US3741532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proportioning control system for an asphalt plant
Assignee: Barber Greene Co
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Filing: 1971-03-26
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An asphalt plant employs a supervisory control system including weighing apparatus at different plant stations for signaling 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
- 👤 R Farnham
- 👤 F Prill
- 👤 D Smith
- 👤 J Plociennik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:53
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/02; E01C19/10; E01C19/1059; E01C19/1068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of feeding the aggregate along a path from the aggregate supply to a first station, continuously weighing the aggregate being fed, drying the aggregate at the first station, exacting dust from the aggregate during drying, continuously weighing the dried aggregate at a second station along the path, metering the extracted dust back to the path of aggregate travel in accordance with the weight sensed at the second station, varying the aggregate feed in accordance with the weight sensed of aggregate being fed and the weight sensed of aggregate passing the second station, delivering a flow of bitumen into the path of travel of the aggregate at a third station, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate sensed at the second station, and mixing the bitumen and aggregate delivered to the third station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of feeding the aggregate along a path from the aggregate supply to a first station, continuously weighing the aggregate being fed, drying the aggregate at the first station, exacting dust from the aggregate during drying, continuously weighing the dried aggregate at a second station along the path, metering the extracted dust back to the path of aggregate travel in accordance with the weight sensed at the second station, varying the aggregate feed in accordance with the weight sensed of aggregate being fed and the weight sensed of aggregate passing the second station, delivering a flow of bitumen into the path of travel of the aggregate at a third station, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate sensed at the second station, and mixing the bitumen and aggregate delivered to the third station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the step of drying includes heating the aggregate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method defined in claim 1, comprising the further steps of delivering a portion of aggregate flow from the path upstream of the third station, separating the portion into the aggregate components, weighing each of the components and automatically recording the weights thereof, and delivering the portion back to the path upstream of the second station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 3, further comprising the steps of controlling individual aggregate component feed in accordance with the weight detected in a diverted portion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of heating the aggregate, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the aggregate passing a first point along said path, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, diverting a portion of the aggregate from said path at a third point intermediate said first and second points for sampling, separating said diverted portion of the aggregate into its constituent components and weighing each of said components, returning said diverted portion to said path in advance of said second point, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of the aggregate passing said first point and in accordance with the weight of said components, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of heating the aggregate, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the aggregate passing a first point along said path, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, diverting a portion of the aggregate from said path at a third point intermediate said first and second points for sampling, separating said diverted portion of the aggregate into its constituent components and weighing each of said components, returning said diverted portion to said path in advance of said second point, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of the aggregate passing said first point and in accordance with the weight of said components, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of feeding aggregate from the supply for heating, continuously weighing the aggregate fed from the supply, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the heated aggregate passing a first point along said path, varying the feed of aggregate in accordance with the weight of aggregate being fed from the supply and the weight of aggregate passing said first point, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of producing asphalt material from a supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of feeding aggregate from the supply for heating, continuously weighing the aggregate fed from the supply, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the heated aggregate passing a first point along said path, varying the feed of aggregate in accordance with the weight of aggregate being fed from the supply and the weight of aggregate passing said first point, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of producing asphalt material from supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of heating the aggregate, extracting dust from the aggregate during heating of the aggregate, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the aggregate passing a first point along said path, transporting the dust to said path and metering the dust into the heated aggregate in accordance with the weight of aggregate passing said first point, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of producing asphalt material from supply of bitumen and a supply of aggregate having a plurality of aggregate components, comprising the steps of heating the aggregate, extracting dust from the aggregate during heating of the aggregate, transporting the heated aggregate along a path, continuously weighing the aggregate passing a first point along said path, transporting the dust to said path and metering the dust into the heated aggregate in accordance with the weight of aggregate passing said first point, delivering a flow of bitumen to a second point along said path, metering the flow of bitumen in accordance with the weight of aggregate, and thereafter mixing the heated aggregate and the bitumen.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |