Patent Grant
10975530
The disclosure relates generally to road resurfacing machines and systems, and more particularly to machines and systems designed to resurface and repair an existing road having defects by forming stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs) over the existing road, and asphalt mixtures directly over the SAMIs.
Improved materials and paving processes continue to increase the strength and durability of paved surfaces. This in turn has increased the operational/drivable life of these roads for personal and commercial drivers. However, a number of factors continue to negatively impact paved surfaces. These factors include irregularities in materials, irregularities in processes during paving, irregularities in the existing road being paved, ambient weather and the like. These factors typically result in surface defects in the road such as cracks, unevenness, potholes and/or surface crumbling. These surface defects can reduce the strength and/or operational/drivable life of the paved surface. With reduced strength and operational/drivable life, the roads can require constant upkeep and maintenance, and eventually require total replacement and/or resurfacing. This maintenance and/or road replacement can be costly and often requires the road to be at least partially shut down during repair and replacement.
One maintenance process commonly used to prolong the operational/drivable life of a road with surface defects is to fill the surface defects with filling material (e.g., flexible material, asphalt patches and so on). However, simply filling the surface defects often is a temporary fix and does not prevent surface defects from forming in other areas of the road. Filling defects may not necessarily prevent the filled surface defects from spreading and/or growing as well. Another common maintenance solution is to provide an additional layer or topcoat over the existing road including surface defects. While the additional layer or topcoat may be initially free from surface defects, the existing surface defects in the cover road surface may grow and/or may penetrate through the topcoat, causing new surface defects to form within the topcoat. This is often referred to, or known as “reflective cracking.”
Another conventional maintenance solution that helps to increase the operational/drivable life of the road and prevent reflective cracking is the use of paving fabric interlayers. Paving fabrics are often formed from a length of flexible sheet material that is rolled onto a spool. The paving fabrics are unrolled directly onto a tack layer that is deposited directly on the road including the surface defects. The paving fabrics are adhered to the existing road via the tack layer, and then subsequently covered by depositing hot mix asphalt directly on and/or over the paving fabrics. The flexible characteristics of the paving fabric interlayer can prevent surface defects from forming in the hot mix asphalt layer and substantially mitigate reflective cracking within the hot mix asphalt layer.
While the paving fabrics can mitigate and/or reduce the risk of reflective cracking in the hot mix asphalt layer, the process for laying and/or utilizing the paving fabrics presents additional issues that may negatively affect the strength, quality and operational/drivable life of the road. For example, the paving fabric must be laid flat over the tack layer almost immediately after that tack layer is deposited. If too much time passes between depositing the tack layer and rolling the paving fabrics over the tack layer, and/or if the paving fabric is rippled, bumpy and/or is not laid substantially flat over the tack layer, bonding issues between the tack layer and the paving fabrics may arise. These bonding issues can cause weakened areas in the road, which may lead to premature failure and/or increased risk of surface defects. Additionally, where a gap is formed between the paving fabrics and tack layer due to a ripple or bump in the paving fabric, the paving fabric interlayer may be capable of moving or sliding, even after the hot mix asphalt is deposited over the paving fabric. The ability of the paving fabric to move or slide may cause and/or impart a high, undesirable stress on the hot mix asphalt after it has cooled, hardened and/or cured over the paving fabric. This may ultimately result in surface defects forming in the area of the hot mix asphalt layer that experience this undesirable stress.
Generally, embodiments discussed herein are related to machines, systems and methods for resurfacing an existing road having defects. A system includes a machine and a fiber material storage that are configured to resurface an existing road that includes surface defects. A machine includes a first and second group of sprayers that spray and/or form distinct layers of binding material over the existing road. Positioned between the first and second group of sprayers may be a fiber material distribution component that disposes fiber material, provided by the fiber material storage, over the existing road and between the two distinct layers of binding material. Specifically, the fiber material disposed over the existing road may be embedded, sandwiched and/or secured between a first layer of binding material formed by the first group of sprayers, and a second layer of binding material formed by the second group of sprayers. These three layers may be referred to as stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs), which may fill and/or seal surface defects formed in the existing road, as well as provide strength and flexibility to the resurfaced road to mitigate and/or prevent reflective cracking in the layers of material deposited over the SAMIs. Downstream from the second group of sprayers may be a channel for supplying an asphalt mixture directly over the SAMIs (e.g., first layer of binding material, fiber material, second layer of binding material). The asphalt mixture may be shaped using a screed positioned adjacent the channel to form a top layer that may be driven on by a user of the resurfaced road. The asphalt mixture forming the top layer of the resurfaced road may be adhered and/or bonded directly to the SAMIs, and has an increased operational/drivable life because of the SAMIs, the strength and flexible characteristics associated with the SAMIs, and the ability of the SAMIs to mitigate and/or prevent reflective cracking.
One embodiment includes a machine having a first group of sprayers configured to form a first layer of binding material, and a fiber material distribution component positioned adjacent the first group of sprayers. The fiber material distribution component may be configured to distribute fiber material onto the first layer of the binding material. The machine may also have a second group of sprayers positioned adjacent the fiber material distribution component. The second group of sprayers may be configured to form a second layer of the binding material over the distributed fiber material. Additionally, the machine may include a channel positioned adjacent the second group of sprayers, where the channel may be positioned to supply an asphalt mixture over the second layer of the binding material, and a screed positioned adjacent the conduit. The screed may contact the asphalt mixture.
Another embodiment includes a system having a machine. The machine may include a first group of sprayers configured to form a first layer of binding material, and a fiber material distribution component positioned adjacent the first group of sprayers, where the fiber material distribution component may be configured to distribute fiber material onto the first layer of the binding material. The machine may also include a second group of sprayers positioned adjacent the fiber material distribution component. The second group of sprayers may be configured to form a second layer of the binding material over the distributed fiber material. Additionally, the machine may include a channel positioned adjacent the second group of sprayers, where the channel may supply an asphalt mixture over the second layer of the binding material and a screed positioned adjacent the conduit. The screed may contact the asphalt mixture. The system may also include a fiber material storage coupled to the machine. The fiber material storage may store the fiber material distributed by the fiber material distribution component. Additionally, the system may also include a control system in electrical communication with the machine and the fiber material storage. The control system may be configured to control the distribution of: the binding material sprayed by the first group of sprayers, the fiber material distributed by the fiber distribution component, the binding material sprayed by the second group of sprayers, the asphalt mixture supplied by the channel, and/or the fiber material provided from the fiber material storage to the fiber material distribution component.
A further embodiment includes a method of resurfacing an exposed surface of an existing road. The method includes covering the exposed surface with a first layer of a binding material, disposing a fiber material at least partially over the first layer of the binding material and covering the fiber material with a second layer of the binding material. The method may also include disposing an asphalt mixture directly over the second layer of the binding material, and shaping the asphalt mixture disposed over the second layer of the binding material.
An additional embodiment includes a resurfaced road having a first layer of a binding material covering an exposed surface of an existing road, a collection of fiber material disposed over the first layer of the binding material, a second layer of the binding material covering the collection of the fiber material. The second layer of the binding material may secure the collection of the fiber material between the first layer of the binding material and the second layer of the binding material. The resurfaced road may also include an asphalt mixture positioned directly on and covering the second layer of the binding material.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
The following disclosure relates generally to a road resurfacing machine and system, and more particularly to a machine and system designed to resurface and repair an existing road having defects by forming stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs) over the existing road, and asphalt mixtures directly over the SAMIs.
Generally, embodiments discussed herein are related to a machine, a system and a method for resurfacing an existing road having defects. The system includes a machine and a fiber material storage that are configured to resurface an existing road that includes surface defects. The machine includes a first and second group of sprayers that spray and/or form distinct layers of binding material over the existing road. Positioned between the first and second group of sprayers may be a fiber material distribution component that disposes fiber material, provided by the fiber material storage, over the existing road and between the two distinct layers of binding material. Specifically, the fiber material disposed over the existing road may be embedded, sandwiched and/or secured between a first layer of binding material formed by the first group of sprayers, and a second layer of binding material formed by the second group of sprayers. These three layers may be referred to as stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs), which may fill and/or seal surface defects formed in the existing road, as well as provide strength and flexibility to the resurfaced road to mitigate and/or prevent reflective cracking in the layers of material deposited over the SAMIs. Downstream from the second group of sprayers may be a channel for supplying an asphalt mixture directly over the SAMIs (e.g., first layer of binding material, fiber material, second layer of binding material). The asphalt mixture may be shaped using a screed positioned adjacent the channel to form a top layer that may be driven on by a user of the resurfaced road. The asphalt mixture forming the top layer of the resurfaced road may be adhered and/or bonded directly to the SAMIs, and has an increased operational/drivable life because of the SAMIs, the strength and flexible characteristics associated with the SAMIs, and the ability of the SAMIs to mitigate and/or prevent reflective cracking.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the present teachings may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present teachings and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The following description is, therefore, merely illustrative.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
Road resurfacing system 100 (hereafter, “system 100”) may include a road resurfacing machine 104 (hereafter, “machine 104”) and a fiber material storage 106 coupled to machine 104. As discussed in detail herein, machine 104 of system 100 includes various components configured to substantially provide, create and/or form stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs) over existing road 102, as well as substantially provide, create and/or form a surface layer of material over existing road 102 and the SAMIs. Additionally, as discussed herein, fiber material storage 106 coupled to machine 104 may be towed and/or moves with machine 104 to supply fiber material used to form at least one layer of the SAMIs formed over existing road 102 using system 100.
As shown in
First group of sprayers 108 may include any suitable sprayer, nozzle and/or dispensing component that may dispense a substantially liquid-material onto existing road 102. As discussed herein, first group of sprayers 108 may be configured to dispense, spray and/or cover existing road 102 with a substantially liquid binding material to form a first layer of binding material on existing road 102. Although a single bar is shown in
Machine 104 may also include a second group of sprayers 110 (shown in phantom in
Although shown to be substantially similar in length, it is understood that first group of sprayers 108 and second group of sprayers 110 may extend over distinct distances of the width of machine 104. That is, in a non-limiting example shown in
Similar to first group of sprayers 108, second group of sprayers 110 may include any suitable sprayer, nozzle and/or dispensing component that may dispense a substantially liquid-material onto existing road 102. As discussed herein, second group of sprayers 110 may be configured to dispense, spray and/or cover the first layer of binding material dispensed by first group of sprayers 108 and fiber material with a substantially-liquid binding material to form a second layer of binding material over existing road 102. Although a single bar is shown in
As shown in
Binding material storage 112 may be in fluid communication with first group of sprayers 108 and second group of sprayers 110, respectively. More specifically, binding material storage 112 may be in fluid communication with first group of sprayers 108 and second group of sprayers 110, respectively, via supply conduits. In non-limiting examples shown in
As shown in
As discussed herein, fiber material distribution component 124 may be configured and/or capable of dispensing, disbursing and/or distributing fiber material 126 onto and/or over the first layer of binding material 118 formed on existing road 102 by first group of sprayers 108. As such, fiber material distribution component 124 may include any suitable channel, hose, conduit and/or dispensing component that may dispense fiber material 126 over the first layer of binding material 118 formed on existing road 102 (see,
Fiber material 126 supplied to fiber material distribution component 124 may be stored in fiber material storage 106 of system 100. More specifically, and as shown in
System 100 may include a plurality of supply lines 128 coupled to fiber material storage 106. More specifically, and as shown in
Fiber material 126 may be provided, transported and/or supplied to fiber material distribution component 124 via the plurality of supply lines 128 using various supply methods and/or components. In a non-limiting example, fiber material 126 stored in fiber material storage 106 may be feed into supply lines 128 and may be moved through supply lines 128 to fiber material distribution component 124 using a feeder component (not shown) positioned on supply lines 128 and/or fiber material distribution component 124. In the non-limiting example, the feeder component (not shown) may contact, grab, pull and/or push fiber material 126 within the supply lines 128 toward fiber material distribution component 124 to be distributed onto existing road 102. In another non-limiting example discussed herein, other feeder components, such as a blower, may be used to move, force and/or push fiber material 126 through supply lines 128 toward fiber material distribution component 124. In a further non-limiting example, fiber material 126 may move through supply lines 128 to fiber material distribution component 124 using gravity.
Machine 104 of system 100 may also include a cutting device 130. Cutting device 130 may cut fiber material 126 to a predetermined length prior to fiber material 126 being distributed by fiber material distribution component 124. In a non-limiting example shown in
In the non-limiting example, cutting device 130 may be a collection of blades configured to cut fiber material 126 as it passes through fiber material distribution component 124. In other non-limiting examples, cutting device 130 may be formed as any suitable cutting, chopping, severing, ripping and/or material-separating device configured to cut fiber material 126 to a predetermined length. Additionally, cutting device 130 may also be configured to aid in moving fiber material 126 from fiber material storage 106 to fiber material distribution component 124 and/or through supply lines 128. That is, in addition to cutting fiber material 126, cutting device 130 may also operate in a similar fashion as a feeder component (not shown), as discussed above. In a non-limiting example, cutting device 130 may contact, grab and/or pull fiber material 126 within the supply lines 128 toward cutting device 130 to be cut and subsequently moved to fiber material distribution component 124. The predetermined cut length of the fiber material 124 cut by cutting device 130 may be dependent, at least in part on characteristics relating to the road resurfacing process, as discussed herein.
Machine 104 may also include a channel 132. Channel 132 may be positioned adjacent second group of sprayers 110. More specifically, and as shown in
Machine 104 may also include a hopper 136. As shown in
In a non-limiting example, hopper 136 may contain and/or store asphalt mixture 134 to be used in the road resurfacing process performed by machine 104, as discussed herein. In another non-limiting example, hopper 136 may receive asphalt mixture 134 from a supply device 138 (shown in phantom) positioned in front of hopper 136. In the non-limiting example shown in
As shown in
As discussed in detail herein, asphalt mixture 134 may be a mixture of binding material 118 and aggregate (e.g., stone). In a non-limiting example shown in
As shown in
Asphalt mixture 134 supplied via conduit 132 may also be moved toward existing road 102 and/or screed 142 using a feeder wheel 144, positioned between conduit 132 and screed 142. Feeder wheel 144 may rotate to aid in the movement of asphalt mixture 134 from conduit 132 to existing road 102 and/or screed 142, and may substantially prevent an undesired build-up of asphalt mixture 134 on existing road 102 and/or adjacent screed 142. In non-limiting examples, feeder wheel 144 may be any suitable device or component that may move and/or rotate to aid in the movement of asphalt mixture 134 from conduit 132 to existing road 102.
Screed 142 may aid in the coupling of fiber material storage 106 to machine 104 as well. In a non-limiting example, fiber material storage 106 may be coupled to screed 142 via a coupling bar 146. In the non-limiting example, as machine 104 including screed 142 moves along existing road 102 during the road resurfacing process, fiber material storage 106 may be pulled and/or move with machine 104 as a result of coupling bar 146 coupling fiber material storage 106 to screed 142. Although fiber material storage 106 is shown in
Although shown as being coupled to screed 142 and towed or pulled behind machine 104, it is understood that fiber material storage 106 may be positioned in various portions of system 100 during the road resurfacing process discussed herein. In a non-limiting example (not shown), fiber material storage 106 may be positioned in front of machine 104 and/or adjacent hopper 136 during the road resurfacing process. In the non-limiting example fiber material storage 106 may be positioned between machine 104 and supply device 138, or alternatively, may be positioned in front of both machine 104 and supply device 138. Fiber material storage 106 may be coupled to machine 104 and/or supply device 138 to ensure fiber material storage 106 moves with machine 104 during the road resurfacing process. Alternatively, fiber material storage 106 may be formed integrally with supply device 138. In another non-limiting example, fiber material storage 106 may be positioned and coupled to a side of machine 104, such that fiber material storage 106 may be parallel with machine 104. In this non-limiting example, machine 104 and fiber material storage may move simultaneously and parallel to each other during the road resurfacing process discussed herein.
As shown in
System 100 may also include a control system 152. As shown in
Control system 152 may be configured to control the function and/or operation of the various components of system 100 in which control system 152 may be in electrical communication. Specifically, control system 152 of system 100 may be configured to control the function and/or operation of first group of sprayers 108, second group of sprayers 110, fiber distribution component 124, cutting device 130, channel 132, hopper 136, actuator 150 and/or fiber material storage 106. In non-limiting examples, control system 152 may be configured to control the distribution (e.g., flow rate) of binding material 118 as it is dispensed over existing road 102 via first group of sprayers 108 and/or second group of sprayers 110. Additionally, control system 152 may be configured to control the distribution (e.g., density of fibers per area) of fiber material 126 distributed by fiber material distribution component 124 over the first layer of binding material 118. In a non-limiting example shown in
The distribution of the various materials deposited and/or supplied by the various components of system 100 may be based, at least in part, on specific, predetermined characteristics and/or properties of existing road 102, the desired finish of the resurfaced road and/or the characteristics of the material used by system 100 to form the resurfaced road. In non-limiting examples, the material composition of the existing road's 102 exposed surface, the condition (e.g., number of surface defects) of existing road 102, the age of existing road 102 and/or the grade of existing road may be some of the properties and/or characteristics that influence the distribution of the various materials utilized by system 100 and controlled by control system 152. In other non-limiting examples, the material composition of binding material 118 and asphalt mixture 134, the desired thickness of a top layer formed by asphalt mixture 134, and/or the desired additional strength to be provided to the resurfaced road via fiber material 124 may also influence the distribution of the various materials utilized by system 100 and controlled by control system 152. It is understood that the predetermined characteristics and/or properties that influence the distribution of the various materials utilized by system 100 are merely exemplary and are not meant to be exhaustive. Other such predetermined characteristics and/or properties may also influence the distribution of the various materials utilized by system 100.
Control system 152 may be formed as, or a part of, a user-interactive or automated computer or computing system for controlling the function and/or operation of the various components of system 100, as discussed herein. Specifically, control system 152 may be included within a computing system or device that can control the function and/or operation of the various components of system 100 to perform the road resurfacing process discussed herein. The computing system or device may include one or more general purpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices) capable of executing program code, such as control system 152, installed thereon. Although not shown, computing system or device including control system 152 may include a processing component (e.g., one or more processors), a storage component (e.g., a storage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component (e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway. In general, the processing component executes program code, such as that of control system 152 configured to control the function and/or operation of the various components of system 100, which is at least partially fixed in the storage component. While executing program code, the processing component can process data, which can result in reading and/or writing transformed data from/to the storage component and/or the I/O component for further processing. The pathway provides a communications link between each of the components in the computing device. The I/O component can include one or more human I/O devices, which enable a user (e.g., machine 104 operator) to interact with the computing device and/or one or more communications devices to enable the user to communicate with the computing device using any type of communications link. In some embodiments, the user (e.g., machine 104 operator) can interact with a human-machine interface, which allows the user to communicate with control system 152 of the computing device. The human-machine interface can include: an interactive touch screen, a graphical user display or any other suitable human-machine interface. The computing system may also include a number of sensors positioned on each of the various components of system 100. The sensors may be configured to monitor the distribution of the materials by system 100, and provide data and/or feedback to the computing system including control system 152. In a non-limiting example the computing system and/or control system 152 may obtain and analyze this data and/or feedback from the sensors of the computing system, and may adjust the distribution of the various components of system 100 accordingly.
Although discussed herein as being controlled using control system 152, it is understood that operation and/or function of machine 104 and/or the various components of system 100 may be controlled and/or modified manually. For example, it is understood that the distribution (e.g., flow rate) of binding material 118 from first group of sprayers 108 may be modified and/or controlled by manually adjusting the sprayer components of first group of sprayers 108. Additionally, the operation and/or function of machine 104 and/or the various components of system 100 may be controlled and/or modified using both control system 152 and manual adjustments to ensure the resurfaced road formed by system 100 meets desired specifications.
As shown in
Resurfaced road 254 may also include a layer or collection 262 of fiber material 226 disposed over first layer 256 of binding material 218. That is, collection 262 if fiber material 226 may be disposed, at least partially, over and/or may substantially cover first layer 256 of binding material 218. Fiber material 226 disposed over first layer 256 of binding material 218 may be embedded into binding material 218. Specifically, because of the adhesive, elastic and/or curing properties of binding material 218, forming first layer 256 of resurfaced road 256, collection 262 of fiber material 226 disposed over first layer 256 of binding material 218 may be embedded and/or adhered to binding material 218. Fiber material 226 forming collection 262 of resurfaced road 254 may include fiber material that may be cut to a predetermined length prior to being disposed over first layer 256 of binding material 218. In a non-limiting example, collection 262 of fiber material 226 includes fiberglass material that is capable of being cut to a predetermined length. Briefly returning to
As shown in
Resurfaced road 254 may also include a top layer 266 of asphalt mixture 234 positioned on second layer 264 of binding material 218. More specifically, and as shown in
Additionally, embedding and/or bonding asphalt mixture 234 may be achieved when asphalt mixture 234 is shaped to form top layer 266. More specifically, asphalt mixture 234 may be subject to and/or experiences an applied pressure or force to substantially shape and/or form asphalt mixture 234 into a substantially compact and substantially flat top layer 266 of resurfaced road 254. The applied pressure or force may embed asphalt mixture 234 at least partially into second layer 264 of binding material 218 and/or may bond asphalt mixture with second layer 264. Top layer 266 formed by shaped asphalt mixture 234 may include a newly exposed driving surface 268 to be driven on by users of resurfaced road 254. As discussed herein, asphalt mixture 234 may be formed from a composition of binding material 218 and aggregate. In non-limiting examples, asphalt mixture 234 may be formed from and/or may be a composition of aggregate (e.g., sized stone material) and binding material 218 including, but not limited to, asphalt emulsion, asphalt cement, polymer material, polymer modified asphalt cement and the like. Briefly returning to
First layer 256 of binding material 218, collection 262 of fiber material 226 and second layer 264 of binding material 218 may be collectively referred to as stress absorbing membrane interlayers 270 (hereafter, “SAMIs 266”) of resurfaced road 254. As shown in
Additionally, the collection 262 of fiber material 226 may provide added flexibility and strength to SAMIs 270 and/or resurfaced road 254. Specifically, fiber material 226 (e.g., fiber glass) forming collection 262 positioned between first layer 256 and second layer 264 of binding material 218 may improve the tensile strength and flexibility of SAMIs 270 and/or resurfaced road 254 due to the physical and material characteristics of fiber material 226. Like binding material 218 forming first layer 256 and second layer 264, collection 262 of fiber material 226 may improve the operational/drivable life of resurfaced road 254 by preventing and/or mitigating reflective cracking.
However, distinct from system 100 shown and discussed herein with respect to
To aid in the movement of the cut fiber material 426 from fiber material storage 406 and/or within supply lines 428, system 400 may also include a blower 472, shown in phantom. Blower 472 may be configured to move, blow, aid and/or force the cut fiber material 426 into and/or through supply lines 428 for being deposited by fiber material distribution component 424 onto and/or over existing road 402. In a non-limiting example shown in
In another non-limiting example, fiber material 426 may be pre-cut. More specifically, fiber material 426 stored in fiber material storage 406 may not be formed from a large spool or continuous fiber material, but rather, fiber material 426 may be pre-cut to the predetermined size and then stored in fiber material storage 406 for use by system 400 for resurfacing existing road 402, as discussed herein. In this non-limiting example where fiber material 426 is pre-cut, system 400 may not need cutting device 430. As a result, cutting device 430 may not be present and/or may not function as a cutter in system 400 that utilizes pre-cut fiber material 426. Additionally, and as discussed herein, system 400 utilizing pre-cut fiber material 426 may utilized blower 472 to aid in the movement of pre-cut fiber material 426 from fiber material storage 406 to fiber material distribution component 424.
In the non-limiting example shown in
In operation 602, the exposed surface of an existing road including surface defects may be covered with a first layer of binding material. More specifically, a first layer of binding material may be disposed over the existing road to cover the exposed surface of the existing road. Covering the exposed surface with the first layer of the binding material may also include bonding the first layer of the binding material to the exposed surface of the existing road. Additionally, covering the exposed surface with the first layer of the binding material may also include sealing the exposed surface of the existing road including surface defects. The sealing of the exposed surface of the existing road may further include filling surface defects formed in the exposed surface of the existing road with a portion of the binding material forming the first layer of the binding material.
In operation 604, a fiber material may be disposed at least partially over the first layer of the binding material. Specifically, a fiber material having a predetermined length is disposed and/or distributed over the first layer of the binding material. Disposing the fiber material at least partially over the first layer of the binding material includes securing, bonding, adhering and/or embedding the fiber material into the first layer of the binding material.
In operation 606, the fiber material may be covered with a second layer of binding material. More specifically, the fiber material embedded into and disposed over the first layer of the binding material may be covered by a second layer of binding material disposed over the fiber material. Covering the fiber material with the second layer of the binding material may include securing and/or sandwiching the fiber material between the first layer of the binding material covering the exposed surface of the existing road and the second layer of the binding material covering the fiber material.
In operation 608, an asphalt mixture may be disposed directly over the second layer of the binding material. More specifically, an asphalt mixture formed from a combination of asphalt emulsion (or asphalt cement) and aggregate may be disposed, deposited and/or cover the second layer of the binding material covering the fiber material and the first layer of the binding material, respectively. Disposing the asphalt mixture directly over the second layer of the binding material may also include bonding the asphalt mixture to the second layer of the binding material. Additionally, disposing the asphalt mixture directly over the second layer of the binding material may include embedding the asphalt mixture into the second layer of the binding layer.
In operation 610, the asphalt mixture disposed over the second layer of the binding material may be shaped. Specifically, the asphalt mixture disposed directly over, bonded and embedded into the second layer of the binding material may be shaped to a desire finish to form a top, drivable layer of a resurfaced road. The shaping of the asphalt mixture disposed over the second layer of the binding material may include pressing and/or applying a pressure or force to the asphalt mixture. The asphalt mixture may be pressed directly into the second layer of the binding material.
However, distinct from system 100 shown and discussed herein with respect to
Premixed SAMI material 874 may be stored in a material storage 876, substantially similar to fiber material storage 106 discussed herein with respect to
Machine 804 may also include a premixed SAMI material distribution component 880 (hereafter, “SAMI distribution component 880”). SAMI distribution component 880 may be similar, at least in part, to fiber material distribution component 124 of system 100 (e.g.,
System 800 may include the plurality of supply lines 828 coupled to material storage 876. The plurality of supply lines 828 may be substantially similar to supply lines 128 discussed herein. That is, each of the plurality of supply lines 828 of system 800 may be coupled to material storage 876 and SAMI distribution component 880. In addition to being coupled to the distinct components in system 800, the plurality of supply lines 828 may also allow material storage 876 to be in communication with SAMI distribution component 880. As a result, and as discussed herein, the plurality of supply lines 828 may supply premixed SAMI material 874 stored in material storage 876 to SAMI distribution component 880. The plurality of supply lines 828 may include any suitable channel, hose, conduit and/or dispensing component that may dispense premixed SAMI material 874 from material storage 876 to SAMI distribution component 880.
Premixed SAMI material 874 may be provided, transported and/or supplied to SAMI distribution component 880 via the plurality of supply lines 828 using various supply methods and/or components. In a non-limiting example, premixed SAMI material 874 stored in material storage 876 may be moved, forced, and/or pushed through supply lines 828 toward SAMI distribution component 880 using any suitable component, device, and/or system (e.g., blower, pump). In a further non-limiting example, premixed SAMI material 874 may move through supply lines 828 to SAMI distribution component 880 using gravity.
Premixed SAMI material 874 may be supplied directly to existing road 802, via SAMI distribution component 880, to form resurfaced road 1054 (see,
Additionally as shown in
In operation 902, the exposed surface of an existing road including surface defects may be covered with a premixed SAMI material. More specifically, a layer of premixed SAMI material may be disposed over and/or may cover the existing road to cover the exposed surface of the existing road. The premixed SAMI material may include a combination, amalgamation, and/or mixture of binding material and pre-cut, fiber material. Covering the exposed surface with the premixed SAMI material may also include bonding the premixed SAMI material to the exposed surface of the existing road. Additionally, covering the exposed surface with the premixed SAMI material may also include sealing the exposed surface of the existing road including surface defects. The sealing of the exposed surface of the existing road may further include filling surface defects formed in the exposed surface of the existing road with a portion of the premixed SAMI material.
In operation 904, an asphalt mixture may be disposed directly over and/or directly on the premixed SAMI material. More specifically, an asphalt mixture formed from a combination of asphalt emulsion (or asphalt cement) and aggregate may be disposed, deposited, and/or cover the premixed SAMI material covering the existing road. Disposing the asphalt mixture directly over the premixed SAMI material may also include bonding the asphalt mixture to the premixed SAMI material. Additionally, disposing the asphalt mixture directly over the premixed SAMI material may include embedding the asphalt mixture into the premixed SAMI material.
In operation 906, the asphalt mixture disposed directly over and/or directly on the premixed SAMI material may be shaped. Specifically, the asphalt mixture disposed directly over, bonded, and embedded into the premixed SAMI material may be shaped to a desire finish to form a top, drivable layer of a resurfaced road. The shaping of the asphalt mixture disposed over the premixed SAMI material may include pressing and/or applying a pressure or force to the asphalt mixture. The asphalt mixture may be pressed directly into the premixed SAMI material.
System 1100 may include substantially similar components as system 100 discussed herein with respect to
Additionally as shown in
Illustrations with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular function. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” The term “at least one of” is used to mean one or more of the listed items can be selected.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of embodiments are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “less than 10” can include any and all sub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and the maximum value of 10, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10, e.g., 1 to 5. In certain cases, the numerical values as stated for the parameter can take on negative values. In this case, the example value of range stated as “less than 10” can assume negative values, e.g. −1, −2, −3, −10, −20, −30, etc.
As used herein, the term “configured,” “configured to” and/or “configured for” can refer to specific-purpose features of the component so described. For example, a system or device configured to perform a function can include a computer system or computing device programmed or otherwise modified to perform that specific function. In other cases, program code stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., storage medium), can be configured to cause at least one computing device to perform functions when that program code is executed on that computing device. In these cases, the arrangement of the program code triggers specific functions in the computing device upon execution. In other examples, a device configured to interact with and/or act upon other components can be specifically shaped and/or designed to effectively interact with and/or act upon those components. In some such circumstances, the device is configured to interact with another component because at least a portion of its shape complements at least a portion of the shape of that other component. In some circumstances, at least a portion of the device is sized to interact with at least a portion of that other component. The physical relationship (e.g., complementary, size-coincident, etc.) between the device and the other component can aid in performing a function, for example, displacement of one or more of the device or other component, engagement of one or more of the device or other component, etc.
In various embodiments, components described as being “coupled” to one another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In some embodiments, these interfaces can include junctions between distinct components, and in other cases, these interfaces can include a solidly and/or integrally formed interconnection. That is, in some cases, components that are “coupled” to one another can be simultaneously formed to define a single continuous member. However, in other embodiments, these coupled components can be formed as separate members and be subsequently joined through known processes (e.g., soldering, fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding). In various embodiments, electronic components described as being “coupled” can be linked via conventional hard-wired and/or wireless means such that these electronic components can communicate data with one another.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to an individual in the art are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 15885985 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 16117223 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | PCT/US2017/023198 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 15885985 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16117223 | Aug 2018 | US |
| Child | 16416906 | US |
