Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-09
2001-05-22
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
C340S442000, C340S995190, C404S122000, C701S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236923
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for controlling the inflation pressure of a pneumatic compactor and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for varying the inflation pressure of a pneumatic compactor as a function of the number of compaction passes performed.
BACKGROUND ART
Pneumatic compactors are often used to compact material, e.g., soil, asphalt, and the like, to a desired density. This process usually requires several passes over the material to achieve the desired compaction.
The performance of the pneumatic compactor varies as the inflation pressure of the tires changes.
For example, low inflation pressure improves the traction and mobility of the compactor on soft ground, and high inflation pressure results in more efficient compaction performance on firm surfaces.
Material being compacted is normally initially soft and of low density before compaction begins, and is of increasing density and firmness during subsequent passes of the compactor over the material. It would therefore be advantageous to optimize efficient operations of a pneumatic compactor by varying the inflation pressure of the tires as a function of the density of the material being compacted.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a method for controlling the inflation pressure on a pneumatic compactor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of dynamically determining a level of density of a material to be compacted, determining a desired inflation pressure as a function of the density, and adjusting the inflation pressure in response to the desired inflation pressure.
In another aspect of the present invention an apparatus for controlling the inflation pressure on a pneumatic compactor is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for dynamically determining a level of density of a material to be compacted, a control system located on the compactor and adapted to determine a desired inflation pressure as a function of the density, and an inflation pressure system located on the compactor and adapted to adjust the inflation pressure in response to the desired inflation pressure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5471391 (1995-11-01), Gudat et al.
patent: 5587698 (1996-12-01), Genna
patent: 5629874 (1997-05-01), Mittal et al.
Corcoran Paul T.
Fernandez Federico
Caterpillar Inc.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Lundquist Steve D.
Pipala Edward
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