Milling Drum Nozzle System for Debris Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current road surface milling machines leave significant debris and aggregate on the milled surface, leading to inefficient and uneconomic cleaning processes, which can result in poor bonding between new asphalt and the milled surface during resurfacing.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with a milling drum and conveyor belt, featuring nozzles that project high-pressure fluid to direct loose aggregate onto the conveyor belt, combined with a mechanism of picks and a brush to dislodge debris, ensuring efficient removal of aggregate and debris from the milled surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional milling machine is used to remove road surface layers, then the milling operation can be performed, but significant debris and aggregate remain on the milled surface requiring additional cleaning equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the milling function and debris removal function into a single integrated system. The milling drum is equipped with both cutting picks for milling and nozzles for fluid injection, eliminating the need for separate sweeping equipment and achieving complete debris removal in one pass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces high-pressure fluid as an intermediary substance to facilitate debris removal. The fluid acts as a mediator between the milling drum and debris, using fluid pressure to dislodge and transport aggregate and dust particles that mechanical means alone cannot remove effectively.
2Productivity
If debris is not removed from the milled surface, then the milling process is faster, but poor bonding occurs between new asphalt and the milled surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cleaning action during the milling process itself rather than after. The nozzles are positioned to inject fluid onto the milled surface immediately as the drum rotates, removing debris before new asphalt is applied, ensuring proper bonding conditions are established in advance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a sweeper is used to remove debris after milling, then the milled surface can be cleaned, but the process is inefficient and uneconomic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the milling drum with debris removal functionality by integrating nozzles directly onto the drum assembly. This eliminates the need for separate sweeping equipment, reducing overall system complexity and operational costs while achieving complete debris removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The milling drum performs self-cleaning by using its own rotation to distribute fluid from the nozzles across its surface and the milled area. The rotating drum itself becomes the delivery mechanism for debris removal, eliminating the need for additional dedicated cleaning mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively removes loose aggregate and debris, enhancing the cleanliness of the milled surface, thereby improving the bonding between new asphalt and the milled surface, reducing the need for subsequent resurfacing and increasing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one nozzle is adapted to direct the loose aggregate towards the portion of the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle may be positioned on the underside of the vehicle near the upper front quadrant of the drum and project fluid at 1,000 to 10,000 PSI toward loose aggregate
Implementation Method 3
a planer assembly is disposed in cutting engagement with a top portion of the pave roadway to produce a new roadway surface
Implementation Method 4
The belt is adapted to carry loose aggregate from the milling drum away from the paved surface
Implementation Method 5
The fluid within the drum may also lubricate the pick and surface of the drum
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the invention a system for removing a layer of a paved surface comprising a vehicle is adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction. The vehicle has a milling drum with an axle substantially parallel and connected to the vehicle within a milling chamber. The drum is adapted to rotate around the axle between the paved surface and the vehicle. A conveyor belt is attached to a forward end of the vehicle and comprises a portion proximate an opening of the milling chamber. The belt is adapted to carry loose aggregate from the milling drum away from the paved surface. At least one nozzle is disposed on an underside of the vehicle and is in communication with a reservoir through a pathway. The at least one nozzle is adapted to direct the loose aggregate towards the portion of the conveyor belt.