US4957434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating asphaltic concrete paving materials
Assignee: Cyclean Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-20
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Granted: 1990-09-18
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Expires: 2005-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of heating reclaimed asphalt paving is shown and described. An air sorter removes fine materials from the reclaimed asphalt paving, and an air circulating dryer which utilizes high velocity air impingement, removes the moisture from the material. A conventional combustion heating tunnel is used to raise the temperature of the material to a first desired temperature and a microwave heating tunnel is used to raise the temperature to a final desired temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 John Radomsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:15
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/02; E01C19/10; E01C19/1059; E01C19/1063; E01C19/1004; F; F26; F26B; F26B23/00; F26B23/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for heating reclaimed asphaltic concrete paving comprising the following steps in combination: placement of the reclaimed asphaltic pavement RAP in an impingement air sorter for removing fine particles which are smaller than a predetermined size; a first heating step comprising heating the remaining asphaltic paving in a recirculating air dryer to a first predetermined temperature; and a second heating step comprising heating said reclaimed asphaltic concrete in a microwave tunnel to a second predetermined temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of holding the asphaltic concrete paving for a predetermined time after completion of said first heating step, and before commencing second said heating step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said predetermined period time is sufficient to allow said asphaltic concrete paving to achieve a substantially uniform temperature throughout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of placing said asphaltic concrete paving in a bin/feeder prior to said placement in said air sorter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of mixing said asphaltic concrete paving after said step of heating said asphaltic concrete paving to said second predetermined temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising the step of adding rejuvenating agents to said asphaltic concrete paving material during said mixing step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of burning the said fine particles in a combustion burner associated with said recirculating air dryer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of removing gas and vapor from said microwave tunnel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of burning said gas vapor produced by said microwave tunnel in a burner in said recirculating air dryer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of introducing fresh air into said recirculating air dryer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of removing a portion of the air and water vapor from said recirculating air dryer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said predetermined size is less than 10 mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first predetermined temperature is greater than 200° and less than 250°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second predetermined temperature is between 250° and 350°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein said second predetermined temperature is the mass average temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the temperature of the air in said recirculating dryer is between 350° and 450° F.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of separating said RAP material into a plurality of graded sizes, and the step of heating each of said graded sizes at a predetermined rate and time in said recirculating air dryer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said recirculating air dryer divided into zones which provide the hottest gases to the hottest material, and the gases when cooled by the hot material to the cooler material entering the heating unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said impingement air sorter has an air velocity in the order of 100 mph.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said air dryer uses high velocity air.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said air dryer high velocity is in the order of 100 mph.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said recirculating air dryer is at a temperature which is the maximum permissible where smoking of the RAP is not present.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said recirculating air dryer has an air temperature in the order of 350°-400°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said material is moved by conveyor belt means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said conveyor belt means is made of stainless steel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said conveyor belt means is made of a rubber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said RAP material is separated into 3 (three) grated sizes prior to the step of heating.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said sizes are in the order of +3/8, 3/8-1/8, and -3/8.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating air dryer has a plurality of drying regions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 29 wherein there are three regions having minimum temperatures in the order of 270°, 180°, and 120°.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said recirculating air dryer uses an air impingement method.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said air of said recirculating air dryer is forced into a thin layer of RAP lying on a conveyor belt.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating air dryer includes small diameter tubes which inject into said RAP air at a high velocity in the order of 100 mph.
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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) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |