Method for Containing Wind-Driven Snow

Abstract

A method for containing wind-driven snow, sleet, ice and other particulate to prevent it from drifting on paths of travel and becoming airborne, obscuring visibility, and drifting. Method involves the application of liquid, slurry, foam, gel, powder, or heat to a desired treatment area with a field of snow in a diffuse pattern. The applied treatment prevents the movement of the loose precipitation either by mixing with the precipitation and freezing to form a crust or alternatively by creating a liquid or semi-liquid slush that is not easily displaced by high winds.

Claims

1. A method for controlling loose precipitation in a treatment area comprising the following steps: a) delivering a treatment material to loose precipitation in the treatment area in a diffuse spray pattern; b) allowing the treatment material to freeze with the loose precipitation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment material is about 90% to about 100% water.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment material is a slurry.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment material is a gel.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment material is a foam.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment material is about 75% water and about 25% cellulose.

7. A method for controlling loose precipitation in a treatment area comprising the following steps: a) delivering a treatment material to the treatment area in a diffuse spray pattern; b) liquefying the loose precipitation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the treatment material is about 90% to about 100% water.

9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the treatment material is a slurry.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the treatment material is a gel.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the treatment material is a foam.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the treatment material is about 75% water and about 25% cellulose.

13. A method for controlling loose precipitation in a treatment area comprising the following steps: a) applying heat to the treatment area in a diffuse pattern; b) liquefying the loose precipitation.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the heat is applied through a flamethrower.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the heat is applied through one or more resistive elements.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the heat is applied through heated gases.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the heat is applied by distributing a flammable substance and igniting it.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a person applying treatment material to the treatment area along or within a field of snow

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0020] 10 Individual spraying applying liquid to treatment area [0021] 20 Hose [0022] 30 Nozzle [0023] 40 Treatment Area [0024] 50 Water Tanker [0025] 60 Treatment Material [0026] 70 Loose Precipitation [0027] 80 Field of Snow

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an individual 10 applying a treatment material 60 from a water tanker 50 to the treatment area 40 within a field of snow 80. The treatment material 60 may be comprised of a liquid, powder, slurry, gel, foam, or a combination of these materials. This treatment material 60 may be comprised of organic or inorganic substances and inventor contemplates any particulate in the treatment material 60 to be about 20 to 1800 microns in size.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the treatment material 60 is applied using a hose 20 fitted with a nozzle 30 capable of accommodating the viscosity of the treatment material 60 being dispersed. The treatment material 60 is applied to the treatment area 40 in a diffuse pattern such that the loose precipitation 70 in the treatment area 40 sufficiently combines with the treatment material 60 causing the loose precipitation 70 to liquefy, weighing it down and inhibiting its movement. Alternatively, the applied treatment material 60 may freeze with and encapsulate the loose precipitation 70, forming a hardened crust.

[0030] The temperature of the loose precipitation, the ambient air temperature, and the temperature of the treatment material 60 will determine whether the loose precipitation 70 is liquefied or frozen. Either result will impede the movement of the loose precipitation 70 in gusty weather conditions, preventing it from becoming airborne and/or drifting into travel paths.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows the treatment material 60 being applied to the treatment area 40 using a standard water tanker. Inventor suggests the use of conventional firetrucks, tenders, and foam pumpers; however, any vehicle or vessel capable of delivering the desired treatment material 60 may be used. Alternatively, aerial equipment such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones may be employed to deliver treatment material 60 to the treatment area 40.

[0032] Treatment material 60 may be pumped or fed to a dispensing means through a screw or alternatively, it may be gravity fed. While the application of the treatment material 60 may be directed by the operation of a nozzle 30 as shown in FIG. 1, an automated distribution means such as a sprinkler or other spreading wheel may also be used.

[0033] Ideally the treatment material 60 will be comprised of an aqueous liquid. Inventor proposes the use of 0 to 100% water as the treatment material 60 in the method shown in FIG. 1. The use of 100% water will offer the most environmentally friendly solution as it will easily combine with the loose precipitation 70 and will melt away cleanly at end of the season.

[0034] Inventor contemplates the use of other liquids such as brines or anti-freezing or deicing solutions that are readily available and/or produced. Powders or slurries containing organic or inorganic material may also be used. Cellulose material such as sawdust may be added to water to create an environmentally friendly slurry. Particulate within the powders or slurries should be about 20 to 1800 microns in size. Treatment material 60 should be easily pumped or fed through the dispensing means; therefore, the viscosity of any liquid or slurry used should be about 0.3 to about 50,000 centipoises.

[0035] Inventor also anticipates the use of treatment materials 60 comprised of foams or gels. Such foams or gels may be either expanding or non-expanding in nature and should also have a viscosity of about 0.3 to about 50,000 centipoises.

[0036] In another embodiment, inventor suggests the application of heat to the treatment area 40. Such heat could be applied by resistive elements, open flames, heated exhaust, or radiant energy. Alternatively, a flammable liquid, slurry or powder could be delivered to the treatment area 40 and burned, liquefying the loose precipitation.

[0037] In one embodiment, a blanket fitted with resistive elements may be applied to the treatment area 40. In another embodiment, a flamethrower may be used to apply heat to the treatment area 40. In yet another embodiment, exhaust from a large engine may be directed to the treatment area 40.

[0038] While the above description contains many specifics, these should be considered exemplifications of one more embodiments rather than limitations on the scope of the invention. As previously discussed, many variations are possible and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than the examples provided.