Asphalt pavement constructing machine and method of operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to an asphalt pavement constructing machine and a method for operating an asphalt pavement constructing machine provided with an asphalt compacting surface for compacting asphalt mix on a paving surface during an asphalt pavement formation operation. At least one exciter is provided that vibrates the compacting surface at one or more frequencies selected to prevent the asphalt mix from adhering to the compacting surface.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An asphalt pavement constructing machine, comprising:
 an asphalt compacting surface; and   at least one exciter that vibrates the compacting surface at one or more frequencies selected to prevent asphalt adhering to the compacting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The asphalt pavement constructing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the asphalt compacting machine is a rolling compactor provided with the asphalt compacting surface and another asphalt compacting surface;   at least one other exciter vibrates the another compacting surface at an frequency that prevents asphalt mix adhering to the another compacting surface; and   the asphalt compacting surfaces are cylindrical and located on first and second rollers that propel the rolling compactor.   
     
     
         3 . The asphalt pavement constructing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the asphalt compacting machine is an asphalt paver provided with an asphalt hopper, an asphalt conveyor, an asphalt spreader, and a screed; and   the asphalt compacting surface is a generally flat surface located on the underside of the screed.   
     
     
         4 . The asphalt pavement constructing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one exciter is a piezoelectric exciter. 
     
     
         5 . The asphalt pavement constructing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one exciter is an electromagnetic exciter. 
     
     
         6 . The asphalt pavement constructing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one exciter is a hydraulic exciter. 
     
     
         7 . A method for operating an asphalt pavement constructing machine provided with a compacting surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 using the compacting surface to compact asphalt mix on a paving surface during an asphalt pavement formation operation; and   using at least one exciter to vibrate the compacting surface at one or more frequencies selected to prevent the asphalt mix from adhering to the compacting surface.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the asphalt compacting machine is a rolling compactor provided with the asphalt compacting surface and another asphalt compacting surface;   the asphalt compacting surfaces are cylindrical and located on first and second rollers that propel the rolling compactor; and   the method further comprising the step of using at least one other exciter to vibrate the another compacting surface at one or more frequencies selected to prevent asphalt mix adhering to the another compacting surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the asphalt compacting machine is a paver provided with an asphalt hopper, an asphalt conveyor, an asphalt spreader, and a screed and the asphalt compacting surface is a generally flat surface located on the underside of the screed, the method further comprising the steps of:
 using the asphalt hopper to receive asphalt mix;   using the conveyor to deliver the asphalt mix to the auger;   using the auger to spread the asphalt mix on a paving surface; and   using the compacting surface to compact the asphalt mix, whereby an asphalt pavement is provided on the paving surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one exciter is a piezoelectric exciter. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one exciter is an electro-magnetic exciter. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one exciter is a hydraulic exciter