Groove monitoring system for roadway markings
AssigneeEPIC Solutions, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Arnold Wilkens, William Ricker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and method for applying roadway marking materials into a groove(s) in a roadway surface and/or forming a recessed groove(s) in a roadway surface. The systems and methods incorporate a contour sensor that provides real-time information of the marking material and/or groove. Based on the contour information, a marking material applicator can be aligned with a recessed groove in a roadway surface to ensure the marking material is applied within the confines of the groove. Alternatively, such contour information may be acquired during groove formation to ensure depth, tilt and/or bottom surface smoothness of the groove is within predetermined limits.
Claims9
A method for use with applying roadway marking tape to a roadway surface, comprising:
- passing a contour sensor over a roadway surface having a recessed groove formed therein for receiving a roadway marking material;
- acquiring a series of groove profile measurements from the contour sensor while passing over the roadway surface;
- acquiring a geographical location measurement of a geographic location of the recessed groove in conjunction with each of the series of groove profile measurements;
- generating an electronic record that records the groove profile measurement indexed to the geographic location of the recessed groove, wherein the electronic record includes a plurality of entries for different geographic locations;
- and
- analyzing each of the series of groove profile measurements to identify at least one physical feature of the recessed groove at each geographical location.
A system for forming a recessed groove into a roadway surface, comprising:
- a cutting machine configured to form the recessed groove into the roadway surface;
- a contour sensor disposed above the roadway surface, wherein the contour sensor measures a profile of the recessed groove formed into the roadway surface by the cutting machine, wherein the contour sensor outputs depth information across a width of the groove between a first edge and a second edge of the recessed groove;
- a controller operatively connected to the contour sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
- identify a first depth of the first edge and a second depth of the second edge of the recessed groove from an output of the contour sensor;
- and
- generate an actuator control output to adjust a tilt of the cutting machine based on a difference between the first depth and the second depth of the groove;
- and
- at least a first actuator connected to the cutting machine, wherein the at least a first actuator adjusts the tilt of the cutting machine in response to the actuator control output received from the controller.
A method for forming a recessed groove into a roadway surface, comprising:
- operating a cutting machine to form the recessed groove into the roadway surface;
- acquiring contour information of the roadway surface and the recessed groove from a non-contact sensor;
- based on the contour information, identifying depth information across a width of the groove between a first edge and a second edge of the recessed groove as formed by the cutting machine;
- adjusting a tilt of the cutting machine to substantially equalize a first depth of the first edge of the recessed groove and a second depth of the second edge of the recessed groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.