US3625488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proportioning control system for an asphalt plant
Assignee: Barber Greene Co
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Filing: 1969-09-08
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An asphalt plant employs a supervisory control system including weighing apparatus at different plant stations for signalling weights of flowing material in the plant for controlling the amount of material and bitumen flow. Continuous supervision and control of asphalt production enables optimum operation of an asphalt plant utilizing fewer components of production equipment than found in conventional asphalt plants.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Farnham
- 👤 Fredric W Prill
- 👤 Donald W Smith
- 👤 James J Plociennik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:13
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/02; E01C19/10; E01C19/1059; E01C19/1068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An asphalt plant comprising: a mixer for combining liquid bitumen and aggregates into an asphalt composition; means for delivering aggregate to said mixer including a dryer for drying aggregate, means for delivering cold aggregate to said dryer and means for delivering hot aggregate from said dryer to said mixer; means for delivering bitumen to said mixer; first sensing means operably associated with said means for delivering hot aggregate for sensing the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer; control means operably connected between said first sensing means and said means for delivering bitumen for controlling the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate being delivered; and second sensing means operably associated with said means for delivering cold aggregate and connected to said control means for providing indications of the cold aggregate feed in accordance with the weight thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An asphalt plant comprising: a mixer for combining liquid bitumen and aggregates into an asphalt composition; means for delivering aggregate to said mixer including a dryer for drying aggregate, means for delivering cold aggregate to said dryer and means for delivering hot aggregate from said dryer to said mixer; means for delivering bitumen to said mixer; first sensing means operably associated with said means for delivering hot aggregate for sensing the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer; control means operably connected between said first sensing means and said means for delivering bitumen for controlling the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate being delivered; and second sensing means operably associated with said means for delivering cold aggregate and connected to said control means for providing indications of the cold aggregate feed in accordance with the weight thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The asphalt plant according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering aggregate further comprises dust collecting means connected to said dryer for collecting dust from the aggregate being dried and connected to and operably controlled by said control means to deliver dust to said means for delivering hot aggregate in accordance with the weight of aggregate sensed by said first sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The asphalt plant according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering aggregate to said mixer further comprises sampling means for determining aggregate composition, said sampling means including sample cutting means operable to divert a sample of hot aggregate from the aggregate flow, segregating means for separating the aggregate into separate components, means for weighing each of the components of the sample, the last-mentioned means being connected to said control means and operable to provide indications of component weights thereto; said control means being effective to reduce bitumen flow accordingly upon each sampling operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
An asphalt plant comprising: a mixer for combining liquid bitumen and a plurality of aggregates of different sizes to an asphalt composition; means for delivering the plurality of aggregates of different size to said mixer; means for removing a small representative sample portion of the aggregates from said means for delivering the aggregates to the mixer; means for classifying the sample portion of aggregates into the individual constituent parts thereof in accordance with aggregate size; means for returning the classified aggregates to said means for delivering the aggregates to the mixer; sensing means for sensing the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer; means for delivering bitumen to said mixer; and control means operably connected between said sensing means and said means for delivering bitumen for controlling the amount of bitumen addition to said mixer in accordance with the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
An asphalt plant comprising: a mixer for combining liquid bitumen and a plurality of aggregates of different sizes to an asphalt composition; means for delivering the plurality of aggregates of different size to said mixer; means for removing a small representative sample portion of the aggregates from said means for delivering the aggregates to the mixer; means for classifying the sample portion of aggregates into the individual constituent parts thereof in accordance with aggregate size; means for returning the classified aggregates to said means for delivering the aggregates to the mixer; sensing means for sensing the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer; means for delivering bitumen to said mixer; and control means operably connected between said sensing means and said means for delivering bitumen for controlling the amount of bitumen addition to said mixer in accordance with the weight of aggregate being delivered to said mixer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The asphalt plant according to claim 4, comprising means connected to said mixer for receiving the asphalt composition and delivering the composition for haulage as a surge storage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The asphalt plant according to claim 4, wherein said means for delivering liquid bitumen comprises pump means connected for fluid delivery between said mixer and a supply of liquid bitumen, said pump means including means for adjusting the amount of bitumen addition to said mixer in response to the operation of said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The asphalt plant according to claim 6, comprising a flow meter interposed between said pump means and said Mixer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
In an asphalt plant including means for delivering cold aggregate to a dryer, means for delivering hot aggregate from the dryer to a mixer, and means for delivering liquid bitumen to the mixer, a proportioning control system comprising first weighing means operably associated with said means for delivering cold aggregate, second weighing means operably associated with said means for delivering hot aggregate, and monitor means connected to said first and second weighing means and to said hot and cold aggregate delivering means for controlling the flow of the respective aggregates in accordance with predetermined aggregate flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
In an asphalt plant including means for delivering cold aggregate to a dryer, means for delivering hot aggregate from the dryer to a mixer, and means for delivering liquid bitumen to the mixer, a proportioning control system comprising first weighing means operably associated with said means for delivering cold aggregate, second weighing means operably associated with said means for delivering hot aggregate, and monitor means connected to said first and second weighing means and to said hot and cold aggregate delivering means for controlling the flow of the respective aggregates in accordance with predetermined aggregate flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The control system set forth in claim 8, comprising flow control means in said means for delivering liquid bitumen, said flow control means being operated by said monitor means to control liquid bitumen delivery in accordance with the weight of hot aggregate sensed by said second weighing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control system set forth in claim 8, comprising means for sampling the constituent components of the hot aggregate including means for separating the hot aggregate into its constituent components, third weighing means for weighing each of the components, said third weighing means being connected to said monitor means for providing indications of component weight thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The control system set forth in claim 8, comprising control connections between said monitor means and said means for delivering cold aggregate to the dryer for controlling the rate of delivery of the cold aggregate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |