Abstract: A pavement temperature monitoring system (10) is used on paver vehicle (12) that is capable of forming a pavement material mat (11) upon abase surface (13), as paver vehicle (12) travels generally in a single direction. A temperature sensor (14) can be either a thermal imager, a thermal scanner, or a thermal imager operating in line “scan” mode. The temperature sensor (14) is mounted on a rear end (12a) of the paver vehicle (12) in such a way that the entire width of the formed mat can be scanned or imaged. A display device (16) is capable of receiving a plurality of electrical signals from the thermal scanner generating and displaying a graphical image (17) of the formed mat temperature profile.

Abstract: A pneumatic fumes collection system for an auger-type distributing device that spreads hot asphalt behind a mobile paver includes a rotatable auger shaft extending horizontally above a surface being paved and laterally to a longitudinal centerline axis of the paver. The shaft includes a plurality of auger flights spaced therealong, and can be raised and lowered to a plurality of elevations above the surface being paved. A fumes intake inlet is positioned above, and in a fixed spacial relation to, the auger shaft, whereby the fumes inlet raises and lowers simultaneously with the auger shaft, resulting in an a more uniform fumes collection over a plurality of auger flight elevations. A fumes exhaust fan and exhaust stack are positioned on the paver.

Abstract: A mobile construction vehicle has a pair of parallel first and second track assemblies. Each track assembly has a continuous drive belt with a plurality of teeth thereon, driven by a drive wheel with a plurality of lugs thereon. The drive belt teeth and drive wheel lugs have substantially identical matching profiles, to provide drive belt retention for preventing the teeth from disengaging from the drive wheel lugs, during a turning maneuver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A paving machine that is driven by track assemblies utilizing continuous rubber belts uses a motor and planetary gear reduction combination on each drive wheel to drive each belt. Each planetary gear includes a planetary joint connection between a rotating and a non-rotating portion, with an elastomeric seal therein to retain lubricating fluid in the planetary housing. Each drive wheel is formed from a pair of annular ring members rigidly connected together and spaced apart to provide a passage for directing debris falling from a rotating drive wheel away from the planetary joint, to minimize damage to the seal.

Abstract: A paving machine is driven by track assemblies utilizing continuous rubber belts driven by drive wheels. Each drive wheel is driven by a planetary gear assembly. Each drive wheel is formed from a pair of annular ring members rigidly connected together and spaced apart to provide a passage for directing debris falling from a rotating drive wheel away from the planetary gear, to minimize damage to the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: A workpiece has a surface formed by a circular bore extending in the workpiece body along a bore axis. The bore surface includes a heat-affected zone pattern thereon, produced with a laser light beam. The heat-affected zone pattern can be a variety of patterns including a single helix, overlapping helixes a single annular ring and a plurality of annular rings. The heat-affected zones can have a variety of widths, as measured in relation to the longitudinal bore axis.

Abstract: A a method for laser heating a surface formed by a circular bore extending in a workpiece along a longitudinal bore axis includes providing a holder for holding a workpiece; directing a laser beam into the workpiece bore; and providing a mirror in the workpiece bore for directing the laser beam against a portion of the surface to be heated. The workpiece is cooled adjacent the portion of the surface to be heated by the workpiece holder. The workpiece and mirror are moved relative to each other longitudinally back and forth along the workpiece bore axis and rotatably about the workpiece bore axis, to produce a preselected pattern of heated area on the workpiece bore surface.

Abstract: A device for laser heating the surface of a small diameter bore in a workpiece includes a workpiece holder, optics for focusing a laser beam and introducing the laser beam into a bore and directing the beam against the bore surface. The workpiece holder and workpiece are movable longitudinally and rotationally with respect to the optics in the bore, to permit the laser beam to move along the bore. A first fluid cooling circuit cools the workpiece holder and workpiece, a second fluid cooling circuit cools the optics in the bore. Shielding gas is introduced into the bore to shield the bore surface being heated.

Abstract: A process for producing a crack-free, laser nitride-hardened layer on a titanium substrate, the process including preheating the substrate, melting a small area of substrate with a laser, and shrouding the melted area with a gas mixture having a maximum critical amount of nitrogen not greater than 85%. A crack-free pump shaft so hardened to Rockwell 52 C is produced.

Abstract: A process for producing a crack-free, laser nitride-hardened layer on a titanium substrate, the process including preheating the substrate, melting a small area of substrate with a laser, and shrouding the melted area with a gas mixture having a maximum critical amount of nitrogen not greater than 85%. A crack-free pump shaft so hardened to Rockwell 52 C is produced.