Position referencing, measuring and paving method and apparatus for a profiler and paver

• US 5,549,412 A
• Filed: 05/24/1995
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation (Doosan Enerbility Company Limited)
• Inventors: Malone, Kerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): LISEHORA, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US08/449,075
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 404/84.05, 404/84.1, 404/84.2, 404/84.5, 404/118
• US Class Current: 404/84.1
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/004 Devices for guiding or controlling the machines along a predetermined path for graders or bulldozers E02F3/841; for other soil-shifting machines E02F9/2045

Abstract

A profiler is used to collect data on a base surface. An asphalt paver is provided with a like profiler that measures smoothness of a fresh mat of asphalt laid by the paver. The profilers measure surface elevation as a function of forward travel position. The profiler and paver position are determined by a fixed referencing system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). Surface elevation is plotted against position of the profiler and used to control a screed levelling a mat of paving material. A subsequent plot shows smoothness of the mat.

Claims

1. A road working apparatus for use with a transmitter fixed relative to the surface of the earth, said road working apparatus comprising:

a movable vehicle;

a leveller disposed on the vehicle, said leveller forming a mat of material on a base surface and said mat of material having an upper surface;

a first receiver on said vehicle receiving a positioning signal from said transmitter and generating position information expressing the position of the leveller with respect to the earth;

a leveller controller for controlling the leveller; and

means for providing base surface profile information to said leveller controller, wherein said leveller controller controls said leveller based upon said base profile information and said position information.

2. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the formed mat is substantially level.

3. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the position is determined as a distance travelled by the leveller.

4. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first receiver and positioning signal are adapted for determining the position in at least two dimensions.

5. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first receiver and positioning signal are adapted for determining the position as terrestrial coordinates.

6. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the leveller controller controls leveller height.

7. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a profiler adapted for travel with the vehicle, said profiler comprising:

a reference member movable with the vehicle;

a support for locating the reference member above one of said base surface and said upper surface; and

a measurer for measuring a distance from a point on the reference member to said one of said base surface and said upper surface.

8. A road working apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a plotter for determining a smoothness profile of said one of said base surface and said upper surface by plotting a distance measured between the reference member and said one of said base surface and said upper surface as a function of reference member position.

9. A road working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the measurer is connected for inputting distances measured to the leveller controller.

10. A road working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the leveller controller is adapted for determining the position of the measurer based on position information from the first receiver.

11. A road working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the profiler is pushed ahead of the vehicle and said one of said base surface and said upper surface is said base surface.

12. A road working apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the profiler is towed behind the vehicle and said one of said base surface and said upper surface is said upper surface.

13. A road working apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the reference member comprises an elongated reference beam and the support comprises a ground engaging member for supporting the reference beam above said upper surface.

14. A road working apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the support comprises a plurality of wheels independently supporting the beam.

15. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an auger adapted for distributing material ahead of the leveller.

16. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the leveller is a floating screed.

17. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the material is paving material.

18. A road working apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first receiver is mounted for movement with the leveller and the position information includes elevation of the leveller.

19. A road working apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising an auger adapted for distributing material ahead of the leveller.

20. A road working apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the leveller is a floating screed.

21. A road working apparatus according to claims 18 wherein the material is paving material.

22. A road working apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a profiler adapted for travelling ahead of the leveller, said profiler comprising a second receiver adapted for receiving a positioning signal from a fixed transmitter from which the position of the second receiver can be determined;

and a ground engaging support for locating the second receiver relative to said base surface.

23. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said first and second receivers are adapted for determining the positions in at least two dimensions.

24. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the position of the second receiver includes elevation of said base surface.

25. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising an auger adapted for distributing material ahead of the leveller.

26. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the leveller is a floating screed.

27. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the material is paving material.

28. A road working apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a second profiler for travelling behind the leveller, said second profiler comprising a third receiver adapted for receiving a positioning signal from a fixed transmitter from which the position of the third receiver can be determined;

and a second ground engaging support for locating the third receiver relative to said upper surface.

29. A road working apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said first, second, and third receivers are adapted for determining the positions in at least two dimensions.

30. A road working apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the position of the third receiver includes elevation of said upper surface.

31. A road working apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a profiler adapted for travelling ahead of the leveller, said profiler comprising a second receiver adapted for receiving a positioning signal from a permanent transmitter from which the position of the second receiver can be determined;

and a ground engaging support for locating the second receiver relative to said base surface.

32. A road working apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said first and second receivers are adapted for determining the positions in at least two dimensions.

33. A road working apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the position of the second receiver includes elevation of said base surface.