Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
2008-07-21
2011-12-06
Addie, Raymond (Department: 3671)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Apparatus
Automatic control
C404S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
08070385
ABSTRACT:
A control is provided for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade and pulls a floating screed over the top surface of the material behind the machine. The floating screed is attached to the machine by at least one tow arm at a tow point on the tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder on the machine in response to a valve control signal applied to a hydraulic valve. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade as it is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point such that the top surface of the material follows a reference surface. A first sensor is mounted on the machine, adjacent the front of the machine, for sensing the relative height of the reference surface and providing a first sensor output related thereto. A second sensor for senses the height of the tow point relative to the machine and provides a second sensor output related thereto. This can be accomplished directly, or by sensing the height of the tow point with respect to the reference surface and subtracting the portion of the this sensed height attributable to changes in the reference surface. A control circuit, responsive to the first sensor output and the second sensor output, provides a valve control signal to the hydraulic valve for control of said hydraulic cylinder.
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PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Jan. 25, 2011, PCT Application No. PCT/US2009/051219, filed Jul. 21, 2009, entitled Paving Machine Control and Method, Applicant: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies, LLC.
Addie Raymond
Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
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