Bituminous mastic melter, trailer including the melter

Abstract

The invention relates to a melter (1) for bituminous mastic. The invention is characterized in that the heating device for compartment (3) comprises a radiant panel (5) for heating compartment (3), an intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange, which is located between the front inner wall (22) and the rear inner wall (23), the compartment (3) for receiving the bituminous mastic being located between the intermediate wall (4) and the rear wall (23), the radiant panel (5) being located between the intermediate wall (4) and the front inner wall (22) and being oriented towards the intermediate wall (4). Figure 3 for the abstract.

Description

Title of the invention: Melter for bituminous mastic, trailer comprising the melter

[0001] The invention relates to a melter for bituminous mastic, as well as a trailer comprising the melter.

[0002] The field of the invention relates to roadway repair devices, used to fill cracks in the roadway.

[0003] Such road repair devices are known, comprising a lance projecting liquid bituminous mastic to fill cracks in a road.

[0004] These road repair devices comprise a melter comprising a heated oil burner for melting blocks of bituminous mastic.

[0005] One of the disadvantages of this known melter is that the heating oil generates waste and ages due to repeated heating cycles.

[0006] Another disadvantage of this known melter is its relatively large size and weight.

[0007] Another disadvantage of this known melter is that its energy efficiency is quite average and heating is relatively slow.

[0008] An objective of the invention is to obtain a melter for bituminous mastic and a trailer comprising this melter, which overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0009] To this end, a first object of the invention is a melter for bituminous mastic, comprising a frame comprising a front inner wall and a rear inner wall, between which is a compartment for receiving the bituminous mastic, the melter further comprising a device for heating the compartment to change the bituminous mastic from the solid state to the liquid state, characterized in that the device for heating the compartment comprises at least one radiant panel for heating the compartment, the melter comprising an intermediate inner heat exchange wall, which is located between the front inner wall and the rear inner wall, the bituminous mastic receiving compartment being located between the intermediate internal heat exchange wall and the rear internal wall, the front inner wall, the rear inner wall and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall extending from bottom to top, the compartment heating radiant panel being located between the intermediate inner heat exchange wall and the front inner wall and being oriented towards the intermediate inner heat exchange wall.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, the heating of the bituminous mastic is more efficient with a better efficiency, due in particular to the direct heating of the bituminous mastic receiving compartment by the radiant panel. The melter according to the invention makes it possible to avoid using heating oil in a tube under the heating compartment, thus saving weight and space and providing faster heating without waste.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the radiant heating panel of the compartment is radiant by combustion flames of a gas.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the radiant heating panel of the compartment comprises a flat side, which extends from bottom to top, which is turned towards the intermediate internal heat exchange wall and which is provided with openings for the passage of infrared radiation for heating the compartment oriented towards the intermediate internal heat exchange wall.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate internal heat exchange wall has an internal side, which faces the compartment and which comprises at least one groove extending from bottom to top.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the melter comprises at least one outlet chamber for the bituminous mastic in the liquid state and an internal bottom wall, which at least partially delimits the compartment downwards and which is inclined towards the outlet chamber.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear inner wall and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall partially delimit a heating chamber comprising at least one air inlet opening from the outside and at least one air outlet opening to the outside, located higher than the air inlet opening, an upper wall being located above the heating chamber.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear inner wall and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall partially delimit a heating chamber, the melter comprising at least one first probe for measuring the temperature of the heating chamber and / or at least one second probe for measuring the temperature of the receiving compartment and a control housing, which is configured to regulate the temperature of the heating chamber in a first prescribed temperature range and / or to regulate the temperature of the receiving compartment in a second prescribed temperature range corresponding to the molten state of the bituminous mastic.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the melter comprises at least one combustion gas cylinder, at least one ambient air inlet, at least one pipe for sending a mixture of air and combustion gas to the radiant heating panel.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the melter comprises electrodes for igniting the combustion of the gas in the radiant heating panel, the electrodes being connected by electrical conductors to the control box.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate internal heat exchange wall and the rear internal wall delimit at the top an upper opening for introducing the bituminous mastic, the melter further comprising an upper cover having a first position, in which the upper cover closes the upper opening for introducing the bituminous mastic, and a second position, in which the upper cover leaves the upper opening for introducing the bituminous mastic free.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear inner wall and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall partially delimit a heating chamber, an upper wall being located above the heating chamber, the upper cover having at least one rotational articulation located against the upper wall between one and the other of the first closed position and the second open position.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis is in a straightened arrangement, in which the upper opening for introducing the bituminous mastic is horizontal and faces upwards.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the rear inner wall and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall partially delimit a heating chamber, an upper wall being located above the heating chamber, the upper cover having at least one rotational hinge remote from the upper wall between one of the first closed position and the second open position.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis is in an inclined arrangement, in which the upper opening for introducing the bituminous mastic is inclined at a non-zero angle upwards relative to the vertical and is turned upwards.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the melter comprises at least one outlet chamber for the bituminous mastic in the liquid state connected to the compartment, at least one outlet conduit for liquid bituminous mastic connected to the outlet chamber and located outside the chassis, and a pump for sending the liquid bituminous mastic to the outlet conduit being provided in the outlet chamber for the bituminous mastic.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, on the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit and outside the chassis is arranged a valve for opening and closing or controlling the flow rate of the liquid bituminous mastic in the conduit.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit is connected to a liquid bituminous mastic projection lance.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the melter further comprises a platform on which the frame is fixed.

[0028] A second object of the invention is a trailer, comprising a body, rolling wheels on the ground, which are mounted to rotate relative to the body, a coupling piece fixed to the front of the body and a melter as described above, which is fixed to the body.

[0029] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the figures below of the attached drawings.

[0030] [Fig-1] represents a schematic top view of the melter according to a method of rea lization of the invention.

[0031] [Fig.2] represents a schematic view in lateral vertical section of the melter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] [Fig.3] represents a partial schematic perspective view of the melter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] [Fig.4] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] [Fig.5] represents a schematic view in rear vertical section of the melter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] [Fig.6] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] [Fig.7] represents a partial schematic perspective view of the melter according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] [Fig.8] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to a first embodiment of a cover of the melter of the invention in the closed position.

[0038] [Fig.9] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to the first embodiment of the melter cover of the invention in the open position.

[0039] [Fig. 10] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to a second embodiment of a cover of the melter of the invention in the closed position.

[0040] [Fig. 11] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter according to the second embodiment of the melter cover of the invention in the open position.

[0041] [Fig. 12] represents a schematic perspective view of the melter in an inclined arrangement according to the second embodiment of the melter cover of the invention in the open position.

[0042] An example of a melter 1 for bituminous mastic is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0043] The melter 1 for bituminous mastic can be used to heat bituminous mastic to make it liquid and spray it onto a surface of a roadway to be treated, for example to plug or seal or bridge cracks on a roadway or fill joints on a roadway or generally to plug gaps in a road surface. The melter can also be used statically (repair of civil engineering structures, bridges) or while driving (repair of roadways).

[0044] In Figures 1 to 8, the melter 1 comprises a frame 2, which delimits on the one hand a compartment 3 used for receiving the bituminous mastic MB and on the other hand a chamber 7 used for heating the compartment 3. The heating chamber 7 is adjacent and in front of the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB and contains as a heating device one (or more) radiant panel 5 for heating the compartment 3.

[0045] The chassis 2 comprises a front inner wall 22 and a rear inner wall 23, between which is located the compartment 3 for receiving the MB bituminous mastic. The radiant heating panel 5 is configured to change the MB bituminous mastic from the solid state to the liquid state. The MB bituminous mastic in the solid state is introduced into the receiving compartment 3. The MB bituminous mastic in the solid state is for example in the form of one (or more) blocks of MB bituminous mastic in the solid state, of flat parallelepiped shape.

[0046] The melter 1 comprises an intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4, which is located between the front inner wall 22 and the rear inner wall 23 in a first horizontal direction X going from front to rear. The compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB is delimited on the sides by the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 and the rear inner wall 23. The front inner wall 22, the rear inner wall 23 and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 extend from bottom to top at least over a certain non-zero minimum height H. The height H is taken in a second upward vertical direction Z.

[0047] The radiant heating panel 5 is located between the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 and the front inner wall 22 along the first horizontal direction X. The radiant heating panel 5 is oriented towards the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 from front to rear along the first horizontal direction X and heats the compartment 3 to melt the bituminous mastic MB there. The compartment 3 is a compartment 3 for melting the bituminous mastic MB.

[0048] The radiant heating panel 5 is configured to emit infrared heating radiation 54 directed towards the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 from front to rear along the first horizontal direction X.

[0049] The melter 1 according to the invention thus ensures direct heating of the bituminous mastic MB and melting thereof in the compartment 3. The energy efficiency of the heating for melting the bituminous mastic MB is increased by the arrangement of the melter 1 according to the invention. In particular, the energy efficiency of the melter 1 according to the invention can be 95%, and is therefore higher than the energy efficiency of the known melters with heated oil burners, mentioned above, which have an energy efficiency of 70%. Also, the arrangement of the melter 1 according to the invention makes it 30% lighter compared to the known melters with heated oil burners.

[0050] The radiant heating panel 5 extends from bottom to top along the second upward vertical direction Z and extends from right to left along a third horizontal direction Y. The radiant heating panel 5 may be vertical or non-vertical.

[0051] One (or more) layers 220 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged in front of the front inner wall 22, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside. One (or more) layers 230 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged behind the rear inner wall 23, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 8, the frame 2 further comprises a lower inner wall 21, a right inner wall 24, a left inner wall 25 and an upper cover 26, which delimit the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB and the heating chamber 7 with the intermediate inner wall 4 for heat exchange and the wall 23, when the upper cover 26 is in the closed position. One (or more) layers 260 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged in the upper cover 26, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 8, the length of the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB along the first horizontal direction X going from front to rear between the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 and the front inner wall 22 is smaller than the width of the receiving compartment 3 between the right inner wall 24 and the inner wall 25 along the third horizontal direction Y and is smaller than the height of the receiving compartment 3 between the lower inner wall 21 and the upper opening 43 along the second vertical upward direction Z. The arrangement of the melter 1 according to the invention makes it possible to heat the compartment 3 from the front, that is to say from the intermediate inner wall 4 for heat exchange, corresponding to the largest area of ​​extension of the MB bituminous mastic when it has been inserted in the solid state in the compartment 3. The MB bituminous mastic block in the solid state can be of flat parallelepiped shape having, in the first horizontal direction X, a length which is smaller than its width in the third horizontal direction Y and which is smaller than its height in the second vertical upward direction Z.

[0054] One (or more) layers 210 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged under the lower inner wall 21, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside. One (or more) layers 240 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged against the right inner wall 24, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside. One (or more) layers 250 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged against the left inner wall 25, outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 6 and 8 to 12, the frame 2 further comprises a lower outer wall 21a, a front outer wall 22a, a rear outer wall 23a, a right outer wall 24, a left outer wall 25, which are fixed to each other and which respectively surround the lower inner wall 21, the front inner wall 22, the rear inner wall 23, the right inner wall 24 and the left inner wall 25, for example being located along them or parallel to them. Thus, the lower inner wall 21 may be inclined towards the outlet chamber 6 relative to the lower outer wall 21a.

[0056] The layer(s) 210 of thermal insulation material is disposed between the lower inner wall 21 and the lower outer wall 21a. The layer(s) 220 of thermal insulation material is disposed between the front inner wall 22 and the front outer wall 22a. The layer(s) 230 of thermal insulation material is disposed between the rear inner wall 23 and the rear outer wall 23a. The layer(s) 240 of thermal insulation material is disposed between the right inner wall 24 and the right outer wall 24a. The layer(s) 250 of thermal insulation material is disposed between the left inner wall 25 and the left outer wall 25a.

[0057] The upper cover 26 has a lower cover wall 261, which faces towards the receiving compartment 3 and towards its upper opening 43 in the first closed position. The layer(s) 260 of a thermal insulation material (for example foam or other) may be arranged against the lower wall 261 outside the heating chamber 7 and the receiving compartment 3, to thermally insulate them from the outside. The layer(s) 260 of thermal insulation material may be arranged between the lower wall 261 of the cover and an outer wall 262 of the cover 26.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 8, the radiant heating panel 5 has combustion flames of a gas, which may be propane, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (abbreviated as: LPG), or other. The flames generated by the combustion of the gas radiate infrared radiation 54 for heating the intermediate inner wall 4 for heat exchange. This infrared radiation 54 for heating is oriented from the front to the rear in the first horizontal direction X. The radiant heating panel 5 may comprise several gas burners 53 oriented towards the intermediate inner wall 4 for heat exchange, i.e. from the front to the rear in the first horizontal direction X. This provides better energy efficiency for melting the bituminous mastic MB.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the invention, in [Fig. 2], the radiant heating panel 5 comprises openings 52 for the passage of the infrared heating radiation 54, which are oriented towards the intermediate internal heat exchange wall 4 from front to rear in the first horizontal direction X. These openings 52 for the passage of the infrared radiation 54 are located in a flat side 51 of the radiant panel 5, which is oriented towards the intermediate internal heat exchange wall 4 from front to rear in the first horizontal direction X and which extends from bottom to top in the second upward vertical direction Z and from right to left in the third horizontal direction Y.The radiant heating panel 5 or each gas burner 53 comprises several openings 52 distributed from top to bottom along the second upward vertical direction Z and several openings 52 distributed from right to left along the third horizontal direction Y. The flat side 51 or each gas burner 53 may comprise a first grid delimiting the openings 52. Several gas burners 53 may be provided distributed from right to left along the third horizontal direction Y. Each side 51 of each burner 53 may be rectangular in shape extending from bottom to top along the second upward vertical direction Z and from right to left along the third horizontal direction Y. The openings 52 for the passage of the infrared heating radiation 54 make it possible to uniformly heat the compartment 3 from the front, that is to say via the intermediate internal heat exchange wall 4.For example, 5 burner modules 53 can be provided, distributed from right to left. left. The radiant heating panel 5 can have, for example, a power of 20 kW to 40 kW.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 and 4, the melter 1 comprises a control box 8 provided for regulating the temperature of the heating chamber 7, in which the radiant heating panel 5 is located. The control box 8 is located outside the heating chamber 7 and outside the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic. The control box 8 may be located for example against the outside of the wall 24a, above the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62. The melter 1 may comprise in the heating chamber 7 one (or more) first probes 74 for measuring the temperature of this chamber 7. The melter 1 may comprise one (or more) second probes 31 for measuring the temperature of the receiving compartment 3.This temperature probe 31 may be located in the receiving compartment 3 between the intermediate internal heat exchange wall 4 and the rear wall 23, to be in contact with the bituminous mastic located there. The control box 8 comprises a temperature regulator 81, connected to the probes 74 and 31. The control box 8 comprises one (or more) pipes 81 for sending a mixture of air and combustion gas to the radiant heating panel 5. One (or more) combustion gas cylinders 82 for supplying combustion gas to the pipe 81 may be provided outside the control box 8 and be connected to the control box 8 by another pipe 84. The control box 8 may comprise one (or more) ambient air inlets 83, for example through a second grille 83 or the like, for supplying air to the pipe 81.The radiant heating panel 5 may be spark-ignited, which may be generated by ignition electrodes 55 and 56 connected by electrical conductors 57 and 58 to the regulation box 8, to start the combustion of the mixture of air and gas sent by the pipe 81 into this radiant heating panel 5.The temperature controller 81 is configured to regulate and monitor the heating temperature measured by the probe 74 of the chamber 7 and the temperature of the bituminous mastic, measured by the probe 31 of the receiving compartment 3, so that the heating temperature measured by the probe 74 of the chamber 7 remains within a first prescribed temperature range (for example from 250°C to 300°C) and so that the temperature of the bituminous mastic, measured by the probe 31 of the receiving compartment 3 remains within a second prescribed temperature range corresponding to the molten state of the bituminous mastic, starting lower than the first prescribed range and ending lower than the first prescribed range and for example entirely lower than the first prescribed range (for example from 180°C to 200°C). The temperature regulator 81 automatically switches off or activates the ignition electrodes 55 and 56 and the sending of the air and gas mixture into the channel. connection 81 to the radiant heating panel 5 to carry out temperature regulation.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 comprises one (or more) grooves 42 (or channel 42) extending from top to bottom. The groove(s) 42 are located on an inner side 41 of the intermediate heat exchange wall 4, this inner side 41 being turned towards the receiving compartment 3. The groove(s) 42 thus makes it possible to receive the liquidized MB bituminous mastic. The groove(s) 42 also makes it possible to increase the heat exchange surface of the intermediate inner wall 4 with the radiant heating panel 5. The intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 is for example formed by a profile 40 of horizontal section, for example constant. In the embodiment of the invention of Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, this profile 40 comprises the groove(s) 42.Thus, the intermediate inner wall 4 facilitates both the frontal heating of the receiving compartment 3 and the flow of the bituminous mastic MB in the liquid state into the receiving compartment 3, this flow being represented by the arrows Fl in [Fig.5]. The groove 42 is thus a groove 42 for the flow of the bituminous mastic MB in the liquid state into the receiving compartment 3. The groove(s) 42 may for example extend to the lower wall 21 of the receiving compartment 3.

[0062] According to another embodiment of the invention, not shown, the intermediate internal heat exchange wall 4 may be corrugated in horizontal section, for example in the form of a corrugated sheet, comprising the groove(s) 42 (or channel 42) extending from top to bottom.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 7, the intermediate heat exchange wall 4 may be vertical or inclined relative to the vertical.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 7, the groove(s) 42 for the flow of the bituminous mastic MB in the liquid state may be vertical or inclined relative to the vertical. According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 7, the intermediate inner wall 23 may be vertical or inclined relative to the vertical.

[0065] According to another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear inner wall 23 may be inclined relative to the vertical and approaches the intermediate inner wall 23 from top to bottom. The length of the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB along the first horizontal direction X going from front to rear between the intermediate inner wall 4 for heat exchange and the front inner wall 22 thus narrows from top to bottom. This makes it possible to guide the flow of the bituminous mastic MB made liquid downwards.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1 to 7, the lower inner wall 21 and / or the front inner wall 22 and / or the rear inner wall 23 and / or the right inner wall 24 and / or the left inner wall 25 and / or the upper cover 26 and / or the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 may be flat or may comprise one (or more) flat parts.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 7, the melter 1 comprises one (or more) chambers 6 for discharging the liquid MB bituminous mastic to the outside. The chamber 6 can be used for pumping and withdrawing the liquid MB bituminous mastic ready for use. The melter 1 comprises an inner bottom wall 21, which partially or completely delimits the receiving compartment 3 downwards. The inner bottom wall 21 of the receiving compartment 3 is inclined downwards and towards the outlet chamber 6. This thus facilitates the flow by gravity of the liquid MB bituminous mastic in the receiving compartment 3 towards the outlet chamber 6, as shown by the arrow F2 in [Fig.5]. The outlet chamber 6 may comprise one (or more) outlet chutes 61, which are inclined downwards from the bottom inner wall 21 towards a conduit 62 for outlet of liquid bituminous mastic to the outside.The liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62 can pass through the right outer wall 24a. Of course, the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62 could also pass through the left outer wall 25a and / or the front outer wall 22a and / or the rear outer wall 23a and / or the lower outer wall 21a. On the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62 and outside the chassis 2 can be arranged a valve 63 for opening and closing or controlling the flow rate of the liquid bituminous mastic in this conduit 62. On the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62 and / or on the outlet chute 61 and inside the chassis 2, for example in the outlet chamber 6, can be provided a pump 64 for sending the liquid bituminous mastic to the outside.The liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit 62 can be connected to a liquid bituminous mastic spraying lance, which can be held in the hand by a user to spray liquid bituminous mastic onto the surface of the roadway to be treated.

[0068] The melter 1 can be provided on a platform removable from a motor vehicle, so that it can be fixed to the motor vehicle.

[0069] Alternatively, the melter 1 may be provided on a trailer (comprising rolling wheels on the ground) to be towed by a self-propelled vehicle. The trailer comprises a body, rolling wheels on the ground, which are mounted to rotate relative to the body, a coupling piece fixed to the front of the body to be able to fix the trailer to the rear of a self-propelled vehicle to be able to tow the trailer. The melter 1 is fixed to the body of the trailer.

[0070] Alternatively, the melter 1 may be self-propelled.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, in [Fig. 4], the heating chamber 7 may comprise one (or more) air inlet openings 71 from the outside and one (or more) air outlet openings 72 to the outside. The air outlet opening(s) 72 are located higher than the air inlet opening(s) 71. This makes it possible to maintain the heating chamber 7 at a certain temperature, not exceeding a maximum temperature. According to one embodiment of the invention, in [Fig. 4], an upper outer wall 73 is located above the heating chamber 7. The air outlet opening(s) 72 may be located in the upper wall 73 or elsewhere. The air inlet opening(s) 71 may be located in the wall 25 or elsewhere. This helps to prevent or limit heat loss in the heating chamber 7.

[0072] According to another embodiment of the invention, in [Fig. 2], the heating chamber 7 may not have openings 71 for air inlet from the outside, nor openings 72 for air outlet to the outside.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the invention, in the figures, the lower inner wall 21, the front inner wall 22, the right inner wall 24, the left inner wall 25 and the upper wall 73 partially delimit the heating chamber 7, in which the radiant panel 5 is located. The upper wall 73 can be fixed relative to the walls 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. The heating chamber 7 can communicate with the receiving compartment 3 via a space 75 located between the upper wall 73 and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4, as shown in figures 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11. This space 75 is also located between the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 and the cover 26, including in the closed position, as shown in figures 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 2 and 5, the intermediate inner heat exchange wall 4 and the rear inner wall 23 delimit at the top an upper opening 43 allowing the bituminous mastic MB to be introduced into the receiving compartment 3. The melter 1 further comprises an upper cover 26 for opening or closing the upper opening 43 of the compartment 3 for receiving the bituminous mastic MB. The upper wall 73 is not provided above the upper opening 43 of the compartment 3. In a first closed position, the upper cover 26 closes the upper opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic MB. In a second open position, the upper cover 26 leaves the upper opening 43 free, to allow the introduction of bituminous mastic MB in the solid state.The upper cover 26 covers a portion of the top of the chassis 2 in the first closed position, namely the top of the upper opening 43 and / or the top of the front inner wall 22 and / or the top of the wall in . rear interior 23 and / or the top of the right inner wall 24 and / or the top of the left inner wall 25 in the first closed position. The upper cover 26 is located next to the upper wall 73 in the first closed position and for example in the extension of the latter. The upper cover 26 may comprise articulation members 263 (which may be articulation tabs 263 or articulation hinges 263 for example), which connect the upper cover 26 to the chassis 2, as shown in Figures 8 to 12. The articulation members 263 make it possible to tilt the upper cover 26 in rotation between one and the other of the first closed position in Figures 8 and 10 and the second open position in Figures 9 and 11. The articulation members 263 for example each have an axis 264 of rotation on the chassis 2.The cover 26 may comprise locking members (for example wedges or the like) for locking and unlocking the cover 26 in the first closed position and in the second open position.

[0075] Of course, the upper cover 26 could include, in other embodiments not shown, members for the removable mounting of the upper cover 26 on the chassis 2. The upper cover 26 may include one (or more) handles on its upper wall 262, or not in the various embodiments.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the invention, in Figures 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the chassis 2 can be mounted by means of two horizontal axes 271 on the right and 272 on the left (aligned with each other) respectively on two uprights 273 on the right and 274 on the left, which are fixed on two lower feet 27 or on a support 27. The feet 27 or the support 27 can be placed or fixed on the ground or on a part or on the trailer. The two horizontal axes 271 on the right and 272 on the left are fixed respectively to the outer wall 24a on the right and to the outer wall 25a on the left.The frame 2 can rotate about the two horizontal axes 271 on the right and 272 on the left to be immobilized in different orientations of the melter 1 and the opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic, for example upwards or in an inclined manner, for example with the upper opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic, which is arranged higher than the upper wall 73 and lower than the cover 26 in the second opening position, as shown in [Fig. 12]. Elements for immobilizing in rotation the two horizontal axes 271 on the right and 272 on the left in one or more rotational positions relative to the two uprights 273 on the right and 274 on the left are provided. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, the frame 2 can be fixed on the feet 27 or on the support 27. .

[0077] According to a first embodiment of the cover 26, in figures 8 and 9, the (or the) rotating articulation 263 is located against the upper wall 73. The articulation members 263 are connected by their articulation axis 264 to the upper wall 73, for example to the side 731 of the upper wall 73 located near the cover 26 in the closed position, this side 731 being located above the intermediate wall 4. In the open position in [Fig. 9], the cover 26 can be folded down onto the upper wall 73. This embodiment can be provided for example for an upright or vertical arrangement of the frame 2 and the walls 22, 22a, 23, 23a, in which the upper opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic is horizontal and faces upwards, as shown in Figures 1 to 9.The chassis 2 can be fixed to lower support feet 27 on the ground or other (or on the trailer) or to one (or more) supports 27 on the ground or other (or on the trailer), making it possible to fix the orientation of the melter 1 and of the opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic.

[0078] According to a second embodiment of the cover 26, in Figures 10 and 11, the rotating articulation(s) 263 and the articulation member(s) 263 are spaced from the upper wall 73. The articulation members 263 are spaced from the upper wall 73. The articulation members 263 are connected by their articulation axis 264 at the top of the rear wall 23 or 23a (or near the top of the rear wall 23 or 23a to the top of the side walls 24a and 25a). The passage from the closed position of the cover 26 of [Fig. 10] in the open position of the cover 26 of [Fig.l 1] is done by moving the cover 26 away from the upper wall 73. In the open position in [Fig.l 1], the cover 26 is located above the rear wall 23 or 23a. This embodiment can be provided for example for an inclined arrangement of the frame 2 and the walls 22, 22a, 23, 23a, as shown in [Fig.12].For example, the upper opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic is inclined at a non-zero angle upwards (which may be greater than or equal to 30° and less than or equal to 60°, and for example equal to 45°) relative to the vertical. In [Fig. 12], the upper opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic is arranged higher than the upper wall 73 and lower than the cover 26 in the second opening position. This allows a user Ut to more easily introduce the block of bituminous mastic MB in the solid state through the upper opening 43 into the receiving compartment 3 of the melter 1 than in [Fig. 9]. The frame 2 may be fixed to one (or more) supports 27 on the ground, making it possible to fix the orientation of the melter 1 and the opening 43 for introducing the bituminous mastic.

[0079] The wall 21 and / or 21a and / or 22 and / or 22a and / or 23 and / or 23a and / or 24 and / or 24a and / or 25 and / or 25a and / or 261 and / or 262 and / or 73 may be metallic, for example steel.

[0080] Of course, the embodiments, features, possibilities and examples described above can be combined with each other or selected independently of each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Melter (1) for bituminous mastic, comprising a frame (2) comprising a front inner wall (22) and a rear inner wall (23), between which is located a compartment (3) for receiving the bituminous mastic, the melter (1) further comprising a device for heating the compartment (3) to change the bituminous mastic from the solid state to the liquid state, characterized in that the device for heating the compartment (3) comprises at least one radiant panel (5) for heating the compartment (3), the melter (1) comprising an intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange, which is located between the front inner wall (22) and the rear inner wall (23), the compartment (3) for receiving the bituminous mastic being located between the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange and the rear inner wall (23), the front inner wall (22),the rear inner wall (23) and the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange extending from bottom to top, the radiant panel (5) for heating the compartment (3) being located between the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange and the front inner wall (22) and being oriented towards the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange, the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange having an inner side (41), which is turned towards the compartment (3) and which comprises at least one groove (42) extending from bottom to top.,

2. Melter according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiant panel (5) for heating the compartment (3) is radiant by combustion flames of a gas.

3. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiant panel (5) for heating the compartment (3) has a flat side (51), which extends from bottom to top, which is turned towards the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange and which is provided with openings (52) for the passage of infrared radiation (54) for heating the compartment (3) oriented towards the intermediate inner wall (4) for heat exchange.

4. A melter according to any preceding claim, ca- characterized in that the intermediate internal wall (4) heat exchange is formed by a profile (40) of constant horizontal section, comprising the groove (42).

5. Melter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the intermediate internal heat exchange wall (4) is corrugated in horizontal section, in the form of a corrugated sheet, comprising the groove (42).

6. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the melter (1) comprises at least one chamber (6) for the outlet of the bituminous mastic in the liquid state and an internal bottom wall (21), which delimits at least partially downwards the compartment (3) and which is inclined towards the outlet chamber (6).

7. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front inner wall (22) and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall (4) partially delimit a heating chamber (7) comprising at least one opening (71) for air inlet from the outside and at least one opening (72) for air outlet to the outside, located higher than the air inlet opening (71), an upper wall (73) being located above the heating chamber (7).

8. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front inner wall (22) and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall (4) partially delimit a heating chamber (7), the melter (1) comprising at least one first probe (74) for measuring the temperature of the heating chamber (7) and / or at least one second probe (31) for measuring the temperature of the receiving compartment (3) and a control housing (8), which is configured to regulate the temperature of the heating chamber (7) in a first prescribed temperature range and / or to regulate the temperature of the receiving compartment (3) in a second prescribed temperature range corresponding to the molten state of the bituminous mastic.

9. Melter according to claim 8, characterized in that the melter (1) comprises at least one cylinder (82) of combustion gas, at least one inlet (83) of ambient air, at least one pipe (81) for sending a mixture of air and combustion gas to the radiant heating panel (5).

10. Melter according to claim 9, characterized in that the melter (1) comprises electrodes (55, 56) for igniting the combustion of the gas in the radiant heating panel (5), the electrodes (55, 56) being connected by electrical conductors (57, 58) to the regulation housing (8).

11. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate internal heat exchange wall (4) and the rear internal wall (23) delimit at the top an upper opening (43) for introducing the bituminous mastic, the melter (1) further comprising an upper cover (26) having a first position, in which the upper cover (26) closes the upper opening (43) for introducing the bituminous mastic, and a second position, in which the upper cover (26) leaves the upper opening (43) for introducing the bituminous mastic free.

12. Melter according to claim 11, characterized in that the front inner wall (22) and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall (4) partially delimit a heating chamber (7), an upper wall (73) being located above the heating chamber (7), the upper cover (26) having at least one rotating articulation (263) located against the upper wall (73) between one and the other of the first closed position and the second open position.

13. Melter according to claim 12, characterized in that the frame (2) is in a straightened arrangement, in which the upper opening (43) for introducing the bituminous mastic is horizontal and faces upwards.

14. Melter according to claim 11, characterized in that the front inner wall (22) and the intermediate inner heat exchange wall (4) partially delimit a heating chamber (7), an upper wall (73) being located above the heating chamber (7), the upper cover (26) having at least one hinge (263) rotating away from the upper wall (73) between one and the other of the first closed position and the second open position.

15. Melter according to claim 14, characterized in that the frame (2) is in an inclined arrangement, in which the upper opening (43) for introducing the bituminous mastic is inclined at a non-zero angle upwards relative to the vertical and is turned upwards.

16. A melter according to any preceding claim, ca- characterized in that the melter (1) comprises at least one chamber (6) for the liquid bituminous mastic outlet connected to the compartment (3), at least one conduit (62) for the liquid bituminous mastic outlet connected to the outlet chamber (6) and located outside the chassis (2), and a pump (64) for sending the liquid bituminous mastic to the outlet conduit (62) being provided in the bituminous mastic outlet chamber (6).

17. Melter according to claim 16, characterized in that on the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit (62) and outside the chassis (2) is arranged a valve (63) for opening and closing or controlling the flow rate of the liquid bituminous mastic in the conduit (62).

18. Melter according to claim 17, characterized in that the liquid bituminous mastic outlet conduit (62) is connected to a liquid bituminous mastic projection lance.

19. Melter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a platform on which the frame (2) is fixed.

20. Trailer, comprising a body, rolling wheels on the ground, which are rotatably mounted relative to the body, a coupling piece fixed to the front of the body and a melter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is fixed to the body.

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