Transfer machine, system and paving material transfer method

Abstract

A machine system for use in paving a surface includes a supply unit configured to load a transfer machine with paving material from a hopper, and a transfer machine for supplying paving material to a paving machine. The transfer machine includes a receptacle having a recirculation system configured to recirculate paving material and a live floor having a conveyor for discharging paving material to a paving machine. The transfer machine may be compatible for road transport, and may be towed by the supply unit which may be configured for transport within the transfer machine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]The present disclosure relates generally to machine systems and material transfer strategies used in paving operations, and relates more particularly to a machine system and material transfer strategy wherein a high-volume transfer machine having surge capacity and a unique paving material supply and recirculation system is used to supply paving material to a paving machine.BACKGROUND [0002]Paving of surfaces with a mix of aggregate and residual petroleum material, commonly referred to as asphalt, is a familiar construction practice. In larger scale paving jobs, such as roads, parking lots and the like, a variety of machines may be involved in obtaining, transferring, and depositing paving material. It is common for haul trucks fully loaded with asphalt to arrive at a paving work site, unload their cargo into transfer machines or onto the ground, then return to an asphalt plant to acquire additional loads, while paving machines perform their intended work. The ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The variety of machines at a given paving work site, including trucks, pavers, compactors, etc., tend to be relatively expensive to operate, hence maintaining operating efficiency and reducing machine downtime is often of paramount concern to project managers.

While this approach is relatively efficient, it has proven to be less than ideal.

When laying hot asphalt the uniformity of the asphalt mat can be affected by relatively minor bumps to the paving machine, easily done with a large haul truck attempting to dump directly into a paving machine's front hopper.

A shortcoming of many MTV's, however, is that they tend to be quite complex, expensive and difficult to transport, often requiring over-width permits.

They also do not typically have large capacities for paving material, limiting their ability to accommodate surges in supply as well as surges in demand.

Without substantial capacity for accommodating surges in supply, haul trucks end up waiting in line to unload their large volumes of cooling asphalt.

With regard to increases in demand, operation of a paving machine may need to slow or stop when an MTV cannot accommodate the surge.

While certain MTV's have a storage bin or the like, and a re-mixing system therein, they generally do not have any means for actually recirculating stored asphalt.

The end result in such instances can be a relatively less uniform asphalt mat, and poorer overall paving job.

While Spears' design provides a number of separate units which may be positioned in a variety of ways to receive and discharge paving material in an apparently flexible manner, the apparatus is quite complex and unwieldy.

Moreover, it lacks substantially in its potential storage volume for paving material and can therefore provide little, if any, ability to accommodate surges in supply or demand.

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