Transfer machine, system and paving material transfer method

Abstract

A machine system for use in paving a surface includes a supply unit configured to load a transfer machine with paving material from a hopper, and a transfer machine for supplying paving material to a paving machine. The transfer machine includes a receptacle having a recirculation system configured to recirculate paving material and a live floor having a conveyor for discharging paving material to a paving machine. The transfer machine may be compatible for road transport, and may be towed by the supply unit which may be configured for transport within the transfer machine.

1 . A transfer machine for paving material comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of ground engaging elements mounted to said frame;   a paving material receptacle mounted to said frame, the receptacle including a front end having a feed opening, a back end having a discharge opening and a floor that comprises a conveyor configured to feed paving material in a feed direction toward said discharge opening; and   a recirculation system located within said receptacle configured to transfer paving material in a second direction opposite said feed direction.   
   
   
       2 . The transfer machine of  claim 1  wherein said recirculation system comprises a capture component positioned adjacent said discharge opening and a separate transfer component supported within said receptacle opposite said floor. 
   
   
       3 . The transfer machine of  claim 2  wherein said capture component is spaced from said floor and configured to elevate captured paving material. 
   
   
       4 . The transfer machine of  claim 2  wherein said capture component comprises at least one vertically oriented auger and wherein said transfer component comprises at least one horizontally oriented auger. 
   
   
       5 . The transfer machine of  claim 1  comprising at least one swiveling support assembly for said ground engaging elements positioned at one or both of said front end and said back end and coupled with said frame. 
   
   
       6 . The transfer machine of  claim 5  wherein said at least one swiveling support assembly includes a support assembly positioned at said back end, said frame further comprising a tow coupling at said front end adapted to connect with a hitch. 
   
   
       7 . The transfer machine of  claim 1  wherein:
 said receptacle comprises walls defining a rectangular footprint and said floor defines a footprint matched to the footprint of said receptacle;   said conveyor comprises a plurality of parallel reciprocable floor elements; and   said transfer machine further comprises heating elements disposed in at least one of, said walls, said floor elements, said capture component and said transfer component.   
   
   
       8 . The transfer machine of  claim 1  further comprising at least one payload sensor, at least one motor for said recirculation system and an electronic controller configured to control said at least one motor responsive to an output of said at least one payload sensor. 
   
   
       9 . A machine system for use in paving a surface comprising:
 a supply unit having a hopper and a loading system configured to load a transfer machine with paving material from said hopper; and   a transfer machine for supplying paving material to a paver, said transfer machine comprising a paving material receptacle mounted to a frame, the receptacle including a front end having a feed opening, a back end having a discharge opening and a floor that comprises a conveyor configured to feed paving material in a feed direction toward said discharge opening;   said transfer machine further including a recirculation system located within said receptacle configured to transfer paving material in a second direction opposite said feed direction.   
   
   
       10 . The machine system of  claim 9  wherein said recirculation system further comprises a capture component configured to capture paving material adjacent said discharge opening and a separate transfer component configured to transfer captured paving material in said second direction. 
   
   
       11 . The machine system of  claim 10  wherein said transfer component is supported in said receptacle opposite said floor and includes a plurality of parallel augers configured to transfer captured paving material from said back end toward said front end of said transfer machine, and wherein said capture component also comprises a plurality of parallel augers which are configured to elevate captured paving material to said transfer component. 
   
   
       12 . The machine system of  claim 10  wherein said supply unit is configured to couple with said transfer machine for towing thereof, and wherein the loading system of said supply unit includes an elevator for supplying paving material into said feed opening. 
   
   
       13 . The machine system of  claim 12  wherein said receptacle comprises walls extending between said front and back ends and defining an interior width, and wherein said supply unit has another width which is less than said interior width to enable positioning said supply unit within said receptacle. 
   
   
       14 . A method of transferring paving material with a transfer machine that includes a paving material receptacle having a floor that includes a conveyor and a recirculation system positioned therein, comprising the steps of:
 transferring paving material with the conveyor in a feed direction toward a discharge opening of the receptacle; and   recirculating paving material at least in part by moving paving material within the receptacle in a second direction opposite the feed direction.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a step of:
 discharging paving material from the discharge opening via the conveyor at a rate based at least in part on a demand for paving material from a paving machine;   wherein the step of recirculating paving material includes elevating paving material captured adjacent the discharge opening with a capture component of the recirculation system and transferring paving material in the second direction via a transfer component of the recirculation system.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising a step of increasing the rate of discharging paving material responsive to an increase in demand for paving material from the paving machine. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of loading paving material into the receptacle at a supply rate during discharging paving material, and storing excess paving material within the receptacle where the supply rate exceeds the demand for paving material from a paving machine.