Device and method for selectively milling the surface of a roadway

Abstract

A device for cutting rumble strip grooves in a roadway. The device includes a cutter head on which is mounted a plurality of cutting teeth. The cutter head is symmetrically disposed around a center axis. At least one motor is provided for rotating the cutter head about its center axis. In addition to the motors that directly rotate the cutter head, a mechanism is provided for cycling the center axis of the cutter head through a continuous pathway. Accordingly, the cutter head experiences two separate rotations. The cutter head rotates about its own center axis. Meanwhile, the center axis is orbiting in a circular pathway. As the cutter head cycles through part of the continuous pathway, the cutter head contacts the roadway and cuts a rumble strip groove in the roadway.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for cutting rumble strip grooves in pavement, comprising: 
 a cutter head having a plurality of cutting teeth thereon, said cutter head having a first diameter and a center axis;    at least one motor for rotating said cutter head about said center axis;    a mechanism for continuously cycling said center axis of said cutter head through a continuous pathway, wherein said cutter head contacts the pavement and cuts a rumble strip groove in the pavement as said cutter head cycles through part of said continuous pathway.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further including a vehicle for moving said cutter head along a roadway at a selected forward velocity.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism cycles said central axis of said cutter head through said continuous pathway at a cycle rate that is directly proportional to said selected forward velocity.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said cutter head is a cylindrical cutter having a drive shaft coupled to said center axis, wherein said drive shaft is rotated by said at least one motor.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein said mechanism includes at least one orbiter disc, and each said orbiter disc has a center point, wherein said drive shaft passes through each said orbiter disc at a point eccentric from said center point.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein each said orbiter disc is free to rotate about said drive shaft, independent of said drive shaft.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said mechanism includes a power source to rotate said orbiter disc, thereby causing said drive shaft and said center axis of said cutter head to move through said continuous pathway.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said cutter head cycles through said continuous pathway in the same direction of rotation as the wheels of said vehicle, as said vehicle moves forward.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein said cutter head is rotated by said at least one motor in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said continuous pathway.  
     
     
         10 . A method of cutting rumble strips in pavement, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cutter head;    rotating said cutter head about a central axis;    cycling said central axis through a continuous pathway as said cutter head rotates, wherein said cutter head enters the roadway and cuts a groove in the roadway as it cycles through part of said continuous pathway.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including the step of propelling said cutter head at a selected direction and speed along said pavement as said cutter head rotates and is cycled through said continuous pathway, wherein said cutter head cuts a new section of pavement each time said cutter head cycles through said continuous pathway.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further including the step of cycling said cutter head through said continuous pathway at a cycle rate that is directly proportional to said selected speed.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said cutting head moves through said continuous pathway in a first direction, as it cuts said groove, wherein said first direction is opposite said selected direction in which said cutter head is propelled.  
     
     
         14 . A method of producing rumble strip grooves in pavement, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a frame;    providing a cutting head having a central axis, wherein said cutting head is supported by said frame;    rotating said cutting head about said central axis;    propelling said frame along the pavement in a first direction at a selected speed, causing relative movement between said cutting head and the pavement;    periodically bringing said cutting head into contact with the pavement, wherein said cutting head is moved through the pavement in a direction that at least in part compensates for said relative movement.    
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said step of periodically bringing said cutting head into contact with the pavement includes cycling said central axis of said cutter head through a continuous pathway, wherein said cutter head contacts and cuts into the pavement while moving through part of said continuous pathway.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said step of propelling said frame includes mounting said frame to a powered vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further including the step of cycling said cutter head through said continuous pathway at a cycle rate that is directly proportional to said selected speed.