Milling drum

• US 7,942,605 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novatek IP, LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: David R. Hall
• Inventors: Cannon, Neil, Morris, Thomas, Wahlquist, David, Hall, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann; Gary S
• Application Number:
  US11/844,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20090052987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 299/39.2, 299/39.4, 299/56, 299/57, 299/64, 299/65, 404/90, 404/94, 404/129
• US Class Current: 404/94
• CPC Class Codes: B28D 1/186 Tools therefor, e.g. having exchangeable cutter bits B28D1/181 takes precedence; bits for picks or pick-holders for mining or quarrying E21C35/18
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/088 Rotary tools, e.g. milling drums for forming recesses to receive marking materials E01C23/0946
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2301/50 Methods or devices for preventing dust by spraying or sucking

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention a system for removing a layer of a paved surface comprising a vehicle is adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction. The vehicle has a milling drum with an axle substantially parallel and connected to the vehicle within a milling chamber. The drum is adapted to rotate around the axle between the paved surface and the vehicle. A conveyor belt is attached to a forward end of the vehicle and comprises a portion proximate an opening of the milling chamber. The belt is adapted to carry loose aggregate from the milling drum away from the paved surface. At least one nozzle is disposed on an underside of the vehicle and is in communication with a reservoir through a pathway. The at least one nozzle is adapted to direct the loose aggregate towards the portion of the conveyor belt.

Claims

1. A system for removing a layer of a paved surface, comprising:

a vehicle adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction;

a milling drum with an axle substantially parallel and connected to the vehicle within a milling chamber and the drum being adapted to rotate around the axle between the paved surface and the vehicle, the milling drum comprising at least one pick;

a conveyor belt attached to a forward end of the vehicle and comprising a portion proximate an opening of the milling chamber, the belt being adapted to carry loose aggregate from the milling drum away from the paved surface;

at least one nozzle disposed on an underside of the vehicle and in communication with a reservoir through a pathway;

the at least one nozzle being adapted to direct the loose aggregate towards the portion of the conveyor belt.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle projects fluid at 1,000-10,000 PSI toward the loose aggregate.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is positioned on the underside of the vehicle near the upper front quadrant of the drum.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is a fluidic nozzle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is pointed in the direction of the conveyor belt.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle swivels.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle is in communication with an electric power source.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle projects fluid in a direction opposing the rotation of the drum.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the nozzles project 10 to 50 gal/min of fluid toward loose aggregate.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle extends to the at least one pick disposed on the drum and is adapted to remove loose aggregate.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle comprises an arm that extends from the nozzle to the at least one pick disposed on the drum and is adapted to loosen aggregate disposed on the at least one pick.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the drum comprises a fluid, gas, water, liquid, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof adapted to loosen aggregate on the surface of the drum.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the drum comprises at least one hole with which at least one retractable protrusion proceeds in and out of the drum to loosen aggregate on the surface of the drum.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the underside of the vehicle comprises an arm extending to the at least one pick disposed on the drum and adapted to dislodge loose aggregate from the pick.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein a boundary of the milling chamber comprises a plurality of nozzles offset relative to one another.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a boundary of the milling chamber comprises a brush with the bristles in contact with the at least one pick on the drum.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the boundary of the milling chamber comprises at least one retractable protrusion adapted to loosen aggregate on the drum that extends to and from the drum.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a vacuum device adapted to remove loose aggregate from the drum and place the loose aggregate onto the conveyor belt.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises fluid, air, gas, water, liquid, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.

20. A method for removing a layer of a paved surface, comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction;

providing a milling drum with an axle connected to the vehicle, the drum being adapted to rotate around the axle;

providing at least one nozzle in communication with a reservoir through a pathway and being positioned on the underside of the vehicle and near the top left quadrant of the drum opposite the surface;

rotating the drum against a paved surface such that a layer of the paved surface is loosened; and

cleaning an exposed layer of the paved surface by directing a portion of the loosened aggregate in a generally forward direction by ejecting a fluid out of the at least one nozzle onto the conveyor belt.