Abstract:
A material transfer vehicle includes a material-receiving device that is adapted to receive asphalt paving material, and a loading conveyor that is operatively connected to the material-receiving device and adapted to receive asphalt paving material from the material-receiving device. A ground operator's station is located adjacent to the material-receiving device. The ground operator's station includes a lower platform on which the ground operator may stand, and a seat on which the ground operator may sit.
Abstract:
A working machine includes a braking assembly and a throttle assembly. A controller is operatively connected to the braking assembly and the throttle assembly. A proximity sensor is operatively connected to the controller and is adapted to emit radiation away from the rear of the working machine, and to receive reflected radiation indicating the presence of a person or object within a danger zone adjacent to the rear of the working machine and within a warning zone that extends beyond the danger zone. The proximity sensor is adapted to send a signal to the controller when it detects a person or object in the danger zone to cause the braking assembly to brake the working machine, and to send a signal to the controller when it detects a person or object in the warning zone to cause the throttle assembly to reduce the speed of the working machine.
Abstract:
A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom that is mounted within the broom enclosure. A plurality of links are pivotally mounted between the frame and the broom assembly. These links are adapted to permit the broom assembly to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the frame. The vehicular sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.
Abstract:
A vehicular sweeping machine includes a frame and a broom assembly that is mounted to the frame. The broom assembly includes a broom enclosure and a broom having a generally cylindrical tube with attached bristles that is mounted in the broom enclosure and adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal axis. The broom assembly also includes a material presentation system that is adapted to move material on the roadway into contact with the broom in the form of a windrow that is located generally in front of the center of the broom assembly. The sweeping machine also includes a broom conveyor having a lower end that is disposed within the broom enclosure.
Abstract:
A milling machine for milling a roadway surface includes a frame and a milling drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. A primary drum drive assembly is operatively attached to the milling drum and adapted to rotate the milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly that is adapted to drive the milling machine along the roadway surface. A lifting column is attached at its upper end to the frame and at its lower end to the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can be operated to raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway surface. A sensor that is associated with the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting a portion of the weight of the milling machine sufficient to insure that the milling drum is not supporting any part of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the primary drum drive assembly and to the sensor. The controller is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the portion of the weight of the milling machine that is sufficient to insure that the milling drum is not supporting any part of the weight of the milling machine, and upon receipt of such signal, to stop the rotation of the milling drum.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the movement of a material transfer vehicle with respect to the front end of a paving machine that is being supplied by the material transfer vehicle includes a controller that is mounted on the material transfer vehicle and is operatively connected to drive systems for controlling the steering and speed of the material transfer vehicle. A sensor is mounted on the material transfer vehicle and is operatively connected to the controller. The sensor is located and adapted to execute multiple non-contact sensor scan passes across the front end of the paving machine to determine the distance from the sensor to the paving machine. The sensor is also adapted to communicate information to the controller about the distance from the sensor to the paving machine. The apparatus includes no components that are mounted on the paving machine.
Abstract:
A screed assembly for an asphalt paving machine includes a lower screed plate, an upper screed plate and a heating element that is in contact with the lower screed plate. The screed assembly also includes a compression bolt assembly having a primary bolt, a compression bolt and a compression spring. The primary bolt has a through hole, and the compression bolt is adapted to be inserted through the hole of the primary bolt. The compression spring is adapted to be placed over the lower end of the primary bolt, so that the compression bolt assembly may cooperate with the upper screed plate to apply a compression force to the heating element on the lower screed plate.
Abstract:
A material transfer vehicle includes a truck-receiving hopper that is adapted to receive asphalt material from a delivery truck. The truck-receiving hopper includes an expandable front portion having a right expandable sidewall assembly and a left expandable sidewall assembly. The right expandable sidewall assembly has a right outer fixed sidewall panel and a mechanism for moving the right outer fixed sidewall panel between an inner right position and an outer right position. The left expandable sidewall assembly has a left outer fixed sidewall panel and a mechanism for moving the left outer fixed sidewall panel between an inner left position and an outer left position. The truck-receiving hopper also includes a rear portion having a right sidewall panel and a left sidewall panel. The right and left sidewall panels of the rear portion are fixed against movement with respect to each other.
Abstract:
A system for modifying an operational condition, i.e., the discharge speed or position, of a material-handling vehicle (MHV). The system includes a computer utilizing a machine learning engine to analyze visual data, a vision system comprising at least one camera mounted to the MHV for generating said visual data, and a controller operatively connected to the MHV. The vision system generates visual data by imaging an observed area proximate the MHV. That data is transmitted to the computer which, using a processor, analyzes the data to determine if a current operational condition of the MHV is outside of a tolerance band. If it is outside of the band, the computer system generates operational commands to bring the MHV back within the tolerance band and transmits said commands to the controller.
Abstract:
A material transfer vehicle has a frame, a front end including an asphalt paving material receiving device, and rear end including a discharge conveyor which is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An operator's station includes an operator's platform on which is mounted an operator's seat. The operator's platform is moveable between a travel position that is entirely within the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle and an operating position that locates the operator's seat at least partially outside the outer periphery of the material transfer vehicle.