Method and apparatus using bituminous sandstone for pavement repair

• US 4,964,752 A
• Filed: 08/21/1989
• Issued: 10/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Myrle E. Astrope, Norman P. Bushman
• Original Assignee: Myrle E. Astrope, Norman P. Bushman
• Inventors: Astrope, Myrle E., Bushman, Norman P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P.
• Application Number:
  US07/396,430
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 404/92, 404/108, 404/111, 427/138, 427/139
• US Class Current: 404/92
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/22 to internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 11/005 Methods or materials for repairing pavings E01C7/35 takes precedence; for concrete coverings E01C7/147; for bituminous coverings E01C7/187; devices for repair works E01C23/06; repairing bridge floorings E01D22/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/08 Apparatus for transporting and heating or melting asphalt, bitumen, tar, or the like stationarily-arranged melting boilers for tar, asphalt, or the like, in general C10C3/12
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/45 Portable apparatus for preparing, or for preparing and applying to the road, compound liquid binders, e.g. emulsified bitumen, fluxed asphalt applying only E01C19/16
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/06 Devices or arrangements for working the finished surface working freshly laid paving E01C19/42 - E01C19/44, E01C23/02; mining picks E21C35/18; Devices for repairing or reconditioning the surface of damaged paving; Recycling in place or on the road
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0973 with liquid or semi-liquid materials, e.g. crack sealants

Abstract

A method, apparatus and material for filling or surfacing fissures, openings and cavities in a pavement surface. The method comprises the steps of preparing a volume of water, heated to a temperature of 110-210 degrees F, and mixing a given quantity of bituminous sandstone therein in a ratio of 20 to 56% water by weight. This mixture is continuously agitated to develop a slurry which is capable of being pumped through a conduit to the repair location or site. Apparatus is disclosed for preparing the subject slurry and for enabling a continuous repair operation within a self-contained system.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preparing and applying a slurry of bitumen sandstone and water to a surface opening in paving material, comprising:

a mobile base having a top support surface;

a first enclosed chamber attached at the top surface for containing water;

a first chamber inlet;

a first chamber outlet including a valved fluid control means for controlling released fluid from the first chamber, said outlet being coupled to the first chamber for releasing heated water contained therein;

fluid heating means within the first chamber for heating water contents to a temperature greater than 150 Fahrenheit;

a second enclosed chamber attached to the top support surface for receiving bitumen sandstone and water to be mixed into a slurry composition;

fluid flow means coupled between and interconnecting the first and second chambers for transporting water from the first chamber outlet to the second chamber;

a second chamber opening for introducing the bitumen sandstone therein;

mixing means positioned within the second chamber for continuously agitating and liquefying the water-sandstone mixture into a slurry within the second chamber in a controlled manner.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second chambers are separate compartments within a single tank, separated by an intermediate wall therebetween.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the tank comprises a cylindrical body having an end wall forming an enclosing side of the second chamber and wherein the agitating means comprises a plurality of rotating blades mounted with respect to a rotating shaft, said shaft being disposed centrally within the second chamber.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the tank is formed as a cylindrical body, said first and second chambers being coaxially positioned in side-by-side relationship with a single, intermediate wall disposed therebetween.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first chamber is formed as an annular body with a central opening disposed along the cylindrical axis, said rotating shaft extending through said central opening and being journalled at one end to the end wall of the second chamber, the remaining end of the shaft being journalled in the opposing end of the tank which forms the end wall of the first chamber.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising an overflow release positioned within the first chamber and having an exterior opening operable to permit outflow of excess water or pressure from the chamber interior.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second chambers are connected by a valved conduit which permits controlled delivery of water to the second chamber, said conduit being further coupled to the transport means by a second valve coupling which permits flow of water directly into the transport means for purposes of cleaning residue slurry from therein after use.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for heating the water contents and second chamber comprises a firebox positioned below the tank below the first and second chambers, said firebox including (i) a combustion heat source, (ii) a firebox cavity with heat sink material, (iii) means for conducting heated air from the combustion source to the cavity and (iv) a flue passage for exhausting the heated air.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the flue passage includes a terminal section which passes through a portion of the first chamber to thereby provide for additional heat to water contained therein.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second chamber includes a large opening and hopper compartment which includes a mesh screen barrier within the hopper for sizing the sandstone to small pieces and preventing foreign matter from falling within the second chamber.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising pumping means for transporting the water and slurry within the apparatus, said pumping means being driven by a single hydraulic fluid drive system coupled to each pumping means, said pumping system including means for selectively activating the pumping means for transport or slurry transport.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the hydraulic drive system further powers movement cf the agitator means and includes variable drive means for adjusting to varying rates of agitation.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising cleanout ports at a base portion of the respective chambers for enabling removal of residual debris therefrom.