from the end of rear wheels.
From the above described hitherto known prior art it is apparent that there is a definite need to provide to provide a device which can be directly fitted onto existing vehicles without altering its basic design, which can suck dust from its generation point i.e. at the end of both front and rear wheels, the dust being generated during movement of the vehicle.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, which obviates the drawbacks of the hitherto known prior art as described herein above.
Another object of the present invention is to overcome the above-cited difficulties and collect dust effectively from all the dust generating point i.e. from the wheels, by providing a separate attachment to the vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mounted device useful for collecting air borne dust generated by the tyres of the moving vehicles, such as carrying coal, ore or overburden in open cast mining roadways.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle mounted device which helps in reducing the dust level in the environment particularly in open cast mining areas, which creates environment hazards and respiratory problem for human being.
still yet another object of the present invention Is to provide a vehicle mounted device which can be attached with the existing vehicles very easily without changing or altering the basic design of the vehicle.
In the present invention there is provided a device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles. The device comprises a plurality of dust collecting ducts arranged just behind the wheels of a vehicle. The said ducts being connected to air blowers capable of sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving vehicle. The dust collecting ducts fitted with air blowers being connected through dust collecting pipes to a dust collecting tank containing water for absorbing the dust so collected. The dust collecting tank is provided with lid openings at the bottom and at the top for timely removal of dust in fonn of paste and at the same time filling of fresh water.
The device of the present invention for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, which are to be connected behind the front and rear wheels of a vehicle is shown schematically in the drawings accompanying this specification.
Figure 1A and 1B shows the rear and side views of an embodiment of the dust collecting device of the present invention, which consists of dust collecting ducts (1) arranged just behind the wheels (8) of a vehicle. The dust collecting ducts (1) are fitted with air blowers (2) capable of sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving vehicle. The air blowers (2) are driven by power taken from a power source (7). The dust collecting ducts (1) fitted with air blowers (2) are connected through dust collecting pipes (3) to a dust collecting tank (4) containing water (6). The water absorbs the dust so collected in the dust collecting tank (4) through the dust collecting pipes (3) which are submerged in the water (6). The dust collecting tank (4) is provided with air vents (5) for escape of air which is sucked by the blower. Lid openings at the top and bottom are provided in the dust collecting tank (4) for removal of dust in form of paste and at the same time filling of fresh water.Figure 2 A and 2B shows the side and front views of the dust collecting duct. The duct is fitted with fine wire nets at the suction ends to prevent the entry of particles other then the air borne dust.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, which comprises a plurality of dust collecting ducts (1) characterised in that the said ducts(l) being arranged just behind the wheels (8) of a vehicle, the said ducts being connected to air blowers (2) so as to sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving vehicle, the said air blowers (2) being driven by power taken from a power source (7), the said air blowers (2) being connected through dust collecting pipes (3) to a dust collecting tank (4) containing water (6), the said dust collecting tank (4) being provided with air vent(s) (5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dust collecting ducts (1) are such as having splitted funnel-like front with wire netting.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the air blowers (2) driven by the power source (7) is either an independent power source or same as the engine of the vehicle.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the device is fitted onto a vehicle with means to switch on I off the air blowers (2) from the driver cabin.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the dust collecting pipes (3) are submerged in the water (6).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the dust collecting tank (4) is provided with lid openings at top and the bottom of the tank.The working of the device of the present invention for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles is described below:
When the vehicle is in running condition the vehicle operator can operate the device by switching on the dust collecting unit fitted behind the front and rear wheels from the driver cabin. On switching, the blowers (2) will operate by taking power from the power source (7) attached with the device and dust generated from the wheels (8) due to movement of the vehicle will be sucked through the splitted dust collecting ducts (1) and channelised to the dust collecting tank (4) through the dust collecting pipes (3) which are submerged in the water (6). The dust so sucked is mixed with water and settles down. The air escapes through the air vents (5) provided at top of the tank (4). The movement of the vehicle and turbulence created in water by flow of air acts as a self-stirrer for mixing of dust particles with water. The water in the tank can be changed, through the opening provided in the tank, with fresh water when the concentration of the dust water solution reaches a limit.
The novelty of the device of the present invention resides in collecting the air borne dust generated by moving vehicles right at the point of dust generation, that is the wheels, thus avoiding the formation of dust clouds due to the movement of the vehicle.
The novelty of the present invention has been achieved by the non-obvious inventive steps of providing suction means, such as air blowers capable of sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving vehicle through a plurality of dust collecting ducts having splitted funnel-like front with wire netting arranged just behind the wheels of a vehicle. Further, the said dust collecting ducts fitted with air blowers being connected through dust collecting pipes to a dust collecting tank containing water for absorbing the dust so collected.
The main advantages of the device of the present invention for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, are:
1) It reduces the formation of dust cloud by sucking dust generated from the wheels itself.
2) It helps in reducing the dust level in the environment particularly in open cast mining areas, which creates environment hazards and respiratory problem for human being.
3) Device can be attached with the existing vehicle very easily without changing or altering the basic design of the vehicle.
4) Dismantling of the device is very easy.
5) Maintenance is very easy.
6) It is cheaper if compared with the cost involved in running tankers carrying water through which water is sprinkled in the roadways of the opening cast mining before movement of the vehicle.
7) Dust collected in form of paste can be used as a solid fuel after a simple processing.
8) Consumption of water will be reduced.
9) The device can be run continuously for long hours taking one time water into the tank.
10) Helps clear the environment in open cast mining area.








We claim:
1. A device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, which comprises
a plurality of dust collecting ducts (1) characterised in that the said ducts(l) being
arranged just behind the wheels (8) of a vehicle, the said ducts being connected to air
blowers (2) so as to sucking in air borne dust generated by the wheels of the moving
vehicle, the said air blowers (2) being driven by power taken from a power source (7),
the said air blowers (2) being connected through dust collecting pipes (3) to a dust
collecting tank (4) containing water (6), the said dust collecting tank (4) being provided
with air vent(s) (5).
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said dust collecting ducts (1) are such as
having splitted funnel-like front with wire netting.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein the said air blowers (2) driven by the power
source (7) is either an independent power source or same as the engine of the vehicle
4. A device as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein the said device is fitted onto a vehicle with
means to switch on /off the air blowers (2) from the driver cabin.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein the said dust collecting pipes (3) are
submerged in the water (6).
6. A device as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein the said dust collecting tank (4) is provided
with lid openings at top and the bottom of the tank.
7. A device for collecting air borne dust generated by moving vehicles, substantially as
herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying this specification.

Documents:

1099-DEL-2004-Abstract-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-abstract.pdf

1099-DEL-2004-Claims-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-claims.pdf

1099-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

1099-del-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

1099-DEL-2004-Description (Complete)-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-description (complete).pdf

1099-del-2004-drawings.pdf

1099-DEL-2004-Form-1-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-form-1.pdf

1099-del-2004-form-18.pdf

1099-del-2004-form-2.pdf

1099-DEL-2004-Form-3-(07-01-2010).pdf

1099-del-2004-form-3.pdf

1099-del-2004-form-5.pdf


Patent Number 241684
Indian Patent Application Number 1099/DEL/2004
PG Journal Number 30/2010
Publication Date 23-Jul-2010
Grant Date 20-Jul-2010
Date of Filing 11-Jun-2004
Name of Patentee COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
Applicant Address RAFI MARG, NEW DELHI-110 019, INDIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SUDHIR KUMAR KASHYAP CENTRAL MINING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BARWA ROAD, DHANBAD, INDIA.
2 SUBHASHISH TEWARI CENTRAL MINING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BARWA ROAD, DHANBAD, INDIA.
PCT International Classification Number B08B 6/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA