METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING POTHOLES AND THE LIKE
First Claim
1. A method for collecting for reuse an emulsion for patching potholes and the like, comprising:
- a) providing a cleaning agent compatible for admixing with the emulsion in a flush tank for subsequent patching use;
b) pressurizing the cleaning agent in the flush tank;
c) providing the emulsion in a storage tank;
d) pressurizing the emulsion in the storage tank;
e) providing a feed line;
f) providing first and second multi-position valves along the feed line and between the storage tank and the dispensing device for selectively controlling a flow of emulsion and cleaning agent;
g) closing an output of the flush tank and feeding emulsion from the storage tank through the first valve and the feed line by operating the first valve to a first position and operating the second valve to a first position for coupling the feed line through the second valve to the dispensing device;
h) disconnecting the storage tank from the feed line and connecting the flush tank through the first valve to the feed line to feed cleaning agent through the first valve and the feed line by moving the first valve to a second position;
i) feeding cleaning agent through the second valve and a return line to a recovery tank by moving the second valve to a second position, whereby the pressurized cleaning agent removes emulsion from the first and second valves, the feed line and the return line whereby the admixed cleaning agent and removed emulsion is collected in the recovery tank; and
j) coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by de-pressurizing the flush tank and coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by opening a closed third valve to transfer the contents of the recovery tank to the flush tank for a subsequent cleaning operation,whereby the admixed emulsion and compatible cleaning is accumulated in the flush tank for subsequent use to repair potholes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle mounted patching system for patching potholes and the like and incorporating method and apparatus for removing and flushing asphalt emulsion from the feed lines of the patcher which completely recycles the cleaning agent used to flush the feed lines, as well as eliminating any external discharge of potentially toxic materials. A cleaning agent is used to flush the feed lines. The emulsion is collected in a recovery tank and combined with fresh emulsion delivered from a storage tank when the collected emulsion reaches a given concentration. Electrical controls for operating both motors from a single power source employ arrays of cam-operated switches and a diode array polarized to prevent feedback of power from the power source to assure precision positioning of the multi-position valves to perform a given operation.
23 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for collecting for reuse an emulsion for patching potholes and the like, comprising:
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a) providing a cleaning agent compatible for admixing with the emulsion in a flush tank for subsequent patching use; b) pressurizing the cleaning agent in the flush tank; c) providing the emulsion in a storage tank; d) pressurizing the emulsion in the storage tank; e) providing a feed line; f) providing first and second multi-position valves along the feed line and between the storage tank and the dispensing device for selectively controlling a flow of emulsion and cleaning agent; g) closing an output of the flush tank and feeding emulsion from the storage tank through the first valve and the feed line by operating the first valve to a first position and operating the second valve to a first position for coupling the feed line through the second valve to the dispensing device; h) disconnecting the storage tank from the feed line and connecting the flush tank through the first valve to the feed line to feed cleaning agent through the first valve and the feed line by moving the first valve to a second position; i) feeding cleaning agent through the second valve and a return line to a recovery tank by moving the second valve to a second position, whereby the pressurized cleaning agent removes emulsion from the first and second valves, the feed line and the return line whereby the admixed cleaning agent and removed emulsion is collected in the recovery tank; and j) coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by de-pressurizing the flush tank and coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by opening a closed third valve to transfer the contents of the recovery tank to the flush tank for a subsequent cleaning operation, whereby the admixed emulsion and compatible cleaning is accumulated in the flush tank for subsequent use to repair potholes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for dispensing a flowable material suitable for use in repairing potholes, comprising:
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a storage tank containing the flowable material; a dispensing head and feed lines for delivering flowable material from the storage tank to a pair of inputs provided on the dispensing head; first and second multi-position valves having valve positions configured for selectively coupling the feed lines to;
a source of air under pressure, the inputs of the dispensing head, a flush tank and a recovery tank to perform different operations for repairing potholes, the method further by comprising;operating an electric switch to one of a given plurality of pairs of electrical circuits to simultaneously couple a power source in common to first and second electric motors, each configured to drive an associated one of the first and second multi-position valves to a given position associated with the selected circuit path; the common power source being selectively electrically coupled to one of the first and second electric motors through a cam-operated switch; and each cam having a cam surface shaped for opening its cam-operated switch when its associated multi-position valve is driven to the valve position determined by the electric circuit selectively coupled to the common power source; and each cam-operated switch being coupled to its associated electric motor through a diode polarized to prevent power delivered to each of the first and second electric motors from being coupled to the other one of the first and second electric motors. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 17)
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14. Apparatus for simultaneously driving a first and second multi-position valves to a given one of the multiple valve positions, comprising:
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first and second electric motors each having an output for driving respectively driving the first and second valves to a selected valve position; a multi-position switch for selectively coupling a common power source to one of a plurality of pairs of circuits, each one of the pairs of circuits having a cam-operated switch and a diode, selectively coupling the power source to an associated one of the first and second electric motors; first and second rotatable shafts respectively driven by said first and second electric motors and each having a plurality of cams, the cams on said first shaft operating the cam-operated switches associated with the first motor and the cams on said second shaft operating the cam-operated switches associated with the second motor, said cams being configured to control opening of the associated normally-closed cam-operated switch when the desired valve rotary input is rotated to a valve position determined by the circuit path coupled to the common power source by the multi-position switch. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification