Method and apparatus for spreading aggregate and road building materials related to vehicle speed

• US 20060002762A1
• Filed: 07/05/2002
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Crampton
• Original Assignee: John Crampton
• Inventors: Crampton, John
• Application Number:
  US10/483,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20060002762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/110
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/15 for laying-down uncoated stone or similar materials, or for striking-off or spreading same without compacting, e.g. for crushed rock base courses, sand cushions for paving E01C19/466 , E01C19/52 take precedence; distributing E01C19/20; laying down and rolling E01C19/482
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/2005 without driven loosening, discharging or spreading E01C19/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2019/2095 by tipping
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/40 Working platform or walkway

Abstract

A spreader assembly for the controlled delivery to a surface of granular materials such as aggregates from a hopper in communication with a source of the materials external to said assembly; wherein the assembly comprises; an opening to said hopper which receives said materials from said materials source, a discharge opening from the hopper, a gate or gates adjacent said discharge opening; control means for adjusting the rate and or quantity (weight or volume) of said materials delivered from said hopper; wherein the control means includes means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into an output parameter for performing at least one mechanical activity in the assembly; wherein the rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon the at least one input parameter and said mechanical activity.

Claims

1. A spreader assembly for the controlled delivery to a surface of granular materials such as aggregates from a hopper in communication with a source of said materials external to said assembly, wherein the assembly comprises;

an opening to said hopper which receives said materials from said materials source,

a discharge opening from said hopper,

a gate adjacent said discharge opening;

control means for adjusting the rate and or quantity (weight or volume) of said materials delivered from said hopper;

wherein said control means includes means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into an output parameter for performing at least one mechanical activity in the assembly, wherein the rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon said at least one input parameter and said mechanical activity.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is attached to a vehicle and one said at least one input parameter is vehicle speed.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said mechanical activity is opening and closing said gate to adjust the rate and/or quantity of discharge said materials.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the vehicle includes a pick up sensor which senses road speed in pulses per revolution.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the vehicle includes a tilt sensor which detects body tilt angle.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the control means is a PLC and includes a first program which allows setting of truck parameters.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the PLC includes a vehicle safety check program which allows an operator to check to determine if operation is available.

8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein the PLC includes a third program which allows for gate calibration to establish if a spread rate of material delivered is commensurate with a prescribed spread rate.

9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the PLC includes a fourth program which allows loading of vehicle operation parameters.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein material discharge rates are determined with reference to tyre circumference, differential ratio, road speed translating into pulses/revolution.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the there are a plurality of separate gates including limit switches which provide open and closed position limits.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 wherein vehicle operation program is loaded with parameters which correspond to material aggregate size.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein a spread rate weight is selected and converted to a raw proportional gate position.

14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein the raw proportional gate position is compensated for by the tilt feedback value.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the proportional gate tilt compensated position is a ratio of the raw proportional gate position and the truck tilt angle.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein a road speed compensated value is calculated by a ratio of the proportional gate tilt compensated position and a calculated road speed.

17. An assembly according to claim 16 wherein an operator console screen of the PLC displays operating parameters, vehicle operating status, selected aggregate recipe and weight, recipe details and error or fault messages.

18. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein a timed pulse open signal opens solenoid valves for each material gate.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein said gates are each activated by individual selector open and close switches which actuate solenoids connected to air actuated pneumatic rams for each gate.

20. An assembly according to claim 19 wherein operating parameters of said assembly may include, discharge rate of said material from said hoper in m³/unit area, speed of said apparatus, dimensions of said hopper opening, spread rate in kg/m².

21. An assembly according to claim 20 wherein the spread rate may be adjusted by 0.5 kg per m²

at any time during operation from minimum to maximum settings.

22. A vehicle including a spreader assembly for the controlled delivery of granular materials such as aggregates from the vehicle to a hopper in said assembly;

wherein the assembly comprises;

an opening to said hopper which receives said materials from said vehicle;

a discharge opening from said hopper,

a gate adjacent said discharge opening capable of regulating the discharge of the granular material;

control means for adjusting the rate and/or quantity (weight or volume) of said materials delivered from said hopper;

wherein said control means includes a computer having means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into an output parameter for performing at least one mechanical activity in the assembly which controls the delivery rate and/or quantity of said granular material;

wherein the rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon said at least one input parameter.

23. A vehicle including a spreader assembly according to claim 22 wherein the assembly is detachably fixed to the vehicle.

25. A spreader assembly according to claim 22 wherein the assembly is attached to a vehicle and the sensor detects speed of said vehicle.

24. A spreader assembly for the controlled delivery to a surface of granular materials such as aggregates from a hopper in communication with a source of said materials external to said assembly;

wherein the assembly comprises;

an opening to said hopper which receives said materials from said materials source,

a discharge opening from said hopper,

a gate adjacent said discharge opening;

control means for adjusting the rate and or quantity (weight or volume) of said materials delivered from said hopper;

wherein said control means is responsive to a sensor which delivers at least one input parameter to said computer and means to convert said at least one input parameter into an output for adjusting the size of the discharge opening;

wherein, the rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon said at least one input parameter and the adjustment of said discharge opening.

33. A spreader assembly according to claim 24 wherein the control means is a programmable logic computer.

26. A control system for use in the controlled delivery of granular materials such as aggregates from a vehicle mounted spreader assembly including a hopper for holding and discharging said materials from said hopper;

wherein the control system comprises;

a programmable logic computer (PLC) for adjusting the delivery rate and/or quantity of said materials delivered from said hopper;

a sensor for detecting the speed of a vehicle to which the assembly is attached;

said control system further comprising a computer input having means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into at least one mechanical activity performed by said apparatus and which regulates the discharge of said materials delivered from the vehicle responsive to said input, wherein said rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon said at least one input parameter.

27. An assembly for the controlled delivery of granular materials such as aggregates from a hopper for receiving and holding said materials to a surface exterior of said apparatus;

wherein the apparatus comprises;

a control assembly for adjusting the rate and or quantity of said materials delivered from said apparatus;

wherein said control assembly includes;

a sensor which senses forward motion of said assembly,

a computer in communication with said sensor and having means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into a mechanical activity performed by said apparatus, which controls the flow of materials delivered by said apparatus;

mechanical rams operably connected to said computer and to at least one gate associated with said hopper, wherein, said at least one gates selectively open and close to control the rate and/or quantity at which said material is delivered responsive to said at least one input to said computer.

28. A method for controlled delivery of a granular material from a vehicle mounted spreader assembly to a pavement surface, wherein the assembly comprises

a hopper which receives said materials from said materials source,

a discharge opening from said hopper,

a gate adjacent said discharge opening;

control means for adjusting the rate and or quantity (weight or volume) of said materials delivered from said hopper, wherein said control means includes a computer having means to receive at least one input parameter and means to convert said at least one input parameter into an output parameter for performing at least one mechanical activity in the assembly;

wherein the method comprises the steps of;

rate or quantity at which said material is delivered is dependent upon said at least one input parameter and said mechanical activity;

wherein the method comprises the steps of;

a) inputting vehicle parameters into said computer;

b) calibrating operation of said spreader assembly;

c) selecting an aggregate size for delivery by said hopper;

d) selecting spread rate weight and allowing conversion to a raw proportional gate position;

e) adjusting values by compensating for tilt and/or road speed,

f) obtaining a repeatable set value for spread rate of aggregate.

29. A method according to claim 28 including the steps of setting operating parameters including, discharge rate of said material from said hoper in m³/unit area, speed of said vehicle, dimensions of said hopper opening, spread rate of material in kg/m².

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein, the spread rate may be adjusted 0.5 kg per m² at any time from minimum to maximum settings.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein least one gate on said hopper is adjusted responsive to said at least one input parameter so that said predetermined amount of material is discharged from said assembly.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein one or more gates are adjusted to adjust an opening in a hopper thereby adjusting the discharge rate of the aggregate from said assembly.