Automated pothole sensing and filling apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for repairing road surfaces and the like comprising:
- a carriage;
means for propelling said carriage;
means movable with said carriage for storing filler material;
scanning means arranged on said carriage for scanning a road surface traversed by said carriage;
said scanning means including means for generating scanning signals representative of irregularities along said surface for detecting cavities needing repair;
computer means for receiving, processing and analyzing said scanning signals and for generating control signals responsive thereto;
dispensing means coupled to said storing means for dispensing said filler material;
means responsive to said computer means control signals for controlling the flow of filler material to said dispensing means upon the detecting of a surface irregularity; and
means for moving an outlet of said dispensing means relative to said carriage and in a direction substantially parallel to a road surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automated system for pothole repair including apparatus mounted upon a vehicle for detecting the presence of a pothole and alerting and/or slowing and/or halting the vehicle responsive to such detection. Sensors measure the size of the pothole and/or monitor the filling of the pothole to automatically terminate the filling operation when completed. The sensor outputs are used to determine either level of repair material or volume thereof. The sensors and dispenser (or dispensers) are automatically moved to the desired locations. The filled cavity may be compacted and/or cured. Filler material may be selectively delivered from one or more than one dispensing nozzle.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus for repairing road surfaces and the like comprising:
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a carriage; means for propelling said carriage; means movable with said carriage for storing filler material; scanning means arranged on said carriage for scanning a road surface traversed by said carriage; said scanning means including means for generating scanning signals representative of irregularities along said surface for detecting cavities needing repair; computer means for receiving, processing and analyzing said scanning signals and for generating control signals responsive thereto; dispensing means coupled to said storing means for dispensing said filler material; means responsive to said computer means control signals for controlling the flow of filler material to said dispensing means upon the detecting of a surface irregularity; and means for moving an outlet of said dispensing means relative to said carriage and in a direction substantially parallel to a road surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25)
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22. Apparatus for repairing road surfaces and the like comprising:
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a carriage; means for propelling said carriage; means movable with said carriage for storing filler material; scanning means arranged on said carriage for scanning a road surface traversed by said carriage; said scanning means including means for generating scanning signals representative of irregularities along said surface for detecting cavities needing repair; computer means for receiving, processing and analyzing said scanning signals and for generating control signals responsive thereto; dispensing means coupled to said storing means for dispensing said filler material; means responsive to said computer means control signals for controlling the flow of filler material to said dispensing means upon the detection of a surface irregularity;
means for moving an outlet of said dispensing means relative to said carriage and in a direction substantially parallel to a road surface;said dispensing means and scanning means being arranged upon a common movably mounted support; and means for moving said movable support. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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26. Apparatus for repairing road surfaces and the like comprising:
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a carriage; means for propelling said carriage; means movable with said carriage for storing filler material; scanning means arranged on said carriage for scanning a road surface traversed by said carriage; said scanning means including means for generating scanning signals representative of irregularities along said surface for detecting cavities needing repair; computer means for receiving, processing and analyzing said scanning signals and for generating control signals responsive thereto; dispensing means coupled to said storing means for dispensing said filler material; means responsive to said computer means control signals for controlling the flow of filler material to said dispensing means upon the detection of a surface irregularity; said dispensing means including a plurality of dispensing outlets arranged at spaced intervals along a line transverse to a direction of travel of the carriage; and means for selecting at least one of the dispenser outlets for dispensing filler material.
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Specification