Abstract: A material collection device for particles received from a processing device on a road processing machine. The material collection device comprises a guide having a material discard opening and an attachment face. A conveyor support is shiftably fixed to the guide and is positionable in a substantially horizontal plane with respect to the attachment face. Additionally, the guide is positioned to direct particles milled from the road through the material discard opening to the conveyor support.

Abstract: A rumble strip cutting machine having a drum that can be shifted from one side of the machine to the other. The machine includes a piston wheel that imparts an up and down motion to the frame so that rumble strips can be cut at desired intervals as the machine is driven along the road shoulder. The piston wheel includes a wheel mounting assembly on each side of the machine so that the wheel can be conveniently shifted from one side of the machine to the other. Additional structures allow for the flexing of the machine frame, applying pressure to the cutting drum, adjusting the depth of cut, tightening the belt used to drive the drum, and lifting the machine for job site transportation. The machine enables a method of cutting rumble strips close to obstructions on narrow shoulders while driving the machine in the direction of moving traffic.

Abstract: A traveling construction apparatus includes a flame having first and second ground engaging traveling gears connected to the frame and spaced apart in a direction of travel. A traveling gear height adjuster is connected between the frame and the first traveling gear. A plurality of height sensors are provided for measuring a height above the ground without engaging the ground. A height controller system is provided for actuating the traveling gear height adjuster in response to input signals from the sensors. A floating boom is connected to the frame and has the sensors mounted on the boom. The boom displaces each of the sensors a substantially equal distance relative to the ground in response to an extension or contraction of the traveling gear height adjuster.

Abstract: A modification of a cold milling machine used to remove concrete and asphalt from an existing highway is disclosed, including a milling drum segmented into two or more sections with the drive train for the milling drums passing through the core of the milling drum and supported via a journal or bearing to the outside of the machine. The width of the milling drum can be varied by replacing one section of drum with a segmented drum that is either wider or narrower. The sections of the milling drum can be added by bolting segments of the drum onto a driven sleeve which telescopes over the drive shaft of the machine. The segments of the milling drum can be readily removed by loosening a few bolts and removing the segments without having to slide a milling drum segment off of either end of a drive shaft.

Abstract: A multi-sided wheel to replace one of the wheels of an existing cold milling machine. The wheel has a series of flat surfaces in spaced relationship. The flat surfaces allow the machine to drop its cutting drum relative to the surface over which the machine is traveling to cut a rumble strip. As the wheel rotates, it will support the machine on one of the points formed by the confluence of two adjacent flat surfaces, thereby raising the machine and causing it to raise its cutting drum out of the rumble strip that it has just cut. Because the flat surfaces are spaced apart, the cutting drum will be moved forward in a looping fashion as the wheel rotates before the wheel drops onto the next flat surface to lower the cutting drum for cutting the next, spaced rumble strip. Thus, the multi-sided wheel causes the machine to move up and down as it propels along its path of travel. A pentagonal wheel is the optimal design for use in conjunction with a Wirtgen.RTM. W500.TM.

Abstract: A modification of a cold milling machine used to remove concrete and asphalt from an existing highway is disclosed, including a milling drum segmented into two or more sections with the drive train for the milling drums passing through the core of the milling drum and supported via a journal or bearing to the outside of the machine. One or more sections of a milling drum may be added to the drum to vary its length. The sections of the milling drum can be added by bolting segments of the drum onto a driven sleeve which telescopes over the drive shaft of the machine. The segments of the milling drum can be readily removed by loosening a few bolts and removing the segments without having to slide a milling drum segment off of either end of a drive shaft. A segmented moldboard is also disclosed which allows the moldboard to be adjusted in segments, depending upon the cutting width of the milling drum of the machine.

Abstract: A closed, pressurized apparatus for introducing aggregate dust and rubber into a stream of liquid asphalt is provided. Aggregate dust and rubber are dispensed through a valve from a receiving chamber into a mixing housing. The aggregate dust and rubber enter the mixing housing at an intermediate location therein. The liquid asphalt is introduced into the mixing housing through a separate conduit at a location thereon above the point of entry of the aggregate dust and rubber. The liquid asphalt, the aggregate and the rubber combine within the mixing housing to form a slurry composition. A heating jacket substantially surrounds the mixing housing and a system for preventing liquid asphalt from backing up into the receiving chamber is also provided. The apparatus is particularly useful in an asphalt plant using a bag house.

Abstract: A closed, pressurized dust return system for introducing aggregate dust into a stream of liquid asphalt is provided. Aggregate dust is dispensed through a valve from a receiving chamber into a mixing housing. The aggregate dust enters the mixing housing at an intermediate location therein. The liquid asphalt is introduced into the mixing housing through a separate conduit at a location thereon above the point of entry of the aggregate dust. The liquid asphalt and the aggregate combine within the mixing housing to form a slurry composition. A heating jacket substantially surrounds the mixing housing and a system for preventing liquid asphalt from backing up into the receiving chamber is also provided. The dust return system is particularly useful in an asphalt plant using a baghouse.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of a burner in order to minimize the presence of undesirable emissions in exhaust gases of the burner combustion. A burner calibration is performed by selecting a number of calibration points corresponding to burner fuel positions. Air flow is varied for each calibration point as an exhaust gas analyzer determines the content of exhaust gases of the burner combustion. Air settings for optimal combustion are determined for each calibration point and are stored in a programmable logic controller and software. During plant operation, the programmable logic controller and software adjust the air supplied to the combustion of the burner according to the calibration data and the fuel position of the burner.

Abstract: An improved silo for storing materials which are composed of particles of varying sizes. Rectangular receiver openings are located in an upper floor at the upper end of the silo and rectangular discharge openings are located at the lower end of the silo. In order to reduce particle segregation caused by differences in the sizes of the particles, the receiver openings are positioned at right angles to the discharge openings.

Abstract: A system for removing and relaying asphaltic concrete pavement using a planer pulling a laydown machine and pushing equipment for (a) screening the cuttings produced by the planer, and (b) mixing the screened cutting, with a suitable binder, wherein the mix is conveyed back to the laydown machine.

Abstract: A improved silo is provided having a pair of pivoting receiver gates overlying a pair of receiver openings and a pair of pivoting discharge gates overlying a pair of discharge openings. A deformable seal is secured to the silo between the receiver openings and the receiver gates and between the discharge openings and the discharge gates. The gates are vertically adjusted by an eccentric assembly to compress the respective deformable seal for forming an air tight barrier between the respective openings and the gate.

Abstract: A portable, self erect silo for hot mix asphalt having two, side-by-side bins. A single drag slat conveyor directs hot mix asphalt into either bin by use of a single slug feeder pivotally attached to the discharge end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A drum mixer having a internal combustion gas cylinder extending substantially the length of the drum mixer is provided. Hot combustion gases are generated by a flame within the cylinder. The combustion gases within the cylinder flow in a countercurrent direction the to the flow of material within the drum mixer. The combustion gases exit the cylinder generally at the receiving end of the drum mixer and are directed towards the discharge end thereof in a parallel relation to the flow of material. The horizontal position of the flame within the drum is adjustable and a valve for mixing the gases within the drum adjacent the discharge end thereof with the flame is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting a four-track slip form paver into an improved three-track slip form paver for applying a continuous slab of concrete onto a road surface and against a vertical abutment adjacent the road surface.

Abstract: This application discloses several components relating to a heating apparatus which preferably are used in conjunction with each other in an apparatus for heating solid granular or particulate material, such as aggregate used to make asphalt concrete. One component of the present invention includes a heater-condenser unit which indirectly heats the material by circulating heat transfer fluid within hollow plates contained in a housing holding the material. The material is heated, the heat transfer fluid is condensed and a condensate removal means associated with the hollow plates removes the condensate from the housing. The heat transfer fluid used in the heater-condenser preferably is supplied in the form of a vapor or gas evolved from liquid contained in material heated by another type of heater. In this other type of heater, the material to be dried enters a chamber containing hollow heat exchange plates through which a primary heat transfer fluid is circulating.