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US 12,036,726 B2Granted
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 strengthening features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the strengthening features may include fibers, nanofibers and nanotubes as examples.
Claims20
A method for depositing strengthening materials 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 a 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 comprises strengthening components and wherein the first material is added to the surface in a first pattern;
- 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;
- adding the first material to the surface in the first pattern when the mobile additive manufacturing system is at the new location;
- and
- adding roadway building material upon the first material and the surface.
9 more elements
A method for depositing a strengthening 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 a 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 comprises a strengthening component, and wherein the first material is sprayed upon the surface;
- 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, wherein the first material comprises the strengthening component, and wherein the first material is sprayed upon the surface.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.