Apparatuses, systems, and methods for clearing a surface using pressurized air

US9359731B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO RACING, LLC · US

Inventors

• Donald E. Krueger · Taylorsville, US
• John K. Sutton · Concord, US
• Michael D. Horton · Concord, US
• Shawn Rogers · Johns Creek, US
• John Austin Tate, IV · Charlotte, US
• Jerome Kaproth · Mooresville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 1, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2016
• Expiry date: Feb 1, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.