Apparatus and method for integrated pavement marking

• US 6,213,680 B1
• Filed: 04/30/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interstate Highway Construction
• Original Assignee: Interstate Highway Construction
• Inventors: Edwards, John L., Schaeffer, James Kenyon, Svaldi, Paul, Randall, Roger D., Huffman, Brian D., Crosby, Jack L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis, Eileen D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US09/302,831
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 404/92, 404/93, 404/94, 404/95, 404/96, 404/107, 404/108, 404/114, 366/10, 366/17, 366/22, 366/23, 366/33
• US Class Current: 404/92
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 9/04 the plant being mobile, e.g. mounted on a carriage or a set of carriagesB28C5/42, B28C9/004, B28C9/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/47 Hydraulic cement concrete mixers combined with distributing means specially adapted for road building E01C19/025 takes precedence ; concrete mixers per se B28C
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0993 for forming or installing surface markings or signals in the paving, e.g. grooving for striping or for producing rumble strips, forming marker-receiving recesses E01C23/0946 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/166 Means for dispensing particulate material on to freshly applied markings or into the marking material after discharge thereof, e.g. reflective beads, grip-improving particles
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/24 by pouring

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for filling a groove in a pavement with a groove filling grout. The present invention is used for forming pavement markings, such as lane striping.

Claims

1. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout hopper for storing, grout;

(b) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(c) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove;

(d) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove;

(e) a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent on the grout surface in the pavement groove; and

(f) a warning device operatively connected to said visibility-enhancing agent applying device for alerting the operator when the visibility-enhancing agent is not being properly applied or dispensed by the visibility-enhancing agent applying device.

2. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout hopper for storing grout;

(b) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material Rate is in the open position;

(c) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove;

(d) an extrusion pan for leveling the trout in the pavement groove;

(e) a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent on the grout surface in the pavement groove; and

(f) a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embedded visibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface and for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.

3. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout hopper for storing grout;

a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(c) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove;

(d) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove; and

(e) a rollable support system;

wherein said rollable support system comprises a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averaging system.

4. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout hopper for storing grout;

(b) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(c) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove;

(d) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove; and

(e) a groove clearing air spray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles.

5. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a mist spray device for spraying water mist into the pavement groove.

6. A grout dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout hopper for storing grout;

(b) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(c) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove; and

(d) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove;

further comprising a grout preparation apparatus operatively connected to said grout dispensing apparatus, wherein said grout preparation apparatus comprises;

(a) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(b) a product dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(c) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with water to produce the grout;

(d) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout; and

(e) a surge hopper grout agitator for agitating the grout in said surge hopper.

7. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a grout temperature sensor for determining the temperatures of the grout in said surge hopper.

8. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a dry product temperature sensor for determining the temperatures of the dry particulate material, and a product heater operatively connected to said product temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.

9. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said grout preparation apparatus further comprises a water storage device operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing water, and wherein said grout mixer comprises a water inlet operatively connected to said water storage device for supplying water to said grout mixer.

10. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 9, where in s aid grout preparation apparatus further comprises a water temperature sensor for determining the temperature of water in said water storage device, and a water heater operatively connected to said water temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heating water.

11. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said grout mixer further comprises an additive inlet for adding an additive to said grout mixer, and wherein the addition of the additive is operatively connected to said grout temperature sensor.

12. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said product hopper further comprises a product hopper vibrator for vibrating said product hopper and an air pad for injecting air into said product hopper.

13. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a surge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected to said grout mixer and said product dispensing device for controlling the production of grout.

14. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said grout preparation apparatus further comprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing the grout from said surge hopper to said grout hopper.

15. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 14, where in said grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said grout dispensing device for controlling said grout dispensing device.

16. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a self-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion, wherein said self-propulsion device is operatively connected to said grout preparation apparatus and said grout dispensing apparatus.

17. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein said self-propulsion device further comprises:

(a) a control panel for controlling operations of said self-propulsion device, said grout preparation apparatus and said grout dispensing apparatus, and

(b) a swing arm,

wherein said control panel is operatively connected to said swing arm, and wherein said swing arm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

18. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 17, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus is removably attached to said self-propulsion device, and wherein said grout dispensing apparatus can be attached on the right or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

19. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensing apparatus off of a pavement surface.

20. The grout dispensing apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a guiding device for guiding said grout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove filling position.

21. A grout preparation apparatus comprising:

(a) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(b) a product dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(c) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with a liquid to produce the grout; and

(d) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout;

wherein said product hopper comprises a product-hopper air pad in the interior of said product hopper for providing air flow into said product hopper to reduce the amount of agglomerate formation of the dry particulate material.

22. A grout preparation apparatus comprising:

(a) product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(b) a product dispensing, device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(c) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with a liquid to produce the grout;

(d) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout; and

(e) a grout temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the grout in said surge hopper.

23. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a product temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the dry particulate material.

24. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a product heater operatively connected to said product temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.

25. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a liquid storage device operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing liquid and wherein said grout mixer further comprises a liquid inlet operatively connected to said liquid storage device for supplying liquid to said grout mixer.

26. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a liquid temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the liquid in said liquid storage device.

27. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a liquid heater operatively connected to said liquid temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor for heating the liquid.

28. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an additive inlet for adding an additive to said grout mixer, wherein the addition of the additive is operatively connected to said grout temperature sensor.

29. A grout preparation apparatus comprising:

(a) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(b) a product dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(c) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with a liquid to produce the grout; and

(d) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout;

wherein said surge hopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected to said grout mixer and said product dispensing device for controlling the production of grout and wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

30. A grout preparation apparatus comprising:

(a) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(b) a product dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(c) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product-dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with a liquid to produce the grout;

(d) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout; and

(e) a self-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion operatively connected to said grout preparation apparatus.

31. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 30, wherein said self-propulsion device further comprises:

(a) a control panel for controlling operations of said self-propulsion device and said grout preparation apparatus, and

(b) a swing arm,

wherein said control panel is operatively connected to said swing arm, and wherein said swing arm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

32. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a grout dispensing apparatus operatively connected to said control panel and said group preparation apparatus, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus comprises:

(a) a grout hopper for storing grout;

(b) a grout hopper grout agitator for agitating the grout in said grout hopper;

(c) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(d) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove; and

(e) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove.

33. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a grout hopper vibrator for vibrating said grout hopper.

34. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in the pavement groove and a smoothing-plate vibrator operatively connected to said smoothing plate for vibrating said smoothing plate.

35. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a rollable support system, wherein said rollable support system comprises a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averaging system.

36. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensing apparatus off of a pavement surface and a guiding device for guiding said grout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove filling position.

37. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove; and

a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embedded visibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavement groove and for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.

38. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a curing-agent applying device for applying a curing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.

39. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus is removably attached to said self-propulsion device, and wherein said grout dispensing apparatus can be attached on the right or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

40. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, wherein said grout preparation apparatus further comprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing the grout from said surge hopper to said grout hopper.

41. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 40, wherein said grout dispensing device is operatively connected to a grout spray device for spraying the grout onto a pavement surface.

42. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 40, wherein said grout dispensing device is a peristaltic pump.

43. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 40, wherein said grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said grout dispensing device for controlling said grout dispensing device.

44. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a groove clearing air-spray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles.

45. The grout preparation apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a mist-spray device for spraying water mist into the pavement groove.

46. A pavement groove filling apparatus comprising:

(a) a grout preparation apparatus, wherein said grout preparation apparatus comprises;

(i) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material,

(ii) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product hopper for mixing at least a portion of the dry particulate material with water to produce the grout,

(iii) a product dispensing device for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper to said grout mixer, and

(iv) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout; and

(b) a grout dispensing apparatus operatively connected to said grout preparation apparatus, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus comprises;

(i) a grout hopper for storing the grout,

(ii) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position,

(iii) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove, and

(iv) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove.

47. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a self-propulsion device having an engine for self-propulsion and a swing arm, wherein said swing arm comprises a control panel for controlling operations of said self-propulsion device, said grout preparation apparatus and said grout dispensing apparatus, and wherein said swing arm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

48. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 47, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus is removably attached to said self-propulsion device, and wherein said grout dispensing apparatus can be attached on the right side or the left side of said self-propulsion device.

49. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a grout temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the grout in said surge hopper.

50. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a product temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the dry particulate material and a product heater operatively connected to said product temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.

51. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 49, further comprising a water storage device operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing water and a water inlet operatively connected to said water storage device and said grout mixer for supplying water to said grout mixer.

52. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 51, further comprising a water temperature sensor for determining the temperature of water in said water storage device and a water heater operatively connected to said water temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heating water.

53. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 49, wherein said grout mixer further comprises an additive inlet for adding the additive to said grout mixer, wherein said additive inlet is operatively connected to said grout temperature sensor.

54. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, wherein said surge hopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said grout mixer for controlling the production of grout.

55. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, wherein said grout preparation apparatus further comprises a grout dispensing device for dispensing the grout from said surge hopper to said grout hopper.

56. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 55, wherein said grout dispensing device is a peristaltic pump.

57. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 55, wherein said grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper grout level sensor operatively connected to said grout dispensing device for controlling said grout dispensing device.

58. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in the pavement groove, and wherein said smoothing plate is operatively connected to a smoothing-plate vibrator which vibrates said smoothing plate.

59. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, wherein said grout dispensing apparatus further comprises a rollable support system, wherein said rollable support system comprises a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averaging system.

60. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting said grout dispensing apparatus off of a pavement surface and a guiding device for guiding said grout dispensing apparatus into a proper pavement groove filling position.

61. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.

62. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 61, further comprising a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embedded visibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavement groove and for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.

63. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a curing-agent applying device for applying a curing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.

64. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a groove clearing air spray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles.

65. The pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a mist spray device for spraying water mist onto the pavement groove.

66. A self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus comprising:

(a) an engine for self-propulsion;

(b) a groove clearing air spray device for clearing the pavement groove of particles;

(c) a mist spray device for spraying water mist onto the pavement groove;

(d) a product hopper for storing a dry particulate material;

(e) a product dispensing device comprising a dry product feed auger and a metering auger for dispensing at least a portion of the dry particulate material from said product hopper;

(f) a water storage device;

(g) an additive storage device;

(h) a grout mixer operatively connected to said product dispensing device for mixing the dry particulate material with water to produce the grout;

(i) a water inlet operatively connected to said water storage device for adding water to said grout mixer;

(j) an additive inlet operatively connected to said additive storage device for adding an additive to said grout mixer;

(k) a surge hopper operatively connected to said grout mixer for storing the grout;

(l) a surge hopper grout agitator for agitating the grout in said surge hopper;

(m) a grout dispensing device operatively connected to said surge hopper for dispensing the grout from said surge hopper;

(n) a grout hopper operatively connected to said grout dispensing device for storing the grout;

(o) a grout hopper grout agitator for maintaining homogeneity of the grout in said grout hopper;

(p) a material gate having open and closed positions operatively connected to said grout hopper for dispensing the grout from said grout hopper into a pavement groove when said material gate is in the open position;

(q) a side form for confining the grout substantially within side boundaries of the pavement groove;

(r) an extrusion pan for leveling the grout in the pavement groove;

(s) a smoothing plate for smoothing the grout surface in the pavement groove; and

(t) a guiding device for guiding said grout hopper and said material gate into a proper pavement groove filling position.

67. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a control panel operatively connected to said engine.

68. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a swing arm, wherein said swing arm allows placement of said control panel on the right side or the left side of said self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus.

69. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, wherein said product hopper comprises a product hopper vibrator for vibrating said product hopper and a product-hopper air pad in the interior of said product hopper for providing air flow into said product hopper to reduce the amount of agglomerate formation of the dry particulate material.

70. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a grout temperature sensor for determining the temperature of grout in said surge hopper.

71. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 70, further comprising a product temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the dry particulate material and a product heater operatively connected to said product temperature sensor and to said grout temperature sensor for heating the dry particulate material.

72. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 70, further comprising a water temperature sensor and a water heater operatively connected to said water temperature sensor and said grout temperature sensor for heating water.

73. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, wherein said surge hopper comprises a surge-hopper grout level sensor, wherein said surge-hopper grout level sensor is operatively connected to said grout mixer, said additive inlet, said water inlet and said product dispensing device for controlling the production of grout.

74. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, wherein said grout hopper comprises a grout-hopper vibrator for vibrating said grout hopper.

75. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a smoothing-plate vibrator operatively connected to said smoothing plate for vibrating said smoothing plate.

76. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a visibility-enhancing agent applying device for applying and embedding a visibility-enhancing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.

77. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 76, further comprising a grout-surface air spray device for removing non-embedded visibility-enhancing agent from the grout surface in the pavement groove and for further embedding the visibility-enhancing agent into the grout surface.

78. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a curing-agent spray device for spraying a curing agent onto the grout surface in the pavement groove.

79. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 66, further comprising a rollable support system operatively connected to said grout hopper, said material gate, said side form, said extrusion pan and said smoothing plate.

80. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 79, wherein said rollable support system comprises a longitudinal bogey averaging system and a transversal bogey averaging system.

81. The self-propelled pavement groove filling apparatus of claim 80, further comprising a lifting mechanism for lifting said rollable support system off of a pavement surface.