Asphalt-removing work machine having a plurality of blade members

• US 20060045622A1
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Renard, Jeffrey A., Potts, Dean Rogers, Tilstra, Andrew Harold
• Granted Patent: US 7,419,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 404/94
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/085 using power-driven tools, e.g. vibratory tools
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/121 with non-powered tools, e.g. rippers rollers with ripping attachments E01C19/264, E01C19/27, E01C19/285; roughening or patterning using non powered tools E01C23/082
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/127 rotary, e.g. rotary hammers

Abstract

A work machine for removing asphalt from a roadway is disclosed. The work machine includes a plurality of blade members to remove asphalt from the roadway. The plurality of blade members are interconnected by way of hinges.

Claims

1. A work machine, comprising a plurality of blade members configured to remove asphalt from a roadway, the plurality of blade members being interconnected by way of hinges.

2. The work machine of claim 1, further including a heating device configured to heat at least one of the plurality of blade members.

3. The work machine of claim 1, further including a vibration-inducing device configured to vibrate the plurality of blade members.

4. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blade members are movable to accommodate the crown of a roadway surface.

5. The work machine of claim 1, further including a quick-locking mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality of blade members, the quick-locking mechanism configured to secure the at least one of the plurality of blade members to the work machine and to facilitate replacement of the at least one of the plurality of blade members.

6. The work machine of claim 1, further including a scoring device located on each side of the plurality of blade members to score the asphalt prior to removal of the asphalt.

7. The work machine of claim 1, further including a plurality of wheels located forward of the plurality of blade members relative to a travel direction of the work machine and operatively connected to the plurality of blade members, the plurality of wheels providing depth control for the plurality of blade members.

8. The work machine of claim 7, further including at least one sensor associated with the plurality of wheels, the at least one sensor providing an indication of a property of the roadway.

9. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the property includes compaction.

10. The work machine of claim 8, further including a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to affect an operation of the work machine in response to the indication.

11. The work machine of claim 7, further including at least one motor associated with the plurality of wheels, the at least one motor configured to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels and draw the asphalt toward the plurality of blade members.

12. A method of removing asphalt from a roadway surface, the method comprising separating a layer of asphalt from the roadway surface with a plurality of blade members interconnected by way of hinges.

13. The method of claim 12, further including vibrating at least one of the plurality of blade members to loosen the layer of asphalt.

14. The method of claim 12, further including heating at least one of the plurality of blade members to soften the layer of asphalt.

15. The method of claim 12, further including:

guiding the separated layer of asphalt from the plurality of blade members to a grinding device; and

folding the outer edges of the separated layer of asphalt over itself before the separated layer of asphalt reaches the grinding device.

16. The method of claim 12, further including scoring the asphalt to either side of the plurality of blade members.

17. The method of claim 12, further including sensing a property of the asphalt before separating the layer of asphalt.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the property is compaction.

19. The method of claim 17, further including affecting at least one operation of the work machine in response to the sensed property.

20. The method of claim 12, further including urging the asphalt toward the plurality of blade members.

21. A work machine, comprising:

a plurality of blade members configured to remove asphalt from a roadway, the plurality of blade members being interconnected by way of hinges;

at least one of a heating device configured to heat at least one of the plurality of blade members and a vibration-inducing device configured to vibrate the plurality of blade members;

a quick-locking mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality of blade members, the quick-locking mechanism configured to secure the at least one of the plurality of blade members to the work machine and to facilitate replacement of the at least one of the plurality of blade members; and

a scoring device located on each side of the plurality of blade members to score the asphalt prior to removal of the asphalt

22. The work machine of claim 21, wherein the plurality of blade members are movable to accommodate the crown of a roadway surface.

23. The work machine of claim 21, further including:

a plurality of wheels located forward of the plurality of blade members relative to a travel direction of the work machine and operatively connected to the plurality of blade members, the plurality of wheels providing depth control for the plurality of blade members;

at least one sensor associated with the plurality of wheels, the at least one sensor providing an indication of a property of the roadway; and

a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to affect an operation of the work machine in response to the indication.

24. The work machine of claim 23, further including at least one motor associated with the plurality of wheels, the at least one motor configured to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels and draw the asphalt toward the plurality of blade members.