Abstract: A method for subduing a fire is described. A fire is intentionally set in front of a larger advancing fire to create a back burn. A vehicle supporting a jet turbine is moved to a front of the back burn. The jet turbine is operated to draw surrounding, ambient air therein and therethrough to form an exhaust. The burning of the back burn is accelerated by directing the exhaust either directly at or to the front of the of the back burn. The back burn leaves a swatch of burned land in the path of the advancing larger fire providing a reduced supply of fuel for the advancing larger fire to burn once the larger advancing fire reaches the swatch.

Abstract: A dryer (10) for an asphalt plant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dryer (10) includes a generally cylindrical drum (12); a burner (20) having a burner head (22) at least partially disposed within the drum (12); a feeder (26) attached to a stationary portion of the dryer (10) for providing a recycled asphalt pavement; and an adjustable inlet (28) for introducing the recycled asphalt pavement from the feeder (26) into the drum (12) at a desired position. The adjustable inlet (28) is adjustable laterally between at least two positions.

Abstract: A stove having a drying chamber and a combustion chamber wherein fuel is dried in the drying chamber before being burned in the combustion chamber. In one embodiment, the drying chamber is located above the combustion chamber so that after the fuel is dried in the drying chamber it can be dropped into the combustion chamber for combustion.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus (10) for drying a material (44) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rotating apparatus (10) includes a generally cylindrical drum (12), a burner (20) having a burner head (22) at least partially disposed within the drum (10) and a plurality of elongated flights (26). The flights (26) are spaced-apart at pre-determined locations along an interior surface (16) of the drum (12). The length of the flights extends along the interior surface (16) of the drum (12). Optionally, a plurality of plates (28) may be utilized and positioned between the plurality of flights (26) and the interior surface (16) of the drum (12).

Abstract: A dryer (10) for an asphalt plant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dryer (10) includes a generally cylindrical drum (12); a burner (20) having a burner head (22) at least partially disposed within the drum (12); a feeder (26) attached to a stationary portion of the dryer (10) for providing a recycled asphalt pavement; and an adjustable inlet (28) for introducing the recycled asphalt pavement from the feeder (26) into the drum (12) at a desired position. The adjustable inlet (28) is adjustable laterally between at least two positions.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus (10) for drying a material (44) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rotating apparatus (10) includes a generally cylindrical drum (12), a burner (20) having a burner head (22) at least partially disposed within the drum (10) and a plurality of elongated flights (26). The flights (26) are spaced-apart at pre-determined locations along an interior surface (16) of the drum (12). The length of the flights extends along the interior surface (16) of the drum (12). Optionally, a plurality of plates (28) may be utilized and positioned between the plurality of flights (26) and the interior surface (16) of the drum (12).

Abstract: A method for subduing a fire (70) is disclosed. This method is performed by operating a jet turbine (20), having an exhaust (22), to direct the exhaust (22) into a moving front of the fire (72), generally against the movement of the front of the fire (72). A retardant (30), preferably dust, is directed from a supply tank (40) into the exhaust (22), through a pressurized conduit (42). Alternately, dust or other material (32) is lifted from the land around the fire (70) and blown into the fire (70), extinguishing the fire (70) or decreasing its intensity. To completely extinguish the fire (70), it may be necessary to further douse the fire with either or both water and a second retardant.

Abstract: A method for subduing a fire (70) is disclosed. This method is performed by operating a jet turbine (20), having an exhaust (22), to direct the exhaust (22) into a moving front of the fire (72), generally against the movement of the front of the fire (72). A retardant (30), preferably dust, is directed from a supply tank (40) into the exhaust (22), through a pressurized conduit (42). Alternately, dust or other material (32) is lifted from the land around the fire (70) and blown into the fire (70), extinguishing the fire (70) or decreasing its intensity. To completely extinguish the fire (70), it may be necessary to further douse the fire with either or both water and a second retardant.

Abstract: The present invention is to a method and apparatus for changing the flighting (20) within a mixing drum (12). A plurality of radially spaced apart doors or paddles (30) are connected to one of the two adjacent supports (60). Each door or paddle (30) is pivotally connected (35,34) to the interior (13) of the drum (12) and can be either open or closed depending on which fixed support (60) the door/paddle is connected to.

Abstract: A method for subduing a fire (70) is disclosed. This method is performed by operating a jet turbine (20), having an exhaust (22), to direct the exhaust (22) into a moving front of the fire (72), generally against the movement of the front of the fire (72). A retardant (30), preferably dust, is directed from a supply tank (40) into the exhaust (22), through a pressurized conduit (42). Alternately, dust or other material (32) is lifted from the land around the fire (70) and blown into the fire (70), extinguishing the fire (70) or decreasing its intensity. To completely extinguish the fire (70), it may be necessary to further douse the fire with either or both water and a second retardant.

Abstract: The present invention is to a method and apparatus for changing the flighting (20) within a mixing drum (12). A plurality of radially spaced apart doors or paddles (30) are connected to one of the two adjacent supports (60). Each door or paddle (30) is pivotally connected (35,34) to the interior (13) of the drum (12) and can be either open or closed depending on which fixed support (60) the door/paddle is connected to.

Abstract: A rotary aggregate elevator for use in an asphalt plant comprising a rotating dryer drum for drying aggregate having an inlet end and an outlet end, a rotating mixing drum having an inlet end and an outlet end, and further having an inlet for dried aggregate at its inlet end for receiving dried aggregate, an annular collar attached to the inlet end of the mixing drum for receiving aggregate discharged from the outlet end of the dryer drum, the annular collar having flights attached to its inner wall to lift dried aggregate to the inlet of the mixing drum as it rotates.

Abstract: A material storing and dispensing assembly for storing and discharging hot asphalt material, comprising a vertically-extending vessel having a generally cylindrical shape and a top opening for receiving material, a dispensing cone positioned in the vessel and opposed to the top opening, the dispensing cone having a discharge opening at a distal end for discharging material from the vessel, a first gate enclosed within a gate weldment and adapted for engagement with the discharge opening slidable between one of an open position for releasing material from the vessel through the discharge opening and a closed position for retaining material within the vessel, a second gate having a sealing face adapted for effectively sealing the discharge opening by rotating the second gate from a vertical storage position into a horizontal closed position, a third gate adapted for further cooperating with the first and second gates and slidable between one of an open position for releasing material from the vessel and a close

Abstract: A portable, easily-transported and erected horizontal surge/storage silo functions by the method of allowing large, long distance trucks to dump their contents of materials to be used at a nearby point of use onto the base of the portable silo from which the materials may be subsequently restacked and reloaded by suitable materials-handling devices, such as front-end loaders, onto other smaller vehicles for subsequent transport to the point of use or disposal. A base is sufficiently strong and configured to support upstanding sides and a roof if a roof is desired to provide a totally closed or sealable unit. Where provided, the roof may be removable and the sides may have a fast-closing entrance and door for easy access and safe and protected storage. The structure may have a retractable set of wheel devices affixed thereto so that it may be moved into and out of ground engaging position to make the unit respectively portable and operational.

Abstract: In a mixer having an elongated rotatable drum surrounded by coaxial front and rear tires, the invention facilitates adjustment of the positions of the two trunnion units that supportingly and drivingly engage each tire. Each trunnion unit comprises a base member horizontally shiftably slidable on the mixer frame and a tire engaging roller confined to rotation relative to the base member. Opening to front and rear ends of each trunnion unit are holes that are coaxial with its roller axis. Fixed to one side of the mixer frame are two locating fixtures, each having holes opening to front and rear end surfaces thereon, all of those holes having coinciding axes. Three U-shaped gages are provided, each having tangs which are closely receivable in said holes and which project laterally from opposite ends of an elongated lengthwise adjustable body portion. Two of the gages are used with the locating fixtures to position their adjacent trunnion units.

Abstract: A portable self-erecting surge storage silo comprises a bin, a conveyor elevator and a base frame that supports the bin and elevator in operation and for transport. The bin has a pair of long rear legs and a pair of shorter front stub legs. At each side of the base frame is an L-shaped unit having a longer leg and a shorter leg, swingable about a horizontal first axis transverse to the base frame and through the junction of the legs of the L-unit. The shorter legs of the L-units are rigidly connected to the bin stub legs, substantially in alignment with them, for swinging of the bin between a horizontal transport position and an inclined intermediate position at which the rear bin legs are detachably connectable to the base frame for swinging of the bin about a second axis, parallel to the first.

Abstract: A self-erecting silo assembly comprises a horizontally elongated trailer frame and a cylindrical paving mix bin that overlies the frame when in a horizontal transport position, with its front side lowermost and its top end near a front end of the frame. Rear legs on which the bin is supported when erected are rigidly connected to the bin; front legs have their upper ends pivoted to the bottom of the bin. A detachable bin connection between the bin and the frame defines a horizontal axis about which the bin is swung up from transport position to an inclined intermediate position at which detachable leg connections are made between the rear legs and the frame. The bin connection is then disconnected, the bin is swung up to upright position about the leg connections, and the bottom ends of the front legs are connected to the frame.

Abstract: In storage apparatus wherein asphalt hot mix is moved by gravity along a chute from the top of a bucket elevator to the inlet of a batching hopper at the top of a storage bin, a baffle in the chute, over the inlet, prevents segregation of mix entering the hopper. The baffle is spaced forwardly of the front end of the chute bottom wall, is oriented generally vertically and transversely to the length of the chute, and is flatwise swingable backward and forward. By means of a set screw through a front wall of the chute the position of swinging motion of the baffle is so adjusted that coarse mix components, carried against the baffle by momentum, are deflected by it towards the center of the hopper. Adjustable remixing baffles in the chute, adjacent its side walls and behind the front end of its bottom wall, deflect material away from the chute side walls to effect remixing of aggregate that became segregated during its charging into the bucket elevator.

Abstract: An automatic clean-out for the charging bin of an asphalt mix bucket elevator provides for removal of material from the bottom of the charging bin so that hardened asphalt mix will not interfere with operation of moving elevator parts upon subsequent restarting. The clean-out device comprises a pusher having an upright front surface and a flat top surface, with a length and width to overlie substantially the whole bottom area of the charging bin. The pusher is actuated forwardly and rearwardly by a double-acting pressure fluid cylinder jack mounted behind it. In moving forward, the pusher expels mix from the bottom of the charging bin through a front opening therein. It is rearwardly withdrawn through a closely fitting opening so that asphalt mix resting on its top is scraped off to remain in the charging bin.

Abstract: An asphalt mix storage bin outlet is surrounded by a rim member having a flat bottom surface in which there is an annular groove that extends around the outlet. An outlet closure comprises a plate-like edgewise slidable gate member mounted on rollers that ride on parallel rails at opposite sides of the outlet. The rails have long, straight portions along which the gate member rides to and from its open position with its top surface spaced below the bottom surface of the rim member, but as the gate member nears its closed position it rides up onto wedge-like portions of the rails that cam it towards snug engagement of its top surface with the bottom surface of the rim member. For an airtight seal with the gate member closed, grease is forced into the groove in the rim member, to be distributed around the outlet by the groove and thence forced into any space between the opposing surfaces of the rim member and gate member.