Exhaust damper system for asphalt heating device
AssigneeH. D. Industries, Inc.
InventorHarold W. Dillingham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device is shown for transporting asphalt repair materials for use in repairing potholes in asphalt pavements. The device has a body with a hopper compartment for transporting and dispensing asphalt mix materials. A dry, radiant heat source is located in a heating chamber below the hopper compartment and heats the asphalt mix. Exhaust stacks in communication with the dry heat means have a damper system for retaining heat within the heating chamber, the damper system being electronically controlled in response to the temperature within the body of the device.
Claims13
A device for transporting asphalt repair materials for use in repairing potholes in asphalt pavements, the device comprising:
- a body having a hopper compartment with a V-shaped bottom wall for transporting asphalt mix materials and a generally-V-shaped heating chamber located below the hopper compartment, the V-shaped bottom wall of the hopper compartment defining an upper extent of the heating chamber;
- a dry heat means associated with the heating chamber for heating the chamber and for transferring heat to the hopper compartment through the bottom wall, the dry heat means having a pair of oppositely-arranged retort tubes on either side of the V-shaped bottom wall of the hopper, the retort tubes being heated by a least one gas burner for supplying dry, radiant heat to the bottom wall to maintain the asphalt mix materials in a workable state;
- an exhaust conduit connected to an outlet of each retort tube for conducting heated air flowing out of the retort tubes;
- a damper mounted in each exhaust conduit, the dampers being selectively moveable between an open position, in which heated air can flow through the exhaust conduits, and a closed position, in which heated air is retained in the exhaust conduit for limiting the loss of heat from the heating chamber;
- and
- control means for controlling the position of the dampers in response to changes in the temperature of the heating chamber.
A method for heating asphalt repair materials for use in repairing potholes in asphalt pavements, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a body having a hopper compartment with a V-shaped bottom wall for transporting asphalt mix materials and a generally-V-shaped heating chamber located below the hopper compartment, the V-shaped bottom wall of the hopper compartment defining an upper extent of the heating chamber;
- (b) installing a dry heat means within the heating chamber for heating the chamber and for transferring heat to the hopper compartment through the bottom wall, the dry heat means having a pair of oppositely-arranged retort tubes on either side of the V-shaped bottom wall of the hopper, the retort tubes being heated by a least one gas burner for supplying dry, radiant heat to the bottom wall to maintain the asphalt mix materials in a workable state;
- (c) locating an exhaust conduit in communication with an outlet of each retort tube for conducting heated air flowing out of the retort tubes;
- (d) mounting a damper in each exhaust conduit, the dampers being selectively moveable between an open position, in which heated air can flow through the exhaust conduits, and a closed position, in which heated air is retained in the exhaust conduit for limiting the loss of heat from the heating chamber;
- (e) connecting a solenoid to the dampers by means of a connecting linkage, the linkage being actuable to move the dampers between the open and closed positions;
- (f) mounting a thermostat in thermal communication with the heating chamber;
- and
- (g) providing a control system for actuating the solenoid in response to an output signal from the thermostat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.