Oscillatory Compaction Method

Abstract

A method for compacting a surface of granular materials is disclosed. The method is applicable to wheeled compaction equipment such as pneumatic-tire compactors, drum-type compactors and asphalt compactors. The propel system includes a controller programmed to send a first at least substantially constant propel command that propels the compaction equipment in a forward direction. The controller then changes the speed of the compaction equipment by providing a second varying propel command that may increase or decrease the speed resulting from the first command. As a result, the speed of the compaction equipment oscillates, and the compaction process is improved.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for compacting a surface, the method comprising:
 providing wheeled compaction equipment;   providing a first at least substantially constant propel command to an electric motor that propels the equipment in a forward direction;   providing a second varying propel command to vary a speed of the equipment set by the first at least substantially constant propel command,   wherein the equipment maintains its motion in the forward direction despite varying the speed of the equipment in the forward direction.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the second varying propel command provides an varying current to the electric motor of the equipment to vary the speed of the equipment set by the first at least substantially constant propel command. 
     
     
         10 . A method for compacting a surface, the method comprising:
 providing wheeled compaction equipment;   providing a first at least substantially constant propel command that propels the equipment in a forward direction;   providing a second varying propel command that provides a varying current to an electric motor to vary a speed of the equipment set by the first at least substantitally constant people command,   wherein the equipment maintains its motion in the forward direction despite varying the speed of the equipment in the forward direction.   
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An electrically driven compactor, comprising:
 at least two wheels for propelling the compactor and for compacting materials disposed beneath the wheels,   the wheels being coupled to an electric motor,   the electric motor being linked to a power source,   a controller for varying current transmitted from the power source to the electric motor, the controller including a memory programmed with at least two commands including a first at least substantially constant propel command that propels the compactor in a forward direction and a second varying propel command to vary a speed of the compactor set by the first at least substantially constant propel command.   
     
     
         17 . The compactor of  claim 16  wherein the compactor is pneumatic-tire compactor. 
     
     
         18 . The compactor of  claim 16  wherein the compactor is drum-type compactor. 
     
     
         19 . The compactor of  claim 16  wherein the first at least substantially constant propel command provides at least substantially constant current to an electric motor that propels the compactor forward. 
     
     
         20 . The compactor of  claim 19  wherein the second varying propel command provides an varying current to the electric motor to vary the speed set by the first at least substantially constant propel command. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second varying propel command is provided based on programming of the wheeled compaction equipment independent of any feedback of real time operating conditions of the surface. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first at least substantially constant propel command provides at least substantially constant current to the electric motor the propels the equipment forward. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second varying propel command is provided based on programming of the wheeled compaction equipment independent of any feedback of real time operating conditions of the surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the memory is programmed to cause the controller to provide the second varying propel command to the electric motor based on programming of the memory independent of any feedback of real time operating conditions of the material disposed beneath the wheels.