Heating Patents (Class 404/77)
  • Patent number: 7874763
    Abstract: A heating head for a paving apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical head housing, having a top housing edge axially spaced from a bottom housing edge, a sidewall having a spiral cross-sectional shape and a laterally extending top housing cover attached to at least a portion of the top housing edge. The head housing defines an air chamber and is adapted to accept and direct airflow through the heating head. The sidewall defines an intake vent at a radially outward end and an air chamber inlet at a radially inward end. The intake vent and air chamber inlet are spaced apart and in mutual fluid communication via an elongated circumferentially extending air passage to direct airflow from an exterior of the heating head to the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Asphalt Recycling System
    Inventor: Angelo Benedetti
  • Publication number: 20100316445
    Abstract: Problem to be Solved The present invention provides a method for continuous on-site repaving of an asphalt mixture layer of a road pavement and a motor-driven vehicle system therefor, while moving the motor-driven vehicle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: Green Arm Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Construction Machinery Sales Co., Ltd., Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kasahara, Fumio Goto, Atsuki Gomi, Takashi Okuno, Takeshi Kunishima, Hoeyum Yoon
  • Publication number: 20100232877
    Abstract: A method and a system for heating such as ground heating or curing concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Green Power Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Sanvik, James A. Olson, Shawn R. Yurczyk
  • Patent number: 7780373
    Abstract: The invention relates to making compacted snow pavements and can be used in apparatuses for compacting snow mass. The inventive apparatus for making compacted snow pavements comprises a front sliding support 1, a rear sliding support 2, a power generator 7, a heat unit 5 having a working zone and provided with a means for supplying heat to snow mass through the working zone, and a means 11 for dynamic compaction. The heat unit 5 is made in the form of at least one separate heat module. The means for supplying heat is arranged so as to be capable of adjusting intensity of the heat flow and fixing the direction in which it is supplied to the working zone. The method of making a compacted snow pavement consists in using the inventive apparatus. The technical result attainable thereby resides in providing a pavement that possesses high load-bearing capacity, wear resistance as well as improved gripping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Dmitry Nikolaevich Ustyugov
  • Publication number: 20100209188
    Abstract: An asphalt-paved road surface is rejuvenated in a multi-stage recycling process. The first process stage involves grinding, to a selected depth and width, a first strip portion of the surface and transporting it away from the site. The second process stage involves heating and grinding, to a selected temperature and depth, the upper layer of a second strip portion and moving it to the first strip portion to expose a lower layer. The third process stage involves heating and grinding, to a selected temperature and depth, the exposed lower layer of the second strip portion and moving it to the first strip portion. New asphalt is then added to rejuvenate the recycled asphalt and to maintain the grade elevation. The mixture is then placed back on the road surface using conventional means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Pat Wiley
  • Publication number: 20100104364
    Abstract: A heating head for a paving apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical head housing, having a top housing edge axially spaced from a bottom housing edge, a sidewall having a spiral cross-sectional shape and a laterally extending top housing cover attached to at least a portion of the top housing edge. The head housing defines an air chamber and is adapted to accept and direct airflow through the heating head. The sidewall defines an intake vent at a radially outward end and an air chamber inlet at a radially inward end. The intake vent and air chamber inlet are spaced apart and in mutual fluid communication via an elongated circumferentially extending air passage to direct airflow from an exterior of the heating head to the air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Angelo Benedetti
  • Publication number: 20100021233
    Abstract: Seam sealer for sealing seams in an asphalt paving operation has electric heaters and heats a seam area that includes a narrow strip of previously laid-down asphalt and a narrow strip of the road surface to be paved. A temperature sensor senses temperature of the seam area. A control system adjusts energy level supplied to the heaters, to obtain a pre-determined temperature on the road surface. The pre-determined temperature is close to the temperature of the fresh hot asphalt to be applied. An asphalt paver travels behind the seam sealer and applies fresh hot asphalt to the road surface still to be paved, overlapping it onto the previously laid down asphalt in the seam area. The fresh hot asphalt and the previously laid down asphalt form a molten mass, which is subsequently pressed to a smooth, fused and finished road surface by a road roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: HADLEY CHANDLER
  • Publication number: 20100008724
    Abstract: Asphalt surfacing compositions and methods involving asphalt millings, water, and an amount of a polyvinyl alcohol sufficient to bind the millings such that a load-bearing asphalt paving surface is formed upon application of the composition to a material are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: CASTLE DOME SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Messinger, Gary Havens
  • Patent number: 7628150
    Abstract: A flexible heating mat is provided. The mat comprises a plurality of sections, connected to each other by arch ribs. The arch ribs form a flexible, preferably raised, ceiling and a closed space above the precipitation-covered surface. Each section comprises a tube, capable of conducting a melting substance therethrough and dissipating it through at least one jet for melting of ice and/or drying of moisture. In other embodiments, the mat comprises at least one snow-mashing member. The mat may further comprise a pump for pumping out the melt and/or recycling the melting medium. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another. The method of using the mat is also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: Vladimir Malkov
  • Publication number: 20090297268
    Abstract: It is intended to allow an asphalt pavement to be peeled off efficiently with a relatively small amount of electric power without generating large vibration and noise, and handled in the form of a block. An electromagnetic induction coil 36 is positioned above an asphalt pavement 22 provided on a copper plate (12) to melt a lower surface of the asphalt pavement 22. Then, a wedge-shaped thermally-conductive peeling member 60 having a peeling layer formed on an upper surface thereof is inserted into a melted layer (74) of the lower surface of the asphalt pavement 22 to peel off the asphalt pavement 22 from the steel plate 12. This makes it possible to peel off the asphalt pavement 22 with a relatively small amount of electric power and handle the peeled asphalt pavement 22 in the form of a block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Green Arm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Harakawa, Hidetoshi Hayashida, Seiichi Takeuchi, Koutaro Tohyama, Shinsuke Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7607860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a movable apparatus for utilizing microwave energy to dry materials (optionally with sterilization) by the direct application of bifurcated out-of-phase microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: John F. Novak
  • Publication number: 20090226254
    Abstract: A range of various sized attachments of infrared heaters powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for installation to a number of different styles of vehicles. These infrared heaters are designed to heat asphalt and other road and structure surfaces for subsequent repair. The vehicles may be an adaptation to existing designs of medium to heavy road going flat bed trucks or to various types of construction loaders. The attachments to construction loaders may be installed as adaptions to front end loader quick-change systems or back hoe bucket mount positions. The whole attachment and its support operating and control assembly may be easily removed for addition to other vehicles of similar types. With the area heated to an appropriate temperature to release the bound surface structure it can then be raked and combined with minimal amounts of new surface fill if required to the previously damaged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Richard Jones
  • Publication number: 20090202298
    Abstract: Reflective pellets (16) are formed by extrusion of reflective micro beads (26) in a thermoplastic (20), removal of the surface layer of the pellets so as to expose the reflective beads at the surface of the pellets and applying the reflective pellets to the base line (14) of the striping applied to a paved road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Fortson-Peeek Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 7448825
    Abstract: A method for recycling in place an asphalt mixture layer of a paved road continuously, while moving a self-propelled vehicle system, which comprises a step of heating and softening the asphalt mixture layer, a step of scraping and breaking said hot and softened asphalt mixture layer and keeping the softened mixture at a temperature sufficient not to form an aggregate, to prepare an asphalt mixture having a single-grained structure, a sieving step of classifying said asphalt mixture having a single-grained structure into a plurality of grain size groups, a step of designing mix proportions for converting said asphalt mixture to a recycled asphalt mixture by the use of said plurality of grain size groups classified, a step of mixing uniformly said recycled asphalt mixtures having designed mix proportions, and a step of spreading and compacting said recycled asphalt mixtures having been mixed uniformly, to thereby form a recycled asphalt mixtures layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: Green Arm Co., Ltd., Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kasahara, Shunsuke Ushio, Kojiro Ogata, Hiroshi Inamitsu, Fumio Goto, Tomoyuki Abe, Hiroaki Irie, Isami Fujii, Kazuo Onoda, Hideo Ikeda, Eisuke Nagai, Atsuki Gomi, Masaki Tsunabuchi
  • Patent number: 7413375
    Abstract: A system for working a paved surface is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a water deposition device for increasing the moisture content of a paved surface; a microwave generator for applying microwaves to the moisture content to heat and thereby soften the paved surface; and a degradation element for working the paved surface. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include a surface preparation device to fracture, puncture, mar, scrape, or scarify the paved surface prior to increasing the moisture content, and a containment device to substantially restrict the escape of water as it is deposited onto the paved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20080193214
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method for reconditioning a paved surface includes the steps of providing a vehicle adapted to traverse the paved surface; providing a layer of loose aggregate on an underlayer by degrading the paved surface with a degradation element attached to the vehicle; adding a foaming agent to the layer of loose aggregate on the underlayer; and coating a total aggregate surface area by mixing hot asphalt into the loose aggregate and allowing the foaming agent to expand the asphalt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Codrin Daranga
  • Patent number: 7252455
    Abstract: A multi axial asphalt heater for re-heating and recycling of old and new asphalt for permanent joint free repairs and restorations. It is possible to adjust the heating elements mechanically up and down off the asphalt surface with the lever arm mechanism. The provision of rotational movement of the heating elements permits the device to be retracted into a transport configuration. Forward and reverse motion of the heating elements permits a graduate heating process to be performed. The fold-up design with radially shaped adjustable hinges provide various angularity adjustments not only for compact convenience but also for establishing specific heat clearances, avoiding shut down delays and overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory Alan Larsen
  • Patent number: 7223048
    Abstract: A detectable pavement warning assembly includes a web having a plurality of projections attached to one another by linear connectors, a planar cover with a series of apertures for receiving the projections therethrough and an adhesive sheet. In use a rigid substrate such as a sidewalk is selected, and a primer is applied. The web, cover and adhesive sheet all pre-assembled are placed on the primed substrate. Next, the warning assembly is heated with an open flame to soften and fuse the pavement warning assembly with the primed substrate. The projections will remain extended sufficiently above the cover to provide a warning to pedestrians that walk thereon, such as when approaching a traffic area or other hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Flint Trading, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Greer, Christopher J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 7217062
    Abstract: A screed for a paving machine has at least a base portion having an associated heating element connected to a heating element controller. An extension screed portion is connector to the base screed portion and has a respective heating element connectable to the heating element controller. A temperature sensor is associated with each of the base and extension screed portions and a device is adapted to controllably connect selected ones of the base and extension screed temperature sensors to the heating element controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
    Inventors: Francesco Pisano, Federico B. Rio, Davide Govoni, Ezio Martelli, Simone Zaghi
  • Patent number: 7192215
    Abstract: An apparatus for erasing a road marking on a road lane comprising a chassis adapted to travel over the road lane; a heating source mounted to the chassis for directly or indirectly applying heat to the road marking; and a positively driven rotatable brush mounted to the chassis. The brush has bristles contactable with the road marking and adapted for removing it, when heated, from the road. Indirect heating of the road marking can be accomplished by first heating the bristles of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Zamir Manor
  • Patent number: 7033104
    Abstract: A paving method is provided that includes applying a thermoplastic material to a surface to be paved, covering the thermoplastic material with a layer of aggregate (precoated or otherwise), passing a heater above the aggregate and thermoplastic material, and at least partially embedding the aggregate in the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Manhole Adjusting Contractors
    Inventor: John Corcoran
  • Patent number: 6979146
    Abstract: In order to melt snow and prevent freezing without consuming energy wastefully and to monitor a road surface state remotely, a road surface sensor includes: a rotating stand provided so as to be reciprocatingly rotatable upward on the road surface; a snow-melting/freezing heat quantity measurement dummy road surface having an electric heater buried therein and to use as a reference road surface for heat quantity measurement to derive a melting heat quantity for snow falling on the surface and a heat quantity required for freezing prevention; a reference light irradiating/reflected light receiving device that is attached so as to be rotatable with the rotating stand; a space reflected light receiving device; a non-contact road temperature measuring device; a non-contact snow cover depth measuring device; a road surface image pickup device; and a moisture sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignees: Yamada Technic Corporation, Japan Highway Public Corporation
    Inventors: Tadayuki Yamada, Kouji Yamamoto, Makoto Goto
  • Patent number: 6758630
    Abstract: A snow and ice melting system for roads including a system of heating coils disposed below an upper surface of a roadway. The system of coils are arranged in a serpentine configuration whereby a majority of a surface area of the roadway is in contact with the heating coils. A system of laser heaters are disposed within side surfaces of curbs of the roadway in a spaced relationship. The laser heaters direct a ray of heat over the upper surface of the roadway. A weather sensitive activation sensor is secured to a top surface of a traffic light. The activation sensor is in communication with the system of heating coils and the system of laser heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Marlene Vega
  • Patent number: 6742959
    Abstract: Disclosed is a trailer which is self-propelled via a powered tongue jack and which optionally includes a light-weight, high-efficiency asphalt heater. The trailer is moved long distances, such as to and from work sites, using a towing vehicle, in conventional fashion. When at the work site (or storage site), the tongue jack is lowered to support the trailer in a generally horizontal position, and, by virtue of a powered jack wheel, can be used to position the trailer easily, quietly, and confidently, in either the forward or reverse direction. The jack is powered by any conventional means, including an ac or dc electric motor or an internal combustion engine. A reversible, variable-speed, dc electric motor powered by a conventional 12 Volt battery supply is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: DRS Limited
    Inventor: David R. Strassman
  • Patent number: 6695530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for in situ rejuvenation of asphalt pavement. The apparatus and method provide for heating the underlying surface to form a preheated surface, passing a mill over the preheated surface and milling the preheated surface to loosen the preheated surface to a desired depth and discharging the milled material from opposite ends of the respective windrows of known breadth. Windrow height is measured as is rate of advance of the transport structure to determine a volume throughput. Rejuvenating fluid is added to each windrow at a dosage rate based on a desired weight percentage and the volume throughput. A mixer is passed over the windrows and receives the windrows through respective openings at either end thereof. The mixer also blends the rejuvenating fluid with the milled material and forms a blended mixture which is discharged from the mixer. The mixer may be a pug mill operated in an inverted arrangement utilizing the road surface as a bottom thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Francesco A. Crupi
  • Patent number: 6669467
    Abstract: A heating unit has a cartridge that constitutes a single component, which can be readily removed and replaced with a new cartridge. The cartridge is a plurality of non-flammable layers bound together in a border. The layers include a stainless steel mesh located above a layer of ceramic wool. With the cartridge, replacement can be accomplished in approximately fifty minutes compared to a downtime of a week or more previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Heat Design Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Kieswetter
  • Patent number: 6659684
    Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged area of a bitutinous wearing course. The method comprises heating the damaged area, applying a liquid to the damaged area that rejuvenates damaged bitumen, adding new material to the damaged area in an amount required to level the area, and compacting the new material. The invention also provides a new composition for rejuvenating damaged bitumen. The composition may comprise an emulsifier, a heavy paraffinic distillate solvent extract, a heavy naphthenic distillate solvent extract and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Asphalt Systems International Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Luke Henry Goodhart, Christopher Paul James Wightman, Gary Alma Porritt
  • Patent number: 6554531
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying and compacting earthen materials such as soil which includes a motorized tractor vehicle with a microwave applicator attached to the vehicle. The microwave applicator includes a microwave permeable drum for rolling over the ground surface to be dried and a microwave heater element in the form of a magnetron tube coaxially disposed in the drum for emitting and directing microwaves downwardly through the drum into underlying soil to be dried. A microwave nonpermeable shield covers over side and upper surfaces of the drum and further includes a microwave reflective inner lining for reflecting microwaves downwardly into the underlying earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Brian K. Bodish
  • Patent number: 6551017
    Abstract: A trailer is self-propelled via a powered tongue jack and which includes a light-weight, high-efficiency asphalt heater. The trailer is moved long distances, such as to and from work sites, using a towing vehicle, in conventional fashion. When at the work site (or storage site), the tongue jack is lowered to support the trailer in a generally horizontal position, and, by virture of a powered jack wheel, can be used to position the trailer easily, quietly, and confidently, in either the forward or reverse direction. The jack is powered by any conventional means, including an ac or dc electric motor or an internal combustion engine. A reversible, variable-speed, dc electric motor powered by a conventional 12 Volt battery supply is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: David R. Strassman
  • Publication number: 20030026656
    Abstract: A method of effecting in-situ rejuvenation of an asphalt paved surface with an asphalt rejuvenating apparatus including a pick-up conveyor and a backhoe apparatus, wherein the asphalt paved surface includes an obstruction disposed therein is provided, comprising the steps of heating the asphalt paved surface to form heated asphalt, scarifying the heated asphalt to form a scarified intermediate blending rejuvenating fluid with the milled intermediate to form a blended intermediate, wherein a portion of the blended intermediate is deposited proximate the obstruction, and moving the blended intermediate from proximate the obstruction to an entrance of the pick-up conveyor with the backhoe apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Crupi
  • Publication number: 20020172555
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for in situ rejuvenation of asphalt pavement. The apparatus and method provide for heating the underlying surface to form a preheated surface, passing a mill over the preheated surface and milling the preheated surface to loosen the preheated surface to a desired depth and discharging the milled material from opposite ends of the respective windrows of known breadth. Windrow height is measured as is rate of advance of the transport structure to determine a volume throughput. Rejuvenating fluid is added to each windrow at a dosage rate based on a desired weight percentage and the volume throughput. A mixer is passed over the windrows and receives the windrows through respective openings at either end thereof. The mixer also blends the rejuvenating fluid with the milled material and forms a blended mixture which is discharged from the mixer. The mixer may be a pug mill operated in an inverted arrangement utilizing the road surface as a bottom thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Francesco A. Crupi
  • Patent number: 6416249
    Abstract: A blending apparatus which forms part of an asphalt pavement resurfacing machine has first and second stages. The first stage receives milled material through an inlet and blends the milled material with a rejuvenating fluid. The first stage has a transversely extending shaft from which paddles extend radially to blend the milled material with the rejuvenating fluid and direct it toward a first stage outlet. The second stage receives the blended material from the first stage outlet. The second stage has a respective shaft with mixing paddles extending radially therefrom to further blend the material and direct it toward a second stage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Francesco A. Crupi
  • Patent number: 6371689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating an asphalt-paved road surface by forcing gases heated by a heater against that road surface and then returning those gases to the heater for reheating and recirculation, wherein the temperature of the returning gases is measured by a temperature sensor, and the heater is automatically adjusted so that the temperature of the gases being directed against the road surface is automatically decreased as the temperature of the returning gases increases. This prevents damage to the asphalt and premature rupturing of the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Dynaire Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas William Wiley
  • Patent number: 6227762
    Abstract: A method of preparing an asphalt edge for joining and a two part joint heating system for use in carrying out the method. In it most basic form, the method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a first layer of asphalt in a roadway and allowing the first layer of asphalt to cool to a temperature below a predetermined minimum bonding temperature. The surface of the joining area of the first layer is then preheated to a temperature above the minimum bonding temperature but below the ignition temperature of the asphalt. The remainder of the joining area of the first layer is then allowed to absorb the heat from the surface. After a predetermined period of time is allowed for absorption of heat, the surface of the joining area of the first layer of asphalt is again heated to a temperature below the ignition temperature of the asphalt and the second layer of asphalt is placed adjacent to the first layer such that a joint is formed between the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Wesley Van Velsor
  • Patent number: 6220782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering an aggregate gradation mixture of an asphalt concrete mixture. The apparatus includes a heater for heating a layer of existing roadway materials, a milling and mixing auger for milling the heated layer of existing roadway materials and a hopper and conveyor for providing a predetermined amount of treated new usable aggregates to the milling and auger for mixing with the heated layer of existing roadway materials in order to produce a new asphalt concrete mixture. The auger including a plurality of milling bits extending therearound for receiving the predetermined amount of aggregates and mixing them with the milled layer of existing roadway materials, the milling bits are slanted to direct the aggregates received thereby and milled layer to a center line of the apparatus. A second auger is positioned along the center line of the apparatus and behind the auger for further mixing the new asphalt concrete mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Larry A. Yates
  • Patent number: 6217252
    Abstract: Flame-spray transportation surface marking method employing a binder material selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers and copolymers, olefin polymers and copolymers having a number average molecular weight greater than about 10,000, urethane polymers and copolymers, curable epoxy resins, ester polymers and copolymers, and blends thereof, together with a particulate topcoat or particulate filler selected from the group consisting of reflective elements, skid-resistant particles, magnetizable particles, and mixtures thereof, wherein the binder adheres directly to the transportation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Howard R. Tolliver, Suman K. Patel, Thomas V. Kusilek, Nagraj Koneripalli
  • Patent number: 6027174
    Abstract: A method of removing ceramic tile wherein the tiles are heated using a gas burner by passing the flame of the burner over the surface of the ceramic tile where it is secured to a supporting surface by grout or other cementitious material. The ceramic tile is thus exposed to the burner flame for a period of time sufficient to fracture the ceramic tile from its secured position surrounded by the grout or other cementitious material. The apparatus upon which the burner is mounted includes a fuel supply, a burner assembly having at least one gas burner with a flame of at least 200,000 BTU. The fuel supply and burner assembly are interconnected to supply fuel to the burner assembly, and are mounted on a wheeled cart. The burner assembly is further positioned on the cart such that the burner is at least 3-5 inches above the ceramic tile being removed, such that the flame is provided from the burner in a circle having a diameter of approximately 6 inches over the ceramic tile being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: John C. Gerbasi
    Inventor: John C. Gerbasi
  • Patent number: 5967695
    Abstract: A vehicle for repairing a damaged road surface by filling depressions within the road surface with a filling material has, in a direction of travel, a heating and scraping unit for removing excess road surface material from the road surface. It further has a depositing device for a filling material. A first dynamic compacting device is arranged downstream of depositing device for compacting the filling material to a level higher than a level of an adjacent undamaged area of the road surface. A doctor blade unit is connected to the depositing device so as to act downstream of the first dynamic compacting device onto the filling material for removing excess filling material. The doctor blade unit pivots horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel. The doctor blade unit is vertically adjustable relative to the first dynamic compacting device and the depositing device. A second dynamic compacting device is arranged downstream of the doctor blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Wacker Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gulertan Vural
  • Patent number: 5895171
    Abstract: A process for heating an asphalt surface and an apparatus therefor. The process comprises the steps of: igniting in a burner (30) a combustible mixture comprised of a fuel (50) and oxygen (60) to produce a hot gas; and feeding the hot gas to an enclosure having a radiative face (200) disposed above the asphalt surface (280). The asphalt surface heating apparatus comprises a hot gas producing burner (30) and an enclosure (25) comprising an inlet (120) for receiving hot gas from the burner and a radiative face (200) having a plurality of apertures. The apertures in the radiative face are of a dimension such that the hot gas: (i) heats the radiative face to provide radiation heat transfer to the asphalt surface; and (ii) passes through the apertures to provide convection heat transfer to the asphalt surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Martec Recycling Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick C. Wiley, Mostafa Joharifard
  • Patent number: 5797194
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for supplying electromagnetic energy to a body having at least one substantially planar surface comprises moving over the planar surface a self-propelled container housing a source of electromagnetic energy and having an open side which is substantially perforate to the electromagnetic energy thereby permitting transmission of the energy from the container to the body while all other surfaces of the container substantially block transmission therethrough. Concurrently with the movement of the container responding within the container to at least one selected parameter to control the movement of the container over the planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Microz Sweden AB
    Inventor: Leif Zettergren
  • Patent number: 5762447
    Abstract: In order to provide an integral whole unit for continuously measuring the quantity of heat needed to melt snow lying on a road, and prevent freezing of the road; and for controlling a supply of heat to the road for melting the snow lying on the road and for preventing the freezing of the road, it uses a road-simulated device. The road-simulated device is put outdoors while it is snowing, and it is heated and kept at a temperature of -0.degree. C., thus keeping the road-simulated surface free of snows, and preventing the freezing of the road-simulated surface. In this condition the thermal energy required to keep the simulated road surface unfrozen is determined, and every control variable is determined on the basis of this so determined thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Kohtaro Hashimoto
    Inventors: Kunio Hachiki, Junichi Yamazaki, Tadayuki Yamada, Satoshi Yasumoto, Masaaki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 5683498
    Abstract: A modified asphalt composition having improved low-temperature fracture properties is obtained by devulcanizing crumb rubber, preferably ground rubber tire. The devulcanization is effected without the use of harsh oxidizing treatments or the addition of potentially hazardous solvents, by fractional distillation of a mixture of the rubber and crude oil to a temperature at which substantially complete devulcanization occurs and harmful volatiles are driven off, around 300.degree. C. The resulting compositions are relatively inexpensive and simple to produce and, not having been oxidized, may be expected to show better long-term aging and fatigue performance compared to air-blown asphalts and the like. They are also preferable, on grounds of health and safety, to prior paving asphalts containing significant proportions of volatile organic aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Simon Adrianus Maria Hesp
  • Patent number: 5653552
    Abstract: A process for continuously heating an asphalt surface is described. The process comprises moving a heater over the asphalt surface in successive forward and backward directions. The forward stroke of the heater is effected over a second distance and the backward stroke of the heater is effected over a first distance. The ratio of the second distance to the first distance is in the range of from about 0.10 to about 0.90. Preferably, the heater comprises at least two independent heaters arranged in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: McLean Ventures Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick C. Wiley, Mostafa Joharifard
  • Patent number: 5560734
    Abstract: A method of laying a bitumastic simulated paved surface includes spreading a layer of hot bitumastic material on a foundation layer, the bitumastic material including a thermoplastic rubber copolymer material, filler and reinforcing fibres, allowing the bitumastic material to cool and set, heating the surface of the bitumastic material to soften it for moulding purposes, and imprinting the softened surface with a pattern of grooves to provide simulated gaps between simulated slabs of paving. A layer of bitumastic material has a simulated paved surface, including bitumen, hydrocarbon resin, block copolymer rubber, fillers and reinforcing fibre material, and a groove pattern is impressed into the upper surface of the layer in a pattern to simulate the joints in a paved surface. A road speed control hump of material, includes a hump of material applied to the road, the material including a mixture having rubber chips bound together with a bituminous binder, and a layer applied to the surface of the hump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Roadtex Limited
    Inventors: James McIntosh, Graham J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5556225
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of immediately repairing multiple backfilled utility cut trenches, potholes, and other discontinuities in asphalt pavement, at any ambient temperature, in which the pavement discontinuity is bridged by layers of heated virgin bituminous concrete of different grades, each layer including aggregate stone mixed with a liquid asphalt binder. Alternatively, substantially non-polymerized thermoplastic bituminous concretes of different grades may be used to form the bridging layers, each layer including aggregate stone mixed with a liquid asphalt binder and preferably also containing fractions of n-pentane soluble asphalts and being repetitively softenable in response to repetitive applications of infrared radiation. Also provided is a self-contained mobile unit for heating, storage, and delivery of required asphaltic material comprising two asphalt reclamation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Felix A. Marino Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick W. Marino
  • Patent number: 5544971
    Abstract: A method is shown for recycling asphalt pavement. A high solids lime slurry is prepared by either slaking quicklime or by slurrying dry, hydrated lime. The high solids lime slurry is mixed with crushed aggregate which has been collected by scraping the top surface of an old roadway. The treated aggregate is deposited onto the old roadway and compacted to form a new roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Chemical Lime Company
    Inventors: Fred R. Huege, Patrick Shields
  • Patent number: 5484224
    Abstract: The method of resurfacing an asphalt surface which comprisies heating of the surface, scarifying the surface creating a layer of loose aggregate material, adding an amount of additional virgin asphalt in the amount of 10% to 30% by weight of the loose aggregate material, evenly applying a quantity of heated light oil to the loose aggregate material, thoroughly mixing of the loose aggregate material and the oil, screeding the loose aggregate material forming a level surface and then rolling the level surface achieving compaction plus cementing of the loose aggregate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Edward T. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5441360
    Abstract: Asphaltic concrete compounds comprised of asphalt cement and aggregate have, as a substantial portion of their respective aggregates, anthracite coal particles and fines, which are added specially as a lossy microwave material. These asphaltic concrete compounds are particularly useful when laid clown as a pavement, or a top layer of a pavement, which thereafter can be freed of ice, by using microwave energy to debond the ice. The debonding of the ice occurs without causing any noticeable melting of the ice, and the debonded ice is thereafter easily lifted and removed from the pavement of the way, serving as a roadway, highway, runway, or walkway. Also these asphaltic concrete compounds are particularly useful as patching materials when damaged pavement is being repaired, especially during cold weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Howard W. Long, deceased, by Genevieve E. Long, executrix
  • Patent number: 5405213
    Abstract: A full depth thermal crack in an asphaltic pavement is repaired by spraying a first rejuvenating agent into the sides of the crack and over the top portion of the asphalt pavement surrounding the crack, heating the top portion of the asphalt to a predetermined temperature greater than 700.degree. F., scarifying the heated asphalt, adding an asphaltic rejuvenating/emulsion agent to the heated, scarified asphalt, compacting the heated, scarified asphalt into the crack for the full depth of the crack wherein heat in the asphalt added to the crack is transferred to the asphalt surrounding the crack to raise the temperature of the surrounding asphalt sufficient to form a homogeneous bond between the original and new asphalt added to the crack. In a preferred embodiment, the heated, scarified asphalt is added in predetermined quantities into the crack so as to fill the crack only to a predetermined depth and then compacted before additional quantities of asphalt are added and compacted in subsequent steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Thermal Power Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick L. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5395179
    Abstract: A snow melting device which includes a plurality of heating bodies arranged at intervals perpendicularly to the direction of traffic running and pedestrians walking on the road, each heating body including a planar heat generating element having at least a load bearing side thereof coated with a protective layer and having a terminal for connection to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Nihon Kyoryo Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Tetuho Kotani