Electrically-operated barrier transfer machine

A barrier transfer machine for picking up and repositioning road barriers, the barrier transfer machine comprising:

• a moveable chassis having a forward and a rearward end disposed along a generally longitudinal axis;
• an entry snout supported on the forward end of the chassis for picking up the road barriers from a road surface;
• an exit snout for placing the road barriers back onto the road surface;
• a conveyor system positioned between the entry snout and the exit snout for transporting the road barrier from the entry snout to the exit snout;
• and
• a capstan system that adjusts the tension or compression in the road barriers while the road barriers are transported by the conveyor system, the capstan system including:
• a pair of capstan wheels on opposite sides of the conveyor system,
• a mechanism for urging the capstan wheels against the road barriers as the road barriers pass by the capstan wheels,
• a pair of electric motors, each for driving one of the capstan wheels, to provide rearward rotational pressure on the barriers,
• one or more rechargeable batteries for powering the electric motors, and
• a regenerative braking/tensioning system for recharging the rechargeable batteries when the electric motors are driven by the capstan wheels.

A method of operating a barrier transfer machine for picking up and repositioning road barriers, the method comprising:

• picking up the road barriers from a road surface with an entry snout supported on a forward end of a chassis;
• transporting the road barrier from the entry snout to an exit snout with a conveyor system positioned between the entry snout and the exit snout;
• adjusting the tension or compression in the road barriers with a capstan system while the road barriers are transported by the conveyor system, the adjusting step including:
• urging capstan wheels against the road barriers as the road barriers pass by the capstan wheels,
• driving the capstan wheels with an electric motor to provide rearward rotational pressure on the barriers when the barriers are under compression,
• powering the electric motor with one or more rechargeable batteries while the electric motor drives the capstan wheels,
• driving the electric motor with the capstan wheels to provide forward rotational pressure on the barriers when the barriers are under tension,
• recharging the rechargeable batteries with the electric motor when the electric motor is driven by the capstan wheels.