Leveling plate with non-linear profile

Abstract

A leveling plate includes a first surface configured to engage a leveling system of a paver and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface configured to contact a paving material, and wherein the second surface has a non-linear profile in a direction from a front end to a rear end of the leveling plate.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 496,551, filed April 17, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 579,278, filed August 28, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a solid slab with a non-linear profile. In some aspects, the solid slab may have a curved profile. In some aspects, the solid slab may be used with a road paving machine. Background Technology

[0004] Road pavers are used to apply paving materials, such as hot-mixed asphalt or concrete, to surfaces at locations such as highways, airports, roads, and construction sites. The paving material is typically loaded in a hopper at the front of the paver's tractor and conveyed to the rear via a set of flight feeders (conveyor belts). The paving material is spread to the desired width by a set of augers within the paver and then leveled and compacted by a screed system. The screed system is usually towed behind the paver's tractor. The screed system typically includes a screed plate. The screed plate is usually heated to effectively spread, level, and press the paving material onto the surface being paved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following is a simplified overview of one or more aspects of this disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not a comprehensive overview of all anticipated aspects and is neither intended to identify key or essential elements of all aspects nor to depict the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of this disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0006] According to some aspects, this disclosure relates to a slab surface including a first surface configured to engage a leveling system of a paving machine and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface is configured to contact a paving material. The second surface has a non-linear profile in a direction from the front end to the rear end of the slab surface.

[0007] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, one or more aspects of this disclosure include the features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following detailed description and drawings include certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features only indicate some of the different ways in which the principles of different aspects can be employed, and this specification is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The appended claims set forth novel features that are considered to be characteristic of the aspects described herein. Throughout the following description and drawings, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some drawings may be shown in an exaggerated or generalized manner for clarity and brevity. However, this disclosure itself, as well as preferred uses, further purposes, and advancements thereof, will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 A side view of a road paving machine according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0010] Figure 1A A detailed view of the leveling system of the road paving machine according to claim 1 of one aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0011] Figure 2 A side view of a flat plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0012] Figure 3 A side view of another entire flat plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0013] Figure 4 A side view of another entire flat plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown;

[0014] Figure 5 A side view of yet another complete plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown; and

[0015] Figure 6 A side view of another complete plate according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 7 A graph showing the compaction percentage versus rotation of the paving material according to one aspect of this disclosure is presented. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The detailed descriptions following, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, are intended as descriptions of different configurations and are not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. Specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some examples, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0018] Figure 1A road paver 100 according to an aspect of the disclosure is shown. The road paver 100 includes a tractor 104 and a screed system 108. The tractor 104 can include a hopper, a conveyor system, and an operator cabin 112. Although the figures and the following description are with respect to a rear-mounted screed system, the invention described herein can also be used in a front-mounted screed system.

[0019] During a paving process, paving material 128 is fed from the hopper via the conveyor system and deposited in front of a front end 138 of the screed system 108 in the direction indicated by arrow 134. The screed plate 316 of the screed system is configured to spread and compact the paving material along the surface to be paved. For example, the screed plate 316 can be configured to engage the paving material 128 dispensed from the road paver 100 to spread and level the paving material 128 along the surface to be paved. In some aspects of the disclosure, the bottom surface (e.g., the surface configured to contact the paving material) can include a pattern or texture, such as a repeating wave pattern, a repeating V-shaped pattern, a repeating diamond pattern, a repeating block pattern, a contoured pattern, or a variable wave pattern.

[0020] The tractor 104 can be coupled to the screed system 108 via one or more draw arms 116. Hydraulic cylinders 120 can engage the draw arms 116 at draw points 130 to adjust the position of the screed system 108 relative to the surface to be paved. For example, the hydraulic cylinders 120 can be used to change the angle of attack A of the screed plate 316. As used herein, the phrase “angle of attack” refers to the angle between the screed plate 316 and the surface to be paved, as shown in Figure 1A A set pin 124 can be connected between the draw arm 116 and the screed system 108. The set pin 124 can be actuated by an operator (e.g., via a handle 126) to further adjust the angle A between the screed plate 316 and the surface to be paved. The angle of attack A affects the density and grade of the paving material. In a typical linear screed, the angle of attack A can be between 2° and 5°.

[0021] As used herein, the phrases “compact” and “compaction” generally refer to the process of increasing the density of the paving material 128 by applying force to the paving material 128 (e.g., via the screed system 108) to reduce the size of the void space between the particles of the paving material 128. As shown schematically in section 128a, the paving material 128 is loosest (e.g., least dense, least compacted, least even) near the front end of the screed system 108. As the screed system 108 slides over the paving material 128, the paving material 128 becomes less loose (e.g., more dense, more compacted, more even), as shown schematically in 128b. The paving material 128 is most compacted near the back end 141 of the screed system 108, as shown schematically in 128c. Figure 7A graph 700 showing the percent of compaction of the paving material versus revolution is shown. The graph 700 shows data taken from a gyratory compactor, and the term "gyration" refers to the increase in density of the compactor for each revolution. As shown, compaction does not occur at a linear rate as the grading system 108 passes over the paving material 128. Rather, compaction occurs at a faster rate toward the front of the grading system 108 (arrow 704), where the paving material 128a is loosest. As the grading system 108 passes over the paving material 128 and the paving material becomes denser, the rate of compaction slows (arrow 708). Figure 7

[0022] Figure 2 An exemplary screed 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The screed 200 includes a body 202 including a first or top surface 204 and a second or bottom surface 208 opposite the first surface 204. The first surface 204 is configured to engage the grading system 108. The second surface 208 is configured to engage the paving material 128. Although the second surface 208 is shown as smooth in the illustrated example, it is contemplated that the second surface 208 can include a pattern or texture, such as, for example, a repeating wave pattern, a repeating V-shaped pattern, a repeating diamond pattern, a repeating block pattern, a contoured pattern, or a variable wave pattern.

[0023] The profile of the screed is shown schematically using the line 212. As used herein, the phrase "profile" means the cross-sectional shape of the screed. As shown, Figure 2 The shape of the profile 212 varies from a front end 216 of the screed to a back end 220 of the screed 200. The front end 216 of the screed 200 contacts the loosest portion 128a of the paving material 128. The back end 220 of the screed 220 contacts the least loose (e.g., densest) portion 128c of the paving material 128. A first portion 224 of the screed 200 has a non-linear profile 212. For example, in the illustrated example, the profile 212 of the first portion 224 is a convex curve. The convex curve of the profile 212 of the first portion 224 is configured to increase the density of the paving material 128 as the paving material 128 is passed over the first portion 224 of the screed 200. Figure 2 ​In the illustrated aspects, the first portion 224 of the screed 200 has a curved profile 212. For example, in some aspects, the profile 212 of the screed 200 can resemble the shape of a French curve. In other aspects, the profile 212 of the screed 200 can include multiple linear segments that collectively form a curved profile. The first portion 224 of the screed 200 is configured to engage at least some of the loosest portion 128a of the paving material 128 and the portion 128b of the paving material 128a. It can be advantageous to use a curved profile 212 near the front end 216 of the screed because the rate of compaction of the loosest portion 128a of the paving material is most non-linear. Moreover, the curved profile 212 can more evenly distribute the pressure applied to the paving material along the length of the screed 200. In conventional screeds, pressure is typically concentrated at or near the back of the screed (e.g., the portion of the screed that is in contact with the most dense portion of the paving material). In some aspects, the amount of curvature of the first portion 224 decreases from the front end 216 of the screed 200 toward the back end 220 of the screed 200 (e.g., the curvature of the first portion 224 decreases as the density of the paving material 128 increases).

[0024] The second portion 228 of the screed 200 can have a linear profile or a generally linear profile. The second portion 228 of the screed is configured to cover the denser portions of the paving material 128 (e.g., portions 128c and / or portion 128b). In some aspects, the profile 212 of the second portion 228 of the screed 200 can be generally parallel to the finished surface of the paving material 128.

[0025] In some aspects, the amount of curvature of the first portion 224 of the screed 200 can be determined based on the rate of compaction of the paving material 128 when the paving material is in contact with the screeding system 108, e.g., as shown in graph 700. Figure 7 For example, in some aspects, the profile 212 of the screed 200 can be generally parallel to the finished surface of the paving material 128 (e.g., portion 128c) and then curve upward based on the linear rate of compaction per inch traveled on the second surface 208 of the screed 200. This profile 212 of the screed 200 can prevent pressure from being concentrated at or near the back end 220 of the screed 200.

[0026] In some respects, the amount of curvature of the first portion 224 of the slab 200 can be determined based on the thickness of the paving material 128. For example, for a slab 200 configured to lay a deeper paving material 128 pad, the curvature of the first portion 224 of the slab 200 can be increased and / or higher. In some respects, an example of a deep paving pad is a paving material pad configured to produce a compacted surface with a depth of, for example, 6 inches. In other respects, the depth of the compacted surface can be 4 inches to 8 inches. For a slab 200 configured to lay a shallower paving material 128 pad, the curvature of the first portion 224 of the slab 200 can be reduced. In some respects, an example of a shallow paving pad is a paving material pad configured to produce a compacted surface with a depth of, for example, 1 inch. In other respects, the depth of the compacted surface can be 0.5 inches to 3 inches. Thus, it can be advantageous to use a slab with a non-linear profile to contact the paving material 128. This type of flat plate produces a range of angles of attack, which allows for more effective bonding and compaction of paving materials than a flat plate with a linear profile and a single angle of attack A.

[0027] In aspects where the second surface 208 includes patterns and / or textures, in some aspects the patterns and / or textures may be deeper at curved portions of the entire plate 200. In these aspects, the depth of the patterns and / or textures may decrease as the curvature of the entire plate 200 decreases.

[0028] Figure 3 A first solid plate 300 with a generally linear profile represented by line 304 is shown. Line 304 is generally linear along the entire length of the first solid plate 300. Figure 3 Another complete plate is also shown (e.g., Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the approximate nonlinear profile 308 of the flat plate 200. (See diagram for example.) Figure 3 As shown, the curvature of line 308 is highest at the portion of line 308 corresponding to the front end 312 of the entire plate, and lowest at the portion of line 308 corresponding to the rear end 318 of the entire plate. In some respects, profile 308 may be approximately linear at or near the rear end 318 of the entire plate.

[0029] Figure 4 A first solid plate 400 with a generally linear profile is shown. The first solid plate 400 is generally linear along its entire length. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a generally nonlinear integral plate 404 (e.g., line 404) is also shown. The integral plate 404 can be similar to the integral plate 200 described above. Figure 4As shown, the curvature of screed 404 is highest at or near the front end 408 of screed 404 and lowest at or near the rear end 412 of screed 404. In some aspects, the profile of screed 404 can be generally linear at or near the rear end 412 of screed 404. In some aspects, the thickness Tl of screed 404 can be greater than the thickness T2 of screed 400, as measured from the front end toward the rear end of the screed.

[0030] Figure 5 A first screed 500 having a generally linear profile is shown. The first screed 500 is generally linear along substantially the entire length of the first screed 500. Line 504 represents a bottom surface (e.g., a surface configured to contact a laying material). A pattern or texture 508 extends from the bottom surface 504. The screed 500 is shown in an inverted configuration relative to the screeds 200, 300, 308, 400, and 404.

[0031] With continued reference to Figure 5 Dotted line 512 shows a bottom surface (e.g., a surface configured to contact a laying material) of a screed having a non-linear profile. The screed represented by dotted line 512 is shown in an inverted configuration relative to the screeds 200, 300, 308, 400, and 404. An example of such a screed is the screed 200 described above. Figure 5 The dimensions shown are example dimensions for a screed configured to lay an amount of laying material that is suitable to produce a 2 inch deep finished laying surface (e.g., a laying surface having a compacted laying material with a depth of substantially 2 inches). These dimensions are shown and described relative to the bottom surface 504 of the first screed 500 having a linear profile. These dimensions do not include any pattern and / or texture that can be on the bottom surface 512 of the screed 500 having a curved profile, and the dimensions relative to the pattern and / or texture of the screed 500 are not shown. In other aspects, Figure 5 The dimensions shown can be larger or smaller. For example, for a screed configured to produce a deeper finished laying surface, the dimensions will be larger, and for a screed configured to produce a shallower finished laying surface, the dimensions will be smaller. It is further contemplated that, Figure 5 The dimensions shown in FIGS. 1-5 and described herein encompass dimensions that fall within 20% of the dimensions provided herein.

[0032] In some aspects, the length LI of the screed represented by line 512 can be 20 inches. The screed represented by line 512 includes a first portion 516 proximate a front end 520 of the screed and a second portion 524 proximate a rear end 528 of the screed. The first portion 516 is configured to contact a relatively loose portion of a laying material (e.g., Figure 2The portions 128a and / or 128b of the laid material 128 shown are in contact. It is conceivable that the first portion 516 has a non-linear profile. In some respects, the first portion 516 may be curved. Figure 5 In the configuration shown, the first portion 516 has a length L2 of 6.7 inches. The bottom surface 512 of the first portion 516 may extend 0.87 inches below the bottom surface 504 of the linear flat plate 500 near the front end 520. The bottom surface 512 of the first portion 516 may extend 0.29 inches below the bottom surface 504 of the linear flat plate 500, spaced apart from the front end 520 (e.g., at or near the rear end of the first portion 516). As shown by line 512, the bottom of the flat plate shown by line 512 is non-linear.

[0033] The second part 524 is configured to contact the denser (e.g., less loose) portion of the lay-up material (e.g., Figure 2 The second portion 524 (shown as portions 128c and / or 128b of the laying material 128) may have a linear profile near the rear end 528 of the entire flat plate, represented by line 512. In some aspects, the portion of the second portion 524 near the first portion 516 may have a non-linear profile. In some aspects, the second portion 524 may have a linear profile. Figure 5 In the configuration shown, the second portion 524 has a length L3 of 13.3 inches. The bottom surface 512 of the second portion 524 may extend 0.29 inches below the bottom surface 504 of the linear platen 500, close to the first portion 516. The bottom surface 512 of the second portion 524 may extend 0 inches below the bottom surface 504 of the linear platen 500, spaced apart from the front end 520 (e.g., at or near the rear end 528 of the platen represented by line 512).

[0034] Figure 6 A side view of an exemplary solid plate 600 according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The exemplary solid plate 600 is generally similar to Figure 2 The integral plate 200. Therefore, the integral plate 600 is described in detail only to the extent that it differs from the integral plate 200. The same reference numerals are used to refer to the same parts between the integral plate 600 and the integral plate 200.

[0035] The outline of the entire flat plate 600 is schematically shown using dashed lines 612. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 As shown, the shape of profile 612 changes from the front end 616 of the entire plate to the rear end 620 of the entire plate 600. The first portion 624 of the entire plate 600 has a non-linear profile 612. For example, in Figure 6In the illustrated aspects, the first portion 624 of the screed 600 has a curved profile 612. While the profile of the first portion 624 is curved, the first surface 604 and the second surface 608 of the first portion 624 are formed by a plurality of substantially planar panels 610 oriented to form a substantially curved surface. In some aspects, each of the planar panels 610 can form a segment of the curved profile 612. In some aspects, the plurality of planar panels 610 can include two or more planar panels. When the screed 600 is used, the apexes 614 formed between adjacent panels 610 can wear such that the second surface 608 of the first portion 624 of the screed 600 becomes curved. The first portion 624 of the screed 600 is configured to engage the loosest portion 128a of the paving material 128 and at least some of the portion 128b of the paving material 128a.

[0036] The second portion 628 of the screed 600 can have a linear profile or a substantially linear profile. The second portion 628 of the screed is configured to cover the denser portions of the paving material 128 (e.g., the portion 128c and / or the portion 128b). In some aspects, the profile 612 of the second portion 628 of the screed 600 can be substantially parallel to the finished surface of the paving material 128.

[0037] While aspects described herein have been described in connection with the above-described examples, various alterations, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents that are or can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the examples set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," as used in this specification, are intended to permit a statement that a composition, an element, or a process comprises, has, or includes at least one feature, structure, or step, and is not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, structures, or steps.

[0038] Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein, for purposes of comprehension of the claims, no limitation on the number of elements permitted by a particular form of the claim language appears more than once per claim. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known are expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether these disclosure expressions are explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the phrase "means for" is specifically recited in the claim.

[0039] Furthermore, the term "example" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as an "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the term "some" means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A, multiple B, or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may contain one or more elements of A, B, or C. Regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be offered to the public.

[0040] Clause 1. A slab plate comprising: a first surface configured to engage a leveling system of a paving machine; and a second surface opposite the first surface configured to contact a paving material, wherein the second surface has a non-linear profile in a direction from a front end to a rear end of the slab plate.

[0041] Clause 2. The flat plate according to Clause 1, wherein the non-linear profile has a curved shape.

[0042] Clause 3. The flat plate according to Clause 2, wherein the non-linear profile is smooth.

[0043] Clause 4. The flat plate according to Clause 2, wherein the nonlinear profile comprises multiple linear segments that together form a curved shape.

[0044] Clause 5. The flat plate according to Clause 1, wherein the first portion of the second surface near the front end of the flat plate has a non-linear profile.

[0045] Clause 6. The flat plate according to Clause 5, wherein the nonlinear profile has a curvature amount, and wherein the curvature amount of the nonlinear profile corresponds to the compaction rate of the paving material.

[0046] Clause 7. The flat plate according to Clause 6, wherein the curvature decreases from the front end of the flat plate toward the rear end of the flat plate.

[0047] Clause 8. A flat plate according to Clause 6, wherein the curvature of the deeper paving pad is greater than that of the shallower paving pad.

[0048] Clause 9. The flat plate according to Clause 5, wherein the second portion of the second surface near the rear end of the flat plate has a linear profile.

[0049] Clause 10. The screed of clause 1, wherein the nonlinear profile is configured to evenly distribute pressure applied to the paving material in a direction from the front end to the rear end of the screed.

[0050] Clause 11. The screed of clause 1, wherein the second surface includes a pattern, the pattern including at least one of a repeating wave pattern, a repeating V-shaped pattern, a repeating diamond pattern, a repeating block pattern, a contoured pattern, a variable wave pattern, or a combination thereof.

[0051] Clause 12. The screed of clause 11, wherein a depth of the pattern is deeper proximate the front end of the screed.

[0052] Clause 13. The screed of clause 1, wherein the nonlinear profile is configured to prevent pressure from concentrating at or near the rear end of the screed.

Claims

1. A flat plate, comprising: A first surface, configured to engage the leveling system of a paving machine; as well as A second surface, opposite to the first surface, is configured to contact the lay-up material, wherein the second surface has a non-linear profile in the direction from the front end to the rear end of the entire flat plate.

2. The flat plate according to claim 1, wherein, The nonlinear profile has a curved shape.

3. The flat plate according to claim 2, wherein, The nonlinear profile is smooth.

4. The flat plate according to claim 2, wherein, The nonlinear profile comprises multiple linear segments that together form a curved shape.

5. The flat plate according to claim 1, wherein, The first portion of the second surface near the front end of the entire flat plate has the nonlinear profile.

6. The flat plate according to claim 5, wherein, The nonlinear profile has a curvature quantity, wherein the curvature quantity of the nonlinear profile corresponds to the compaction rate of the laying material.

7. The flat plate according to claim 6, wherein, The curvature decreases from the front end of the flat plate toward the rear end of the flat plate.

8. The flat plate according to claim 6, wherein, The curvature of a deeper paving pad is greater than that of a shallower paving pad.

9. The flat plate according to claim 5, wherein, The second portion of the second surface near the rear end of the entire flat plate has a linear profile.

10. The flat plate according to claim 1, wherein, The nonlinear profile is configured to uniformly distribute the pressure applied to the laying material along the direction from the front end to the rear end of the entire flat plate.

11. The flat plate according to claim 1, wherein, The second surface includes a pattern, which includes at least one of a repeating waveform pattern, a repeating V-shaped pattern, a repeating rhombus pattern, a repeating block pattern, an undulating pattern, a deformable waveform pattern, or a combination thereof.

12. The flat plate according to claim 11, wherein, The pattern is deeper near the front end of the flat plate.

13. The flat plate according to claim 1, wherein, The non-linear profile is configured to prevent pressure from concentrating at or near the rear end of the entire flat plate.

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