Patent Application
20190249377
The present invention relates to belted compaction apparatus for compacting surfacing materials such as asphalt or portland cement concrete.
Machines such as compactors are often employed to compact soil, gravel, asphalt, and other materials. Most commonly, these machines include rotating steel drum compactors. A typical steel drum compactor has a drum assembly with one or more drums for compacting the material. The steel drum compactors can be static or dynamic (vibratory or oscillatory). For example, in dynamic steel drum compactors, the drum assembly may include a vibratory mechanism having two or more weights arranged on a shaft rotatable about a common axis within an interior cavity of the drum for inducing vibrations on the drum.
A significant problem which has not been adequately addressed is that of cracking of the asphalt that has been compacted using conventional steel drum rollers. This phenomenon is called “roller checking” and is believed to be caused by the incompatibility of the hard, round steel drum and the soft, flat asphalt pavement. Furthermore, conventional steel drums are round and only a very small area of contact is presented to the asphalt surface for compaction. As the roller travels along the pavement, the asphalt in front of the roller is pushed ahead, causing a pulling force in the asphalt behind the drum. This pushing and pulling action causes the asphalt to crack. Cracks in the pavement are the forerunner of the pothole which forms when water seeps into cracks in a road surface, freezes and expands the pavement. When the ice melts the pavement is shattered by vehicles running thereover.
Another challenge encountered with the use of conventional steel drum rollers is their limited use on bridge decks due to the softness of the underlying waterproofing system and restrictions on the levels of vibration that may be imparted.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that is flexible, economical, and addresses the deficiencies seen in prior art compactors.
It is an embodiment of the present invention to provide a belted asphalt compactor conversion kit for converting a drum roller compactor into a belted asphalt compactor, the kit comprising:
According to another aspect there is provided a belted asphalt compactor conversion kit for converting a dual drum roller compactor having a front drum and a rear drum into a belted asphalt compactor, the kit comprising:
Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a belted compaction apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Shown in
Compactor 12 comprises a leading compaction assembly 16 forward of an articulation point 18 and a trailing compaction assembly 20 rearward of the point of articulation. Each one of the compaction assemblies 16, 20 comprise two apparatus 10 arranged in a side-by-side relationship spanning substantially the entire width of the compactor 12 as will be described in greater detail below.
As shown in greater detail in
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in greater detail in
A pair of leading rollers 60 is provided at one end of the body 30 and a pair of trailing rollers 62 is provided at the other end of the body 30. As shown in the figures, the leading and trailing rollers 60, 62 are disposed at the base of the body 30.
A plurality of intermediate rollers 70 is disposed between the leading 60 and trailing 62 rollers. As depicted, there are three pairs of intermediate rollers (70a, 70b and 7c), where each of the intermediate rollers 70 has a smaller diameter than the leading rollers 60. As shown in the figures, the intermediate rollers 70 are disposed at the base of the body 30.
Leading 60 and trailing 62 rollers may comprise multiple layers including a solid metal core 64 surrounded by one or more outer layers 66 made of different material than the core. In one embodiment, the core of the leading and trailing rollers is steel and the outer layer is a resilient material.
Similarly, intermediate rollers 70 may comprise multiple layers including a solid metal core 74 surrounded by one or more outer layers 76 made of different material than the core. In one embodiment, the core of the intermediate rollers 70 is steel and the outer layer 76 is a resilient material.
Apparatus 10 further comprises a drive wheel 80 that is rotatably secured at a distance above and separated from the leading 60, trailing 62 and intermediate rollers (70a, 70b and 7c). Drive wheels 80 are powered and each of the drive wheels 80 may be rotated by their own drive motor 81 which can be supported by a motor support 84 secured to the body 30. In an embodiment, the drive wheels 80 are rotated using rotational force generated by one or more hydraulic motors which may be powered by a main engine 22 of the compactor.
Leading 60, trailing 62, and intermediate rollers 70 define a planar bottom run of the belt 52, whereby the bottom run 52 of the belt 50 defines the compaction surface of the apparatus 10. In this manner, the leading 60, trailing 62, and intermediate rollers 70 exert a substantially downward pressure on the bottom run 52 of the belt 50 to provide a uniform pressure applying surface over the area of the belt 50 in contact with the surfacing material 2. Without being limited to any particular theory, the apparatus 10 creates a larger footprint allowing the compaction process to take place over a longer period of time to compress any air out of the compacted surfacing material and provide for better quality compaction of asphalt, for example.
As shown, the belt 50 is wound around the leading 60, trailing 62, and intermediate rollers 70, and the drive wheel 80. Each one of the pair of the leading rollers 60, trailing rollers 62, and intermediate rollers 70 are separated from the other pair by a gap 82. Gap 82 is dimensioned to receive belt retaining members 56 to secure the belt 50 to the apparatus 10 when the belt 50 is wound around the body 30. In some embodiments, when the belt 50 is wound around the rollers and the wheel, and the belt retaining members 56 are inserted into the gap 82, the belt 50 may resist lateral slippage during use where use may include operation on unlevel surfaces such as superelevation.
As will be expected, when the drive wheel 80 is caused to rotate, the belt 50 will turn and will act as an endless track for the leading 60, trailing 62, and intermediate rollers 70 and the compactor 12 will move in a direction desired by the operator.
The compactor 12 may also be equipped with a number of accessories that are advantageous for the compaction process.
The belt 50 may be heat resistant and in some aspects, may be subjected to at least the temperature suitable for compacting freshly laid asphalt, for example about 120° C. to about 150° C. or more before or during the compaction process. In some aspects, the heating of the belt 50 may also ensure that the bitumen on the surface of the asphalt substantially does not adhere to the belt 50. The belt 50 may be heated by any suitable means, for example a super-heated air generator or direct flame heating such as propane flame heating.
A thermal insulating shroud 90 which overlies the belted compaction apparatus 10 or the compaction assemblies 16, 20 may also be provided. Shroud 90 alleviates heat loss from those portions of the belt 50 not in contact with the surface of the asphalt. The shroud 90 may be formed in part or wholly by an insulating shroud and advantageously extends over the belt 50 at least substantially to the level of the compaction surface. Shroud 90 may be formed in one or more parts, for example from reinforced plastics such as fiberglass or a metal such as aluminum or steel with or without insulation.
A scraper bar may be provided to remove excess asphalt fines accumulated on the belt during the surfacing material compaction process. An asphalt fines collection means may also be provided to collect the excess asphalt fines so that the excess asphalt fines are kept away from the compacted surface.
A belt degreasing means and a degreaser reservoir may be provided for degreasing the belt 50 during the surfacing material compaction process.
The compactor may be equipped with a plurality of sensors to monitor speed, direction, and location. Additional sensors measuring temperature of the material to be compacted may also be used. Belt edge sensors may also be provided to detect the lateral position of the edges of the belt so the operator can adjust the direction of the compactor. The compactor may also include a microprocessor to continuously monitor the above-listed parameters to automatically adjust any one of the parameters to provide for better quality of compaction.
One or more belt guides disposed adjacent to the belt may be provided to tension and guide the belt along its intended path, for example. In one embodiment as shown in
The compactor 12 and apparatus 10 may be configured to suit many different types of applications and environments wherein the dimensions of each of the components can be adjusted for results considered optimal for the particular application. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment as shown in
As shown in
As shown
In one embodiment, the method of converting a conventional dual drum roller compactor to the belted asphalt compactor 12 converted comprises the steps of decoupling the drum rollers from the frame of the conventional dual drum roller compactor, and hoisting the frame to facilitate the removal of the drum rollers from underneath the frame. Positioning one or more of the apparatus 10 underneath the frame and lowering the frame onto one or more of the apparatus 10. Securing the apparatus 10 to the frame using an attachment means 40. Wherein the securing comprises inserting a traverse brace 42 into an aperture 32 of the apparatus 10, securing bearings 44 to the frame 14, and then coupling the brace 42 to the bearings 44. Operationally connecting the drive wheel 80 to at least one drive motor 81.
The embodiments of the present application described above are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present application. In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a subcombination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and subcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. Any dimensions provided in the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No. 62/351,032 filed Jun. 16, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2017/050741 | 6/16/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62351032 | Jun 2016 | US |
