Skirt system for machine and method thereof

Abstract

A compacting machine is provided. The compacting machine includes a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface. The compacting machine also includes a heat retention system having a lower boundary. The compacting machine further includes an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member. The adjustment system includes a first position and a second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compacting machine comprising:
 a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface;   a heat retention system having a lower boundary; and   an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member,   wherein the adjustment system comprises a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The compacting machine of  claim 1 , wherein in the first position the lower boundary is parallel to the ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The compacting machine of  claim 2 , wherein in the first position the heat retention system covers a majority of the compacting member. 
     
     
         4 . The compacting machine of  claim 2 , wherein in the first position the lower boundary is within six inches of the ground surface. 
     
     
         5 . The compacting machine of  claim 1 , wherein in the second position the lower boundary is above the ground surface. 
     
     
         6 . The compacting machine of  claim 5 , wherein in the second position a portion of the lower boundary is above the compacting member. 
     
     
         7 . The compacting machine of  claim 1 , wherein a temperature of the compacting member is greater in the first position than in the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The compacting machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the adjustment system that controls movement of the heat retention system between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         9 . A compacting machine comprising:
 a frame;   a compacting member coupled to the frame;   a skirt member pivotally coupled to the frame, the skirt member configured to at least partially enclose the compacting member in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein; and   a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine and operatively coupled to the skirt member, wherein the linear actuator is configured to raise or lower the skirt member relative to the frame of the compacting machine based on an user input.   
     
     
         10 . The compacting machine of  claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator comprises:
 a cylinder member pivotally coupled to the frame of the compacting machine; and   a rod member slidingly received within the cylinder member, the rod member pivotally coupled to the skirt member at an end thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The compacting machine of  claim 9 , wherein the compacting machine further comprises:
 an input device configured to receive the user input; and   a controller communicably coupled to the input device, the controller configured to regulate the linear actuator based on the user input.   
     
     
         12 . The compacting machine of  claim 11 , wherein the input device comprises a switch. 
     
     
         13 . The compacting machine of  claim 9 , wherein the skirt member comprises:
 a bracket portion movably coupled to the frame of the compacting machine; and   an enclosing portion extending from the bracket portion, the enclosing portion made from heat insulating material.   
     
     
         14 . The compacting machine of  claim 9 , wherein the skirt member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the skirt member is within six inches of a compacting surface, and wherein in the second position the skirt member is raised from the compacting surface. 
     
     
         15 . The compacting machine of  claim 14 , wherein the linear actuator pivots the skirt member between the first position and the second position based on the user input. 
     
     
         16 . The compacting machine of  claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator comprises:
 a first linear actuator coupled to the frame, the first linear actuator communicably coupled to a controller; and   a second linear actuator coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the first linear actuator, the second linear actuator communicably coupled to the controller.   
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a skirt member of a compacting machine, the skirt member being pivotally coupled to a frame of the compacting machine and configured to at least partially enclose a compacting member of the compacting machine in order to retain heat of the compacting member therein, the method comprising:
 receiving an user input;   communicating the user input to a controller;   regulating via the controller a linear actuator coupled to the frame of the compacting machine based on the user input; and   pivoting the skirt member via the linear actuator relative to the frame of the compacting machine.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 pivoting the skirt member between a first position and a second position based on the user input, wherein in the first position the skirt member covers a majority of the compacting member, and wherein in the second position at least a portion of the skirt member is above the compacting member. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 pivoting the skirt member between a first position and a second position based on the user input, wherein in the first position the skirt member is within six inches of a compacting surface, and wherein in the second position the skirt member is raised from the compacting surface.