Asphalt screed spoiler

Abstract

In some implementations, a paver can distribute an asphalt mix in front of a screed assembly, where the asphalt mix has particles of two or more sizes. The paver can agitate the asphalt mix via one or more spoilers to distribute the particles of the asphalt mix in front of the screed assembly. The paver can shape the asphalt mix with the screed assembly. The paver can deposit the asphalt mix as a compacted mat onto a paving surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to asphalt paving, and, for example, to a spoiler for an asphalt screed assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Asphalt paving is the process of laying a mixture of asphalt (asphalt) and aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone) onto a surface to form a durable and smooth road surface. The asphalt mixture can be heated, conveyed, and spread on a prepared surface (such as a roadbed or driveway) and then compacted to achieve the desired thickness and density.

[0003] A paver is a machine that lays paving materials (such as asphalt mixtures) as a compacted subbase onto a prepared surface. A paver may include a hopper for receiving the paving material, a distribution system for spreading the material, and a screed for leveling and compacting the material to achieve the desired thickness and surface finish of the compacted subbase.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 9,267,246 (hereinafter referred to as '246 Patent) discloses a screed assembly for use with a paving machine having a machine frame. The screed assembly may have a main frame operatively connected to the machine frame, and a sub-frame with a body and screed components. The screed assembly may also have a vibration isolator disposed between the main frame and the sub-frame, and at least one adjustment mechanism disposed between the body and the screed components. The at least one adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the flatness of the screed components. The screed assembly may also have a vibration device connected to the body of the sub-frame and configured to vibrate the sub-frame.

[0005] The paver and / or screed assembly disclosed herein solves one or more of the problems in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A paver may include: a tractor having a hopper for storing an asphalt mixture having two or more particle sizes; and a screed assembly for compacting the asphalt mixture, wherein the screed assembly includes a screed element, wherein the screed assembly includes one or more baffles located between the tractor and the screed element, and wherein the one or more baffles are configured to agitate the asphalt mixture to randomly disperse the particles before they reach the screed element.

[0007] An ironing plate assembly may include: an ironing plate member configured to compact asphalt mixture into a compacted pad layer; and one or more baffles spaced apart from the ironing plate member and configured to agitate the asphalt mixture before it reaches the ironing plate member.

[0008] One method may include: distributing an asphalt mixture in front of a screed assembly, wherein the asphalt mixture has two or more particle sizes; agitating the asphalt mixture via one or more baffles to distribute the particles of the asphalt mixture in front of the screed assembly; shaping the asphalt mixture using the screed assembly; and depositing the asphalt mixture as a compacted subbase onto a paving surface. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram associated with an example paver equipped with an asphalt screed spoiler.

[0010] Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are illustrations of example implementations associated with asphalt screed spoilers.

[0011] Figures 4 to 7 This is an example cross-sectional configuration associated with an asphalt screed spoiler.

[0012] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of an example process associated with an asphalt screed spoiler. Detailed Implementation

[0013] This disclosure relates to a screed assembly suitable for use with any machine for asphalt paving. For example, the machine could be an asphalt paver.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram associated with an example paver 100 having an asphalt screed spoiler. (See diagram for example.) Figure 1 As shown in Example 100, the paver 100 may include a tractor unit 105, which includes a front hopper 110 and a screed assembly 115. A conveying system 120 with belts, chains, and / or augers may be configured to convey material (e.g., hot asphalt mixture 125) from the hopper 110 to the screed assembly 115. The screed assembly 115 may be configured to level the asphalt mixture and shape it into layers (e.g., compacted pad 130) having a desired thickness and width.

[0015] The screed assembly 115 may include one or more baffles 135. As discussed in more detail below, the baffles 135 may be configured to agitate the asphalt mixture 125 and randomly disperse the particles of the asphalt mixture 125. For example, the asphalt mixture 125 may include particles of two or more sizes (e.g., aggregates). Over time, such as during the transport of the asphalt mixture 125 to the paving site, the particles of the asphalt mixture 125 may begin to settle in an uneven manner (e.g., larger particles may settle toward the bottom of the asphalt mixture 125, while smaller particles may rise toward the top of the asphalt mixture 125), as shown in the first cross-sectional view 140. If the asphalt mixture 125 is compacted under these conditions of particle settling, the density of the resulting compacted pad 130 may be reduced. The deflector 135 can be configured to randomly disperse particles (e.g., larger aggregate blocks) in the asphalt mixture 125 before it reaches the screed 145. This can cause the particles to interlock in a more compact matrix form, and this can result in a denser compacted cushion layer 130. As shown in the second cross-sectional view 150, the particles of the compacted cushion layer 130 can be randomly dispersed throughout the asphalt mixture 125 by the deflector 135.

[0016] As indicated above, Figure 1 This is provided as an example. Other examples may be provided in conjunction with [the relevant information]. Figure 1 The examples described are different.

[0017] Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are illustrations of example implementations 200 and 300 associated with the asphalt screed spoiler. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, example implementations 200 and 300 include a spoiler 135, an ironing plate 145, and a scraper plate 205.

[0018] As discussed above, the baffle 135 can be configured to agitate asphalt mixtures (e.g., Figure 1 The asphalt mixture 125 is used to randomly disperse the particles of the asphalt mixture 125 before it reaches the screed 145. The spoiler 135 may be formed of metal, plastic, another material, or a combination thereof, and may be mounted to or otherwise disposed on the spoiler housing 210. The spoiler housing 210 may define a plurality of openings 215. Each spoiler 135 may be disposed in one of the openings 215. The openings 215 may be defined such that the spoilers 135 are linearly arranged along the spoiler housing 210. Additionally or alternatively, the openings 215 may be defined such that the spoilers 135 are uniformly spaced apart from each other (e.g., at least one spoiler 135 is equidistant from at least two other spoilers 135). (The following text is about...) Figures 4 to 7As discussed, the spoiler 135 may have a cross-sectional shape to help randomly disperse the particles of the asphalt mixture. The opening 215 may be defined according to the shape of the spoiler 135. For example, if the spoiler 135 has a circular cross-sectional shape, then the opening 215 may be circular. If the spoiler 135 has a cross-shaped cross-section, then the opening 215 may also be cross-shaped.

[0019] Spoiler 135, spoiler housing 210, or both can be adapted to the compacted pad (e.g., Figure 1 The desired height of the compacted pad 130 can be adjusted. For example, the vertical position of the spoiler 135 and / or spoiler housing 210 can be adjusted according to the height of the screed 145, scraper 205, and / or combinations thereof. The vertical position of the spoiler 135 and / or spoiler housing 210 can be adjusted such that one end 220 of the spoiler extends below the bottom surface 225 of the scraper 205. By extending below the bottom surface 225 of the scraper 205, the spoiler 135 can randomly disperse the particles in the portion of the asphalt mixture that will be compacted by the screed 145.

[0020] The screed component 145 can be configured to level and compact the asphalt mixture during the paving process. The screed component 145 may include a smooth surface 230 that contacts the asphalt mixture to shape and establish the thickness and surface finish of the compacted subbase. The screed component 145 may be heated or unheated and may be adjustable to control the slope and gradient of the compacted subbase. The screed component 145 may be formed of metal (e.g., steel, iron, and / or aluminum).

[0021] The screed 205 can be configured to distribute and level the asphalt mixture before it is compacted by the screed 145. The screed 205 can be located in front of the screed and can include a flat or contoured surface that removes excess asphalt mixture and provides asphalt mixture of uniform thickness before it is finally leveled and compacted into a compacted pad by the screed 145. The vertical position of the screed 205 can be adjusted according to the desired thickness of the compacted pad, the height of the screed 145, and / or combinations thereof.

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown in Example 300, one or more of the spoilers 135 may be bent toward the screed member 145. The curvature toward the screed member 145 may help the asphalt mixture particles interlock before being compacted by the screed member 145. In Example 300, the asphalt mixture particles may engage the bent surfaces of the spoilers 135 before being compacted by the screed member 145. The bent surfaces of the spoilers 135 may help to randomly distribute the asphalt mixture particles.

[0023] As indicated above, Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is provided as an example. Other examples may be provided in conjunction with [the relevant information]. Figures 2 to 3 The examples described are different.

[0024] Figures 4 to 7 This is an example cross-sectional configuration associated with spoiler 135. Figures 4 to 7 The cross-sectional configuration can be with Figure 2 The view AA shown in Example 200 is associated with this. (Reference) Figure 4 In Example 400, one or more spoilers in spoiler 135 may have a circular cross-section. (Reference) Figure 5 In Example 500, one or more spoilers in spoiler 135 may have a rectangular cross-section. The rectangular cross-section may have rounded corners (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown) or an angled corner (e.g., a corner forming a 90-degree angle). Reference Figure 6 In Example 600, one or more spoilers in spoiler 135 may have a teardrop-shaped cross-section. (Reference) Figure 7 In Example 700, one or more of the spoilers in spoiler 135 may have a cross-shaped cross section.

[0025] As indicated above, Figures 4 to 7 This is provided as an example. Other examples may be provided in conjunction with [the relevant information]. Figures 4 to 7 The examples described are different.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of an example process 800 associated with an asphalt screed spoiler. Figure 8 One or more process frames can be executed by a paver (e.g., paver 100). Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 One or more process frames may be performed by another device or set of devices separate from or including the paver (such as another device or component inside or outside the paver or screed assembly (e.g., screed assembly 115)). Figure 8 As shown, process 800 may include distributing asphalt mixture in front of a screed assembly, wherein the asphalt mixture has two or more particle sizes (box 810). For example, a paver (e.g., via the above description regarding...) Figure 1 The conveying system 120 discussed can distribute asphalt mixture (e.g., asphalt mixture 125) onto the ground in front of the screed assembly (e.g., screed assembly 145) and the spoiler (e.g., spoiler 135). Figure 8As further shown, process 800 may include agitating the asphalt mixture via one or more baffles to distribute the asphalt mixture particles in front of the screed assembly (box 820). For example, the baffles may agitate the asphalt mixture, which may cause the asphalt mixture particles to be randomly distributed before the screed assembly compacts the asphalt mixture to form a compacted pad (e.g., compacted pad 130). Figure 8 As further shown, process 800 may include compacting the asphalt mixture using a screed assembly to form a compacted cushion layer (frame 830).

[0027] Process 800 may include adjusting the height of a scraper member (e.g., scraper member 205) located between one or more spoilers and the ironing plate assembly.

[0028] Process 800 may include adjusting the vertical position of one or more spoilers.

[0029] although Figure 8 The example box for process 800 is shown, but in some implementations, process 800 may include... Figure 8 The boxes depicted in the diagram may be fewer, different, or arranged differently than additional boxes. Alternatively, two or more boxes in the process 800 may be executed in parallel.

[0030] Industrial applicability The screed assembly 115 of this disclosure enables more homogeneous mixing of particles in the asphalt mixture 125 and a denser interlocking of asphalt and aggregate, resulting in a more compacted subbase 130. The particles of the asphalt mixture 125 may begin to separate over time. Before the asphalt mixture 125 is compacted by the screed assembly 145, the baffle 135 can agitate the asphalt mixture 125 to randomly disperse the particles. When the particles of the asphalt mixture 125 are randomly dispersed before compaction by the screed assembly 145, the resulting compacted subbase 130 and the final paved surface can have higher structural integrity than asphalt mixture 125 compacted with particle separation or settling. For example, using the baffle 135 to move larger aggregates can cause larger aggregate blocks to interlock more tightly with other particles in the asphalt mixture 125 in a matrix-like manner, thereby causing improved compaction and producing a denser compacted subbase 130.

[0031] The foregoing disclosure provides examples and descriptions, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations can be made based on the foregoing disclosure, or can be derived from practice of the implementations. Furthermore, any implementation described herein can be combined unless the foregoing disclosure expressly provides a reason why one or more implementations cannot be combined. Even if specific combinations of features are listed in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. While each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes every dependent claim combined with every other claim in the group of claims.

[0032] As used herein, “a,” “one,” and “a group” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items associated with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on,” unless otherwise expressly stated. Additionally, as used herein, the term “or,” when used serially, is intended to be inclusive and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless otherwise expressly stated (e.g., if used in combination with “any one” or “only one of”).

[0033] Furthermore, for ease of description, this document may use spatially relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” etc., to describe the relationship of an element or feature to other elements or features illustrated in the figures. In addition to the orientations depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of devices, apparatuses, and / or elements in use or operation. Devices may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or otherwise), and the spatially relative descriptions used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A paver, the paver comprising: A tractor unit having a hopper for storing asphalt mixture having two or more particle sizes; and A screed assembly for compacting the asphalt mixture. The ironing board assembly includes an ironing board component. The ironing plate assembly includes one or more spoilers located between the tractor and the ironing plate component, and The one or more of the baffles are configured to agitate the asphalt mixture before the particles reach the screed to cause the particles to disperse randomly.

2. The paver of claim 1, wherein the screed assembly includes a scraper plate, and wherein one or more spoilers are disposed on the scraper plate.

3. The paver of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more spoilers extends below the bottom surface of the screed member.

4. The paver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more spoilers are configured to agitate the asphalt mixture to randomly distribute the particles within the asphalt mixture before the particles reach the screed.

5. The paver according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the paver further comprising a spoiler housing defining a plurality of openings, wherein each of the one or more spoilers is disposed in one of the openings of the spoiler housing.

6. The paver of claim 5, wherein the screed assembly includes a scraper plate member, and wherein the spoiler housing is disposed on the scraper plate member.

7. The paver according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the one or more spoilers is bent toward the screed member.

8. A method, the method comprising: Asphalt mixture is distributed in front of the screed assembly, wherein the asphalt mixture has two or more particle sizes; The asphalt mixture is agitated by one or more baffles to distribute the particles of the asphalt mixture in front of the screed assembly; as well as The asphalt mixture is compacted using the ironing plate assembly to form a compacted pad layer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising adjusting the height of a scraper member located between the one or more spoilers and the ironing plate assembly.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 9, the method further comprising adjusting the vertical position of the one or more spoilers.

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