Of Material Leveling Means Patents (Class 404/84.1)
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Publication number: 20140023436Abstract: The present invention relates to a paving machine that includes an auger, a screed, and one or more sensors. The auger is adapted to distribute a paving mix on a paving surface. The screed is adapted to compact the mix on the paving surface to form the pavement. The one or more sensors are adapted to monitor the density of the pavement as it is compacted by the screed and provide output signals corresponding to the density so that the force exerted by the screed on the pavement as it is formed may be adjusted to achieve a desired pavement density.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ABInventors: Robert W. Begley, Dale W. Starry, Jr.
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Patent number: 8591141Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile paving machine for the installation of ground covering material, with a smoothing board for stripping off the ground covering material, the smoothing board being adjustable in height and the paving machine having a probing unit with a probing foot, which probes the ground level and acts on the position of the smoothing board so that the ground covering material is flush with the ground level, wherein and the probing unit has a probing foot held by a probe support, which is articulated to a support joint, and wherein a sensor or switch unit is provided, held by a switch support, and the switch support is articulated to the probe support and interacts with the sensor or switch unit on the probe support.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: SMG Sportsplatzmachinebau GmbHInventor: Johann Owegeser
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Patent number: 8585317Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLCInventor: Paul Sina
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Publication number: 20130302089Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventor: Paul Sina
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Publication number: 20130294830Abstract: A control and switchover system is provided for controlling milling depth and/or slope of a milling drum of a road construction machine during a milling operation to create a milled surface. The system controls the milling depth and/or slope at least in part on a measurement made with a first sensor. Without interrupting the milling operation the system switches over the control of the milling depth and/or slope to control based at least in part on a measurement made with a second sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Jaroslaw Jurasz, Günter Hähn, Günter Tewes
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Patent number: 8529152Abstract: A method and various apparatus are provided for assisting braking in a paving machine having hydraulically driven ground engaging elements driven by a hydraulic motor, and one or more screed electrical heating elements powered by a generator. In the event that the application of the machine deceleration system occurs at a machine speed exceeding a predetermined threshold value, the hydraulic motor of the drive train is configured to drive the hydraulic pump of the hydraulic system. The hydraulic pump is linked to the system generator to generate electrical power to drive the one or more screed electrical heating elements at a current greater than the current previously being provided to the one or more screed electrical heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Ryan T. Thiesse, Toby A. Frelich
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Patent number: 8511932Abstract: A control and switchover system is provided for controlling milling depth and/or slope of a milling drum of a road construction machine during a milling operation to create a milled surface. The system controls the milling depth and/or slope at least in part on a measurement made with a first sensor. Without interrupting the milling operation the system switches over the control of the milling depth and/or slope to control based at least in part on a measurement made with a second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Jaroslaw Jurasz, Günter Hähn, Günter Tewes
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Patent number: 8439598Abstract: A method for compacting a surface of granular materials is disclosed. The method is applicable to wheeled compaction equipment such as pneumatic-tire compactors, drum-type compactors and asphalt compactors. The propel system includes a controller programmed to send a first at least substantially constant propel command that propels the compaction equipment in a forward direction. The controller then changes the speed of the compaction equipment by providing a second varying propel command that may increase or decrease the speed resulting from the first command. As a result, the speed of the compaction equipment oscillates.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Norton
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Patent number: 8382395Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a frame. The machine may be a paving machine having a receiver configured to receive electronic data indicative of a non-uniformity in a substrate within a region to be paved with a mat of paving material. The paving system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control compactor interaction with the mat of material according to a mat smoothness criterion, including controlling compactor interaction with the mat of material in response to data, such as screed control data, indicative of the non-uniformity in the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Robert Price, Everett Brandt, William Evans
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Patent number: 8371769Abstract: A control and a method of control for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade at a work site and pulls a floating screed, having a screed plate, over the top surface of the material behind the machine is useful in paving with asphalt material. The floating screed is attached to the machine by a tow arm at a tow point on said tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by an hydraulic cylinder on said machine in response to a valve control signal applied to an hydraulic valve by a valve control drive. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade and is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point. A first sensor is mounted on the floating screed for sensing three-dimensional position. A second sensor for senses the pitch of said screed. A processor circuit is responsive to the first and second sensors for determining the height of the trailing edge of the screed plate and the movement of the screed over the top surface of the material.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLCInventors: Andrew James Worsley, Jason Grier Lindsay Hill
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Patent number: 8337118Abstract: A road finisher (1) and a mobile supply unit (4) are described, between which a feed conveyor (7) with a discharge end (7a) is provided. Road finisher (1) and supply unit (4) are movable independently of each other in travel direction (F), and their relative positions with respect to each other can be detected by a sensor means (8, 18). To automate such a system as much as possible and to make it useable under all paving situations, it is suggested that the sensor means (8, 18) should include a position sensor (9) which has assigned thereto at least two mutually spaced-apart reference elements (10) for determining the position of the discharge end (7a) in, and transversely to, the direction of travel (F).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Joseph Vögele AGInventors: Martin Buschmann, Steffen Fickeisen
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Publication number: 20120321385Abstract: A road paver with a layer thickness measuring device which comprises a plurality of sensors in order to measure a distance to the subgrade or to the road pavement. The layer thickness measuring device is mounted rotatably on the road paver or on its screed, whereby the layer thickness measuring device has an equilibrium position at a stipulated angle to the horizontal that it retains or to which it returns even if the inclination of the road paver or of the screed to the horizontal changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: JOSEPH VOGELE AGInventor: Dennis Hanfland
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Publication number: 20120321384Abstract: A road paver with a movable screed and with a layer thickness measuring device, which includes at least two sensors. The sensors are formed to carry out a distance measurement to the paving plane at intervals to determine a distance between the sensor and a point on the surface of the plane, said point being registered by the sensor. One of the two sensors defines a coordinate system. The layer thickness measuring device is formed to add as vectors the distance to the plane measured by the sensor that defines the coordinate system and a movement, relative to the plane and resulting from the driving of the road paver, of the coordinate system that is defined by the one sensor. In this way, a first vector can be determined which, together with a second vector, is used by the measuring device for determining the layer thickness of the laying material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: JOSEPH VOGELE AGInventors: Dennis Hanfland, Ralf Weiser
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Publication number: 20120288328Abstract: Process control for a paving operation is facilitated by obtaining paving material conveyance information for a time period during which paving material is delivered to a screed of a paver by a material conveyance system and distributed over a surface to be paved. The paving material conveyance information includes data indicating incremental advance of the paving material to the screed of the paver during the period of time and data indicating incremental quantity of the paving material at one or more points of the material conveyance system, both of which are correlated to points in time during the time period at which the data is acquired. Incremental quantity of paving material delivered to the screed is determined to facilitate process control in the paving operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Mark MINICH
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Publication number: 20120263532Abstract: Method for laying down a pavement with a road paver, in which machine parameters are coordinated at least with paving requirements of the pavement by means of a controller and in which at least one machine parameter set is created and stored in advance for a paving requirement determined before the paving, the parameter set allowing a high level of machine efficiency and pavement quality to be expected and/or has already produced the same for an at least similar earlier paving requirement of an already laid down pavement, and the pavement on the basis of the parameter set created in advance. The road paver has a controller with an on-board computer connected to a sensor system and an actuating system, and includes memories and a retrieval and/or comparison section for triggering the actuating system for implementing the machine parameters of the parameter set created in advance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: JOSEPH VOGELE AGInventors: Arnold Rutz, Martin Buschmann, Achim Eul, Ralf Weiser
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Patent number: 8246270Abstract: In a self-propelling road milling machine (1), particularly a (recycler or) cold-milling machine, comprising a machine frame (4) carried by a track assemblies (2,3) via lifting columns (12,13), a milling roll (6) supported on the machine frame (4) for treatment of a ground or traffic surface (8), height-adjustable side plates (10) for edge protection, arranged to rest on the ground or traffic surface (8) to be treated, a height-adjustable stripping means (14) arranged in the moving direction behind the milling roll (6) and adapted to be lowered, during operation, into the milling track (17) generated by the milling roll (6), and a control means (23) for controlling the milling depth of the milling roller (6), it is provided that at least one measuring means (16) is operative to detect the lifting, caused by the current milling depth, of a first sensor means resting on the ground or traffic surface (8), and/or the lowering of the stripping means (14) or a second sensor means onto the surface of the milling traType: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Christian Berning, Dieter Simons
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Patent number: 8162564Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Patent number: 8142103Abstract: A system and method for sensing surface compaction effected by a compactor machine of the type having a vibrating compacting roller, and providing a sensor signal indicating sensed surface compaction to a control mounted on the compactor machine, includes a sensor for sensing compaction and providing a signal indicating sensed surface compaction. The sensor is mounted on the compacting roller support of the compactor machine. The system includes a vibration-to-electric energy converter, mounted with the sensor on the compacting roller support and subjected to vibration. The converter converts the vibration energy to electric energy which may be supplied to the sensor and to a transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric energy from said vibration-to-electric energy converter and transmits the sensor signal to a receiver on the machine. The receiver provides the sensor signal to a control for the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLCInventor: Edward Wolf
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Publication number: 20120063847Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile paving machine for the installation of ground covering material, with a smoothing board for stripping off the ground covering material, the smoothing board being adjustable in height and the paving machine having a probing unit with a probing foot, which probes the ground level and acts on the position of the smoothing board so that the ground covering material is flush with the ground level, wherein and the probing unit has a probing foot held by a probe support, which is articulated to a support joint, and wherein a sensor or switch unit is provided, held by a switch support, and the switch support is articulated to the probe support and interacts with the sensor or switch unit on the probe support.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: SMG Sportplatzmachinebau GmbHInventor: Johann Owegeser
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Patent number: 8112242Abstract: A system for determining a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property. A computer device is capable of executing a software program product and communicating with the measuring device. The computer device directs the measuring device to measure the property of the paving-related material according to a parameter determined by the software program product, and to receive data comprising the measured property from the measuring device. A communication element operably engaged between the measuring device and the computer device allows communication therebetween. The communication element is configured to allow the computer device to be spaced apart from the measuring device, thereby allowing the computer device to be prepared, to include the parameter and to manipulate the data, in spaced apart relation with respect to the measuring device. An associated method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Troxler
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Patent number: 8079776Abstract: The invention relates to a paver for the paving of ground courses for roads or the like, comprising a chassis and a trailed floating screed which is articulated on the latter via tow arms and of which the angle of attack relative to the ground can be adjusted via an actuating cylinder, arranged on each of the two sides of the chassis, for displacing the tow point of the tow arms, a tow-point displacement controller for setting the tow point corresponding to an intended paving height dimension of the screed being provided for each side, characterized in that displacement sensors for measuring the displacement movements of the actuating cylinders are provided and are coupled to a control unit which evaluates the displacement signals of the tow-point displacement controllers, which control unit records the displacement movements as control values and compares them with a nominal control value range for displacement movements that can be stored in the control unit and corrects recorded control values outside theType: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft mbHInventor: Ludwig T. Lossow
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Patent number: 8073566Abstract: An automated stringline installation system includes a vehicle, a 3D control system, at least partly carried by the vehicle, for determining location information, and an adjustable arm assembly, mounted on the vehicle, that identifies the location of a relative point in a stringline installation using the location information determined by the 3D control system. The adjustable arm assembly includes an operational arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a string, dispensed from the operational arm, for use in a stringline installation, and a sensor used to determine information pertaining to the location of the distal end of the operational arm assembly relative to the proximal end of the operational arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Power Curbers, Inc.Inventors: Dwight Ferrand Messinger, Fred Russell Humphries, John Charles Colvard
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Patent number: 8052347Abstract: A floating screed device has a first section for cutting through plastic concrete and a second section for floating on the plastic concrete. The two sections are pivotally coupled for rotational movement about a pivot point. Elevation of the second section is measured and used to rotate the first section as the floating screed device is moved through a volume of the plastic concrete that is unfinished. As a result, the second section pitches to follow the first section.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Laser Strike, LLCInventors: Albert D. Frankeny, II, S. Allen Face, III
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Publication number: 20110255918Abstract: A control and a method of control for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade at a work site and pulls a floating screed, having a screed plate, over the top surface of the material behind the machine is useful in paving with asphalt material. The floating screed is attached to the machine by a tow arm at a tow point on said tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by an hydraulic cylinder on said machine in response to a valve control signal applied to an hydraulic valve by a valve control drive. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade and is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point. A first sensor is mounted on the floating screed for sensing three-dimensional position. A second sensor for senses the pitch of said screed. A processor circuit is responsive to the first and second sensors for determining the height of the trailing edge of the screed plate and the movement of the screed over the top surface of the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: CATERPILLAR TRIMBLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Andrew James Worsley, Jason Grier Lindsay Hill
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Patent number: 8038365Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietela
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Publication number: 20110206456Abstract: In a road construction machine (1) for the treatment of road surfaces with a milling drum (3) height-adjustable with regard to the milling depth, with a leveling device (4) with at least one controller (6a, 6c) which receives set values for the milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum (3), and with at least one exchangeable sensor (A, B, C) or with several switchable sensors for registering the current actual value of the milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum (3) relative to a reference surface, where the controller (6a, 6c) effects a milling depth control and/or a slope control for the milling drum (3) conditional on pre-determined set values and the currently measured actual values of the at least one sensor (A, B, C) by returning an adjustment value for achieving or maintaining the set value during the milling operation, where the leveling device (4) is provided with an indication and setting device (2) for indicating and setting operating parameters for the at least one sensor (A, BType: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: WIRTGEN GMBHInventors: Jaroslaw Jurasz, Günter Hähn, Günter Tewes
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Publication number: 20110176868Abstract: A multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: TEREX USA, LLCInventors: JOSEPH E. MUSIL, Vince Egan
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Publication number: 20110123267Abstract: In a method for laying down a pavement consisting of paving material with a screed of a road paver, in which a compaction unit, particularly a tamper, pre-compacts the paving material at cyclical work cycles with selectable stroke and selectable frequency while the pavement having a selectable pavement thickness) is in the process of being laid down at a selectable paving speed, at least the stroke is automatically adjustable in response to paving parameters, such as at least the paving speed and/or the pavement thickness, along a characteristic curve or in a characteristic map. In the screed the compaction unit comprises an adjusting mechanism which is operable during the ongoing paving work for adjusting the stroke of the compaction unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: JOSEPH VOGELE AGInventors: Martin Buschmann, Günter Zegowitz, Achim Eul, Ralf Weiser, Roman Munz, Nicole Angermann, Klaus Bertz, Christian Pawlik
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Patent number: 7946787Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a frame with a plurality of ground-engaging elements coupled with the frame, and a height adjustable screed coupled with the frame. The paving system may also include a paving control system having a receiver configured to receive screed control data indicative of a position of the height adjustable screed relative to a reference position. The paving control system may further include a computer readable memory storing a control algorithm, which may include a smoothness estimating algorithm and a screed adjusting algorithm. An electronic control unit is coupled with the computer readable memory and is configured via the control algorithm to determine a smoothness value for a region of a mat of material which corresponds with an irregular pattern of screed position, in response to screed control data received via the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Aaron Donnelli
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Patent number: 7938595Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Patent number: 7909534Abstract: An endgate comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a screed assembly, a pivoting plate adapted to be pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, a sliding plate, a pavement contacting surface and a support adapted to be pivotally moved with the pivoting plate, a means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface disposed between the support and the sliding plate, a first adjustment means adapted to adjust the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface and a second adjustment means adapted to adjust the angle of the pavement contacting surface. A method comprising providing such an endgate, adjusting the angle of the pavement contacting surface and adjusting the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Comer, Jeff Cartwright
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Publication number: 20110064518Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
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Publication number: 20110002736Abstract: A slip-form paver for applying a formable paving material onto a surface is described. The paver comprises a feed hopper having a bottom outlet, said hopper being adapted for directing the formable paving material through the bottom outlet. A slip-form mould is mounted below the bottom outlet for receiving said formable paving material and applying said material onto said surface. The hopper converges inwardly towards the bottom outlet such that the formable paving material passing through said hopper is directed towards said bottom outlet, and the weight of the formable paving material is concentrated at said bottom outlet so as to compress, compact and/or consolidate said material into the slip-form mould.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Jean-Eudes Monger, Peter Gregory Beauchamp, Paul William Robberds
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Patent number: 7854565Abstract: A method of establishing a desired grade of an uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface includes providing a wheeled apparatus having a wheeled support and a plow assembly, which may include a plow member for establishing the desired grade and/or a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete. The down pressure of the plow assembly may be adjusted when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction. The elevation of the plow member may be controlled when a direction signal is indicative of the wheeled support stopping and/or moving in the forward direction. The rearward speed of the wheeled support may be reduced in response to a detection of a surface irregularity of the subgrade, and the frame portion and/or the plow assembly may be controlled to substantially maintain the plow assembly at a desired orientation when the wheel engages the detected surface irregularity.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Michael R. Keranen, Carl B. Kieranen
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Patent number: 7856302Abstract: A transition region control system has one or more sensors configured to transmit a signal representative of a speed of a work machine moving over a first surface. The transition region control system also has one or more surfacing components configured to form a second surface generally coplanar to the first surface, wherein the second surface may include a transition region generally non-coplanar to the first surface. The transition region control system further has a data input system configured to transmit data representative of the transition region to a controller. The controller may be configured to determine the speed of the work machine based on the signal received from the one or more sensors and control the operation of at least one of the one or more surfacing components to at least partially form the transition region based on the speed of the work machine and the data representative of the transition region.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Terry L. Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20100196096Abstract: A screeding machine including at least one of (a) a boom speed cruise control for automatically controlling the travel speed of the screed head assembly, (b) an auto-stabilizer control that automatically adjusts the stabilizer actuators of the screeding machine to a preselected degree of extension, (c) a control for automatically controlling the lowering of the screed head assembly toward and to the concrete surface and automatically activating the auger and vibrator at a beginning of each screeding pass and automatically deactivating the auger and vibrator in response to the screed head assembly being raised away from the concrete surface at the end of a screed pass, and (d) an auto-screed mode that allows the operator to select maximum values for at least one of a boom extension speed, a boom retraction speed, a boom rotation speed and a screed head rotation speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Philip D. Halonen, Matthew A. Kangas, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson
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Publication number: 20100172695Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: SOMERO ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietila
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Patent number: 7677834Abstract: A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area. Optionally, the control may delay lowering of the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device until a period of time has elapsed after an activating event. Optionally, the control may automatically stop vibration of the vibrating member when the screed head assembly is not moving in the screeding direction and may automatically vibrate the vibrating member when the screed head assembly moves in the screeding direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Frank E. Anderson, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Mark A. Pietela
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Patent number: 7651295Abstract: An extension screed is for a paving vehicle screed assembly that includes a main screed. The extension screed includes two base members movably connectable with the main screed and two vertical actuators each extending between the main screed and a separate base member. Each vertical actuator linearly displaces the connected base member with respect to the main screed in opposing vertical directions. A carriage preferably includes an inner frame movably connected with the base members and an outer frame slidably disposed about the inner frame and configured to support a screed plate. The vertical actuators vertically displace the carriage and alternatively pivot the carriage within a vertical plane. Further, a first horizontal actuator displaces the inner frame with respect to the two base members in opposing horizontal directions and a second horizontal actuator displaces the outer fame with respect to the inner frame in opposing horizontal directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment ABInventors: Michael S. Eppes, Eric Potter, Christopher W. Rahn
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Publication number: 20100014916Abstract: A control is provided for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade and pulls a floating screed over the top surface of the material behind the machine. The floating screed is attached to the machine by at least one tow arm at a tow point on the tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder on the machine in response to a valve control signal applied to a hydraulic valve. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade as it is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point such that the top surface of the material follows a reference surface. A first sensor is mounted on the machine, adjacent the front of the machine, for sensing the relative height of the reference surface and providing a first sensor output related thereto. A second sensor for senses the height of the tow point relative to the machine and provides a second sensor output related thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: CATERPILLAR TRIMBLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Francisco Green
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Publication number: 20090324331Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a frame with a plurality of ground-engaging elements coupled with the frame, and a height adjustable screed coupled with the frame. The paving system may also include a paving control system having a receiver configured to receive screed control data indicative of a position of the height adjustable screed relative to a reference position. The paving control system may further include a computer readable memory storing a control algorithm, which may include a smoothness estimating algorithm and a screed adjusting algorithm. An electronic control unit is coupled with the computer readable memory and is configured via the control algorithm to determine a smoothness value for a region of a mat of material which corresponds with an irregular pattern of screed position, in response to screed control data received via the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Aaron Donnelli
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Publication number: 20090317186Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a frame. The machine may be a paving machine having a receiver configured to receive electronic data indicative of a non-uniformity in a substrate within a region to be paved with a mat of paving material. The paving system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control compactor interaction with the mat of material according to a mat smoothness criterion, including controlling compactor interaction with the mat of material in response to data, such as screed control data, indicative of the non-uniformity in the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Robert Price, Everett Brandt, William Evans
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Patent number: 7604433Abstract: A floating screed device has a first section for cutting through plastic concrete and a second section for floating on the plastic concrete. The first and second sections are coupled together by a mechanism that moves the first section relative to the second section in a direction perpendicular to the planar bottom of the second section as the floating screed device is moved through a volume of unfinished plastic concrete.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Laser Strike, LLCInventors: S. Allen Face, III, Albert D. Frankeny, II
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Patent number: 7591608Abstract: A compaction system, including a first and second array of compaction elements supported by an underside of a motorized vehicle adapted to traverse a degraded surface. A sensor assembly is supported by the motorized vehicle, disposed intermediate the first and second array of compaction elements, and in electrical communication with a controller. The sensor assembly also being adapted to sense a characteristic of an at least partially compacted surface formed after the first array of compacting elements applies a first compaction pressure to the degraded surface. The controller being in electrical communication with the second array of compaction elements and has an input field for a second compaction pressure. The sensor assembly is adapted to input the second compaction pressure into the field and the controller is adapted to adjust the second array of compaction elements to apply the second compaction pressure to the at least partially compacted surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Inventors: David R. Hall, Tyson J. Wilde, Jacob S. Waldron
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Patent number: 7584007Abstract: An electronic control device on a road paver includes an operator's console and a host system unit which is connected via a bus system to electronic subsystems, and which has an inputting and indicating section and a storage area for adjusted machine parameter-data, which machine parameter-data are set and stored at least in the host system unit for the parameterization of the road paver, whereby at least one data exchange port is provided which is connected to the host system unit and which is bi-directional. A mobile data memory device is detachably attached to the data exchange port for storing and safeguarding at least the machine parameter-data, which are set in the host system unit in redundant fashion.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Joseph Voegele AGInventor: Achim Eul
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Patent number: 7575395Abstract: A system is for sensing a property of a material mat from a construction vehicle. The system includes a sensor for sensing the material property and a positioning mechanism connected with the vehicle and with the sensor. The mechanism displaces the sensor between first and second positions with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle displaces with respect to the material mat. The first sensor position is spaced a substantial distance above the mat upper surface. The second sensor position is located proximal to or on the mat surface such that the sensor is able to sense the material property in the second position. A controller operates the mechanism to sequentially displace the sensor from the first to second positions, permit the sensor to remain disposed at the second position for a period of time, and displace the sensor from the second to first positions after the period of time.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment ABInventors: Laura Stridiron, Michael James Scotese
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Patent number: 7559718Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable tool of a machine. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit of the machine to control the ends of the hydraulically movable tool having elevation receivers as an desired mode of operation or when reception by one of the elevational receivers of a elevational reference, which provides an absolute position of the ends of the tool, is interrupted. The conventional control circuit of the machine uses the generated signal of the transducer arrangement of the present invention to maintain a relative elevation position of one side of the tool to the absolute position of the other side of the tool as desired or until both receiver can reacquire the elevational reference.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Mark E. Zachman, Jerald W. Yost
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Patent number: 7510347Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for milling traffic areas. The machine has a vertically adjustable chassis which carries a steerable traveling mechanism and a drive unit for moving the machine and for driving a milling mechanism coupled to the drive unit. A laser scanner is attached to at least on one side of the chassis. With the laser scanner, the height relative to the surface of a traffic area to be milled can be measured and the chassis can be set vertically in accordance with the measured values relative to the surface of the traffic area to be milled. The laser scanner is attached in the center side-wall region of the chassis. The scanning plane of the laser scanner is essentially parallel to the side-wall region of the chassis and at a height which permits monitoring of a hazard region which extends at least over the side length of the machine. The laser scanner produces a trigger signal if a disturbance occurs in the scanning plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft mbHInventor: Bernd Lemke
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Patent number: 7491011Abstract: A wheeled screeding apparatus includes a vibrating member adjustably mounted at an end of a frame portion of a wheeled support, with the vibrating member at least partially supporting the end of the frame portion. The vibrating member is generally vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion to adjust a level of the vibrating member relative to the wheeled support. A level control is operable to automatically adjust the vibrating member relative to the frame portion in response to an output of a level sensor, with the level control automatically adjusting the vibrating member relative to the frame portion to substantially maintain the frame portion at a desired orientation relative to horizontal as the screeding device is moved over and through the uncured concrete in a screeding direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Somero Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Russ E. Stein, Mark A. Pietila, Carl B. Kieranen, Philip D Halonen, Howard E. Hohmann, Jr.
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Patent number: 7422391Abstract: A road milling machine having a milling roller with a plurality of chisels. A signal receiving unit is assigned to a machine component which is directly or indirectly involved in the milling process or to another machine component. The signal receiving unit detects an operating condition of the machine component and is connected to a signal emitting unit. An optical detecting device may be assigned to the road milling machine, whereby operations are made easier and the milling pattern is optimized.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Bernd Holl, Kay Heemann, Günter Hähn, Axel Mahlberg