Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of resurfacing an existing road surface or the like comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a measurement of actual surface profile as a function of distance over the existing road surface, (b) identifying a desired road profile by electronically simulating characteristics of vehicle response travelling over the measured road surface profile while selectively electronically altering wavelength content of said measured profile until said characteristics of vehicle response achieve a preselected standard, and (c) modifying the existing road surface to obtain said desired profile by propelling road resurfacing equipment over the existing road surface while continuously controlling said road resurfacing equipment as a function of a difference between said desired profile and said measured profile.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of resurfacing an existing road surface or the like comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a measurement of actual surface profile as a function of distance over the existing road surface, (b) identifying a desired road profile by electronically simulating characteristics of vehicle response travelling over the measured road surface profile while selectively electronically altering wavelength content of said measured profile until said characteristics of vehicle response achieve a preselected standard, and (c) modifying the existing road surface to obtain said desired profile by propelling road resurfacing equipment over the existing road surface while continuously controlling said road resurfacing equipment as a function of a difference between said desired profile and said measured profile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said step (a) comprises the step of obtaining an electronic measurement signal indicative of actual surface profile as a function of distance over the road surface, and wherein said step (b) comprises the step of progressively electronically altering spatial wavelength content of said measurement signal until said characteristics of vehicle response achieve said standard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method set forth in claim 2 wherein said step (c) comprises the step of controlling said road resurfacing equipment as a conjoint function of distance over said road surface and said difference.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method set forth in claim 3 wherein said step (b) of simulating characteristics of vehicle response comprises the steps of: (b1) identifying a minimum desired ride quality standard as a function of acceleration perpendicular to the measured profile of a simulated sprung vehicle mass travelling at preselected speed over said surface, and (b2) progressively increasingly filtering short spatial wavelengths in said measured profile until said ride quality standard is achieved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method set forth in claim 3 wherein said step (b) of simulating characteristics of vehicle ride comprises the steps of: (b1) identifying a minimum desired dynamic load standard as a function of forces applied to the road surface by a simulated sprung vehicle mass travelling at preselected speed over said surface, and (b2) progressively altering spatial wavelength content of said measured profile until said dynamic load standard is achieved.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method set forth in claim 3 wherein said step (c) comprises the steps of: (c1) providing road surface refinishing equipment having an equipment frame carried for travel over said road surface and means controllably suspended from said frame for selectively altering portions of said road surface, and (c2) controlling the position of said surface altering means with respect to said vehicle frame as said conjoint function of distance over said road surface and said difference between said desired profile and said measured profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said means comprises means for selectively removing surface material from said road surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said means comprises means for selectively applying surface material to said road surface.