Abstract: A paving machine is described. The paving machine includes a powertrain with a power unit. The power unit may include a diesel generator and a battery. The powertrain may also include one or more drivetrains. The drivetrains may include a hydraulic drivetrain and an electric drivetrain. The drivetrains may receive power from the power unit for supplying power to actuators of the hydraulic drivetrain and the electric drivetrain. The paving machine may be a curb-forming machine including the battery, the hydraulic drivetrain, and the electric drivetrain. The hydraulic drivetrain of the curb-forming machine may include a cylinder, crawler, steering assembly, and auger, and the electric drivetrain may include a vibrator. The paving machine may also include a number of other types of paving machines. Where the paving machine includes the hydraulic drivetrain, a buffer may be provided to ensure sufficient hydraulic power in response to demand changes.

Abstract: A system may include a paver machine. The paver machine may include at least one sensor, a memory, a processor. The processor may be communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one sensor. The paver machine may be configured for stringless paving. The paver machine may further include a display communicatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A system for measuring a surface profile during the paving process includes a smoothness processor and a single directly connected elevation sensor to produce streaming, real-time smoothness data and a short term trend line so that the operator can make prospective corrections to paving machine settings. Real-time smoothness data is sent to a remote device. The smoothness processor may also receive additional sensor data from one CAN connected sensor and up to five sonic sensors and display the CAN connected sensor data to the operator.

Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing or texturing a paved surface including one or more transition curves includes a finishing machine with a transverse frame including a series of flexibly connected frame members and one or more power transition adjusters. As the finishing machine proceeds through the transition curve, the control system and sensors of the finishing machine determine its position and the transverse curvature of the paved surface corresponding to its position. The control system may then adjust the position of accessories mounted to the transverse frame via a combination of raising or lowering the accessories relative to the paved surface and articulating the one or more power transition adjusters to adjust the shape of the transverse frame to conform to the transverse curvature of the paved surface.

Abstract: A method for operating construction machines of a paving train includes receiving at least one design file. The method includes receiving, by the computing device of the first construction machine of the paving train, a plurality of other machine data inputs from the at least one computing device of the at least one other construction machine of the paving train. The method includes receiving, by the computing device of the first construction machine of the paving train, a plurality of first machine data inputs. The method includes updating a paving work state file based upon the plurality of other machine data inputs and the plurality of first machine data inputs. The method includes controlling the first construction machine of the paving train based upon the plurality of other machine data inputs, the plurality of first machine data inputs, the at least one design file, and the paving work state file.

Abstract: A method for paving a surface includes identifying the location of a first paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to a reference point and sending instructions to the first paving machine according to a road profile. The method further includes identifying the location of a second paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to the reference point and sending instructions to the second paving machine according to the road profile.

Abstract: A rotary pivot arm positioning assembly for a paving, texturing, or curing machine allows the machine to automatically transition from an operational orientation to a transport orientation without manual repositioning or disconnection of its components. The assembly includes a pivot arm coupled to both the front and aft ends of an end frame by a helical actuator, slew gear drive or other rotary actuator. The rotary actuator articulates each pivot arm, as well as the adjustable leg and steerable crawler connected to the pivot arm, through at least a 90-degree range. The end frame may be fixed to the left or right end of the machine. The assembly may additionally include a second helical actuator, slew gear drive or rotary actuator connecting each steerable crawler to the adjustable leg and configured to rotate the steerable crawler through a full 360 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing or texturing a paved surface including one or more transition curves includes a finishing machine with a transverse frame including a series of flexibly connected frame members and one or more power transition adjusters. As the finishing machine proceeds through the transition curve, the control system and sensors of the finishing machine determine its position and the transverse curvature of the paved surface corresponding to its position. The control system may then adjust the position of accessories mounted to the transverse frame via a combination of raising or lowering the accessories relative to the paved surface and articulating the one or more power transition adjusters to adjust the shape of the transverse frame to conform to the transverse curvature of the paved surface.

Abstract: A method for operating a ratchet assembly. The method includes, when a ratchet lock mechanism is in a first locked position, causing a drive mechanism to rotate by operating a steer cylinder in a selected direction until a first predetermined value, which may be associated with an amount of rotation of the drive mechanism, is reached. The method includes unlocking the ratchet lock mechanism, and resetting the steer cylinder by operating the steer cylinder in an opposite direction until a second predetermined value is reached. The method includes locking the ratchet lock mechanism in a second locked position, and, upon locking the ratchet lock mechanism in the second locked position, causing the drive mechanism to further rotate by operating the steer cylinder in the selected direction until a third predetermined value is reached, wherein the third predetermined value is associated with a selected amount of rotation of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.

Abstract: A rotary pivot arm positioning assembly for a paving, texturing, or curing machine allows the machine to automatically transition from an operational orientation to a transport orientation without manual repositioning or disconnection of its components. The assembly includes a pivot arm coupled to both the front and aft ends of an end frame by a helical actuator, slew gear drive or other rotary actuator. The rotary actuator articulates each pivot arm, as well as the adjustable leg and steerable crawler connected to the pivot arm, through at least a 90-degree range. The end frame may be fixed to the left or right end of the machine. The assembly may additionally include a second helical actuator, slew gear drive or rotary actuator connecting each steerable crawler to the adjustable leg and configured to rotate the steerable crawler through a full 360 degrees.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.

Abstract: A method for paving a surface includes identifying the location of a first paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to a reference point and sending instructions to the first paving machine according to a road profile. The method further includes identifying the location of a second paving machine in a stringless paving train relative to the reference point and sending instructions to the second paving machine according to the road profile.

Abstract: A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.

Abstract: A surface measurement apparatus having at least one sensor and a reference point with pre-determined relative position relative to the sensor measures a distance between the sensor and a point on a surface over which the surface measurement apparatus is configured to travel. A receiver receives data related to a position of the reference point a calculated distance between the reference point and a position measurement station; and a processor calculates an absolute position of the point on the surface based on (a) the measured distance between the at least one sensor and the point, (b) the pre-determined relative position difference between the reference point and the at least one sensor, and (c) the position of the reference point or the calculated distance between the position measurement station and the reference point.

Abstract: A method for analyzing roadway information includes receiving a first set of elevation data points defining at least a portion of an existing surface, receiving a second set of elevation data points defining at least a portion of an intended surface, comparing the first set of elevation data points to the second set of elevation data points to determine whether a relative elevation difference exists between corresponding data points of the first set of elevation data points and the second set of elevation data points, and generating an automated report displaying a comparison of the first set of elevation data points to the second set of elevation data points. The report provides information useful for planning pavement projects and/or maintaining the paved road surface.

Abstract: A smoothness indicator analysis system generates a comprehensive report and a graphic user interface display useful for planning pavement projects and future maintenance of a paved road. The smoothness indicator analysis system includes an information handling system for analyzing elevation information collected and measured by a smoothness indicator. The information handling system may be configured to receive user selections and input parameters through a graphic user interface. Based on the user selections and the input parameters, the elevation information is analyzed and various reports are generated. An amount of paving material required for a given portion of the road surface and the pavement thickness of a given portion of the road surface may be estimated.