Abstract: A mechanized broom-type sweeper vehicle (10) includes a conveyer (14) having two laterally extending pintle-like stub shafts (14-5) with the conveyor (14) received in a cradle (20) that includes split pillow blocks that each receive a respective one of the stub shafts (14-5). The conveyor (14) can be readily lifted from the vehicle (10) by removing structures superposed above the conveyor (14), disconnecting various mechanical and electrical connection removing the cap portion of each pillow-block, and thereafter lifting the conveyor (14) from the vehicle with an overhead crane. In a similar manner, a repaired or replacement conveyor (14) can be lowered via a crane into the cradle (20) with the stub shafts received within the pillow blocks and the caps reinstalled. The use of a top-side removal and a top-side installation technique reduces the time (and associated costs) for the removal and replacement of a conveyor (14) to as little as four hours or less.

Abstract: A roadway sweeper (10) is provided with a pneumatic ‘lift’ cylinder (LC) connected through linkages to a gutter broom (12) and is pressurized at a operator-selected one of a plurality of air pressures to control the force the gutter broom (12) applies to the surface being swept. In a similar manner, a pneumatic ‘swing-out’ cylinder (PC) that is also pressurized at one of a plurality of operator-selected air pressures to cause the gutter broom (12) to ‘swing-out’ from a fully retracted position toward its fully extended position. A spring element (S), such as one or more helical springs, is connected in parallel with the swing-out cylinder (PC) so that the gutter broom (12) is positioned reliably and repeatedly in response to a user-selected one of many pressure states Pn.

Abstract: A mechanized broom-type sweeper vehicle (10) includes a conveyer (14) having two laterally extending pintle-like stub shafts (14-5) with the conveyor (14) received in a cradle (20) that includes split pillow blocks that each receive a respective one of the stub shafts (14-5). The conveyor (14) can be readily lifted from the vehicle (10) by removing structures superposed above the conveyor (14), disconnecting various mechanical and electrical connection removing the cap portion of each pillow-block, and thereafter lifting the conveyor (14) from the vehicle with an overhead crane. In a similar manner, a repaired or replacement conveyor (14) can be lowered via a crane into the cradle (20) with the stub shafts received within the pillow blocks and the caps reinstalled. The use of a top-side removal and a top-side installation technique reduces the time (and associated costs) for the removal and replacement of a conveyor (14) to as little as four hours or less.

Abstract: An improved filter screen system for a pavement sweeper (10) includes one or more filter screen assemblies (50) that are so-mounted as to slide-out from the main body of the debris hopper (18) for cleaning and, if desired, be separated from the debris hopper (18) for replacement. The slide-out screen system avoids the need for a worker to crawl into the interior of the debris hopper (18) to clean the filter screens (56).

Abstract: An improved pickup or intake hood for use in regenerative air flow road and pavement sweeper vehicles includes at least one side auxiliary plenums and/or at least one side-to-side plenum adjacent the primary air flow compartment. The auxiliary plenums are attached by appropriate ducting into the regenerative air flow so that any fugitive air and or dust flows from the primary air flow compartment are captured in the auxiliary plenums to minimize fugitive air and/or dust flows into the ambient atmosphere. Dust conduits from shrouded gutter brooms enter a manifold box to allow dust-entrained air flows from one or both gutter brooms to enter into the regenerative air flow to capture dust generated by the gutter brooms.

Abstract: A mechanized broom-type sweeper truck that includes a pavement engaging brush or broom and an elevator for transported debris to the inlet or entry opening of a debris container includes a slinging roller in the debris container mounted at or subjacent the inlet opening. The slinging roller is journalled in bearings and driven by a motor at a selected rotary speed. Surface features are provided on the roller to engage with and contact any debris coming into contact with the roller to fling, sling, throw debris away from the inlet opening.

Abstract: An improved pickup or intake hood for use in regenerative air flow road and pavement sweeper vehicles includes at least one side auxiliary plenums and/or at least one side-to-side plenum adjacent the primary air flow compartment. The auxiliary plenums are attached by appropriate ducting into the regenerative air flow so that any fugitive air and or dust flows from the primary air flow compartment are captured in the auxiliary plenums to minimize fugitive air and/or dust flows into the ambient atmosphere. Dust conduits from shrouded gutter brooms enter a manifold box to allow dust-entrained air flows from one or both gutter brooms to enter into the regenerative air flow to capture dust generated by the gutter brooms.

Abstract: An improved regenerative flow sweeping system for road and pavement sweeper vehicles includes first and second filter compartments as part of the recirculation loop in which the debris-entrained air is conducted from the intake hood into an initial separation compartment where some of the debris is removed from the air flow with the remaining air flow directed alternatively through one or the other of the first and second filter compartments for a selected period of time during which time finer particulates accumulate on the surface of the filter media. Thereafter, the air flow is redirected to the other filter compartment while pneumatic valves in the first filter compartment are selectively actuated to direct one or more pulses of compressed air into the filter media of the first filter compartment to remove accumulated particles on the filter media and effective “reverse flush” or purge the filter media.