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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A LAYER OF ASPHALT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2007/032662
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for producing an asphalt layer comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt, wherein the method comprises steps for: - pouring a first flow of the first type of asphalt for the purpose of layer forming by means of an asphalt spreading machine, - pouring at least a second flow of the second type of asphalt by means of the asphalt spreading machine, - performing an asphalt spreading process by means of an asphalt spreading machine comprising at least one asphalt separating member for keeping the different types of asphalt substantially separated during the asphalt spreading process.

Inventors:
OOIJEN VAN MARINUS FRANCISCUS (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/NL2006/000445
Publication Date:
May 10, 2007
Filing Date:
September 04, 2006
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OOIJEN MATERIEEL B V VAN (NL)
OOIJEN VAN MARINUS FRANCISCUS (NL)
International Classes:
E01C19/48; E01C19/00; E01C19/18
Foreign References:
EP0939165A21999-09-01
US4101237A1978-07-18
FR2697036A11994-04-22
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HOEBEN, Ferdinand, Egon (Postbus 13136, LC Utrecht, NL)
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Claims:

CLAIMS

1. Method for producing an asphalt layer comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt, wherein the method comprises steps for:

- pouring a first flow of the first type of asphalt in front of an asphalt spreading machine in the operating direction of the asphalt spreading machine, for the purpose of layer forming by means of the asphalt spreading machine,

- pouring the second type of asphalt by means of the asphalt spreading machine,

- performing an asphalt spreading process by means of an asphalt spreading machine comprising at least one asphalt separating member for keeping the different types of asphalt substantially separated during the asphalt spreading process.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, comprising steps for shaping the first flow such that the ratio between volume and surface of the flow is suitable for heat-retention between pouring of the first flow and performing of the asphalt spreading process.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the form for achieving the heat-retention is a substantially dike-like form, such as substantially trapezoidal, rectangular, semicircular or semi-elliptic, as seen in cross-section of the flow.

4. Method as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein as seen in the processing direc-

tion the first type of asphalt is poured first, and then the second type of asphalt.

5. Asphalt pouring device for pouring a first type of asphalt for the purpose of a method for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and a second type of asphalt, wherein the asphalt pouring device comprises:

- at least one infeed container for feeding heated asphalt of the first type into the asphalt pouring device,

- one or more pouring openings for pouring the asphalt,

- at least one conveyor for transporting the asphalt from the direction of the infeed container in the direction of the pouring opening, wherein the pouring openings can be arranged adjacently of the road surface location of the second asphalt as seen transversely of the direction of travel.

6. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in claim 5, comprising a compacting member for compacting the asphalt.

7. Asphalt pouring device, as claimed in claim 5 or β, wherein the conveyor comprises a compacting member such as a worm conveyor.

8. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, comprising at least one pouring buffer for buffering a quantity of first asphalt for the pouring opening.

9. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, comprising a pushing member for pushing an asphalt transport truck.

10. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pushing member comprises a rotatable pusher roller for pushing against the tyres of the asphalt transport truck.

11. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in one or more of the claims 5-10, wherein the pouring opening comprises closing means for variable adjustability thereof.

12. Asphalt pouring device as claimed in one or more of the claims 5-11, comprising hydraulic drive means for the drive member and/or the variably adjustable closing means.

13. Asphalt spreading device for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt, comprising:

- an infeed for a second type of asphalt,

- a transverse conveyor for spreading the second asphalt,

- at least one compacting member for compacting asphalt,

- at least one levelling member for levelling asphalt, and

- at least one separating member for keeping the first and further types of asphalt separated during processing by at least the transverse transport means,

wherein a spreading area is defined for each type of asphalt.

14. Asphalt spreading device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the separating member comprises a metal plate.

15. Asphalt spreading device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the separating member comprises a plate comprising heat-insulating material.

16. Asphalt spreading device as claimed in claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the separating member comprises a heating member.

17. Asphalt spreading device as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims 13-16, comprising at least a second transverse conveyor for spreading a first type of asphalt in the spreading area therefor.

18. Asphalt processing system for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt by means of processing asphalt, wherein the system comprises a device as claimed in one or more of the claims 5-12 and/or a device as claimed in one or more of the claims 13-17.

19. Asphalt processing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein as seen in the operating direction of the system the device as claimed in claims 5-12 leads the way for the purpose of pouring the first asphalt and the device as claimed in claims 13-17 follows for the

purpose of pouring the second asphalt during functioning of the system.

Description:

METHOD, ASPHALT POURING DEVICE, ASPHALT SPREADING DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING AN ASPHALT LAYER

The present invention relates to a method for producing an asphalt layer comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt. The invention further relates to an asphalt pouring device for pouring a first type of asphalt for the purpose of a method. A further aspect comprises an asphalt spreading device for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt. The invention also relates to a system comprising such devices.

The use of asphalt spreading devices for pouring asphalt and producing road surfaces has been known for many years. Such devices are able to create flat layers of asphalt which are used as road surface. In recent years asphalt of different colours has been applied for the purpose of indicating road surfaces with different functions. A commonly used combination is black asphalt with red asphalt, wherein the black asphalt is used for car lanes and the red asphalt for cycle lanes.

The French patent application FR 2 697 036 is known in which is described an asphalt spreader for spreading asphalt of two types, wherein the asphalt of the second type is fed into a funnel in the device while the first type is fed in on the front side by truck. Although such a device is able to pour two types, it has the drawback that the second type is available in small quantities which fit into the funnel, while the first type is available by the truckload. Jt is hereby necessary either to use a very small quantity of asphalt of the first type relative to the quantity of the second

type, or the truck for supplying the second type must be uncoupled each time and the method for laying the asphalt must be halted in order to replenish the funnel. In order to enable a more efficient method the present invention provides a method for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt, wherein the method comprises steps for:

- pouring a first flow of the first type of asphalt in front of an asphalt spreading machine in the operating direction of the asphalt spreading machine, for the purpose of layer forming by means of the asphalt spreading machine,

- pouring the second type of asphalt by means of the asphalt spreading machine,

- performing an asphalt spreading process by means of an asphalt spreading machine comprising at least one asphalt separating member for keeping the different types of asphalt substantially separated during the asphalt spreading process.

An advantage of such a method is that both types of asphalt can be processed by the truckload without the method in the meantime having to be interrupted for a refilling operation. The separating member further provides an effective separation of the types of asphalt and a straight transition between the types of asphalt.

Such a method according to the present invention has the advantage that a road surface with two or more colours or lanes of asphalt can be produced in one operating run of an asphalt spreading device.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the method comprises steps for shaping the second flow such that the ratio between volume and surface of the flow is

suitable for heat-retention between pouring of the second flow and performing of the asphalt spreading process .

An advantage of this is that the asphalt remains workable for a longer period while retaining the quality of the final road surface. The transition between two layers of different colour is also better, because the warmer the asphalt the better the mutual adhesion of asphalt materials arranged against each other in the final layer. A practical form for achieving the heat-retention is a substantially dike-like form, such as substantially trapezoidal, rectangular, semicircular or semi-elliptic, as seen in cross-section of the flow.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an asphalt pouring device for pouring a first type of asphalt for the purpose of a method for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and a second type of asphalt, wherein the asphalt pouring device comprises :

- at least one infeed container for feeding heated asphalt of the first type into the asphalt pouring device,

- one or more pouring openings for pouring the asphalt,

- at least one conveyor for transporting the asphalt from the direction of the infeed container in the direction of the pouring opening, wherein the pouring openings can be arranged adjacently of the road surface location of the second asphalt as seen transversely of the direction of travel.

An advantage of such an asphalt pouring device is that first asphalt can be poured in continuous manner for processing in widths adjacently of the second type

of asphalt. Practical processing of asphalt according to the present invention is hereby simplified.

Such an asphalt pouring device preferably comprises a compacting member for compacting the asphalt. The density of the asphalt is hereby increased. The asphalt therefore advantageously has a smaller volume during the further processing. The asphalt also cools less between the pouring and spreading in an asphalt spreading device since fewer pores are present in the material poured in this manner. The compacting member can advantageously be combined with the conveyor by applying a worm conveyor.

In order to prevent disruptions in the supply of asphalt, the asphalt pouring device comprises at least one pouring buffer for buffering a quantity of first asphalt for the pouring opening.

For an effective supply of asphalt and simple coupling to an asphalt transport vehicle, the asphalt pouring device preferably comprises a pushing member for pushing an asphalt transport truck. This pushing member can be embodied in practical manner by means of a ro- tatable pusher roller for pushing against the tyres of the asphalt transport truck.

In order to regulate the quantity of asphalt for pouring the pouring opening comprises closing means for variable adjustability thereof.

In an embodiment the device comprises hydraulic drive means for the drive member and/or the variably adjustable closing means.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an asphalt spreading device for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and

at least a second or further type of asphalt, comprising:

- an infeed for a second type of asphalt,

- a transverse conveyor for spreading the second asphalt,

- at least one compacting member for compacting asphalt,

- at least one levelling member for levelling asphalt, and

- at least one separating member for keeping the first and further types of asphalt separated during processing by at least the transverse transport means, wherein a spreading area is defined for each type of asphalt. Such a device has advantages as are explained with reference to embodiments described in the foregoing.

In the asphalt spreading device the separating member preferably comprises a metal plate. If the separating member comprises a plate comprising heat- insulating material, this has an advantageous effect on the quality of the transition between two colours of asphalt because a relatively high processing temperature results in a better adhesion. A further method of realizing such a high temperature is an embodiment wherein the separating member comprises a heating member.

A prior art asphalt spreading machine for processing asphalt of one colour makes use of worm conveyors in opposite direction for spreading the asphalt transversely of the travel direction. In a device according to the present invention there is provided an asphalt spreading device comprising at least a second transverse conveyor for spreading the second type of asphalt in the spreading area therefor. An automatic spreading of the

other asphalt hereby becomes possible. Manual work is hereby reduced, particularly when the lanes become wider. When narrow lanes are being laid, of a metre or several decimetres wide, the asphalt spreads itself or with only light work, while a conveyor such as a worm conveyor will have greater advantages in the case of wider lanes.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an asphalt processing system for producing a layer of asphalt comprising a first type of asphalt and at least a second or further type of asphalt by means of processing asphalt, wherein the system comprises devices as specified in the foregoing. Such a system has advantages as specified in the foregoing.

The present invention will be described herein- below in greater detail on the basis of several preferred embodiments, and with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment according to the present invention;

- fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of fig. 1;

- fig. 4 is a schematic detail of fig. 3 in perspective;

- fig. 5 is a schematic top view of a detail of the embodiment of fig. 2.

A first preferred embodiment (fig. 1) relates to an asphalt pouring device 1 which is preceded by an asphalt truck 16. The whole is pushed by means of a power shovel 15, on the support arms of which asphalt pouring device 1 is mounted. The asphalt pouring device pushes

the asphalt truck for red asphalt by means of a pushing member 41. A simple coupling between the asphalt pouring device and the asphalt truck can be realized in this manner such that the outlet of the truck is situated continuously above receiving hopper 40 of the asphalt pouring device.

Two >dykes= 21,22 of red asphalt recently poured onto base course 29 are shown on the rear side of the asphalt pouring device. These dykes comprise slightly compacted asphalt, this compaction being realized in the asphalt pouring device. This will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 2 shows the front side of a second asphalt truck 17 on the rear side of shovel 15. This truck 17 is situated between the two dykes of red asphalt. Situated behind truck 17 is asphalt spreading machine 2 (fig. 3) . The asphalt spreading machine is provided with partitions 4,5 for separating two types of asphalt. From truck 17 black asphalt is poured into receiving hopper 14 of spreader 2. This black asphalt is carried in per se known manner along substantially the underside of spreader 2 and to the rear thereof, where per se known worm conveyor 6 with two transporting directions, and further schematically shown compacting and levelling units 11,12,13 are situated.

The black asphalt enters the space in front of unit 11 centrally, where it is transported to the outside in the direction of partitions 4,5 by the worm conveyors. These partitions 4,5 prevent further lateral spreading of the black asphalt. Since the whole moves in the direction of arrow A, a layer of black asphalt 30 is formed behind spreader 11.

As machine 2 advances, the asphalt of dykes 21,22 enters the respective optional worm conveyors 7,8 and is forced transversely in the direction of respective partition plates 4,5 by these worm conveyors. This red- asphalt is then converted into two layers or lanes of asphalt 31,32 in the per se known compacting and levelling units 12,13.

The partition plates are for instance formed from steel and can take a fixed or displaceable form in both horizontal and vertical direction. The distance between the plates and layer 29 can hereby be adjusted, which can influence the transition between layers 30,31,32. Because the temperature of the plates can also influence the quality of these transitions, heating elements can be arranged on the plates. The plates can further be manufactured wholly or partially from plastic in order to minimize heat conduction. The transverse transport of the hot asphalt in the direction of the plates also influences the temperature of the plates, which can influence the transitions between the layers.

The asphalt pouring device 1 is shown in greater detail in fig. 4. The asphalt pouring device can be mounted on the support arms of a power shovel by means of supports (not shown) . During operation the pouring device is also transported in the direction of arrow A. The pouring device is constructed on the basis of a frame of a receiving hopper 40. This hopper is formed partly by plates 64,65,66 and these are supported by supports 44. The plates are supported on the sides by side walls 67. Situated on the front side is a push rod 41 for pushing an asphalt truck forward by means of ro- tatable sleeves 61,62,63.

Pouring buffers 45,46 are situated on either side of the pouring device. Pouring buffer 45 is constructed from walls 49,50,53 and in rear wall 53 is situated an outlet opening which can be closed by means of a hatch 55. During operation of the pouring device there is left behind an elongate strip or dyke 21 of hot asphalt which is processed into asphalt layer 31 in the spreader. The opening height of hatch 55 determines, among other things, the volume per length of dyke 21, and thereby the guantity of asphalt in the final layer 31. Pouring buffer 46 is constructed from walls 47,48,52 and in rear wall 52 is situated an outlet opening which can be closed by means of a hatch 54. During operation of the pouring device there is left behind an elongate strip or dyke 22 of hot asphalt which is processed into asphalt layer 32 in the spreader. The opening height of hatch 54 determines, among other things, the volume per length of dyke 22, and thereby the quantity of asphalt in final layer 32.

The pouring device is provided with two oppositely transporting worm conveyors 42,43 which can be arranged on a shaft, but also on two shafts which can be mutually offset. The asphalt which is poured from a truck into receiving hopper 40 is transported to openings on either side by means of these worm conveyors so that the asphalt enters pouring buffers 45,46.

An important advantage of the present invention is that the red asphalt retains its heat for a long time during the operations owing to the regular shape of the long heaps 21,22, and with the heat retained in the spreader a good transition can thereby be realized between the red and black asphalt. Many types of asphalt are of course possible in practice for processing ac-

cording to the present invention. The operation according to the present invention has the further advantage that a plurality of asphalt lanes can be laid in one processing run.

The present invention is discussed in the foregoing on the basis of non-limitative preferred embodiments. The rights sought are defined by the appended claims .