Abstract: In the method for transferring material between a truck and a driving road construction vehicle, a distance between the driving road construction vehicle and a truck driving in front of the road construction vehicle without contact to the road construction vehicle truck is kept constant by a distance control system. While the distance between the driving road construction vehicle and the truck is kept constant, material is being dumped from a loading cavity of the truck into a material hopper of the road construction vehicle. The road construction vehicle is a road finishing machine or a feeder for a road finishing machine.

Abstract: A sensor system for a construction machine, in particular a road finishing machine, includes a laser scanner and an evaluation unit. The laser scanner can be arranged on the construction machine or the road finishing machine itself and is configured to search a specified angular range for objects and to determine angles of the specified angular range according to distance values describing the distance to the one or several objects together with corresponding intensity values describing an intensity of a reflection resulting at the one or several objects. The evaluation unit is configured to detect an object as a reference together with corresponding angles based on a known pattern including the distance values and the intensity values across the angles. Further, the evaluation unit is configured to determine a distance to the reference and/or an angle with respect to the reference.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first temperature of paving material, determining a first location of a paving machine corresponding to the first temperature, determining a second temperature of the paving material, and determining a second location of the paving machine corresponding to the second temperature. The method also includes generating a paving material map based at least partly on the first and second temperatures, and the first and second locations. The method further includes causing at least part of the paving material map to be displayed. The displayed at least part of the paving material map including visual indicia indicating the first temperature and the second temperature.

Abstract: A material transfer vehicle has a discharge conveyor with a discharge chute mounted thereon. A controller is operatively connected to the elevation control system and the steering control system for the discharge conveyor. The controller is adapted to communicate with the elevation control system for the discharge conveyor to adjust the elevation of the discharge conveyor. The controller is also adapted to communicate with the steering control system for the discharge conveyor so that the angular orientation of the discharge conveyor with respect to the longitudinal axis of the material transfer vehicle may be adjusted. A paver-locating sensor is operatively connected to the controller, and is located and adapted to execute multiple non-contact sensor scan passes across the front end of the paving machine to determine the distance and orientation of the paving machine with respect to the paver-locating sensor and to communicate this information.

Abstract: A paving train for producing at least one pavement layer on a traffic surface is formed from at least two independently driven units travelling in a group, such as a road finisher, a road paver, an IP finisher, a feeder, a supply unit or the like. The units move one behind the other at a given distance. In order to enable communication between the units via certain parameters such as speed, material filling level and the like, and in order also to easily control a corresponding distance between the units as well as the corresponding material transfer, a wireless communication link is formed between the units at least for exchanging speeds and/or material filling level.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus, system and method for leveling asphalt in road construction that may include at least one laser pointer, at least one alignment target, and at least one visual reference guide attached to a paving machine screed where it is contemplated to project a beam generally parallel with the existing surface to be matched by the newly laid asphalt such that the screed may be adjusted by the beam hitting the screed and the screed moved up and or down accordingly to keep in line with the laser beam that is already positioned in a desired parallel manner.

Abstract: A self-propelled road-milling machine for doing work on surfacings on the ground, and in particular carriageways. The road-milling machine is characterized by a signalling arrangement which has at least one control unit for the entry of at least two different states of operation by the driver of the road-milling machine and at least one visual indicator or display unit to indicate or display for the driver of the transporting vehicle the at least two states of operation which are preset with the control unit by the driver of the road-milling machine. The first state of operation may be a request for the transporting vehicle to be braked or stopped and the second state of operation may be a request for the transporting vehicle to be started or to continue travelling. In a preferred embodiment of the visual indicator or display unit, the request for braking or stopping is shown as a cross and the request for starting or continued travel as an arrow.

Abstract: A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.

Abstract: In a method and a device for the treatment of a layer by introducing a binder and/or water and/or additives into a milled-up quantity of milled material of the layer to be stabilized by means of a construction machine or attachment machine with a milling/mixing rotor that is used to mill the layer at a specified milling depth, where the milling/mixing rotor is surrounded by a rotor housing which forms the boundary of the mixing chamber of the milling/mixing rotor, it is provided that during the positioning process, at least the binder quantity currently fed until reaching the specified milling depth is determined in accordance with the milled-up quantity of milled material currently present in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a paving screed to be employed on a road finisher. The paving screed according to the disclosure comprises a base screed, the operating width of which may be modified by protractable extending units and/or separate removable bolt-on extensions. The paving screed also includes a plurality of side plates, each being mountable on an outer end of the base screed or an extending unit or a bolt-on extension and which delimit the operating width. At least one reference element for determining the operating width is provided on one of the side plates, and that the at least one reference element is detectable by one or more sensor units when the side plates are each mounted on the outer ends of the base screed, an extending unit or a bolt-on extension.

Abstract: A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paving machine that includes an auger, a screed, and one or more sensors. The auger is adapted to distribute a paving mix on a paving surface. The screed is adapted to compact the mix on the paving surface to form the pavement. The one or more sensors are adapted to monitor the density of the pavement as it is compacted by the screed and provide output signals corresponding to the density so that the force exerted by the screed on the pavement as it is formed may be adjusted to achieve a desired pavement density.

Abstract: A height adjustment system for a paving screed apparatus and a method for adjusting the height of the endgates of a screed system are disclosed. In a disclosed system, the system includes an endgate coupled to a biasing element, such as a spring or a hydraulic cylinder and rod. The biasing element is coupled to an actuator. The actuator is linked to a controller. The biasing element is moveable between a compressed position and an extended position with a setpoint range disposed between the compressed and extended positions. The biasing element is also associated with a sensor for measuring vertical displacement of the biasing element, pressure or load on the biasing element with respect to the setpoint range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical guidance system for a laying engine for producing a concrete or asphalt top layer along a given path (6), wherein the laying engine comprises a first unit (1), such as a distributor for distributing the material and a second unit (2), such as a finisher for smoothing the material. The first and second unit are driven independently of each other and may be driven in formation. According to the invention, the optical guidance system comprises at least one transmitter component (3), one receiver component (5) and one computer component (19) for providing control instructions, relating for example to the direction of travel of the first or second unit. The transmitter component (3) is to be provided on the second unit (2) ad designed to emit optical reference beams (4).

Abstract: A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.

Abstract: Road paver having a towing machine that is movable on a plane along a work area, and a screed provided to lay a road pavement, and having at least one measuring device configured to generate a point cloud that depicts a three-dimensional condition of the surface of the plane.

Abstract: A road finisher (1) and a mobile supply unit (4) are described, between which a feed conveyor (7) with a discharge end (7a) is provided. Road finisher (1) and supply unit (4) are movable independently of each other in travel direction (F), and their relative positions with respect to each other can be detected by a sensor means (8, 18). To automate such a system as much as possible and to make it useable under all paving situations, it is suggested that the sensor means (8, 18) should include a position sensor (9) which has assigned thereto at least two mutually spaced-apart reference elements (10) for determining the position of the discharge end (7a) in, and transversely to, the direction of travel (F).

Abstract: A material leveling system includes a leveling-implement assembly adapted for leveling material to a final grade level, a frame supporting the leveling-implement assembly, and an implement positioning assembly controlling the position of the leveling-implement assembly relative to the frame. The leveling-implement assembly includes an implement that contacts a construction material during the leveling process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paver for the paving of ground courses for roads or the like, comprising a chassis and a trailed floating screed which is articulated on the latter via tow arms and of which the angle of attack relative to the ground can be adjusted via an actuating cylinder, arranged on each of the two sides of the chassis, for displacing the tow point of the tow arms, a tow-point displacement controller for setting the tow point corresponding to an intended paving height dimension of the screed being provided for each side, characterized in that displacement sensors for measuring the displacement movements of the actuating cylinders are provided and are coupled to a control unit which evaluates the displacement signals of the tow-point displacement controllers, which control unit records the displacement movements as control values and compares them with a nominal control value range for displacement movements that can be stored in the control unit and corrects recorded control values outside the

Abstract: A control is provided for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade and pulls a floating screed over the top surface of the material behind the machine. The floating screed is attached to the machine by at least one tow arm at a tow point on the tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder on the machine in response to a valve control signal applied to a hydraulic valve. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade as it is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point such that the top surface of the material follows a reference surface. A first sensor is mounted on the machine, adjacent the front of the machine, for sensing the relative height of the reference surface and providing a first sensor output related thereto. A second sensor for senses the height of the tow point relative to the machine and provides a second sensor output related thereto.

Abstract: A wheeled concrete screeding device includes a wheeled unit having wheels for movably supporting a frame portion, and a screed head supported at the frame portion and following behind the wheeled unit when the wheeled unit is moved in a screeding direction. The screed head includes a grade establishing element and a vibratable member. The grade establishing element is generally vertically adjustable responsive to a signal from a laser receiver disposed at the screed head to establish a struck-off surface of the uncured concrete at a desired grade. The vibratable member is adjustably attached at the grade establishing element and the vibratable member at least partially floats behind the grade establishing element on the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete and is at least partially supported at the struck-off surface of the uncured concrete as the wheeled unit is moved in the screeding direction.

Abstract: A paving system includes a machine having a frame with a plurality of ground-engaging elements coupled with the frame, and a height adjustable screed coupled with the frame. The paving system may also include a paving control system having a receiver configured to receive screed control data indicative of a position of the height adjustable screed relative to a reference position. The paving control system may further include a computer readable memory storing a control algorithm, which may include a smoothness estimating algorithm and a screed adjusting algorithm. An electronic control unit is coupled with the computer readable memory and is configured via the control algorithm to determine a smoothness value for a region of a mat of material which corresponds with an irregular pattern of screed position, in response to screed control data received via the receiver.

Abstract: A control system for controlling movement of individual hydraulically moveable ends of a screed head carried by a boom of a machine so as to maintain a selected elevation position between each end of the screed head and a reference in a concrete paving application as the screed head is moved toward the machine, includes elevation receivers mounted on the ends of the screed head, and a first sensor for sensing the orientation of the screed head along its length from the first end to the second end of the screed head. A second sensor senses rotational movement of the machine which will induce an error in the output of the first sensor, and providing an output indicating such rotational movement.

Abstract: An endgate comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a screed assembly, a pivoting plate adapted to be pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, a sliding plate, a pavement contacting surface and a support adapted to be pivotally moved with the pivoting plate, a means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface disposed between the support and the sliding plate, a first adjustment means adapted to adjust the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface and a second adjustment means adapted to adjust the angle of the pavement contacting surface. A method comprising providing such an endgate, adjusting the angle of the pavement contacting surface and adjusting the amount of force applied by the means for applying force to the pavement contacting surface.

Abstract: A method of establishing a desired grade of an uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface includes providing a wheeled apparatus having a wheeled support and a plow assembly, which may include a plow member for establishing the desired grade and/or a vibrating member for vibrating and smoothing the concrete. The down pressure of the plow assembly may be adjusted when the wheeled support is moved in a rearward direction. The elevation of the plow member may be controlled when a direction signal is indicative of the wheeled support stopping and/or moving in the forward direction. The rearward speed of the wheeled support may be reduced in response to a detection of a surface irregularity of the subgrade, and the frame portion and/or the plow assembly may be controlled to substantially maintain the plow assembly at a desired orientation when the wheel engages the detected surface irregularity.

Abstract: A transition region control system has one or more sensors configured to transmit a signal representative of a speed of a work machine moving over a first surface. The transition region control system also has one or more surfacing components configured to form a second surface generally coplanar to the first surface, wherein the second surface may include a transition region generally non-coplanar to the first surface. The transition region control system further has a data input system configured to transmit data representative of the transition region to a controller. The controller may be configured to determine the speed of the work machine based on the signal received from the one or more sensors and control the operation of at least one of the one or more surfacing components to at least partially form the transition region based on the speed of the work machine and the data representative of the transition region.

Abstract: A portable vibratory wet concrete screed includes a blade, an exciter that is selectively driven to induce vibrations in the blade, at least one operator-manipulated handle connected to the blade and extending upwardly and rearwardly, a laser receiver mounted on the screed at a height above an upper end of the handle, and an indicator that is operatively connected to the receiver. The indicator provides a visual indication of the screed height relative to a desired grade. It is located remote from the receiver at a location which, when viewed from the perspective of a person in the vicinity of a screed operator, is at least substantially in a focal area containing the rear edge of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical guidance system for a laying engine for producing a concrete or asphalt top layer along a given path (6), wherein the laying engine comprises a first unit (1), such as a distributor for distributing the material and a second unit (2), such as a finisher for smoothing the material. The first and second unit are driven independently of each other and may be driven in formation. According to the invention, the optical guidance system comprises at least one transmitter component (3), one receiver component (5) and one computer component (19) for providing control instructions, relating for example to the direction of travel of the first or second unit. The transmitter component (3) is to be provided on the second unit (2) ad designed to emit optical reference beams (4).

Abstract: A material leveling system includes a leveling-implement assembly adapted for leveling material to a final grade level, a frame supporting the leveling-implement assembly, and an implement positioning assembly controlling the position of the leveling-implement assembly relative to the frame. The leveling-implement assembly includes an implement that contacts a construction material during the leveling process.

Abstract: An automotive road milling machine, in particular large milling machine, for milling a ground surface or traffic surface, with a chassis provided with a front axle and a rear axle, consisting of crawler track units or wheels, a machine frame carried by the chassis with lateral outer walls and a longitudinal center-line, a milling drum supported at the machine frame between the crawler track units or wheels of the front axle and the rear axle, where one front end of the milling drum reaches as far as an outer side of the machine frame called the zero side for the purpose of close-to-edge milling, and an operator station with a platform for the machine operator, it is provided that the part of the machine frame located on the zero side in front of the platform of the machine operator when seen in the direction of travel is set back inwards in such a manner that a recess running in vertical direction and open towards the outer side, as well as towards the bottom and towards the top is formed in the machine frame

Abstract: A method of operating a compactor machine includes moving the compacting machine within a work area and determining a compaction response disconformity exists between at least two regions of the work area. The method includes generating a compactor navigation signal responsive to the compaction response disconformity. A method of compacting a work area may include determining a work material compaction response associated with at least one region of the work area is aberrant, and maneuvering the compactor machine within the work area responsive to a signal associated with the aberrant compaction response. A system for compacting a work area includes a compactor machine and an electronic controller configured via a compactor maneuvering control algorithm to detect an aberrant work material compaction response in a region of the work area and responsively generate a compactor navigation signal.

Abstract: A floating screed device has a first section for cutting through plastic concrete and a second section for floating on the plastic concrete. The first and second sections are coupled together by a mechanism that moves the first section relative to the second section in a direction perpendicular to the planar bottom of the second section as the floating screed device is moved through a volume of unfinished plastic concrete.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paver for the paving of ground courses for roads or the like, comprising a chassis and a trailed floating screed which is articulated on the latter via tow arms and of which the angle of attack relative to the ground can be adjusted via an actuating cylinder, arranged on each of the two sides of the chassis, for displacing the tow point of the tow arms, a tow-point displacement controller for setting the tow point corresponding to an intended paving height dimension of the screed being provided for each side, characterized in that displacement sensors for measuring the displacement movements of the actuating cylinders are provided and are coupled to a control unit which evaluates the displacement signals of the tow-point displacement controllers, which control unit records the displacement movements as control values and compares them with a nominal control value range for displacement movements that can be stored in the control unit and corrects recorded control values outside the

Abstract: A transducer arrangement and method that generates control signals indicating relative positions of the ends of a hydraulically movable tool of a machine. The generated control signals of the present invention are used by a conventional control circuit of the machine to control the ends of the hydraulically movable tool having elevation receivers as an desired mode of operation or when reception by one of the elevational receivers of a elevational reference, which provides an absolute position of the ends of the tool, is interrupted. The conventional control circuit of the machine uses the generated signal of the transducer arrangement of the present invention to maintain a relative elevation position of one side of the tool to the absolute position of the other side of the tool as desired or until both receiver can reacquire the elevational reference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for milling traffic areas. The machine has a vertically adjustable chassis which carries a steerable traveling mechanism and a drive unit for moving the machine and for driving a milling mechanism coupled to the drive unit. A laser scanner is attached to at least on one side of the chassis. With the laser scanner, the height relative to the surface of a traffic area to be milled can be measured and the chassis can be set vertically in accordance with the measured values relative to the surface of the traffic area to be milled. The laser scanner is attached in the center side-wall region of the chassis. The scanning plane of the laser scanner is essentially parallel to the side-wall region of the chassis and at a height which permits monitoring of a hazard region which extends at least over the side length of the machine. The laser scanner produces a trigger signal if a disturbance occurs in the scanning plane.

Abstract: A device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at two locations by height adjustment mechanisms that raise and lower the two locations of the contouring assembly independently of each other. The contouring assembly creates a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of at least one location of the contouring assembly is based on a comparison of the measured position of one portion of the contouring assembly with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. Control of the height of the other location is preferably based on the height above a physical reference measured with a proximity sensor. A pivot or tilting controller may control the tilting of the contouring assembly to follow the slope of the profile stored in computer memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in shearing paving material applied to a surface is provided. This apparatus includes a blade for shearing the asphalt mixture to a desired thickness, cylinders for raising and lowering the blade in response to elevational changes in the surface, at least one signal generator associated with each cylinder and adapted to produce a signal indicative of the elevation of the surface, and at least one signal receiver associated with each signal generator. This blade apparatus is coupled with a prime mover. The receiver is operable to activate the cylinders in response to a signal received from the generator. The blade is raised and lowered as the elevation of the surface changes in response to signals emanating from the generator allowing surface level variations to be evened out while paving.

Abstract: A lightweight one man screed apparatus to automatically strike off and level uncured concrete flatwork, includes a tri-pod framework beneath which a cutting/leveling member operates. The apparatus is controlled by two grade setting devices, adjustably mounted to the screed tool, which may be adjusted relative to a laser plane generating system. Physical control of the screed member may be provided by at least one screed tool pivotal arm assembly moved for and aft by a carriage operated under the tri-pod framework within a fore and aft footprint. The screed tool is adjusted to grade by being raised or lowered by at least one linear actuators responding to an electronic controller. When moving the framework and screed assembly into freshly poured concrete, an operator is assisted by retractable wheels. The wheels are rotationally stowable or used deployed as part of the tripod/transport system facilitating mobility.

Abstract: A wheeled strike-off apparatus is movable over a surface of uncured concrete or subgrade materials and is operable to establish a desired grade of the uncured concrete surface or subgrade surface. The apparatus includes a wheeled support and a plow assembly. The wheeled support may have a front frame portion and a pair of front wheels rotatably mounted at the front frame portion, and may have a rear frame portion and a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted at the rear frame portion. The plow assembly may be adjustably mounted to the front frame portion and may be vertically adjustable relative to the frame portion via an actuator. The plow assembly includes at least one plow member for engaging and establishing the desired grade.

Abstract: A contouring machine control system, contouring/smoothing method, and kit for enabling a contouring machine to automatically contour three-dimensional surfaces includes a contouring member, such as a screed or dirt grading blade, a target either attached to the contouring member or located at a remote location, a tracking device at the other of the contouring member or remote location that tracks the target and measures the position of the target in three dimensions, a proximity sensor adjacent one end of the contouring member to detect its height above a physical reference, and a controller/computer for controlling the height of the two ends of the contouring member. One of the ends is controlled as a function of a stored profile of the desired surface to be contoured and the target or tracking device position, while the second end is controlled as a function of the current height of the proximity sensor above the reference.

Abstract: A drag box for use in applying cold mix asphalt paving material to a surface includes a pugmill for distributing the cold mix over the surface, a strike blade for shearing the asphalt mixture to a desired thickness, cylinders for raising and lowering the strike blade in response to elevational changes in the surface, at least one signal generator associated with each cylinder and adapted to produce a signal indicative of the elevation of the surface, and at least one signal receiver associated with each signal generator. The drag box is pulled behind a prime mover but preferably is not rigidly coupled with the prime mover. The blade is raised and lowered in response to signals emanating from the generator as the elevation of the surface changes, allowing surface level variations to be evened out while paving.

Abstract: Knowledge of the profile of a road surface—most importantly its defects—is a must to construct an acceptable road surface in this day of high speed traffic. Measurement and calculation of the surface during the process of forming the road—when the road material is still plastic—provides the opportunity to repair unacceptable defects while the road surface material can still be worked. The benefits include a smoother, more durable surface at a lesser cost than methods used on hardened road surfaces. Shown herein is for a method and apparatus for calculating a surface's elevation profile using measurements taken by non-contact devices at a number of locations. Since non-contact sensors are used, elevation profiles of wet concrete can be measured and calculated. Such an apparatus can be mounted on a road paving machine to provide a real time feedback of the surface so corrections to the surface and to the paving machine's operation can be made as required.

Abstract: A light weight motorized concrete finishing machine with a set of blades that rotate on a single plane, held by a hub assembly that resists deflection, specially equipped with quick release system for trowel blades. Blade pitch is controlled by an actuator that can be adjusted manually or remote powered. The unit is equipped with a remote means of hands free operation of blade pitch and throttle control. Right to left directional motion of machine is controlled by an articulated steering mechanism.

Abstract: A device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at opposite ends by height adjustment mechanisms. The height adjustment mechanisms raise and lower the ends of the contouring assembly independently of each other, thereby allowing the contouring assembly to create a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of at least one end of the contouring assembly is based on a comparison of its measured position with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. A pivot or tilting controller may control the tilting of the contouring assembly to follow the slope of the profile stored in computer memory.

Abstract: A concrete deposition device includes at least a concrete delivery unit and a leveling element in a single unit. The device can be moved across an edge of a concrete mass under deposition to simultaneously place and level plastic concrete. The device may also include a screed trailing the leveling element to provide additional compacting and control of the top surface of the concrete mass. In a preferred embodiment a carrier translates the deposition device along a predetermined path to provide for improved ease and accuracy in the formation of the concrete mass.

Abstract: A combination asphalt/concrete surface repair machine. The machine is a direction-finding, wheeled, transportable vehicle, which is a self-regulating, repair machine, controlled by a complex central computer. The machine is capable of being attached to and hauled by another faster vehicle (i.e., truck) if necessary. This machine is guided by a positioning device, which uses advanced radar and laser technology to place the machine above every position of the road surface to be repaired. The machine uses data from seismic or radar analysis carried out in preparation for repairing the road surface by the use of robotic modules within the machine. This technology can also be used to build new roads, racetracks, airport runways, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, etc. Multiple construction or repair functions are provided within one machine.

Abstract: A guidance system for providing control over the height and inclination of a portable screed is provided. The guidance system includes an inclination measuring device for measuring an inclination, an inclination display for displaying the measured inclination to an operator, a level measuring device for measuring a height relative to a reference signal, and a level display for displaying the measured height to the operator. The inclination measuring device, inclination display, level measuring device and level display can be mounted on a portable screed. The inclination display and the level display are adapted to be used by the operator to guide the portable screed.

Abstract: A pavement temperature monitoring system (10) is used on paver vehicle (12) that is capable of forming a pavement material mat (11) upon abase surface (13), as paver vehicle (12) travels generally in a single direction. A temperature sensor (14) can be either a thermal imager, a thermal scanner, or a thermal imager operating in line “scan” mode. The temperature sensor (14) is mounted on a rear end (12a) of the paver vehicle (12) in such a way that the entire width of the formed mat can be scanned or imaged. A display device (16) is capable of receiving a plurality of electrical signals from the thermal scanner generating and displaying a graphical image (17) of the formed mat temperature profile.

Abstract: A construction apparatus (12) and method of controlling a construction apparatus from a laser source (38) made up of a substantially non-rotating beam (56). The construction apparatus includes a body (14), a construction tool (16) adapted to move material, a support moveably supporting the construction tool from the body and a control for guiding movement of the construction tool. A control is provided including a camera (28) that is adapted to capture an illuminated image that is derived from the laser source. The control determines direction information of the illuminated image with respect to the apparatus at least in part from an output of the camera. The control is further adapted to determine separation information of the spot with respect to the body and a physical relationship between the construction tool and the illuminated image.

Abstract: A contouring device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at opposite ends by a pair of fluid cylinders. The fluid cylinders are controlled to raise and lower the ends of the contouring assembly independently of each other, thereby allowing the contouring assembly to create a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of one of the fluid cylinders is based on a comparison of the measured position of a first end of the contouring assembly with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. The measurement of the position of the first end of the contouring assembly is achieved by a tracking device which tracks the position of a target positioned on the first end of the contouring assembly and which determines the three dimensional position of the target.