Heat Transfer for Asphalt Screed Plates

An apparatus for transferring heat to a paving mat, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one electric heating element configured to generate heat;
• a screed plate having a screed plate upper surface and a screed plate lower surface, the screed plate lower surface being configured to be in contact with the paving mat, the screed plate comprising a first material;
• a thermally conductive pad having a thermally conductive pad upper surface and a thermally conductive pad lower surface, the thermally conductive pad lower surface being disposed on the screed plate upper surface so as to transfer heat from the thermally conductive pad to the screed plate, the thermally conductive pad comprising a second material different than the first material;
• and
• an adapter plate having an adapter plate upper surface and an adapter plate lower surface, the adapter plate lower surface being disposed on the thermally conductive pad upper surface so as to transfer heat from the adapter plate to the thermally conductive pad, the adapter plate comprising a third material different than the first material and the second material,
• wherein the at least one electric heating element is in thermal contact with the adapter plate upper surface so as to transfer heat from the at least one electric heating element to the adapter plate.

A system for heating a paving mat, the system comprising:

• a screed heating arrangement, comprising:
• at least one electric heating element configured to generate heat, and
• at least one retaining mechanism;
• and
• a screed assembly, comprising:
• a screed plate having a screed plate upper surface and a screed plate lower surface, the screed plate lower surface being configured to be in contact with the paving mat,
• a thermally conductive pad having a thermally conductive pad upper surface and a thermally conductive pad lower surface, the thermally conductive pad lower surface being disposed on the screed plate upper surface, and
• an adapter plate having an adapter plate upper surface and an adapter plate lower surface, the adapter plate lower surface being disposed on the thermally conductive pad upper surface,
• wherein the screed heating arrangement is attachable to the screed assembly by attaching the at least one retaining mechanism to the adapter plate, and
• wherein heat generated by the at least one electric heating element is transferred to the paving mat through the adapter plate, thermally conductive pad, and screed plate.