Abstract: A grinder truck with a computer controlled profiler in combination with a vehicle automated guidance system for guiding a vehicle and equipment secured to a vehicle for removing of road markings. The computer controlled profiler detects the position of one or more grinding, grooving, rumbling heads in the X, Y and Z position. A controller and one or more actuators are manipulated in response to ground markings visible in a camera field. A remote controller allows an operator to control grinder heads individually, and allows for precise adjustment based upon an operator's visual inspection.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle mounted dry filtration system to support a grinder system used for removal of markings, creating rumble strips, or the like. Blowers create a vacuum for drawing debris and dust from the grinder system into a debris bin. Large debris is removed from the vacuum draw and remains in the bin for later disposal. Small particles and dust are drawn into parallel positioned filter cyclones that have a cyclonic separation followed by flexible and inexpensive bag filters. The flexible filters are cleaned using vibrating diaphragms mounted on the top of the filter cyclones subject to a reverse air flow by the blowers using slide valves. A polishing tank containing water receives the exhaust from the filter cyclones for removal of airborne particles and sound suppression.

Abstract: Melting kettles for use on vehicles for continuous processing of material for applying lines, stripes, bitumen, crack sealant or the like. The kettles disclosed herein provide heat transfer by use of oil jacketed tanks. A coil may be placed along a lower section for heat transfer through a burner for heating recirculated oil. A coil may be placed in a lower section and an upper section for heating an oil jacket, as well as heat transfer from the entire circumference of a coil placed in the upper section. An upper coil can be fluidly coupled to a lower coil and positioned within the chamber a spaced apart distance from the interior wall of the melter kettle. A mixer system rotates paddles to cause continuous transfer of material around the upper coil. The melter kettle is cylindrical, but can be corrugated to increase heatable surface area.

Abstract: A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoplastic extrusion vehicle for continuous processing of thermoplastic material used for applying lines and stripes to a roadway. Heated oil from a burner is directed to a common reservoir having a section for oil distributed to the extremities of the vehicle and a main section for heating of melting kettles; the common reservoir having a divider wall capable of maintaining two different temperatures within the reservoir. A programmable logic controller displays and records the mil thickness of lines that is calculated according to the volume of material consumed at the rate of application based upon the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement to surface marking devices for pumping and circulating melted thermoplastic material to various surfaces including roads, parking lots and the like is provided. The pump for melted thermoplastic is comprised of a cold section and a hot section. The hot section is connected to a fluid or electric motor, or alternatively, an internal combustion engine for providing rotation to the pump. The connection to provide rotation to the hot section is through the cold section, which is spaced away from the hot section and connected with shafting to provide rotation to the hot section. A heating jacket is secured to the hot section for transferring heat from an external source to the hot section. The spacing between the hot and cold sections provides the ability to rebuild the hot section of the pump without removal from the cold section and without removal from the vehicle to which it is attached.

Abstract: A pavement striping devices for heating and applying thermoplastic material to a road surface is provided. The pavement striping device includes of: a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state, an air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle having a series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits within, a plastic extruder for transporting the thermoplastic particulate from the hopper to the series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits with the air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle, a heating mechanism for heating the air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle and the plastic extruder to a temperature suitable for melting thermoplastic, and a means for driving the stream of molten thermoplastic through the series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits to a sprayer or extrusion die, all of which form a means by which the molten thermoplastic is directed to the pavement surface.

Abstract: The present device is a rumble strip forming apparatus for reducing the amount of reactive force transferred to the transporter. The rumble strip forming apparatus includes a transport, a lift device, a grinder, and a drive means that connect drive portions of the transport to the grinder to synchronize engagement of a cutting device with the pavement with forward movement of the transport while providing rearward movement of the grinder drum during cutting. The grinder is configured to provide both rotation of a pavement cutter and up and down movement of the pavement cutter while portions of the grinder remain in contact with the pavement.

Abstract: The present system relates to a water and debris recovery system for a water blasting device suitable for mounting upon the frame of a mobile vehicle for easy transport and use. The system includes a liquid reservoir connected to a high pressure fluid pump for directing ultra-high pressure water through a blast head to remove the coatings or markings from a surface. The blast head includes a shroud which surrounds the blasting area to at least partially contain the water and debris dislodged from the surface. A vacuum pump is secured to the shroud with the vacuum passing through a cyclone type separator, allowing the water and debris to settle to the bottom portion of the cyclone. The tank includes a floating floor and bladder assembly that allows the same space to be utilized for clean as well as dirty water while maintaining separation of the two.

Abstract: The present system relates to a water and debris recovery system for a water blasting device suitable for mounting upon the frame of a mobile vehicle for easy transport and use. The system includes a liquid reservoir connected to a high pressure fluid pump for directing ultra-high pressure water through a blast head to remove the coatings or markings from a surface. The blast head includes a shroud which surrounds the blasting area to at least partially contain the water and debris dislodged from the surface. A vacuum pump is secured to the shroud with the vacuum passing through a cyclone type separator, allowing the water and debris to settle to the bottom portion of the cyclone. The tank includes a floating floor and bladder assembly that allows the same space to be utilized for clean as well as dirty water while maintaining separation of the two.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an environmentally sensitive mobile cleaning system; and more specifically relates to a holding tank that includes at least one internal bladder for high or ultra-high pressure mobile cleaning apparatus. The holding tank with internal bladder works in combination with a mobile pressure cleaning apparatus for cleaning surfaces while minimizing water usage and containing contaminants before they enter a storm water drain system.

Abstract: Briefly, disclosed is an ultra high pressure blasting head for a mobile marking removal system. The blasting head includes a hydraulic motor that is constructed and arranged for direct connection to a spray bar for controlled rotation thereof. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor is constructed to be hollow or tubular so that the ultra high pressure water can be supplied to the spray bar through the output shaft. The spray head assembly is particularly suited for mobile systems utilized to remove markings and/or coatings from surfaces with high or ultra high pressure liquid.