Methods and apparatus for mobile additive manufacturing of advanced roadway systems
OwnerRobert A. Flitsch, Frederick A. Flitschinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for adding line features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the line features may include wires, conduits and electronic components. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway in line features, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the line features may be dynamically colored with LED components.
Claims20
A method for depositing a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
- transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
- a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals,
- an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller,
- a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface,
- a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and
- a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system;
- adding a first material to the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first material is powder;
- moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location;
- confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system;
- and
- adding the first material to the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location.
A method for depositing a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
- transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
- a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals,
- an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller,
- a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface,
- a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and
- a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system;
- adding a first material to the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first material is paint;
- moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location;
- confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system;
- and
- adding the first material to the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location.
A method for creating a line feature upon a surface, the method comprising:
- transmitting a control signal to an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a mobile additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:
- a controller capable of executing algorithms and providing control signals,
- an additive manufacturing system to deposit a line feature material at prescribed locations across a surface of the roadway according to a first digital model processed by the controller,
- a drive system operative to transport the additive manufacturing system along the surface,
- a navigation system to determine a location of the mobile additive manufacturing system and guide the drive system, and
- a power system capable of providing power to operate at least the drive system, navigation system, controller and additive manufacturing system;
- creating a first line feature on the surface with the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the first line feature is formed by one or more of a griding apparatus and a milling apparatus;
- moving the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus with the drive system to a new location;
- confirming the location of the mobile additive manufacturing system with the navigation system;
- and
- continuing the creation of the first line feature on the surface when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.