ASPHALT RELEASE AGENT AUTOMATED SPRAY SYSTEM

• US 20080185455A1
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BG Chemical, LP
• Original Assignee: BG Chemical, LP
• Inventors: Crum, Jason
• Application Number:
  US11/969,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20080185455A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned

Abstract

An automatic vehicle spraying system comprising a spray apparatus positioned on a boom. The spray apparatus is not rigidly fixed to the boom, but instead is able to be raised and lowered from the boom. A vertical sensor and a horizontal sensor detect when a vehicle passes underneath the spray apparatus and transmit an electronic signal to a programmable logic controller. The controller then determines if the vehicle is in the proper position, causes an actuator to lower the spray apparatus from the boom toward the vehicle surface, and causes the spray apparatus to begin spraying a fluid onto the appropriate vehicle surface. In particular, this invention is useful for the application of asphalt release agents to trucks used to transport asphalt.

Claims

1. An automatic vehicle spraying system comprising:

a frame support;

a boom having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the boom is connected to the frame support;

a spray apparatus positioned below the distal end of the boom, wherein said spray apparatus is able to be lowered from said boom;

a hose array attached to said spray apparatus, wherein the hose array extends along the boom and down the frame support;

an actuator attached to the frame support and operationally attached to the hose array, wherein said actuator raises and lowers the spray apparatus from the boom by moving the hose array; and

a vertical sensor positioned at or near the distal end of the boom and a horizontal sensor positioned at or near the frame support, wherein the sensors are able to produce an output signal when a vehicle passes underneath the spray apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vertical and horizontal sensors are able to measure the distance between the sensors and a vehicle surface.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller able to receive the output signals from the vertical and horizontal sensors, wherein the controller causes the actuator to raise and lower the spray apparatus from the boom.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said controller is a microcontroller or a central processing unit of a computer.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said controller is a programmable logic controller able to receive the output signals from the vertical and horizontal sensors.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the programmable logic controller is able to generate a profile of a vehicle detected by the vertical and horizontal sensors.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the programmable logic controller lowers the spray apparatus when the generated vehicle profile is within a range of preset values corresponding to a vehicle or vehicle area to be sprayed.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more fluid reservoirs in fluid communication with the hose array and spray apparatus.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a pump in pumping relation to the one or more fluid reservoirs.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a fluid contained within the one or more fluid reservoirs.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said fluid is an asphalt release agent.

12. A method for applying a fluid to a vehicle comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an automatic vehicle spraying system comprising a frame support;

a boom having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the boom is connected to the frame support;

a spray apparatus positioned below the distal end of the boom;

a hose array attached to the spray apparatus, wherein the hose array extends along the boom and down the frame support;

an actuator attached to the frame support and operationally attached to the hose array;

a vertical sensor positioned at or near the distal end of the boom and a horizontal sensor positioned at or near the frame support, wherein the sensors are able to produce an output signal when a vehicle passes underneath the spray apparatus; and

a controller able to receive the output signals from the vertical and horizontal sensors, wherein the controller causes the actuator to raise and lower the spray apparatus from the boom;

(b) detecting a vehicle in position underneath the spray apparatus;

(c) measuring the distance between the vehicle and the vertical and horizontal sensors;

(d) comparing the measured distances with preset values;

(e) lowering the spray apparatus when said measured distances fall within said preset values; and

(f) activating a pump in pumping relation with a fluid reservoir containing said fluid, wherein said fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the spray apparatus and said fluid is pumped from the fluid reservoir to the spray apparatus.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said pump is stopped when a sensor detects that the vehicle is no longer underneath the spray apparatus.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said pump is stopped after a predetermined time period elapses.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said pump is stopped and the spray apparatus is raised when the vehicle contacts said spraying system.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising generating a profile of a vehicle detected by the vertical and horizontal sensors and comparing the generated profile with a range of preset values.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising lowering the spray apparatus and activating said pump when the generated vehicle profile is within a range of preset values corresponding to a vehicle or vehicle area to be sprayed.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein said pump is stopped when a sensor detects that the vehicle is no longer underneath the spray apparatus.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein said pump is stopped after a predetermined time period elapses.

18. A method for applying an asphalt release agent to a vehicle comprising the steps:

(a) detecting a vehicle in position underneath a spray apparatus attached to a boom, wherein said spray apparatus comprises at least one spray nozzle;

(b) measuring the distance between the vehicle and a vertical and horizontal sensor;

(c) comparing the measured distances with preset values;

(d) lowering the spray apparatus from the boom when said measured distances fall within said preset values;

(e) activating a pump in pumping relation with a fluid reservoir containing asphalt release agent wherein said fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with said at least one spray nozzle, wherein said asphalt release agent is pumped from said fluid reservoir to said at least one spray nozzle; and

(f) stopping said pump and raising the spray apparatus.