Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable screed head. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit controlling the hydraulically movable screed head with laser receivers in a column block situation, which interrupts the reception of a laser beam from a laser transmitter by one of the laser receivers, to provide an estimated absolute position of the interrupted receiver side of the screed head until the column block situation clears. Normally, absolute measurements are available on both sides of the screed head via the laser receivers receiving the laser beam.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A portable, oscillating grade determinant apparatus incorporating laser signal receiver is provided for determining proper cement elevation or slope. The apparatus has an electric motor, powered by a rechargeable battery, and actuated by a depressible switch, which turns a metal plate that is unbalanced by the removal of a pie-shaped section therefrom. This unbalanced nature produces an oscillating motion which forces a tamping plate down into freshly-poured concrete. A laser receiver receives a laser signal from a separate laser transmitter mounted on a tripod. The laser receiver includes a speaker which generates audible beeps to indicate the concrete is at proper elevation.

Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable screed head. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit controlling the hydraulically movable screed head with laser receivers in a column block situation, which interrupts the reception of a laser beam from a laser transmitter by one of the laser receivers, to provide an estimated absolute position of the interrupted receiver side of the screed head until the column block situation clears. Normally, absolute measurements are available on both sides of the screed head via the laser receivers receiving the laser beam.

Abstract: A machine having a tool with hydraulically moveable ends, for example as a screed head, is setup for operation by using an inclinometer or other sensor to determine the orientation of the tool. According to this method, the on grade elevational position of the first end of the tool with respect to the reference is selected, and the first end of the tool is then moved to the desired elevational position while an elevation receiver at the first end detects the reference, such as a beam of laser light. The on grade orientation of the tool along its length from one end to the other is selected, and the second end of the tool moved until the on grade orientation of the tool along its length is sensed. The reference is then detected with the elevation receiver at the second end of the tool. The detected positions of the reference at the first and second ends of the tool are then stored as on grade positions.

Abstract: A control system controls movement of individual hydraulically moveable ends of a screed head carried by a boom of a machine so as to maintain a selected elevational position between each end of the screed head and a reference in a concrete paving application. One of a pair of elevation receivers is mounted at each end of the screed head, providing a first and second signals indicating the position of the first and second ends of the screed head in relation to the reference. A sensor, mounted on the screed head, senses the orientation of the screed head along its length from the first end to the second end and providing a third signal indicating such orientation.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, a machine having a tool with hydraulically moveable ends, such for example as a screed head, is setup for operation by using an inclinometer or other sensor to determine the orientation of the tool. According to this method, the on grade elevational position of the first end of the tool with respect to the reference is selected, and the first end of the tool is then moved to the desired elevational position while an elevation receiver at the first end detects the reference, such as a beam of laser light. The on grade orientation of the tool along its length from one end to the other is selected, and the second end of the tool moved until the on grade orientation of the tool along its length is sensed. The reference is then detected with the elevation receiver at the second end of the tool. The detected positions of the reference at the first and second ends of the tool are then stored as on grade positions.

Abstract: A road finisher has a chassis and a floating laying beam, which is located behind the chassis. The beam includes a centrally divided basic beam, and extendable beams which can extend laterally from the basic beam and can be height-adjusted, with respect to the basic beam. The basic beam and the extendable beams are arranged offset one behind the other in the direction of travel. The height adjusting devices are adjusted automatically in such a way that they keep the respective rear edges of the basic beam and of the extendable beams in the same plane. A control signal for the height adjusting devices is derived from measured values for the setting angle of the basic beam. The control signal is picked up by a sensors on the front of the tie bars for measuring the distance from a reference plane independent of the road finisher, and utilized to determine the height of the rear edge of the basic beam and of the extendable extendable beams.

Abstract: A mast assembly is adapted for attachment to an excavating apparatus such as a loader bucket of a skid steer vehicle such as a BOBCAT. The excavating apparatus includes a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a bottom. The mast assembly includes a mast, which can be fabricated from any suitable relatively rigid and durable material, such as aluminized steel. The mast includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected by an angled portion angled to maintain the upper portion in an upright vertical position. A laser receiver is secured to the upper portion of the mast with a pair of adjustable securing straps. The laser receiver operates in a known manner to receive laser energy from a laser beacon to facilitate accurate positioning of the excavating apparatus. A first removable securing member, such as a hook arrangement or latch bracket, is affixed to the mast. The hook arrangement can include a pair of hooks which extend through a corresponding number of bores formed in the excavating apparatus.

Abstract: A paver has a chassis and a trailing floating screed which is articulated on the chassis by a pair of tension arms. The setting angle of the screed relative to the ground is capable of being adjusted via actuating cylinders. The screed includes at least one tamper bar that is movable in upward and downward directions by a drive and having a variable number of strokes. Further, the screed has a bottom-side smoothing plate. At least one sensor configured for measuring the setting angle is provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the screed. The sensor is connected to an associated controller which is capable of adjusting the number of strokes or stroke rate of the tamper bar in order to adjust the setting angle of the screed to a predetermined desired value.

Abstract: A contouring device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at opposite ends by a pair of fluid cylinders. The fluid cylinders are controlled to raise and lower the ends of the contouring assembly independently of each other, thereby allowing the contouring assembly to create a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of one of the fluid cylinders is based on a comparison of the measured position of a first end of the contouring assembly with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. The measurement of the position of the first end of the contouring assembly is achieved by a tracking device which tracks the position of a target positioned on the first end of the contouring assembly and which determines the three dimensional position of the target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for translocating a lane divider from an initial position to a final position on a roadway. The apparatus comprises a conveyor connected to a vehicle. The conveyor includes a receiving segment for receiving the lane divider from the initial position on the roadway and a discharging segment for discharging the lane divider to the final position on the roadway. The receiving segment and the discharging segment are pivotally connected relative to one another. The receiving segment may be pivoted to enable the lateral movement of the receiving segment to accommodate for variation in the initial position of the lane divider on the roadway. The discharging segment may be pivoted for discharging the lane divider to a final position aligned on the roadway. A translocating segment may be interposed between the receiving segment and the discharging segment for moving the lane divider from one lane to another lane on the roadway.

Abstract: A screeding assembly and method is disclosed for spreading, grading, consolidating and smoothing loose or plastic material such as poured, uncured concrete when the assembly moved over an area of the material. The assembly includes a rotatable auger to move the material laterally across the path of travel, a vibratory screed positioned behind the auger to smooth and finish the material, and an elongated engaging member reciprocated laterally across the path at a position between the auger and vibratory screed to facilitate consolidation of the material. Preferably, a plow/striker is positioned in front of the auger to and remove excess material. The assembly may be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle or other support on a boom for moving the assembly over the material, and is preferably controlled by a laser beam responsive elevation control. A kit for attaching the reciprocating engaging member to an existing screed assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a construction machine includes the construction machine provided with a ground leveling implement, a target, and a laser sensor; a survey unit that has a coordinate position measuring element and projects a beam of tracking light indicating a finished-plane height toward the target; a storage unit for storing finished-plane height data in correspondence with a horizontal coordinate position in the coordinate position; and a computation unit for computing the finished-plane height data. The survey unit is equipped with a rotation unit for rotating the laser beam in a vertical direction so that a height of the laser beam at the horizontal coordinate position becomes a height from a determined finished plane. The construction machine is provided with a control unit for controlling the ground leveling implement so that it reaches the finished-plane height, based on a position at which the laser beam is received on the laser sensor.