US3879149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing grade control for the screed of a paver or the like
Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
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Filing: 1972-09-18
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A mobile grade reference device includes first means for sensing the vertical distance between successive points along a predetermined path on the subgrade and a grade reference point on such grade reference device. Second means are provided for continuously generating and storing first intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by such first means as the grade reference device travels over the subgrade. Third means on the paver senses the vertical distance between successive points along said predetermined path on the subgrade and a point on the screed. Fourth means continuously generate second intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by the third means as the paver travels along the aforesaid predetermined path. Fifth means compare the first and second intelligence as the latter is generated and produce grade control signals representative of the differences between the vertical distances sensed by the first and third means at the same points on the subgrade. A control mechanism for the screed is actuated by these grade control signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W Smith
- 👤 Ronald W Beaty
- 👤 Harry A Barber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:35
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/004; E01C19/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of controlling a traveling roadway surface preparation machine for making a continuous roadway surface, which machine has a grade control element controllable in response to a grade control signal, said method comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and continuously generating grade control intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade and an averaged grade reference point on said device; b. storing said grade control intelligence; c. moving the roadway surface preparation machine over the subgrade along said predetermined path and continuously generating grade profile intelligence representative of the vertical distances between a point on said grade control element and successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. integrating said grade control intelligence with said grade profile intelligence and generating grade control signals representative of the differences between the respective vertical distances of the former and the latter at corresponding ones of said points on the subgrade; and e. controlling said grade control element in response to said grade control signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of controlling a traveling roadway surface preparation machine for making a continuous roadway surface, which machine has a grade control element controllable in response to a grade control signal, said method comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and continuously generating grade control intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade and an averaged grade reference point on said device; b. storing said grade control intelligence; c. moving the roadway surface preparation machine over the subgrade along said predetermined path and continuously generating grade profile intelligence representative of the vertical distances between a point on said grade control element and successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. integrating said grade control intelligence with said grade profile intelligence and generating grade control signals representative of the differences between the respective vertical distances of the former and the latter at corresponding ones of said points on the subgrade; and e. controlling said grade control element in response to said grade control signals.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of controlling a traveling roadway surface preparation machine for making a continuous roadway surface, which machine has a grade control element controllable in response to a grade control signal, said method comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and continuously generating grade control intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade and an averaged grade reference point on said device; b. storing said grade control intelligence; c. moving the roadway surface preparation machine over the subgrade along said predetermined path and continuously generating grade profile intelligence representative of the vertical distances between a point on said grade control element and successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. integrating said grade control intelligence with said grade profile intelligence and generating grade control signals representative of the differences between the respective vertical distances of the former and the latter at corresponding ones of said points on the subgrade; and e. controlling said grade control element in response to said grade control signals.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
192 words
The method of controlling a traveling roadway surface preparation machine for making a continuous roadway surface, which machine has a grade control element controllable in response to a grade control signal, said method comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and continuously generating grade control intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade and an averaged grade reference point on said device; b. storing said grade control intelligence; c. moving the roadway surface preparation machine over the subgrade along said predetermined path and continuously generating grade profile intelligence representative of the vertical distances between a point on said grade control element and successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. integrating said grade control intelligence with said grade profile intelligence and generating grade control signals representative of the differences between the respective vertical distances of the former and the latter at corresponding ones of said points on the subgrade; and e. controlling said grade control element in response to said grade control signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
continuously generating first intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said first means as it travels along said predetermined path; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
continuously generating first intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said first means as it travels along said predetermined path; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
continuously generating first intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said first means as it travels along said predetermined path; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
continuously generating first intelligence having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said first means as it travels along said predetermined path; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
storing said first intelligence; d. third means on said mobile apparatus for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a point on said vertically movable mechanism; e. fourth means for continuously generating second intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said third means as it travels along said predetermined path; and f. fifth means for comparing said first intelligence with said second intelligence as the latter is generated thereby to produce grade control signals representatIve of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances sensed by said first and third means, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
storing said first intelligence; d. third means on said mobile apparatus for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a point on said vertically movable mechanism; e. fourth means for continuously generating second intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said third means as it travels along said predetermined path; and f. fifth means for comparing said first intelligence with said second intelligence as the latter is generated thereby to produce grade control signals representatIve of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances sensed by said first and third means, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
storing said first intelligence; d. third means on said mobile apparatus for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a point on said vertically movable mechanism; e. fourth means for continuously generating second intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said third means as it travels along said predetermined path; f. fith means for comparing said first intelligence with said second intelligence as the latter is generated thereby to produce grade control signals representative of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances sensed by said first and third means, respectively; g. said mobile grade reference device being separate from said mobile apparatus; and h. powered mobile means engaged with said mobile grade reference device for moving the same along said predetermined path independently of said mobile apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
storing said first intelligence; d. third means on said mobile apparatus for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a point on said vertically movable mechanism; e. fourth means for continuously generating second intelligence representative of the successive vertical distances sensed by said third means as it travels along said predetermined path; f. fith means for comparing said first intelligence with said second intelligence as the latter is generated thereby to produce grade control signals representative of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances sensed by said first and third means, respectively; g. said mobile grade reference device being separate from said mobile apparatus; and h. powered mobile means engaged with said mobile grade reference device for moving the same along said predetermined path independently of said mobile apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein a fixed horizontal distance is maintained between said grade reference device and said machine and wherein the step of storing said grade control intelligence includes moving a member along an endless path at least a portion of which is representative of the horizontal distance between said grade reference point and said point on the machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of storing said grade control intelligence includes continuously recording the same on a medium representative of the progressive horizontal distances from a fixed point to said first mentioned points on the subgrade.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of storing said grade control intelligence includes continuously recording the latter by the use of a tangible medium and depositing the same on the subgrade according to a pattern corresponding to said predetermined path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of storing said grade control intelligence includes continuously recording the latter by The use of a tangible medium in the form of a strip having vertical distance information thereon and depositing the strip on the subgrade along a line corresponding to said predetermined path.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
168 words
The method of providing grade control for the screed of a paver comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and generating first grade profile information having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points along the subgrade and an average grade reference point on the grade reference device; b. storing said first grade profile information; c. moving the paver over the subgrade along said predetermined path and generating second grade profile information representative of the vertical distances between an element on the screed and successive points along the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. comparing said second grade profile information with said first grade profile information at the time the former is generated and thereby generating error signals representative of the difference between the corresponding vertical distances of respective first and second grade profile information; and e. operating said screed in response to said error signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
168 words
The method of providing grade control for the screed of a paver comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and generating first grade profile information having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive points along the subgrade and an average grade reference point on the grade reference device; b. storing said first grade profile information; c. moving the paver over the subgrade along said predetermined path and generating second grade profile information representative of the vertical distances between an element on the screed and successive points along the subgrade corresponding to said first mentioned successive points; d. comparing said second grade profile information with said first grade profile information at the time the former is generated and thereby generating error signals representative of the difference between the corresponding vertical distances of respective first and second grade profile information; and e. operating said screed in response to said error signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein a fixed horizontal distance is maintained between said grade reference device and said paver and wherein the step of storing said first grade profile information includes moving a member along an endless path at least a portion of which is representative of the horizontal distance between said grade reference element and said elment on the machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of storing said first grade profile information includes continuously recording the same on a medium representative of the progressive horizontal distances from a fixed point to said first mentioned points on the subgrade.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of storing said first grade profile information includes continuously recording the latter by the use of a tangible medium and depositing the same on the subgrade according to a pattern corresponding to said predetermined path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of storing said first grade profile information includes continuously recording the latter by the use of a tangible medium in the form of a strip having vertical distance information thereon and depositing the strip on the subgrade along a line corresponding to said predetermined path.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
224 words
The method of providing grade control for the screed of a paver comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and generating first information having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive first points on the subgrade and corresponding second points along the path described by movement of a grade reference element on the grade reference device as the latter moves laong said predetermined path; b. storing said first information; c. moving the paver over the subgrade and along said predetermined path and generating second information representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first points and third points along the path described by movement of an element on the screed as the latter moves along said predetermined path; d. comparing said first information with said second information as the latter is generated and thereby generating error signals representative of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances of said first and second information, respectively; and e. operating screed grade control mechanism in response to said error signals such that said element on the screed describes a path as it travels over tHe subgrade corresponding to the path described by said grade reference element as the latter moves over the subgrade.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
224 words
The method of providing grade control for the screed of a paver comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade along a predetermined path and generating first information having a horizontal control data factor and a factor representative of the vertical distances between successive first points on the subgrade and corresponding second points along the path described by movement of a grade reference element on the grade reference device as the latter moves laong said predetermined path; b. storing said first information; c. moving the paver over the subgrade and along said predetermined path and generating second information representative of the vertical distances between successive points on the subgrade corresponding to said first points and third points along the path described by movement of an element on the screed as the latter moves along said predetermined path; d. comparing said first information with said second information as the latter is generated and thereby generating error signals representative of the differences between the corresponding vertical distances of said first and second information, respectively; and e. operating screed grade control mechanism in response to said error signals such that said element on the screed describes a path as it travels over tHe subgrade corresponding to the path described by said grade reference element as the latter moves over the subgrade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of storing said information includes recording the latter on a medium representative of the progressive horizontal distances said first points bear with respect to a fixed point on the subgrade.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the step of storing said first information includes continuously recording the latter by the use of a tangible medium and depositing the same on the subgrade longitudinally thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method acording to claim 11 wherein the step of storing said first information includes continuously recording the latter by the use of a tangible medium in the form of a strip having vertical distance information thereon and depositing the strip on the subgrade longitudinally thereof.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
244 words
The method of making a roadway comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade and along a predetermined path; b. continouously sensing, during movement of said grade reference device, the vertical distances between the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device thereby to generate successive first bits of vertical distance information: c. continously sensing, during movement of said grade reference device, the progressive horizontal distances between said grade reference point and a fixed reference point on the subgrade; d. correlating and storing said first bits of information with said horizontal distance information; e. moving roadway making machinery over the subgrade and along a predetermined path, which machinery includes a propulsion unit and grade control equipment movable vertically relative thereto; f. continuously sensing, during such movement of the machinery, the vertical distances between the subgrade and a point on the grade control equipment thereby to generate successive second bits of vertical distance information; g. comparing said second bits of information with the corresponding first bits of information as a determined by said horizontal distance information to generate successive error signals representative of the differences between corresponding first and second bits of information; and h. operating said grade control equipment on said machinery in response to the generation of said error signals thereby to make a roadway having a surface defining a grade profile corresponding to the path of movement described by said grade reference point.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
244 words
The method of making a roadway comprising the steps of: a. moving a mobile grade reference device over the subgrade and along a predetermined path; b. continouously sensing, during movement of said grade reference device, the vertical distances between the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device thereby to generate successive first bits of vertical distance information: c. continously sensing, during movement of said grade reference device, the progressive horizontal distances between said grade reference point and a fixed reference point on the subgrade; d. correlating and storing said first bits of information with said horizontal distance information; e. moving roadway making machinery over the subgrade and along a predetermined path, which machinery includes a propulsion unit and grade control equipment movable vertically relative thereto; f. continuously sensing, during such movement of the machinery, the vertical distances between the subgrade and a point on the grade control equipment thereby to generate successive second bits of vertical distance information; g. comparing said second bits of information with the corresponding first bits of information as a determined by said horizontal distance information to generate successive error signals representative of the differences between corresponding first and second bits of information; and h. operating said grade control equipment on said machinery in response to the generation of said error signals thereby to make a roadway having a surface defining a grade profile corresponding to the path of movement described by said grade reference point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a mobile roadway making apparatus of the type which deposits a layer of roadway material on the subgrade and which includes vertically movable mechanism for controlling the grade profile defined by the surface of said layer of material in response to grade control signals, the improvement comprising: a. a mobile grade reference device and means for moving the same over the subgrade along a predetermined path; b. first means on said grade reference device for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device; c. second means for
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a mobile roadway making apparatus of the type which deposits a layer of roadway material on the subgrade and which includes vertically movable mechanism for controlling the grade profile defined by the surface of said layer of material in response to grade control signals, the improvement comprising: a. a mobile grade reference device and means for moving the same over the subgrade along a predetermined path; b. first means on said grade reference device for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device; c. second means for
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
107 words
The improvement according to claim 16 further defined by: a. said mobile grade reference device including a plurality of subgrade engaging members which are spaced apart longitudinally of said predetermined path; b. linkage means connecting said members; c. said linkage means including a generally horizontally disposed linear element which is moved vertically in response to vertical movements of said subgrade engaging members, which linear element has a point therealong defining said grade reference point; and d. said first means including a subgrade engaging element and transducing means engaged with the latter and said linear element at said grade reference point for supplying information to said second means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement according to claim 16 further defined by, other means connecting said mobile grade reference device with said mobile apparatus forwardly of the latter and at a fixed distance with respect thereto such that movement of the mobile apparatus imparts corresponding movement to the mobile grade reference device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement according to claim 18 further defined by, said second means including a subgrade engaging member and means mounting the same for movement with said mobile grade reference device and along an endless path at least a portion of which is representative of the horizontal distance between said grade reference point and said point on said vertically movable mechanism.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a mobile roadway making apparatus of the type which deposits a layer of roadway material on the subgrade and which includes vertically movable mechanism for controlling the grade profile defined by the surface of said layer of material in response to grade control signals, the improvement comprising: a. a mobile grade reference device and means for moving the same over the subgrade along a predetermined path; b. first means on said grade reference device for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device; c. second means for
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a mobile roadway making apparatus of the type which deposits a layer of roadway material on the subgrade and which includes vertically movable mechanism for controlling the grade profile defined by the surface of said layer of material in response to grade control signals, the improvement comprising: a. a mobile grade reference device and means for moving the same over the subgrade along a predetermined path; b. first means on said grade reference device for sensing the vertical distance between a point on the subgrade and a grade reference point on said grade reference device; c. second means for
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement according to claim 20 further defined by, said second means including a subgrade engaging member and means mounting the same for movement with said mobile grade reference device and along an endless path at least a portion of which is representative of the progressive horizontal distances between a fixed point on the subgrade and said grade reference point.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |