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Paving apparatus with automatic mold positioning control system

  • US 6,109,825 A
  • Filed: 05/26/1999
  • Issued: 08/29/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A self-propelled construction apparatus for continuously slip-forming paving material into a predetermined cross-sectional shape on a ground surface having an external datum, comprising:

  • a frame;

    a plurality of ground engaging members including a steerable ground engaging member and at least one driven ground engaging member;

    a plurality of posts adjustably supporting said frame on said plurality of ground engaging members for propulsion and steering of said frame thereby, each post of said plurality of posts being extendable and retractable to adjust the position of said frame relative to said ground engaging members;

    a slip form mold attached to said frame for depositing and forming paving material onto the ground surface during propulsion of said frame thereover, said slip form mold defining a predetermined reference point and a cross slope transversely relative to the direction of propulsion of said frame, said slip form mold being attached to said frame such that changing the position of said frame also changes the position of said slip form mold;

    a paving material distribution system positioned on said frame to continuously distribute paving material to said slip form mold;

    a plurality of sensors attached to said frame for detecting changes in the position of said frame relative to the external datum and for generating output signals proportional to the detected changes, each said sensor defining a null point corresponding to a predetermined position of said frame relative to the external datum; and

    an automatic control system for receiving input signals from said plurality of sensors and for generating output signals for controlling extension and retraction of said plurality of posts and said steerable ground engaging member to control the position of said slip form mold relative to the external datum, said control system being adapted to maintain a substantially constant relative position between the predetermined reference point on said slip form mold and the external datum while changing the cross slope of said slip form mold during propulsion of said frame by altering the null point of at least one sensor of said plurality of sensors.

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