Road construction machine and method for spraying atomizing liquid onto collected bitumen vapor

Abstract

Regarding road construction machinery configured in the form of a road paving machine or a feeder vehicle, the aim is to more effectively keep bitumen vapor away from the operator. [Solution] The road construction machine (1) has at least one ventilation system (8) having a suction side (9) that generates negative pressure for collecting bitumen vapor (7,7') and a discharge side (10) that generates positive pressure for blowing out the collected bitumen vapor (7,7'), and at least one injection device (17), wherein the injection device (17) is located on the discharge side (10) that generates positive pressure and injects a atomizing liquid (18) into the exhaust flow (13) formed therefrom from the collected bitumen vapor (7,7').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a road construction machine according to claim 1. The present invention further relates to a method according to independent claim 15.

Background Art

[0002] European Patent Application Publication No. 3276081A1 discloses a road construction machine configured as a road paver having a paving screed. This road paver has an injection device disposed in front of the paving screed, and by injecting an atomized liquid, particularly water, into the bitumen vapor generated in the lateral distribution region above the lateral distribution screw, the bitumen aerosol contained in the vapor is captured by the injection mist and prevented from rising to the operator on the operation station. The collection device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,938,371 can be additionally used in this road paver to collect bitumen vapor, particularly vapor mixed with the injection mist, from the lateral distribution region.

[0003] However, a problem in a road paver in which the bitumen vapor generated in the lateral distribution region is subjected to injection and collection is that the collection of the bitumen vapor subjected to injection becomes more difficult as the humidity increases due to the collection device, which means that the injection device may impair the operation of the collection device. In addition, the collection of the vapor subjected to injection may lead to an increase in condensate formation in the collection device, which may further reduce the collection ability and cause the collection device to deteriorate more quickly.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a road construction machine in the form of a road paver or a feeder vehicle, and a method, which can more effectively keep bitumen vapor away from an operator in order to improve the working conditions of the operator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This objective is achieved by the road construction machinery according to claim 1 and the method according to independent claim 15.

[0006] Preferred further developments of the present invention are provided by the subject matter of each of the dependent claims.

[0007] The road construction machine according to the present invention is configured in the form of a road paving machine or a feeder vehicle for supplying paving material to a road paving machine. The road construction machine according to the present invention comprises at least one ventilation system having a suction side that generates negative pressure for collecting bitumen vapor and a discharge side that generates positive pressure for blowing out the collected bitumen vapor. Furthermore, the road construction machine according to the present invention comprises at least one injection device. In the present invention, the injection device is provided on the discharge side that generates positive pressure and injects an atomizing liquid into the exhaust flow formed therefrom from the collected bitumen vapor.

[0008] In contrast to the cited prior art in which the injection device injects into the steam on the suction side where negative pressure is generated, according to the present invention, the injection into the bitumen steam is performed on the exhaust side of the ventilation system. This allows the ventilation system to operate more energy-efficiently and makes it easier to capture the bitumen steam. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to better prevent the formation of condensates in the ventilation system, or at least reduce the formation of condensates to the extent that the ventilation system can be operated smoothly. This is because, according to the present invention, by injecting into the exhaust flow generated on the exhaust side by overpressure, the captured bitumen steam is first cooled by the injected mist at the outlet of the ventilation system, and then falls towards the floor in a more concentrated state due to the accompanying increase in weight.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to spray into the exhaust flow inside and / or outside the end of the exhaust pipe provided on the discharge side of the ventilation system. In other words, in this modified example, the collected bitumen vapor is cooled and compressed only at the end or outlet of the exhaust pipe in order to target and capture the aerosols contained in the collected bitumen vapor with a sprayed atomized liquid, such as a sprayed mist of water, thereby preventing them from floating freely and reaching the operators of the road construction machinery.

[0010] According to one modification of the present invention, the injection device comprises at least one nozzle configured to inject into the exhaust flow within the pipe end. This nozzle can, in particular, be structurally integrated within the pipe end. This means that the pipe end itself forms the nozzle, i.e., the pipe end performs a dual function of partially forming the exhaust pipe and forming the nozzle of the injection device.

[0011] Preferably, the spraying device has at least one nozzle configured to spray into the exhaust flow outside the pipe end. This nozzle can be positioned at the outlet opening of the pipe end to spray into the exhaust flow that flows out of the outlet opening immediately after leaving the pipe end. To atomize the outflowing exhaust flow, the nozzle can be directly attached to the outlet of the pipe end. In this modification as well, the nozzle can be an integral part of the pipe end. Alternatively, the nozzle can be configured separately from the pipe end, outside the pipe end and at a certain distance from the outlet opening, to spray, for example, water into the outflowing exhaust flow.

[0012] Preferably, the end of the pipe has at least one connection for an injection device, particularly for a hose of the injection device, thereby supplying a liquid, particularly water, to at least one nozzle provided in the area of ​​the end of the pipe.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pipe end is detachably fixed without the use of tools, and is particularly removable. This allows the pipe end to be easily removed, especially for cleaning purposes. The pipe end may be detachably fixed to the exhaust pipe without the use of tools by a threaded connection and / or toggle lever lock.

[0014] Preferably, the spray pattern of the atomized liquid injected outside the pipe end is set to deflect the exhaust flow exiting the pipe end in a desired direction, particularly towards the ground surface on which the road construction machinery is moving. In this modification, for example, the liquid injected in the form of an inclined layer can exert a transport or guiding effect on the exhaust flow exiting the pipe end in order to target the exhaust flow and continue to transport it, particularly towards the ground surface, thereby ensuring that the contained aerosols settle toward the ground more reliably and even more rapidly.

[0015] Preferably, the exhaust flow is injected by an injection device within the engine room of the road construction machine, particularly in the floor area of ​​the engine room. The exhaust flow guided by the exhaust pipe can be blown out at a short distance from the ground, for example, up to 100 centimeters above the ground on which the road construction machine is moving, and can be atomized with the sprayed propellant, so that the aerosols contained in the exhaust flow can no longer diffuse upward toward the operating station.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a spray device located behind the operating station can spray fluid into the exhaust stream at the height of the roof of the road construction machine. The exhaust stream, atomized with the spray fluid, is also ensured to fall to the ground due to its increased weight and can therefore be directed outwards from the operating station without reaching the driver's area or the area of ​​the screed operator adjacent to the machine while traveling on pavement.

[0017] It would be useful to be able to control the spray output of the sprayer, particularly dynamically, according to the set suction capacity of the ventilation system, and / or according to detected weather conditions, especially the detected wind speed and / or detected air humidity. This would allow the sprayer to be optimally adapted to the current operating mode of the ventilation system in order to ensure that aerosols contained in the collected bitumen vapor fall and / or to react specifically to them in order to adapt to the current weather conditions. For example, the spray output can be reduced in high humidity, especially when it is raining at the construction site. On the other hand, the spray output can be increased when the wind speed at the construction site is high, so that the bitumen vapor collected by the ventilation system cannot be blown into the operator area after being released due to its increased weight.

[0018] In one modified example, the ventilation system is configured to collect bitumen vapor from above a lateral distribution screw, to collect bitumen vapor from a material container of road construction machinery, to collect bitumen vapor along a conveyor belt, to collect bitumen vapor in a transfer area formed between continuously transporting conveyor belts, and / or to collect bitumen vapor at the outlet of a discharge belt, particularly at the outlet of a swivel belt.

[0019] It is particularly conceivable to configure the ventilation system to collect bitumen vapor at different points on the road construction machine and connect these along the exhaust pipe to form an exhaust flow, thereby enabling the injection of the injection fluid at the outlet of the ventilation system to occur at only one point on the road construction machine.

[0020] In particular, the ventilation system includes a radial fan, preferably a radial fan with adjustable speed. This can be installed in the engine room of a road construction machine, and can be powered by a generator installed in the engine room.

[0021] In one embodiment, the ventilation system and / or injection system is configured at least partially as a modular add-on kit. In particular, the ventilation system and / or injection system may comprise detachable components and components permanently installed on the road construction machine. The externally visible parts of the ventilation system and / or injection system may be detachably secured by connectors, while other components of the ventilation system and / or injection system, such as a fan and / or pump, may be structurally integrated into the engine compartment.

[0022] The injector is preferably configured to collect condensates formed by injection into the exhaust flow and separate the aerosols contained therein. For this purpose, the injector may include a collection container and a return line having a filtering function. This would allow for at least partial recirculation of the liquid used as a propellant.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spraying device is configured to spray into bitumen vapor rising from a material container of a road construction machine and / or into bitumen vapor rising from a material container of a road paving machine following the road construction machine, provided that no collection occurs in these areas. For this purpose, the spraying device may have at least one drone and / or at least one spray nozzle assigned to these spraying areas.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the injection device comprises a tank, in particular a temperature-controllable tank, and a pump, in particular an electric pump or a pump connected to a pump distribution gear. It is especially conceivable to actively cool the tank in order to maintain a liquid, such as water, stored in the tank at a temperature level that provides sufficient cooling to effectively settle the vapors contained in the exhaust flow when injecting into the exhaust flow.

[0025] Preferably, the pump of the injection device and the fan of the ventilation system can be connected by a coupling and / or a gear and can be driven by a common drive device, such as an electric motor, or are connected together to a pump distribution gear.

[0026] It may be useful for the operator to be able to access the filling hole of the injection device from the ground by opening a side panel in a road construction machine, particularly a side panel configured as a door.

[0027] Preferably, the ventilation system is configured to be at least partially heated. Thereby, the formation of condensate inside the ventilation system is prevented. In one variant, in order to suppress the formation of condensate in the ventilation system, at least partially, particularly to be able to at least partially heat the exhaust pipe formed therein, by a heated cooling air flow, for example, a heated cooling air flow formed in the engine room to dissipate heat from the engine of a road construction machine, the ventilation system is installed inside the engine room of the road construction machine.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a paving train comprising at least one road paver according to the present invention and / or at least one feeder vehicle according to the present invention for supplying paving material to the road paver.

[0029] The paving train has two road pavers according to the present invention that move forward and backward relative to each other in the paving direction. The road paver moving forward in the paving direction is configured as a binder paver for laying a binder layer, and it is conceivable that the road paver following this in the paving direction in the paving train is configured as a surface paver for forming a surface layer on the binder layer. The surface paver can be supplied with paving material by the binder paver moving forward.

[0030] The present invention further relates to a method for capturing bitumen vapor on a suction side that generates negative pressure in a road paving machine and / or a feeder vehicle for a road paving machine. In the present invention, an atomizing liquid, such as water, is sprayed onto the exhaust flow formed from the captured bitumen vapor on the discharge side that generates positive pressure. This ensures that aerosols in the vapor captured on the discharge side settle and are kept away from the operator, thereby achieving advantageous, particularly energy-efficient and gentle operation of the ventilation system.

[0031] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a road construction machine in the form of a road paving machine having an injection device for injecting into the exhaust flow. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a road construction machine in the form of a road paving machine having an injection device for injecting into the exhaust flow. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a road construction machine in the form of a feeder vehicle with an injection device for injecting into the exhaust flow. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the injection into the exhaust flow outside the end of the exhaust pipe. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the injection into the exhaust flow inside the end of the exhaust pipe. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Technical features are identified using the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a road construction machine 1 configured in the form of a road paving machine 2 for producing a new pavement layer 3. The road paving machine 2 has a pavement screed 4 capable of forming the pavement layer 3. A lateral distribution screw 5 is positioned in front of the pavement screed 4 in the direction of travel R. Paving material is supplied to the lateral distribution screw 5 from a material container 6 by a longitudinal conveying device (not shown), and this is spread in front of the pavement screed 4.

[0035] Bitumen vapor 7 is generated during the lateral distribution of pavement material ahead of the pavement screed 4. To capture the bitumen vapor 7 from the lateral distribution area, a ventilation system 8 is provided on the road paving machine 2 shown in Figure 1. The ventilation system 8 includes a suction side 9 that generates negative pressure for capturing the bitumen vapor. The ventilation system 8 also has an exhaust side 10 that generates positive pressure for blowing out the captured bitumen vapor 7. To capture the bitumen vapor 7, the ventilation system 8 includes a fan 11, such as a radial fan, between the suction side 9 and the exhaust side 10.

[0036] Figure 1 shows that the collected bitumen vapor 7 is blown out by the ventilation system 8 at the height of the roof 12 of the road paving machine 2. For this purpose, the exhaust flow 13 generated by the fan 11 is transported along the exhaust pipe 14 to the pipe end 15 located at the height of the roof 12, where the exhaust flow 13 is discharged at its outlet opening 16.

[0037] Figure 1 also shows that the road paving machine 2 has an injection device 17. This is configured to inject an atomizing liquid 18 onto the bitumen vapor 7 collected from the lateral distribution area at the discharge side 10, which generates pressure in the ventilation system 8 at the height of the roof 12 of the road paving machine 2, as the collected vapor 7 exits the exhaust pipe 14. This captures the bitumen aerosol released in the exhaust flow 13 with an injection mist formed from the liquid 18, preventing them from further spreading to the operator at the operating station 19. The injection mist forms droplets on the aerosol, and their increased weight causes them to fall behind the operating station 19.

[0038] Figure 1 shows that the injection unit 17 has a tank 20 for storing liquid 18 and a pump 21 connected to the tank 20. The tank 20 and pump 21 are located in the engine room 22 of the road paving machine 2. According to Figure 1, the tank 20 and pump 21 are located behind a side panel 23 that can be opened in the engine room 22 so that an operator can access them, for example, to fill the tank 20 from the ground 24 on which the road paving machine 2 is moving.

[0039] The pump 21 is connected via piping 25 to a nozzle 26 of an injection device 17 located at the height of the roof 12, which is configured as a spray nozzle for forming the atomized liquid 18.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, further piping 27 extends from the pump 21 of the injection device 17 to further nozzles 28, which are configured to inject the atomized liquid 18' into the bitumen vapor 7' rising directly from the material container 6.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a road paving machine 2 equipped with a ventilation system 8 that discharges bitumen vapor 7 collected from the lateral distribution area over a short distance above the ground 24 via an exhaust pipe 14 installed on the discharge side 10 that generates pressure. In this modified example, the pipe end 15 of the exhaust pipe 14 is located in the engine room 22 so that atomizing liquid 18 can be injected over a short distance above the ground 24 into the exhaust flow 13 flowing out from the pipe end 15, for example, at a distance of less than 100 cm above the ground 24.

[0042] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the collected steam 7 is discharged a short distance from the ground 24 within the engine room 22, and the atomizing liquid 18 is injected. This ensures that the bitumen aerosol contained in the exhaust flow 13 is kept away from the operators of the road paving machine 2, particularly the driver and screed operator at the operating station 19.

[0043] According to Figure 3, the road construction machine 1 is configured as a feeder vehicle 30. In the feeder vehicle 30 according to Figure 3, bitumen vapor 7 is collected from the material container 6' by the ventilation system 8' of the feeder vehicle 30. The ventilation system 8' is configured to discharge the bitumen vapor 7 collected over a short distance above the ground 24 on which the feeder vehicle 30 is moving. A atomized liquid 18, formed by an injection device 17' provided on the feeder vehicle 30, is injected into the discharged exhaust flow 13.

[0044] Furthermore, Figure 3 shows that the spraying device 17' of the feeder vehicle 30 is configured to spray the atomizing liquid 18 onto the bitumen vapor 7 at other locations on the feeder vehicle 30. Figure 3 shows that the spraying takes place in region 31 at the entrance to the swivel belt 32 onto which the laying material falls from the conveyor belt (not shown), and onto the bitumen vapor 7 thus generated. Furthermore, Figure 3 shows that it is possible to spray the atomizing liquid 18 onto the bitumen vapor 7 rising at the dropping point 33. The vapor 7 generated at the dropping point 33 may rise, for example, from the material container 6 of the road paving machine 2, which is supplied with paving material by the feeder vehicle 30 and follows the feeder vehicle 30.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a standalone view of the pipe end 15 of the ventilation systems 8, 8'. As shown in Figure 4, the exhaust flow 13 flowing out from the outlet opening 16 is sprayed with atomizing liquid 18 outside the pipe end 15. For this purpose, according to Figure 4, the nozzle 26 is positioned outside the pipe end 15 and is aligned with respect to its outlet opening 16 to guide the exhaust flow 13 exiting the pipe end 15 toward the ground 24 by the resulting spray pattern 35.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a pipe end 15 of a ventilation system 8, 8' having a connection 37 for sprayers 17, 17'. Liquid 18 can be supplied from the tank 20 to a nozzle 26' or a plurality of nozzles 26' via this connection 37. In the pipe end 15 shown in Figure 5, the atomizing liquid 18 is injected into an exhaust flow 13 formed inside the pipe end 15. Contrary to what is shown in Figure 5, the pipe end 15 can be installed at an angle to provide a slope, allowing the exhaust flow 13 mixed with the spray mist to flow out of the pipe end 15 more easily.

Claims

1. A road construction machine (1) configured in the form of a road paving machine (2) or a feeder vehicle (30) for supplying paving material to a road paving machine (2), wherein the road construction machine (1) comprises at least one ventilation system (8, 8') having a suction side (9) that generates negative pressure for collecting bitumen vapor (7, 7') and a discharge side (10) that generates positive pressure for blowing out the collected bitumen vapor (7, 7'), and at least one injection device (17, 17'), wherein the injection device (17, 17') is provided on the discharge side (10) that generates positive pressure and injects an atomizing liquid (18) into the exhaust flow (13) formed therefrom from the collected bitumen vapor (7, 7'), characterized in that

2. The road construction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is possible to inject into the exhaust flow (13) inside and / or outside the pipe end (15) of the exhaust pipe (14) of the ventilation system (8, 8') provided on the discharge side (10).

3. The road construction machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the injection device (17, 17') comprises at least one nozzle (26') configured to inject into the exhaust flow (13) inside the pipe end (15), and / or has at least one nozzle (26) configured to inject into the exhaust flow (13) outside the pipe end (15).

4. The road construction machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pipe end (15) has at least one connection (37) for the injection device (17, 17').

5. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the pipe end (15) is fixed so as to be detachable without the use of tools, and is particularly removable.

6. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the spray pattern (35) of the atomizing liquid (18) sprayed outside the pipe end (15) is set to deflect the exhaust flow (13) coming out of the pipe end (15) in a desired direction (36), particularly toward the ground (24) on which the road construction machine (1) is moving.

7. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the injection of the exhaust flow (13) by the injection device (17, 17') can be performed inside the engine room (22) of the road construction machine (1), particularly in the floor area of ​​the engine room (22).

8. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the injection capacity of the injection device (17, 17') is controllable as a function of the set suction capacity of the ventilation system (8, 8') and / or according to detected weather conditions, particularly detected wind speed and / or detected air humidity.

9. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ventilation system (8, 8') and / or the injection device (17, 17') are configured at least partially as a modular add-on kit.

10. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the injection device (17, 17') is configured to collect condensates formed by injection into the exhaust flow (13) and separate aerosols contained therein.

11. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the injection device (17, 17') is configured to inject into bitumen steam (7, 7') rising from the material container (6, 6') of the road construction machine (1), and / or to inject into bitumen steam (7) rising from the material container (6, 6') of the road paving machine (2) following the road construction machine (1).

12. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the injection device (17, 17') comprises a tank (20), in particular a temperature-controllable tank (20), and a pump (21), in particular an electric pump or a pump connected to a pump distribution gear (21).

13. The road construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the replenishment holes of the injection device (17, 17') are accessible to the operator from the ground (24) by opening the side panel (23) of the road construction machine (1), and / or the ventilation system (8, 8') is configured to be at least partially heated.

14. A paving train comprising at least one road paving machine (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or at least one feeder vehicle (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for collecting bitumen vapor (7) at a suction side (9) that generates negative pressure in a road paving machine (2) and / or a feeder vehicle (30) for a road paving machine (2), characterized in that at a discharge side (10) that generates positive pressure, an atomizing liquid (18) is injected into the exhaust flow (13) formed from the collected bitumen vapor (7).

Images