Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.

Abstract: A screed assembly includes an auger, a cylinder, and a vibratory screed. The screed assembly may be included in an undercarriage. The undercarriage may be coupled to a carriage. The carriage may travel along a length of a framework. One or more sensors may be used to determine height information of the screed assembly relative to a surface to be paved. One or more actuators may be used to selectively adjust the height of the screed assembly based on the height information.

Abstract: A bridge paving machine and method for paving a 3D design without vertical profile rails includes converting a desired design into a 3D surface model to account for certain factors known to cause deviations in the paving processes and paving the 3D surface model in the expectation that factors will cause the 3D surface model to deflect into the desired design. An on-board computer system adjusts the 3D surface model in real-time to correct for on-site variables. The on-board computer system receives data from various external sensors, including deflection sensors fixed to girders in the bride structure, and paving machine-based sensors, and uses various predictive models to predict surface deflection based on the sensor data. The 3D surface model is continuously updated based on the predictive models and actual measured deflections.

Abstract: A leg assembly includes a guide tube, a power drive coupled to a flange of the guide tube, a steering ring coupled to the power drive, a tube weldment coupled to the steering ring, and a hydraulic actuator coupled within the guide tube and within the tube weldment. The power drive includes a slew drive or a hydraulic cylinder steering assembly. The tube weldment is translated through the power drive by the actuator. To achieve a minimal width, the tube weldment includes a keyway. The steering ring includes a key by which relative rotational movements may be imparted to the keyway. The steering ring is rotated by the power drive. Thus, the guide tube may be rotated relative to the tube weldment.

Abstract: A bridge paving machine and method for paving a 3D design without vertical profile rails includes converting a desired design into a 3D surface model to account for certain factors known to cause deviations in the paving processes and paving the 3D surface model in the expectation that factors will cause the 3D surface model to deflect into the desired design. An on-board computer system adjusts the 3D surface model in real-time to correct for on-site variables. The on-board computer system receives data from various external sensors, including deflection sensors fixed to girders in the bride structure, and paving machine-based sensors, and uses various predictive models to predict surface deflection based on the sensor data. The 3D surface model is continuously updated based on the predictive models and actual measured deflections.

Abstract: A slew drive includes a bushing interfacing with a drive gear. The bushing resists a load from the drive gear. The bushing includes an aluminum bronze alloy with a high strength. A paving machine includes multiple of the slew drives. The slew drives control an angle of a pivot arm and steering of a track. A method of reducing component failure in the paving machine includes determining an angular position error of the slew drive of the track. If the angular position exceeds a tolerance, a rate-of-change of the angular position is found to determine whether the slew drive is rotating. Where the slew drive is not rotating, the slew drive is driven in a reverse direction to unseize the slew drive. A track drive and the slew drive of the pivot are controlled by a control loop. The slew drive may be dithered to steer a trailing pivot.

Abstract: A system may include a paver machine. The paver machine may include at least one sensor, a memory, a processor. The processor may be communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one sensor. The paver machine may be configured for stringless paving. The paver machine may further include a display communicatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A mobile machine includes a computerized system for determining a synchronized free-floating center of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation effectively coordinates the rotation of the machine's tracks or wheels in that it constrains the angles of rotation. The synchronized free-floating center of rotation is calculated based on a line-line intersection derived from a combined attack angle and one or more known reference points. Such system may allow rotation and counter-rotation utilizing a uniform hydraulic pressure for hydraulically driven tracks.

Abstract: A bridge paving machine and method for paving a 3D design without vertical profile rails includes converting a desired design into a 3D surface model to account for certain factors known to cause deviations in the paving processes and paving the 3D surface model in the expectation that factors will cause the 3D surface model to deflect into the desired design. An on-board computer system adjusts the 3D surface model in real-time to correct for on-site variables. The on-board computer system receives data from various external sensors, including deflection sensors fixed to girders in the bride structure, and paving machine-based sensors, and uses various predictive models to predict surface deflection based on the sensor data. The 3D surface model is continuously updated based on the predictive models and actual measured deflections.

Abstract: A smart steering control system a paving or texturing machine receives path elements corresponding to current and future positions of the machine. By comparing the current and future elements, an expected completion time is derived for exiting the current position and entering the future position; the smart steering control system synchronizes adjustments of the machine's steerable tracks from the current path to the future path. The smart steering control system functions as a virtual tie rod, preventing damage, enhancing the traction control and pulling power of the machine, and preserving the operating life of its components.

Abstract: A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) computer control system in a heavy equipment machine is in communication with multiple sensors in order to measure deviations from a path to be followed. Sensor corrections are applied to return the heavy equipment machine to a path to be followed or to restrain the machine from deviating from the path to be followed. Sensor corrections affect a controlled variable, such as cross-slope. Sensor corrections may account for false positives and false negatives. Sensor corrections are applied to the heavy equipment machine using a gain matrix (G). The multiple vectors of gain values comprising the gain matrix (G) are utilized by the MIMO computer control system to simultaneously and proportionally actuate each drive leg of the machine to obtain a desired grade including a compensated slope and/or elevation.

Abstract: A system for measuring a surface profile during the paving process includes a smoothness processor and a single directly connected elevation sensor to produce streaming, real-time smoothness data and a short term trend line so that the operator can make prospective corrections to paving machine settings. Real-time smoothness data is sent to a remote device. The smoothness processor may also receive additional sensor data from one CAN connected sensor and up to five sonic sensors and display the CAN connected sensor data to the operator.

Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing or texturing a paved surface including one or more transition curves includes a finishing machine with a transverse frame including a series of flexibly connected frame members and one or more power transition adjusters. As the finishing machine proceeds through the transition curve, the control system and sensors of the finishing machine determine its position and the transverse curvature of the paved surface corresponding to its position. The control system may then adjust the position of accessories mounted to the transverse frame via a combination of raising or lowering the accessories relative to the paved surface and articulating the one or more power transition adjusters to adjust the shape of the transverse frame to conform to the transverse curvature of the paved surface.

Abstract: A method for operating construction machines of a paving train includes receiving at least one design file. The method includes receiving, by the computing device of the first construction machine of the paving train, a plurality of other machine data inputs from the at least one computing device of the at least one other construction machine of the paving train. The method includes receiving, by the computing device of the first construction machine of the paving train, a plurality of first machine data inputs. The method includes updating a paving work state file based upon the plurality of other machine data inputs and the plurality of first machine data inputs. The method includes controlling the first construction machine of the paving train based upon the plurality of other machine data inputs, the plurality of first machine data inputs, the at least one design file, and the paving work state file.

Abstract: A method for paving a surface includes identifying the location of a first paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to a reference point and sending instructions to the first paving machine according to a road profile. The method further includes identifying the location of a second paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to the reference point and sending instructions to the second paving machine according to the road profile.

Abstract: A rotary pivot arm positioning assembly for a paving, texturing, or curing machine allows the machine to automatically transition from an operational orientation to a transport orientation without manual repositioning or disconnection of its components. The assembly includes a pivot arm coupled to both the front and aft ends of an end frame by a helical actuator, slew gear drive or other rotary actuator. The rotary actuator articulates each pivot arm, as well as the adjustable leg and steerable crawler connected to the pivot arm, through at least a 90-degree range. The end frame may be fixed to the left or right end of the machine. The assembly may additionally include a second helical actuator, slew gear drive or rotary actuator connecting each steerable crawler to the adjustable leg and configured to rotate the steerable crawler through a full 360 degrees.

Abstract: A bridge paving device includes one or more reference receivers to locate the bridge paving device in three-dimensional space. A computer apparatus receives the location of the bridge paving device and associates the location with a bridge paving design profile. The computer apparatus independently actuates a system of hydraulic actuators of the bridge paving device to level and orient the bridge paving device regardless of the travel surface the linear movement elements are running on. Additional hydraulic actuators may adjust the shape of the bridge paving device over time as the bridge paving device travels a linear distance of the bridge to be paved. The shape adjustment alters a crown or inversion applied to the bridge such that run-off characteristics are more variable and controllable along the entire span of the bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing or texturing a paved surface including one or more transition curves includes a finishing machine with a transverse frame including a series of flexibly connected frame members and one or more power transition adjusters. As the finishing machine proceeds through the transition curve, the control system and sensors of the finishing machine determine its position and the transverse curvature of the paved surface corresponding to its position. The control system may then adjust the position of accessories mounted to the transverse frame via a combination of raising or lowering the accessories relative to the paved surface and articulating the one or more power transition adjusters to adjust the shape of the transverse frame to conform to the transverse curvature of the paved surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic pivot arm positioning assembly includes a forward and aft pivoting arm on both the left and right ends of a paving machine configured to operate in a paving direction. Hydraulic cylinders or other linear actuators enable the forward and aft pivoting arms to rotate automatically through at least a 90-degree range including at least an operating configuration, wherein the pivoting arms extend parallel to the paving direction, and a transport configuration, wherein the pivoting arms extend parallel to the transverse framework of the paving machine, narrowing its overall width. The use of linear actuators enables the pivoting arms to change position with minimal downtime to the paving machine, and without the need for manual repositioning, disconnection, or reconnection of components or accessories of the pivot arm positioning assembly.