Abstract: An edger assembly is for a paving vehicle screed for forming a paving material mat upon a base surface. The edger assembly includes a support connectable with the screed and an edger member having a contact surface contactable with the base surface. An actuator has an upper end coupled with the edger member and a lower end coupled with the support, the upper end being displaceable with respect to the lower end to vertically displace the edger member relative to the base surface. The actuator preferably includes two threaded blocks coupled with the support and two rotatable rods each coupled with the edger member and engaged with one block. Rotation of the rods vertically displaces the rods with respect to the support to displace the edger member. Preferably, a biasing member is disposed about each rod and biases the edger member in a direction generally toward the base surface.

Abstract: A device is provided for discharging two gases from a vehicle to ambient air, one gas having pressure pulsation of a first magnitude. The device includes an elongated body connected with the vehicle and having a first inlet connected with a first gas source, a second inlet connected with a second gas source, an outlet fluidly communicable with ambient air, and an interior mixing chamber, the two inlets being fluidly communicable with the chamber such that the two gases flow into the chamber. The body combines the two gases within the mixing chamber to form a combined gas having pressure pulsation of a lesser, second magnitude and to discharge the combined gas to ambient air. Preferably, the body includes an outer tubular member having the first inlet and the outlet and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer member and including the second inlet and a plurality of ports.

Abstract: An anti-segregation device (10) for preventing segregation of paving material (P) that is applied to a road bed (7) by a paving vehicle (1). The anti-segregation device (10) includes a first end (14) that is connected with the frame (2of the paving vehicle (1) and an opposing end (16) proximal to the road bed (7). The anti-segregation device (10) is configured to substantially contain paving material (P) between the anti-segregation device (10) and a screed (3) on the paving vehicle (1). The anti-segregation device (10) substantially prevents larger material particles from falling, rolling or otherwise moving forwardly from the remainder of the paving material head (H) so as to generally prevent material segregation.

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 wheel assembly is for mobilizing a construction vehicle upon a base surface and includes a frame connected with the vehicle and configured to pivot about a first axis. At least one and preferably two axles are connected with the frame and configured to pivot respectively about a second axis and a third axis, the second and third axes each extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. Each axle has a longitudinal centerline extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the second axis. Two wheels are preferably connected with each axle so as to rotate generally about each axle centerline. When the wheels are disposed generally upon the base surface, the wheels roll with respect to the surface so as to at least partially mobilize the vehicle. Further, angular displacement of the frame and the axle about the second axis move the wheels within two perpendicular vertical planes.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is for use with a vehicle having a wheel pivotable about an axis and an actuator configured to pivot the wheel. The conveyor assembly includes a carriage connectable with the vehicle and having a wheel pivotable about an axis, a swing axis and a first bearing surface about the swing axis. A carriage steering actuator pivots the carriage wheel about its axis in one direction when the vehicle actuator pivots the vehicle wheel about its axis in an opposing direction. A conveyor connected with the carriage has a second bearing surface engaged about the first bearing surface. Further, a swing actuator rotates the conveyor about the swing axis such that the second bearing surface linearly displaces along a first arcuate path as an actuator end displaces along a second arcuate path, configured such that the bearing surface displacement is greater than the actuator end displacement.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is for mobilizing a construction vehicle upon a base surface and includes a frame connected with the vehicle and configured to pivot about a first axis. At least one and preferably two axles are connected with the frame and configured to pivot respectively about a second axis and a third axis, the second and third axes each extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. Each axle has a longitudinal centerline extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the second axis. Two wheels are preferably connected with each axle so as to rotate generally about each axle centerline. When the wheels are disposed generally upon the base surface, the wheels roll with respect to the surface so as to at least partially mobilize the vehicle. Further, angular displacement of the frame and the axle about the second axis move the wheels within two perpendicular vertical planes.

Abstract: An apparatus that tamps paving material and distributes the paving material evenly across a screed plate before the paving material is leveled by the screed plate. The apparatus includes a tamper bar for compacting material, a drive connected to the tamper bar, and a biasing member. The drive intermittently forces the tamper bar downward into contact with the paving material at a desired speed and to a desired depth. The biasing member is connected to the tamper bar and biases the tamper bar upward against the drive such that the biasing member raises the tamper bar out of contact with the paving surface after the drive forces the tamper bar downward.

Abstract: The screed assembly includes a screed plate and a screed frame. The screed plate includes a notch and the screed frame includes a tab that is inserted into the notch on the screed frame such that only screed plates and screed frames which include proper mating notches and tabs may be assembled together on road paving machines. In a preferred form of the invention, the width of the tab is approximately equal to the width of the notch to prevent lateral movement of the screed plate with respect to the screed frame when the screed plate is subjected to lateral impacts and forces during operation of the road paving machine.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is for use with a vehicle having a wheel pivotable about an axis and an actuator configured to pivot the wheel. The conveyor assembly includes a carriage connectable with the vehicle and having a wheel pivotable about an axis, a swing axis and a first bearing surface about the swing axis. A carriage steering actuator pivots the carriage wheel about its axis in one direction when the vehicle actuator pivots the vehicle wheel about its axis in an opposing direction. A conveyor connected with the carriage has a second bearing surface engaged about the first bearing surface. Further, a swing actuator rotates the conveyor about the swing axis such that the second bearing surface linearly displaces along a first arcuate path as an actuator end displaces along a second arcuate path, configured such that the bearing surface displacement is greater than the actuator end displacement.

Abstract: A burner assembly for heating a screed plate of a screed assembly connected to a frame of a paving machine. The screed assembly includes a heating chamber adjacent to the screed plate. The burner assembly includes a blower that moves air into the heating chamber, and a fuel injection system including a fuel valve. The fuel injection system introduces fuel to the heating chamber. The burner assembly further includes an igniter that ignites the fuel to produce a flame, a thermocouple positioned within an expected flame path, and a controller. The thermocouple generates a thermocouple voltage having a relationship to a temperature surrounding a junction of the thermocouple, and the controller operates the fuel valve based in part on the thermocouple voltage.

Abstract: The screed assembly includes a screed plate and a screed frame. The screed plate includes a notch and the screed frame includes a tab that is inserted into the notch on the screed frame such that only screed plates and screed frames which include proper mating notches and tabs may be assembled together on road paving machines. In a preferred form of the invention, the width of the tab is approximately equal to the width of the notch to prevent lateral movement of the screed plate with respect to the screed frame when the screed plate is subjected to lateral impacts and forces during operation of the road paving machine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a screed assembly that includes a strike-off. This strike-off is directly connected to a screed plate such that the strike-off is able to bend or twist along with movement of the screed plate which occurs during a paving operation. The strike-off in the screed assembly of the present invention is simpler and less costly to manufacture than corresponding devices in existing screed assemblies. Connecting the strike-off directly to the screed establishes a shearing height prior to mounting the screed assembly to the paving machine in set up of the screed assembly faster and easier to accomplish.

Abstract: The auger includes a first cast section and a second cast section. The first cast section includes a first flight having a gate projection that remains on the first flight after a gate which is used during casting the first cast section has been removed from the first cast section. The second cast section includes a second flight having a recess that receives the gate projection when the first flight is coupled to the second flight such that the gate projection does not need to be ground off in order to attach the first cast section to the second cast section. The first flight is attached with the second flight to create a substantially smooth and unbroken transition between the first flight and the second flight such that the auger efficiently transports paving material from the hopper of a road paving machine onto a prepared road bed.

Abstract: A swing conveyor assembly for use with a base vehicle including a first material conveyor having a discharge location. The swing conveyor assembly comprises a platform supported by a wheel assembly, a linkage assembly adapted to be interconnected between the platform and the base vehicle and a second material conveyor. The linkage assembly is configured to permit free vertical movement over a given range of the platform and wheel assembly relative to the base vehicle. The second material conveyor has a receiving location and is rotatably connected to the platform about a vertical rotation axis. The rotation axis extends through the receiving location and the discharge location when the platform is connected to the base vehicle such that receiving location remains aligned with the discharge location as the second material conveyor is rotated relative to the first material conveyor.

Abstract: A controller is for a heating system of a paving screed including a screed plate. The heating system is connected with the screed and configured to transfer thermal energy to the screed plate and includes an actuator configured to adjust thermal energy output of the heating system. The controller includes a temperature sensor connectable with the screed and configured to sense temperature of the screed plate. The sensor is also configured to generate electrical signals proportional to sensed temperature. An electrical logic circuit is electrically connected with the sensor and is electrically connectable with the actuator. The logic circuit is configured to compare a temperature signal from the sensor with a desired temperature value and to automatically operate the actuator such that the actuator adjusts thermal energy output of the heating system so as to maintain screed temperature about the desired temperature value.

Abstract: An edge-forming device is used with a screed assembly having lateral ends and a screed plate extending between the lateral ends, the screed plate having a generally horizontal working surface, and a generally horizontal centerline. The edge-forming device includes a frame connected with a lateral end of the screed assembly and a plate disposed below the frame. The plate has a horizontal working surface and extends outwardly beyond the screed assembly lateral end. An adjustment mechanism is connected with the frame and with the edge-forming plate and displaces the plate with respect to the frame to adjust a vertical position of the edge-forming plate with respect to the screed plate such that the plate forms a vertical step in a mat of material paved by the screed assembly proximal to an edge of the mat. The adjustment mechanism also pivots the plate to adjust the taper angle of the vertical step in the mat and also to adjust the angle of attack of the plate.

Abstract: A screed assembly for use in paving material upon a generally horizontal surface includes a main screed having a generally vertical front surface. At least one and preferably two screed extensions are connected with the main screed. At least one and preferably a pair horizontally-extending support members each have a first end movably connected with the main screed and a second end connected with a screed extension. The support members are movable with respect to the main screed so as to displace the screed extensions alternately toward and away from the main screed front surface so as to adjust the angle of attack of the screed extensions independently of the angle of attack of the main screed. Preferably, an adjustment assembly or device is connected with the support member and is configured to displace the support member with respect to the main screed. The adjustment device includes a base attached to either the main screed or the support member, preferably the support member.

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 paving apparatus is provided with a micropower impulse radar device connected to control a leveller. The leveller is a screed provided with actuators for adjusting screed elevation, slope, and extension. The radar senses a reference, such as a string line, and operates the actuators to adjust the screed.