Method of grinding a two-lane roadway in two passes

Abstract

An example includes a concrete grinding apparatus with a jackshaft configuration to efficiently transmit torque from an engine to a grinding arbor. An example includes a method of grinding a road lane in two passes. An example includes a vacuum system to generate vacuum with a centrifugal pump to collect debris and cool a grinding arbor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of grinding a road lane in two passes, comprising:
 aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a first edge of the lane to a center of the lane to cover a first half-lane;   grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface; aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a second edge, of the lane, opposite the first edge, to the center of the lane to cover a second half-lane adjacent the first half-lane; and   grinding the second half-lane to a second substantially flat surface that intersects with the first substantially flat surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface includes grinding the first half-lane to a flat surface below a road imperfection. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface includes grinding the first half-lane to a flat surface below a tire groove. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface and grinding the second half-lane to a second substantially flat surface includes forming the lane into a concave shape. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface and grinding the second half-lane to a second substantially flat surface includes forming the lane into a convex shape. 
     
     
         6 . A method of grinding a road lane in two passes, comprising:
 generating a moment with an engine, the moment extending around a lane direction of travel;   translating the moment to normal with the lane direction of travel with a central gearbox;   driving a first half of a half-lane grinding arbor with a first portion of the moment;   driving a second half of a half-lane grinding arbor with a second portion of the moment;   aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a first edge of the lane to a center of the lane to cover a first half-lane;   grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface;   aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a second edge, of the lane, opposite the first edge, to the center of the lane to cover a second half-lane adjacent the first half-lane; and   grinding the second half-lane to a second substantially flat surface that intersects with the first substantially flat surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein translating the moment to normal with the lane direction of travel with a central gearbox includes rotating an engine driveshaft input to the gearbox. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein driving the first half of the half-lane grinding arbor includes driving the first half of the half-lane grinding arbor with a first belt drive and driving the second half of the half-lane grinding arbor includes driving the second half of the half-lane grinding arbor with a second belt drive. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein grinding the first half-lane includes cooling the half-lane grinding arbor with a liquid spray. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein grinding the first half-lane includes cooling the half-lane grinding arbor using a vacuum to draw air over at least a portion of the half-lane grinding arbor. 
     
     
         11 . A method of grinding a road lane in two passes, comprising:
 generating a moment with an engine, the moment aligned transverse to a lane direction of travel;   driving a jackshaft with the moment;   driving a first half of a half-lane grinding arbor with a first portion of the moment;   driving a second half of a half-lane grinding arbor with a second portion of the moment;   aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a first edge of the lane to a center of the lane to cover a first half-lane;   grinding the first half-lane to a first substantially flat surface;   aligning a concrete grinder having a grinding arbor such that the grinding arbor extends normal to a lane direction, extending from a second edge, of the lane, opposite the first edge, to the center of the lane to cover a second half-lane adjacent the first half-lane; and   grinding the second half-lane to a second substantially flat surface that intersects with the first substantially flat surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein driving the jackshaft includes driving the jackshaft with a belt drive. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein driving the jackshaft includes driving the jackshaft with a toothed belt drive. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein driving the first half of the half-lane grinding arbor includes driving the first half of the half-lane grinding arbor with a first belt drive and driving the second half of the half-lane grinding arbor includes driving the second half of the half-lane grinding arbor with a second belt drive. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , comprising maintaining a rotational speed of the engine within a defined range and controlling forward movement of the half-lane grinding arbor to maintain a rotational speed of the half-lane grinding arbor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein grinding the first half-lane includes cooling the half-lane grinding arbor with a liquid spray. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein grinding the first half-lane includes cooling the half-lane grinding arbor using a vacuum to draw air nearby a rear portion of the half-lane grinding arbor. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein grinding the first half-lane includes cooling the half-lane grinding arbor using a vacuum to draw air nearby a front portion of the half-lane grinding arbor.