Self-propelled mobile asphalt heating unit and method

Abstract

A self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by an operator is provided along with ways of using the system. The self-propelled system may include a drive wheel, an engine, a steering device, and a frame assembly. The engine may be configured to selectively provide power to the drive wheel to propel the asphalt repair system. The steering device may be configured to steer the asphalt repair system. A heating unit may be supported by the frame assembly and include a deployable portion configured to pivot between a deployed position and a non-deployed position. The deployed position has the deployable portion extending beyond an edge of the frame assembly and the non-deployed position has the deployable portion not extending beyond the edge of the frame assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by an operator, comprising:
 a frame assembly;   a motor coupled to the frame assembly configured to selectively provide power to a drive wheel configured to propel the self-propelled system;   a steering device coupled to the frame assembly configured for steering the self-propelled system;   a platform coupled to the frame assembly configured to support the operator;   a heating unit operatively connected to the frame assembly for heating the asphalt, the heating unit including a deployable portion configured to pivot between a deployed position and a non-deployed position, wherein the deployable portion in the deployed position extends beyond an edge of the frame assembly and the deployable portion in the non-deployed position does not extend beyond the edge of the frame assembly; and   a control system for controlling an operation of the motor and the heating unit.   
     
     
         2 . The self-propelled system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit includes an infrared heater. 
     
     
         3 . The self-propelled system of  claim 2 , further comprising a fuel supply system that includes a fuel tank coupled to the frame assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The self-propelled system of  claim 3 , wherein the fuel supply system comprises a liquid propane tank coupled to the frame assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The self-propelled system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit includes a fixed middle unit positioned within the frame assembly, a first deployable portion pivotably coupled inward from a first edge of the frame assembly and a second deployable portion pivotably coupled inward from a second edge of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The self-propelled system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit includes a plurality of heating units. 
     
     
         7 . The self-propelled system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of heating units includes a first deployable portion disposed on the frame assembly and a second deployable portion disposed on another side of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The self-propelled system of  claim 6 , wherein each heating unit of the plurality of heating units is independently replaceable. 
     
     
         9 . The self-propelled system of  claim 6 , wherein the heating unit includes two deployable portions. 
     
     
         10 . The self-propelled system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer bar coupled to the frame assembly of the heating unit, the stabilizer bar configured to support the frame assembly when the deployable portion is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         11 . The self-propelled system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first deployable portion and the second deployable portion is pivoted upwards relative to the frame assembly in the non-deployed position. 
     
     
         12 . The self-propelled system of  claim 11 , wherein a pivot point of each of the first deployable portion and the second deployable portion is positioned inward of an edge of the frame assembly a same distance as a width of the heating unit. 
     
     
         13 . The self-propelled system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating unit is vertically movable up and down for transport. 
     
     
         14 . A method for thermally repairing asphalt using a self-propelled system, comprising:
 providing a self-propelled asphalt repair system;   moving the self-propelled asphalt repair system to a predetermined location where an asphalt repair is required;   pivoting a deployable portion of a heating unit of the self-propelled system from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, wherein the deployable portion in the deployed position extends beyond an edge of a frame assembly of the self-propelled asphalt repair system and the deployable portion in the non-deployed position does not extend beyond the edge of the frame assembly of the self-propelled asphalt repair system;   activating the deployed portion of the heating unit to heat a portion of asphalt at the predetermined location; and   controlling an operation of the heating unit through a control system of the self-propelled asphalt repair system to maintain a desired heating parameter.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising activating the heating unit to emit infrared heat towards the predetermined location where the asphalt repair is required. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the heating unit includes a plurality of deployable portions, and the method further comprises pivoting the plurality of deployable portions to deployed positions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of heating units includes a first deployable portion disposed on the frame assembly and a second deployable portion disposed on another side of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the heating unit includes a fixed middle unit positioned within the frame assembly, a first deployable portion pivotably coupled inward from a first edge of the frame assembly and a second deployable portion pivotably coupled inward from a second edge of the frame assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising adjusting a vertical position of the heating unit to align with a surface level of the asphalt for uniform heating. 
     
     
         20 . A self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by an operator, comprising:
 a self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by an operator according to  claim 1 ; and   a trailer configured for transporting the self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by the operator, wherein a width of the self-propelled system for thermally repairing asphalt by an operator having the deployable portion in the undeployed position is less than a width of the trailer when loaded onto the trailer.