Systems and Methods for Milling Paving Material with Increased Stability, Support, and Power

Abstract

Systems and methods that provide increased stability, support and power while grinding paving material. A self-powered milling system, which is coupled to a vehicle to selectively move the milling system, is used to mill paving material. The milling system includes a cutting head, such as a cylindrical mandrel that includes a variety of bits attached thereon and spins on an axis, to mill the paving material. The cutting head is powered by a milling system motor that speeds up production and enables the milling of very thick asphalt (e.g., 8 inch thick asphalt) in a single pass. A milling system carriage follows the contour of the ground, provides stability during the milling process, and may be selectively adjusted to provide cuts at various angles. In one embodiment, the carriage includes a flush side to enable precise edge milling. In a further embodiment, a breaker bar is located at or near ground level to hold the paving material down as it tries to lift up during the milling process, and is employed to assist in the breaking up of the milled aggregate.

1 - 42 . (canceled)  
   
   
       43 . A self-powered milling apparatus, said apparatus comprising: 
 a carriage configured to be selectively coupled to a vehicle;    a cutting head coupled to said carriage for use in milling paving material, wherein the cutting head in flush with a side of the carriage to provide precise edge milling; and    a milling system motor coupled to said carriage, said milling system motor dedicated to driving said cutting head.    
   
   
       44 . The self powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising an extended drive input coupled to the frame, wherein the extended drive input includes a shaft with a flex coupling that includes one or more pilot tubes that couple to the cutting head and support a belt to enable the motor to be flush with a side of the frame.  
   
   
       45 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said vehicle coupler is adjustable to accommodate any type of motorized vehicle.  
   
   
       46 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said cutting head comprises a mandrel.  
   
   
       47 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said cutting head comprises a plurality of removable and interchangeable bits affixed thereto and arranged in an identified manner to optimize exposure to said paving material and pulverization of said paving material.  
   
   
       48 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said plurality of bits each comprise a stem portion, a tip removably coupled to said stem portion, and a flat end at the base of said stem portion, said plurality of bits capable of being removably coupled and secured to said cutting head within a plurality of respective matching bit blocks arranged about said cutting head, said bit blocks comprising a channel through which said bits are secured within.  
   
   
       49 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said plurality of bits further comprise a spring collet surrounding said stem portion, said spring collet securely holds said bits in place within said channel.  
   
   
       50 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said tip further comprises an annular space that engages a lip formed on said shaft portion to removably couple said tip to said shaft.  
   
   
       51 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said frame further comprises a bit access to provide quick top-level access to said bits and facilitate and provide for removal of said bits.  
   
   
       52 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said bit access comprises a removable cover that exposes from 60 to 90 degrees of said cutting head when removed.  
   
   
       53 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said motor allows from 0 to 10 inches of paving material to be milled in a single pass, thus significantly reducing overall milling time.  
   
   
       54 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said motor powers said milling apparatus via a belt-driven system, said belt-driven system increases the efficiency of each milling job by transferring between 80 and 95 percent of said power to said cutting head, thus allowing a greater amount of said paving material to be milled in a single pass.  
   
   
       55 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said belt-driven system comprises a belt and a transmission, said belt couples a shaft of said cutting head with said motor to cause said motor to rotate said shaft, which subsequently causes said cutting head to rotate about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       56 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein said belt-driven system further comprises a belt tensioning system designed to maintain proper tensioning of said belt.  
   
   
       57 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein said belt tensioning system automatically adjusts the tension of said belt.  
   
   
       58 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said tension is adjusted automatically in response to external forces encountered by said milling apparatus.  
   
   
       59 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a carriage coupled to said frame, said carriage comprising a portion located in close proximity to the ground to provide tracking means and support to said milling apparatus, said carriage also providing pressure to said cutting head.  
   
   
       60 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein said carriage comprises a flush side portion to allow edge milling of said paving material.  
   
   
       61 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein said carriage is adjustable to allow said cutting head and said milling apparatus to perform tapered milling and milling on an identified angle.  
   
   
       62 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising means for tipping, wherein said milling apparatus is allowed to adjust to any necessary angle to properly track and follow the contour of the ground.  
   
   
       63 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein said means for tipping comprises a cylinder, said cylinder allowing said cutting head to move up and down, said cylinder also capable of being actuated to allow back and forth movement of said cutting head.  
   
   
       64 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein said means for tipping is selected from manual, mechanical, electromechanical, hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic actuation.  
   
   
       65 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said milling apparatus comprises a pivoting point by which said cutting head rotates about.  
   
   
       66 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said cutting head is coupled to said frame using a removable bearing, said bearing having a portion partially exposed to provide easy access for maintenance and removal purposes.  
   
   
       67 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said cutting head comprises a gear reduction planetary mounted to said cutting head and said frame.  
   
   
       68 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a remote control system to provide steering and guiding control of said milling system.  
   
   
       69 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a first cylinder to hold said cutting head into the ground.  
   
   
       70 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a second cylinder to control any desired tipping and tilting of said milling apparatus.  
   
   
       71 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a third cylinder to shift said motorized vehicle hook-up.  
   
   
       72 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising an extended drive input.  
   
   
       73 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said frame is extended and stationary to allow said cutting head to just move up and down.  
   
   
       74 . The self-powered milling apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a breaker bar to hold the unmilled portion of said paving material down to facilitate the milling operation and to help break up the milled paving material.  
   
   
       75 . A method for milling paving material, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a milling apparatus, said milling apparatus comprising: 
 a carriage configured to be selectively coupled to a vehicle;    a cutting head coupled to said carriage for use in milling paving material, wherein the cutting head in flush with a side of the carriage to provide precise edge milling;    a milling system motor coupled to said carriage, said milling system motor dedicated to driving said cutting head;    coupling said milling apparatus to a motorized vehicle;    utilizing said motorized vehicle to maneuver and position said milling apparatus; and    employing said motor of said milling apparatus to drive said cutting head to mill said paving material.    
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of adjusting said cutting head to conform to the contour of the ground.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of removably coupling a plurality of bits to said cutting head.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of actuating said cutting head via said motor using a belt-driven system, said belt-driven system comprising a belt tensioning system.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising controlling said milling apparatus using a remote control system.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of accessing said cutting head from a top-level using a bit access.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of removably coupling one or more bits to said cutting head.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising the step of allowing multi-vector positioning of said cutting head.