Apparatus for dispensing pavement sealants

• US 6,809,294 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Bennett, Duane A., Velinsky, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, THOR S
• Application Number:
  US10/366,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20040155022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 219/200, 219/213, 219/420, 392/441, 392/449, 392/465, 392/466, 392/478, 404/101, 404/107, 404/108-111
• US Class Current: 219/213
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 11/1042 provided with means for heating or cooling the liquid or other fluent material in the supplying means upstream of the applying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 5/02 the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 13/022 Melting the material to be shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/0973 with liquid or semi-liquid materials, e.g. crack sealants

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for applying heated sealants, such as molten polymeric material, to surfaces such as for filling cracks in pavement surfaces. Aspects of the invention include block cutting assembly, heated dispensing hose, and crack filling applicator head. By way of example, the block cutting assembly comprises a ram device for driving sealant blocks against a heated cutting member which severs the blocks to speed liquefaction within the heated sealant chamber. An associated enclosure incorporates a loading door preferably configured for operation in response to the position of the ram device. The heated dispensing hose may comprise a heating element running through the interior of the hose to heat sealants as they pass through the hose. The crack filling applicator head comprises a dispensing tube upon which a sealing chamber is coupled for retaining a quantity of liquid sealant proximal to the pavement surface being filled.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying molten sealant to a crack in a pavement surface, comprising:

a flexible hose configured for coupling to a source of heated sealants;

an electrical heater disposed within the interior of said flexible hose;

means for regulating energy dissipation within said electrical heater in response to thermal-characteristics of the heated sealants being communicated through said flexible hose;

a dispensing tube having a distal end coupled to said flexible hose and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying surface;

a sealing chamber fluidly connected to said dispensing tube configured to maintain, under pressure, a volume of heated sealants upon said underlying surface; and

means for monitoring and maintaining at least a minimum volume of heated sealant within said sealing chamber.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said source of heated sealants, comprises:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said means for severing; and

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material to provide a source of heated sealants.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for monitoring and maintaining at least a minimum volume of heated sealant within said sealing chamber comprises:

a feedback sensor coupled to said sealing chamber and configured for generating a signal in response to the amount of said sealant retained in said sealing chamber; and

a flow control circuit connected to receive a signal from said feedback sensor and configured to meter sealant flow into said dispensing tube in response to said signal.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for regulating energy dissipation operates in response to temperature as a thermal characteristic of said heated sealant being communicated.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for regulating energy dissipation, comprises:

a sensor configured to register a thermal-characteristic of said heated sealant; and

a heating regulator configured to modulate energy dissipation within said heater in response to the signal generated by said sensor.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises a temperature transducer.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises a thermocouple.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a contact ring coupled to said sealing chamber;

said contact ring configured for sealing between said sealing chamber and said surface upon which said liquid sealant material is to be applied.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said contact ring slidably engages said sealing chamber and is biased toward extension from said sealing chamber.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising a rotatable housing member having a rotatable coupling connected between said contact ring and said sealing chamber.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said rotatable housing is connected to said sealing chamber upon at least on set of bearings.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said contact ring comprises a polymeric material.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said contact ring comprises a rubber material.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a lower surface of said contact ring comprises a brush having individual compliant segments.

18. An apparatus for applying a liquid material to a surface, comprising:

a source of liquid material;

a liquid material applicator head fluidly coupled to said source of liquid material with a sealing chamber configured to maintain, under pressure, a volume of liquid material upon a work surface;

a volume sensor; and

a liquid material flow regulator responsive to said volume sensor,

wherein said flow regulator meters liquid material flow to said sealing chamber in response to said sensor.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said volume sensor comprises:

a feedback sensor coupled to said sealing chamber and configured for generating a signal in response to the amount of said material retained in said sealing chamber.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said flow regulator comprises:

a flow control circuit connected to receive a signal from said feedback sensor and configured to meter liquid material flow into said sealing chamber in response to said signal; and

a flow valve mechanism.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

a contact ring coupled to said sealing chamber;

said contact ring configured for sealing between said sealing chamber and said surface upon which said liquid sealant material is to be applied.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said contact ring slidably engages said sealing chamber and is biased toward extension from said sealing chamber.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising a rotatable housing member having a rotatable coupling connected between said contact ring and said sealing chamber.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein said rotatable housing is connected to said sealing chamber upon at least one set of bearings.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for modulating the position of said sealing chamber to equalize wear arising from contact with said pavement surface.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein sold means for modulating the position of said sealing chamber comprises:

a rotational coupling joined to said sealing chamber; and

a rotational drive actuator configured for engaging said rotational coupling to rotate the angular position of said sealing chamber.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for modulating the volume of said sealing chamber.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said means for modulating the volume of said sealing chamber;

comprises;

a float plate movably coupled to said sealing chamber; and

an actuator coupled to said float plate for adjusting the position of said float plate and the resultant volume within said sealing chamber in response to sealant dispensing conditions.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said actuator is selected from the group of actuators consisting of pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, and electrical actuators.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for biasing the sealing chamber toward a reduced volume level of retained sealant.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

a float member coupled with said sealing chamber; and

a biasing member urging said float member toward said reduced volume levels of retained sealant within said sealing chamber.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein said biasing member comprises a spring for biasing said float member within said sealant chamber to urge it toward said reduced volume of retained sealant.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

a flexible hose configured to conveying liquid material from said source of material to said applicator.

an electrical heater disposed within the interior of said flexible hose; and

means for regulating energy dissipation in said electrical heater in response to thermal-characteristics of said heated sealants passing through said flexible hose.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said means for regulating energy dissipation operates in response to temperature as a thermal-characteristic of said heated liquid material being communicated.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said means for regulating energy dissipation, comprises:

a sensor configured to register a thermal-characteristic of said heated liquid material; and

a heating regulator configured to modulate energy dissipation within said heater in response to a signal generated by said sensor.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said sensor comprises a temperature transducer.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said sensor comprises a thermocouple.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said source of liquid material comprises:

a plurality of cutting elements for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

a moveable ram adapted to apply pressure to said mass of solid material against said means for severing; and

means for melting said segments of solid material.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said plurality of cutting elements are configured to be heated.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

41. An apparatus for applying molten sealant to a crack in a pavement surface, comprising:

a flexible hose configured for coupling to a source of heated sealants;

a heating element disposed within the interior of said flexible hose;

a sensor joined to said flexible hose and configured for registering thermal-characteristics of said fluid passing through said flexible hose;

a heating regulator coupled to said heating element and configured for modulating energy dissipation within said heating element in response to thermal-characteristics registered by said sensor;

a dispensing tube having a distal end coupled to said flexible hose and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying surface;

wherein said dispensing tube is configured for mounting to a movable platform;

a sealing chamber coupled about said dispensing tube and configured for retaining a variable volume of sealant in contact with said underlying surface as received from said dispensing tube;

a feedback sensor coupled to said sealing chamber and configured for generating a signal in response to the amount of said sealant retained in said sealing chamber; and

a flow control circuit connected to receive a signal from said feedback sensor and configured to meter sealant flow into said dispensing tube In response to said signal.

42. An apparatus for applying molten sealant to a crack in a pavement surface, comprising:

a sealant melter,

said sealant melter having a heating chamber for retaining a reservoir of molten sealant material, a first opening within said heating chamber for receiving solid sealant, and a second opening within said heating chamber for dispensing molten sealant;

an enclosure retained upon said first opening in said heater chamber;

means associated with said enclosure for severing a received mass of solid sealant material into multiple segments;

means for applying a feed pressure toward said means for severing to solid sealant material received within said enclosure;

a dispensing tube having a distal end configured for receiving heated sealants from said second opening in said heating chamber, and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying pavement surface;

a sealing chamber attached to said dispensing tube and configured for retaining a variable volume of sealant in contact with said underlying pavement surface as received from said dispensing tube; and

means for regulating the flow of said liquid sealant into said dispensing tube in response to the volume of said liquid sealant retained in said sealing chamber.

43. An apparatus for applying molten sealant to a crack in a pavement surface, comprising:

a sealant melter;

said sealant melter having a heating chamber for retaining a reservoir of molten sealant material, a first opening within said heating chamber for receiving solid sealant, and a second opening within said heating chamber for dispensing molten sealant;

an enclosure retained upon said first opening in said heater chamber;

a plurality of cutting blades attached within said enclosure;

first heating elements retained within said cutting blades;

a heating controller configured to regulate the temperature of said first heating elements within said cutting blades;

a movable member retained within said enclosure and configured for urging any blocks of sealant received within said enclosure toward said plurality of cutting blades in response to a driving force;

an actuator coupled to said movable member for supplying said driving force;

a dispensing tube having a distal end configured for receiving heated sealants from said second opening in said heating chamber, and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying pavement surface;

a sealing chamber attached to said dispensing tube and configured for retaining a variable volume of sealant in contact with said underlying surface as received from said dispensing tube;

a feedback sensor coupled to said sealing chamber and configured for generating a signal in response to the amount of said sealant retained in said sealing chamber; and

a flow control circuit connected configured to meter sealant flow into said dispensing tube in response to said signal received from said feedback sensor.

44. An apparatus for filling a crack in a pavement surface with molten sealant, comprising:

a sealant melter;

said sealant melter having a heating chamber for retaining a reservoir of molten sealant material, a first opening within said heating chamber for receiving solid sealant, and a second opening within said heating chamber for dispensing molten sealant;

an enclosure retained above said first opening in said heater chamber;

means for severing a received block of solid material into multiple segments, retained within said enclosure;

means for applying a feed pressure, toward said means for severing, to blocks of solid sealant material received within said enclosure;

a flexible hose coupled to said second opening;

a heating element disposed within the Interior of said flexible hose;

means for regulating energy dissipation within said heating element in response to thermal-characteristics of the heated sealants being communicated through said flexible hose;

a dispensing tube having a distal end coupled to said flexible hose for receiving heated sealants, and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying pavement surface;

a sealing chamber attached to said dispensing tube and configured for retaining a variable volume of sealant in contact with said underlying surface as received from said dispensing tube; and

means for regulating the flow of liquid sealant into said dispensing tube in response to the volume of said sealant retained in said sealing chamber.

45. An apparatus for filling a crack in a pavement surfaces with molten sealant, comprising:

a sealant melter;

said sealant melter having a heating chamber for retaining a reservoir of molten sealant material, a first opening within said heating chamber for receiving solid sealant, and a second opening within said heating chamber for dispensing molten sealant;

an enclosure retained above said first opening in said heater chamber;

a plurality of cutting blades attached within said enclosure;

first heating elements retained within said cutting blades;

a heating controller to regulate the temperature of said first heating elements within said cutting blades;

a movable member retained within said enclosure and configured for urging any blocks of sealant received within said enclosure toward said plurality of cutting blades in response to a driving force;

an actuator coupled to said movable member for supplying said driving force;

a flexible hose coupled to said second opening;

a heating element disposed within the Interior of said flexible hose;

a sensor coupled to said flexible hose and configured for registering thermal-characteristics of said fluid passing through said flexible hose;

a heating regulator coupled to said heating element and configured for modulating energy dissipation within said heating element in response to thermal-characteristics registered by said sensor;

a dispensing tube having a distal end configured for receiving heated sealants from said second opening in said heating chamber, and a proximal end configured for dispensing said heated sealants upon an underlying pavement surface;

a sealing chamber attached to said dispensing tube and configured for retaining a variable volume of sealant in contact with said underlying surface as received from said dispensing tube;

a feedback sensor coupled to said sealing chamber and configured for generating a signal in response to the amount of said sealant retained in said sealing chamber; and

a flow control circuit connected to receive a signal from said feedback sensor and configured to meter sealant flow into said dispensing tube in response to said signal.

46. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said means for severing;

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material;

means for dispensing melted sealant material; and

means for conveying said melted sealant material from said means for melting to said means for conveying and heating said sealing material during conveyance.

47. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

48. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

49. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

50. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for dispensing comprises an applicator head.

51. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for conveying comprises a hose having an internal heating element.

52. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement comprising:

a plurality of heatable cutting elements adapted to sever a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said cutting elements;

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material;

means for dispensing melted sealant material; and

means for conveying said melted sealant material from said means for melting to said means for conveying and heating said sealing material during conveyance.

53. An apparatus as recited in claim 52, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

54. An apparatus as recited in claim 52, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

55. An apparatus at recited in claim 52, wherein said means for dispensing comprises an applicator head.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 52, wherein said means for conveying comprises a hose having an internal heating element.

57. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

a moveable ram adapted to apply pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said means for severing;

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material;

means for dispensing melted sealant material; and

means for conveying said melted sealant material from said means for melting to said means for conveying and heating said sealing material during conveyance.

58. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

59. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said means for meting comprises a heating chamber.

60. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said means for dispensing comprises an applicator head.

61. An apparatus as recited in claim 57, wherein said means for conveying comprises a hose having an internal heating element.

62. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said means for severing;

a heating chamber adapted to melt said segments of solid sealant material;

means for dispensing melted sealant material; and

means for conveying said melted sealant material from said means for melting to said means for conveying and heating said sealing material during conveyance.

63. An apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

64. An apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

65. An apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein said means for dispensing comprises an applicator head.

66. An apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein said means for conveying comprises a hose having an internal heating element.

67. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said means for severing;

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material;

an applicator head adapted to dispense melted sealant material; and

means for conveying said melted sealant material from said means for melting to said means for conveying and heating said sealing material during conveyance.

68. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

69. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

70. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

71. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said means for conveying comprises a hose having an internal heating element.

72. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

means for severing a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

means for applying pressure to said mass or solid sealant material against said means for severing;

means for melting said segments of solid sealant material;

means for dispensing melted sealant material; and

a hose having an internal heating element, said hose adapted to convey melted sealant material from said means for melting and said means for dispensing and to heat said sealing material during conveyance.

73. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said means for severing comprises a plurality of heatable cutting elements.

74. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said means for applying pressure comprises a moveable ram.

75. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said means for melting comprises a heating chamber.

76. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said means for dispensing comprises an applicator head.

77. An apparatus for sealing a crack in pavement, comprising:

a plurality of heatable cutting elements adapted to sever a mass of solid sealant material into a plurality of segments;

a moveable ram adapted to apply pressure to said mass of solid sealant material against said cutting elements;

a heating chamber adapted to melt said segments of solid sealant material;

an applicator head adapted to dispense melted sealant material; and

a hose having an internal heating element, said hose adapted to convey melted sealant material from said heating chamber to said applicator head and to heat said sealing material during conveyance.