Patents by Inventor Mikel A. Blank

Mikel A. Blank has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10246833
    Abstract: An asphalt paving machine includes a drive system, an asphalt receiving hopper and a distributing auger. A hopper conveyor, which is adapted to transport asphalt paving material from the receiving hopper to the distributing auger, includes a hopper conveyor motor and a speed sensor. A vertically-adjustable flow gate defines the size of the gate opening from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, and a flow gate position sensor is adapted to determine the vertical position of the flow gate. A controller includes a timer and is operatively connected to the drive system for the paving machine, the speed sensor for the hopper conveyor motor and the flow gate position sensor. The controller uses a machine speed signal, a conveyor speed signal and a flow gate signal to measure the amount of asphalt paving material delivered to the distributing auger per unit of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikel A. Blank, David Swearingen
  • Publication number: 20180238000
    Abstract: An asphalt paving machine includes a drive system that is operated to move the paving machine across a surface to be paved, an asphalt receiving hopper which is adapted to receive asphalt paving material and a distributing auger. A hopper conveyor, which is adapted to transport the asphalt paving material from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, includes a hopper conveyor motor and a speed sensor that is associated with the hopper conveyor motor. A vertically-adjustable flow gate that is associated with the hopper conveyor defines the size of the gate opening from the asphalt receiving hopper to the distributing auger, and a flow gate position sensor is adapted to determine the vertical position of the flow gate. A controller includes a timer and is operatively connected to the drive system for moving the paving machine, to the speed sensor for the hopper conveyor motor and to the flow gate position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikel A. Blank, David Swearingen
  • Patent number: 9506204
    Abstract: An asphalt receiving hopper for an asphalt paving machine includes a left sidewall, a right sidewall, a front wall and a pair of baffle panels. The left baffle panel is resiliently attached to the left sidewall and adapted to extend into the asphalt receiving hopper, and the right baffle panel is resiliently attached to the right sidewall and adapted to extend into the asphalt receiving hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikel A. Blank
  • Publication number: 20160108585
    Abstract: An asphalt receiving hopper for an asphalt paving machine includes a left sidewall, a right sidewall, a front wall and a pair of baffle panels. The left baffle panel is resiliently attached to the left sidewall and adapted to extend into the asphalt receiving hopper, and the right baffle panel is resiliently attached to the right sidewall and adapted to extend into the asphalt receiving hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikel A. Blank
  • Publication number: 20150204028
    Abstract: An asphalt paving machine includes a hopper for receiving asphalt material and a distributing auger for distributing asphalt material onto a roadway to be paved. A hopper conveyor is provided to carry asphalt material from the hopper to the distributing auger. The hopper conveyor has a rear end that is adjacent the distributing auger, an outside edge, and a flow diverter that is adapted to divert asphalt material being carried by the hopper conveyor away from the outside edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: David Swearingen, Mikel A. Blank
  • Publication number: 20090001195
    Abstract: A sprinkler system is for projecting a liquid from a source onto ground adjacent to a building, the ground having an upper surface. The sprinkler system includes a fluid line coupled with the liquid source and having a flow passage and a nozzle coupled with the fluid line. The nozzle has a discharge port and is fluidly connected with the flow passage such that liquid in the passage flows through the discharge port. The nozzle and/or the fluid line are/is configured to couple with the building such that the nozzle discharge port is spaced generally vertically above the ground upper surface. Preferably, at least one coupler configured to connect the pipe and/or the nozzle with the building such that the nozzle is spaced a substantial vertical distance above the ground upper surface. Further, the nozzle is configured to direct liquid discharged from the flow line generally onto the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Mikel A. Blank
  • Patent number: 7121636
    Abstract: A drive track is for a wheel train for mobilizing a paving vehicle upon a ground surface, the wheel train including a drive wheel and a bogie wheel. The track includes an endless body disposable about the wheel train and having a driven portion engageable by the drive wheel such that the drive wheel circulates the track about the wheel train. A generally annular rail portion is connected with the drive portion and has a continuous inner circumferential surface contactable with the bogie wheel, such that the bogie wheel rolls along the inner surface, and a continuous outer circumferential surface contactable with the ground surface. The rail portion supports the bogie wheel above the ground surface such that when the track circulates about the wheel train, a distance between the bogie wheel axis and the ground surface remains substantially constant as the bogie wheel rolls along the rail inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mikel A. Blank, Chad M. Larson, Thomas A. Roth
  • Publication number: 20030047995
    Abstract: A drive track is for a wheel train for mobilizing a paving vehicle upon a ground surface, the wheel train including a drive wheel and a bogie wheel. The track comprises an endless body disposable about the wheel train and including a driven portion engageable by the drive wheel such that the drive wheel circulates the track about the wheel train. A generally annular rail portion is connected with the drive portion and has a continuous inner circumferential surface contactable with the bogie wheel, such that the bogie wheel rolls along the inner surface, and a continuous outer circumferential surface contactable with the ground surface. The rail portion supports the bogie wheel above the ground surface such that when the track circulates about the wheel train, a distance between the bogie wheel axis and the ground surface remains substantially constant as the bogie wheel rolls along the rail inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Mikel A. Blank, Chad M. Larson, Thomas A. Roth