Systems and methods for aiming asphalt material feed sensors
AssigneeCaterpillar Paving Products Inc.
InventorsRick Mings, Toby Frelich, Chad Thiesse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.
Claims13
A paving machine comprising:
- a conveyor for depositing paving material in front of an auger,
- the auger disposed between the conveyor and a grading implement,
- the grading implement having a first sonic sensor and a first laser pointer mounted thereto by a support that permits positional adjustment of the first sonic sensor and first laser pointer relative to the grading implement,
- the first sonic sensor generating a first sonic signal and the first laser pointer generating a first laser beam, the first sonic sensor and first laser pointer being arranged so the first sonic signal and first laser beam are not parallel and meet at a first common position,
- the support enabling the first sonic sensor and first laser pointer to be movable from the first common position to a first desired position on the material between the grading implement and the auger,
- wherein the first laser pointer and first sonic sensor are coupled to a first actuator and linked to a controller, the first actuator is linked to the controller, the controller having a memory programmed to determine the first common position where the first laser beam and first sonic signal meet and cause the first actuator to move the first laser pointer and first sonic sensor to the first desired position.
A method for controlling a material feed system of a paving machine having a grading implement, the material feed system including a conveyor and an auger disposed between the conveyor and the grading implement, the method comprising:
- delivering material from the conveyor to the auger,
- spreading the material laterally in front of the grading implement by rotating the auger,
- providing a first sonic sensor that transmits a first sonic signal and a first laser pointer that transmits a first laser beam, the first sonic sensor and first laser pointer being adjustably mounted on the grading implement and being arranged so the first sonic signal and first laser beam are not parallel and meet at a first common position on the material upstream of the grading implement and that has been spread laterally by the auger, and
- positionally adjusting the first sonic sensor and first laser pointer relative to the grading implement to move the first sonic signal and first laser beam from the first common position to a first desired position,
- wherein the first laser pointer and first sonic sensor are coupled to a first actuator and linked to a controller, the first actuator is linked to the controller, the method further including:
- determining the first common position, and
- using the first actuator to positionally adjust the first laser pointer and first sonic sensor to the first desired position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.