Patents Assigned to Astec, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11649595
    Abstract: An inner drum for use in a dryer/mixer in connection with the production of an aggregate-binder mix includes a plurality of mixing paddles disposed on the outer surface of the inner drum and arranged in a plurality of rows. The mixing paddles are configured to rotate through a mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates within an outer drum of the dryer/mixer to mix aggregate and binder together. Interstitial spaces are formed between rows of mixing paddles and material leads, where aggregate material preferentially travels as the inner drum is rotated, extend along the mixing chamber. At least one interstitial mixing paddle is located on the outer surface of the inner drum and in one of the interstitial spaces at one of the material leads. The interstitial mixing paddle rotates through the mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates to also mix the aggregate and binder together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Risley, Chase Walker, Michael C Varner, Andrew Hobbs, Greg Renegar
  • Patent number: 11633675
    Abstract: A remediation plant for remediating drilling mud, cuttings, and fluids. The preferred plant includes a reboiler that is adapted to provide heat to the drilling mud, cuttings, and fluid, a mud drum that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a distillation column that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a heat exchanger that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a condenser that is operatively connected to the distillation column, a condenser tank that is operatively connected to the condenser, an oil-water separator that is operatively connected to the condenser tank, and a pump that is operatively connected to the oil-water separator. The preferred remediation plant is adapted to remove synthetic drilling fluid from drilling mud, cuttings, and fluids. A method for remediating drilling mud, cuttings, and fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: Astec, Inc., Municipal Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventors: Wendell Feltman, Patrick Rooney, Jerry Scott, Kevin Risley, Bob Reed, Dusty McNabb
  • Patent number: 11519747
    Abstract: A method for storing and providing pavement data related to a paved road area that includes paved roads formed by paved road portions that are each paved by a separate asphalt lot. The method includes providing a computer-based system that receives and presents pavement data related to pavement used in constructing the road. An as-built model provides a digital map of a location where the paved road area is located and is overlaid by a digital road model overlays that replicates the paved roads and includes user-selectable digital road segments for each of the paved roads. Each digital road segment corresponds to and is based on only one of road portions. A pavement data set is associated with each digital road segment and includes pavement data related to the asphalt lot used in forming the road portion. When a digital road segments is selected, corresponding pavement data is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Chambers, Kris Robertson, Albert Covington, Chuck Simpson, Lien Gangte, Naaga Kodiboyana, Mike Bass
  • Patent number: 11484851
    Abstract: A stirring blade includes a first member having a first flat surface and a second member having a second flat surface, wherein the stirring blade is rotatable about a rotational axis in a state where the first and second flat surfaces are opposed to each other and spaced by a first distance across the rotational axis. When the stirring blade is rotated about the rotational axis with the first and second flat surfaces at least partially immersed in an object to be stirred, the object to be stirred having entered between the first and second flat surfaces is discharged in a direction away from the rotational axis by a centrifugal force and, simultaneously, the object to be stirred is sucked into and between the first and second flat surfaces from a direction along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SANKO ASTEC INC.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Ishihata
  • Publication number: 20220316150
    Abstract: An inner drum for use in a dryer/mixer in connection with the production of an aggregate-binder mix includes a plurality of mixing paddles disposed on the outer surface of the inner drum and arranged in a plurality of rows. The mixing paddles are configured to rotate through a mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates within an outer drum of the dryer/mixer to mix aggregate and binder together. Interstitial spaces are formed between rows of mixing paddles and material leads, where aggregate material preferentially travels as the inner drum is rotated, extend along the mixing chamber. At least one interstitial mixing paddle is located on the outer surface of the inner drum and in one of the interstitial spaces at one of the material leads. The interstitial mixing paddle rotates through the mixing chamber as the inner drum rotates to also mix the aggregate and binder together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Risley, Chase Walker, Michael C. Varner, Andrew Hobbs, Greg Renegar
  • Publication number: 20220212142
    Abstract: A carbon reduction assembly adapted for use with wet and dry coal combustion products (“CCPs”). The assembly includes a direct-fired carbon reduction section having a dry material inlet device that is adapted to receive the dry CCPs and a direct-fired carbon reduction section burner unit that is adapted to reduce carbon content in the dry CCPs. The assembly also includes a direct-fired dryer section that is operatively connected with the direct-fired carbon reduction section and has a wet material inlet device that is adapted to receive the wet CCPs and a direct-fired dryer section drum that is adapted to dry the wet CCPs. The assembly further includes a control unit that is operatively connected with the carbon reduction section and the dryer section. An amount of hot gas generated by the carbon reduction section is conveyed to the dryer section, and the assembly is adapted to produce dry fly ash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicants: Astec, Inc., Municipal Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventors: Wendell Feltman, Kevin Risley, Patrick Rooney, Jerry Scott, Devin Frank Whitehead, Malcolm Leland Swanson
  • Patent number: 11248788
    Abstract: A burner assembly including a housing and an airflow restrictor plate for selectively restricting an amount of airflow passing out of the housing in order to reduce a heat output of the burner assembly. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet and is configured to guide an airflow from the air inlet and out of the housing via the air outlet. The airflow restrictor plate has a single opening through which all airflow flowing through the housing from the air inlet must pass in order to exit the housing via the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon Putman, Joseph Unjakoti, Eric Wattenbarger, Chris McAllister, Casey Dillon
  • Publication number: 20210381175
    Abstract: A method for producing an asphalt concrete blend that includes the steps of drying and heating aggregate in a single and only dryer, preferably via direct heating, and without use of a pre-dryer. The aggregate is then combined with asphalt cement, preferably via indirect heating, such that the blend has an asphalt cement components (ACC) percentage of at least 25% percent to form an aggregate mix. Liquid asphalt cement may also be added to the aggregate mix. Preferably, the asphalt cement content of the final asphalt concrete blend is provided by a maximum of 70% ACC. In certain cases, the asphalt cement content of the asphalt concrete blend is comprised of ACC and liquid asphalt cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Leland Swanson, Greg Renegar, Michael Varner, Earl Edwards, JR.
  • Patent number: 11008713
    Abstract: A dryer adapted for use in an asphalt plant. The dryer includes a drum having an inner wall and a flight having a proximal end connecting the flight to the inner wall of the drum and a distal end that is spaced apart from the proximal end. A first profile extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the flight and defines a flight shape. A notch is formed in the distal end of the flight, which notch includes a notch shape that is defined by a second profile. The second profile has a length L, a center point, and a portion that substantially approximates a conic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Leland Swanson, Andrew Muirhead Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20210115629
    Abstract: A dryer adapted for use in an asphalt plant. The dryer includes a drum having an inner wall and a flight having a proximal end connecting the flight to the inner wall of the drum and a distal end that is spaced apart from the proximal end. A first profile extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the flight and defines a flight shape. A notch is formed in the distal end of the flight, which notch includes a notch shape that is defined by a second profile. The second profile has a length L, a center point, and a portion that substantially approximates a conic section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Leland Swanson, Andrew Muirhead Hobbs
  • Patent number: 10917473
    Abstract: A road sensor system for sensing data about a road surface and for providing that data, in real time, to data receivers. The system includes a communications network and a data control center that receives and transmits data via the communications network. Sensor assemblies include a housing that is implanted into the road surface, a sensor in the housing that collects sensor data related to an area local to the sensor assembly, and a communications module for communicating sensor data via the communications network from the sensor to the data control center for storage in the database. Sensor data received and stored is associated with location data for a location of the road surface where the housing is implanted. The data receivers receive sensor data or metadata derived from sensor data via the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Bass, Chuck Simpson, Kris Robertson, Mark Chambers
  • Publication number: 20210023473
    Abstract: A remediation plant for remediating drilling mud, cuttings, and fluids. The preferred plant includes a reboiler that is adapted to provide heat to the drilling mud, cuttings, and fluid, a mud drum that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a distillation column that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a heat exchanger that is operatively connected to the reboiler, a condenser that is operatively connected to the distillation column, a condenser tank that is operatively connected to the condenser, an oil-water separator that is operatively connected to the condenser tank, and a pump that is operatively connected to the oil-water separator. The preferred remediation plant is adapted to remove synthetic drilling fluid from drilling mud, cuttings, and fluids. A method for remediating drilling mud, cuttings, and fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicants: Astec, Inc., Municipal Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventors: Wendell Feltman, Patrick Rooney, Jerry Scott, Kevin Risley, Bob Reed, Dusty McNabb
  • Publication number: 20210025587
    Abstract: A burner assembly including a housing and an airflow restrictor plate for selectively restricting an amount of airflow passing out of the housing in order to reduce a heat output of the burner assembly. The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet and is configured to guide an airflow from the air inlet and out of the housing via the air outlet. The airflow restrictor plate has a single opening through which all airflow flowing through the housing from the air inlet must pass in order to exit the housing via the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon Putman, Joseph Unjakoti, Eric Wattenbarger, Chris McAllister, Casey Dillon
  • Patent number: 10870954
    Abstract: A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm L. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20200270822
    Abstract: A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10704210
    Abstract: An asphalt mix tracking system having a data collection system adapted to determine at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, a data control system adapted to receive data from the data collection system, a lot tracking system adapted to track a lot of the asphalt mix, a truck tracking system adapted to track a truck, and a pavement injection system adapted to identify the lot of the asphalt mix. The preferred asphalt mix tracking system is adapted to substantially continuously track the asphalt mix from a mixing site to a paving site. A method for tracking an asphalt mix including determining the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix, communicating the at least one characteristic of the asphalt mix to the data control system, transporting the asphalt mix from the mixing site to the paving site, and injecting an identification means at the paving site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Chambers, Harold Crowe, Kris Robertson, Albert Covington, Wayne Hall, Jonathan Brown, Chuck Simpson, Lien Gangte
  • Publication number: 20200195723
    Abstract: A road sensor system for sensing data about a road surface and for providing that data, in real time, to data receivers. The system includes a communications network and a data control center that receives and transmits data via the communications network. Sensor assemblies include a housing that is implanted into the road surface, a sensor in the housing that collects sensor data related to an area local to the sensor assembly, and a communications module for communicating sensor data via the communications network from the sensor to the data control center for storage in the database. Sensor data received and stored is associated with location data for a location of the road surface where the housing is implanted. The data receivers receive sensor data or metadata derived from sensor data via the communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Bass, Chuck Simpson, Kris Robertson, Mark Chambers
  • Patent number: 10281146
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a stabilizing base flame for a premix main burner flame in a burner assembly having a burner end, a first fuel line, a first fuel nozzle, a second fuel line, and a second fuel nozzle. The apparatus comprises a conduit having a first fuel line end in fluid communication with the first fuel line, a second fuel line end in fluid communication with the second fuel line, a valve in fluid communication with the conduit and a center fuel stabilization bluff body mounted in the burner end. The center fuel stabilization bluff body comprises a first ring, a second ring and a cylinder disposed between the first ring and the second ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Swanson, Malcolm Swanson, Ricardo Costa, Theodore Warren Glassmire
  • Publication number: 20190017970
    Abstract: An inspection device for inspecting storage silos having mobile body with a tray portion for holding internal components for powering and controlling the inspection device, such as a control circuit and power source. Pairs of spaced apart in-line drive wheels are mounted to the tray portion. An external equipment mounting location (space) is provided between the pairs of drive wheels. A universal wiring harness is located within the tray portion and extends to the external mounting location such that at least two non-identical items of inspection equipment can be interchangeably mounted to the mobile body and connected to the wiring harness. A top portion may be secured over the tray portion to enclose the internal components. Optional fenders may be secured over the wheels and external equipment. Preferably, the external equipment can be swapped without having to remove the top portion from the tray portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Simpson, John Watson, Albert Covington, Kris Robertson
  • Patent number: 9855677
    Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Donald Brock, Gary L. Catlett, Malcolm L. Swanson