Compactor System And Methods

Abstract

A compactor system includes a tipped drum having a plurality of tips, and a drum axle rotatably coupling the tipped drum to a frame. The compactor system further includes a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a height of the drum axle above a surface of a material substrate, and an electronic control unit configured to output a compaction progress signal responsive to inputs from the sensor. Related methods of preparing a work area with a compactor system, and determining a compaction state of a material substrate, are also disclosed.

1 . A method of preparing a work area with a compactor system having a tipped drum comprising the steps of:
 compacting a material substrate within the work area at least in part by moving the compactor system such that an outer surface of the tipped drum rotates in contact with the material substrate;   supporting the tipped drum on radially projecting drum tips such that the outer surface of the tipped drum is elevated from the compacted material substrate;   sensing a parameter indicative of an axle height of the tipped drum relative to a surface of the compacted material substrate during supporting the tipped drum; and   outputting a compaction progress signal responsive to the sensed parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tipped drum is rotatably coupled with a frame of a self-propelled compactor machine, and wherein the step of sensing includes sensing the parameter by way of a sensor resident on the compactor machine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising a step of transmitting a signal from a transmitter resident on the compactor machine toward the surface of the compacted material substrate, and wherein the step of sensing includes sensing the transmitted signal reflected by the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of supporting includes supporting the tipped drum during rotating the tipped drum in contact with the compacted material substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the steps of receiving position data of the compactor machine, and linking the received position data with the compaction progress signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the compaction progress signal includes a signal indicative of a relative compaction state of the material substrate, and wherein the step of linking further includes mapping relative compaction state to geographic coordinates defining a region of the work area. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein mapping relative compaction state further includes mapping relative compaction state at a map resolution based on a width coordinate, and a length coordinate which is equal to less than one full circumference of the outer surface of the tipped drum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of receiving data of the sensed parameter, determining a value indicative of the axle height responsive to the data, and comparing the determined value with a value indicative of the radius of a circle defined by the tipped drum about an axis of rotation of the tipped drum, and wherein the step of outputting takes place responsive to a difference between the compared values. 
     
     
         9 . A method of determining a compaction state of a material substrate comprising the steps of:
 sensing a parameter indicative of an axle height of a compactor having a tipped drum supported by a plurality of radially projecting drum tips upon a surface of a compacted material substrate;   receiving sensor data associated with the sensed parameter at an electronic control unit; and   outputting a signal from the electronic control unit which is indicative of compaction state of the compacted material substrate, responsive to the sensor data.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of sensing further includes sensing the parameter during moving the compactor within the work area. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the steps of receiving position data of the compactor, and linking the position data with the sensor data, and wherein the step of receiving sensor data further includes receiving sensor data for a plurality of separate regions of the work area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein receiving sensor data for the plurality of test regions further includes receiving sensor data from a non-contact sensor resident on the compactor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the electronic control unit is configured to compare a value indicative of the axle height with a reference value indicative of the radius of a circle defined by the tipped drum about an axis of rotation thereof, and further configured to output the signal responsive to a difference between the compared values. 
     
     
         14 . A compactor system comprising:
 a frame;   a tipped drum defining an axis of rotation and having a plurality of tips radially projecting from a cylindrical outer drum surface;   a drum axle rotatably coupling the tipped drum to the frame;   a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a height of the drum axle above a surface of a material substrate; and   an electronic control unit coupled with the sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to output a compaction progress signal responsive to inputs from the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The compactor system of  claim 14  wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine a value indicative of the height of the drum axle responsive to the inputs, and further configured to compare the determined value with a reference value indicative of the radius of a circle defined by the tipped drum about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         16 . The compactor system of  claim 15  further comprising a transmitter coupled with the frame and configured to transmit a signal toward the surface of the compacted material substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The compactor system of  claim 16  further comprising a self-propelled compactor which includes the frame and the tipped drum, and a position sensor coupled with the electronic control unit, and wherein the transmitter, sensor, position sensor and electronic control unit are resident on the self-propelled compactor.