Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for controlling a compacting apparatus moving along at an adjustable velocity compacting a ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an adjustable frequency and an adjustable amplitude, the method comprising the steps of: passing the compacting body over a segment of the ground at a first velocity; compacting the ground using a first frequency and a first amplitude of vibration; determining a shear modulus of the segment of the ground; calculating a new value, based in part on the shear modulus of the segment of ground, for at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude; and changing the at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude to its respective new value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for controlling a compacting apparatus moving along at an adjustable velocity compacting a ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an adjustable frequency and an adjustable amplitude, the method comprising the steps of: passing the compacting body over a segment of the ground at a first velocity; compacting the ground using a first frequency and a first amplitude of vibration; determining a shear modulus of the segment of the ground; calculating a new value, based in part on the shear modulus of the segment of ground, for at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude; and changing the at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude to its respective new value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein the steps of passing, compacting, determining, calculating, and changing are continually repeated while the compacting apparatus is in operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 2, wherein the step of calculating the new value is also based in part on the first frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the new value is also based in part on at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of: determining a plastic parameter of the segment of the ground, and wherein the step of calculating the new value is also based in part on the plastic parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as defined in claim 5, wherein the compacting body is a drum having a radius, and wherein the step of calculating the new value, calculates a new value, v new , for the first velocity based upon an equation: v.sub.new =k*(the radius of the drum*the plastic parameter).sup.1/2 where k is a proportionality constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the new value, calculates a new value, f new , for the first frequency based upon an equation: f.sub.new =f.sub.first *(G/G.sub.nom).sup.q where f first is the first frequency, G is the determined shear modulus of the segment of the ground, G nom is a nominal shear modulus assumed for the segment of the ground, and q is a positive number between 0 and 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein q is between 0.25 and 0.40.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 8, wherein q is approximately equal to 1/3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the new value, calculates a new value for the first amplitude, the new value being constrained by an upper limit, the upper limit being an amplitude of vibration which if exceeded will cause damage to the compacting apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of: determining an acceleration of the compacting body as the compacting body passes over the segment of the ground; and determining whether the vibration of the compacting body is stable, and if unstable reducing the frequency of vibration, while holding the amplitude of vibration steady, until the compacting body is determined to be stable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of: determining an acceleration of the compacting body as the compacting body passes over the segment of the ground; and determining whether the vibration of the compacting body is stable, and if unstable reducing the frequency of vibration and the amplitude of vibration, until the compacting body is determined to be stable.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of measuring a shear modulus of a ground while the ground is being compacted by a compacting apparatus moving along the ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an amplitude and a phase, the method comprising the steps of: passing the compacting body over a segment of the ground; determining an acceleration of the compacting body as a function of time in an acceleration direction, the acceleration direction being in a plane which is approximately tangential to the segment of the ground and approximately parallel to a movement direction of the compacting body, and the acceleration direction being within 45 degrees of a vertical line, contained in the plane; and determining a shear modulus of the segment of the ground based upon the amplitude of the vibration, the phase of the vibration, the determined acceleration of the compacting body, and fixed constants relating to physical parameters of the compacting apparatus.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of measuring a shear modulus of a ground while the ground is being compacted by a compacting apparatus moving along the ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an amplitude and a phase, the method comprising the steps of: passing the compacting body over a segment of the ground; determining an acceleration of the compacting body as a function of time in an acceleration direction, the acceleration direction being in a plane which is approximately tangential to the segment of the ground and approximately parallel to a movement direction of the compacting body, and the acceleration direction being within 45 degrees of a vertical line, contained in the plane; and determining a shear modulus of the segment of the ground based upon the amplitude of the vibration, the phase of the vibration, the determined acceleration of the compacting body, and fixed constants relating to physical parameters of the compacting apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined in claim 13, further including the step of: determining transition states as a function of time, the transition states being defined by a change in an interaction between the compacting body and the segment of the ground.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 13, further including the step of: determining a plastic parameter of the segment of the ground based upon at least the determined acceleration of the compacting body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control device for a compacting apparatus having a compacting body, a motor for moving the compacting body over a ground with a first velocity, and an eccentric system for imparting a vibration to the compacting body to compact a segment of the ground, the vibration having a first frequency and a first amplitude, the control device comprising: means for determining a shear modulus value of the segment of the ground; means for calculating a new value, using the shear modulus of the segment of ground, for at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude; and means for changing the at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude to its respective new value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control device for a compacting apparatus having a compacting body, a motor for moving the compacting body over a ground with a first velocity, and an eccentric system for imparting a vibration to the compacting body to compact a segment of the ground, the vibration having a first frequency and a first amplitude, the control device comprising: means for determining a shear modulus value of the segment of the ground; means for calculating a new value, using the shear modulus of the segment of ground, for at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude; and means for changing the at least one of the first velocity, the first frequency, and the first amplitude to its respective new value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The control device as defined in claim 16, further including: means for determining a plastic parameter value of the segment of the ground, and wherein the means for calculating the new value also uses the plastic parameter value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
The control device as defined in claim 17, wherein the compacting body is a drum having a radius, and wherein the means for calculating the new value, calculates a new value, v new , for the first velocity based upon an equation: v.sub.new =k*(the radius of the drum*the plastic parameter).sup.1/2 where k is a proportionality constant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
The control device as defined in claim 16, wherein the means for calculating the new value, calculates a new value, f new , for the first frequency based upon an equation: f.sub.new =f.sub.first *(G/G.sub.nom).sup.q where f first is the first frequency, G is the determined shear modulus of the segment of the ground, G nom is a nominal shear modulus assumed for the segment of the ground, and q is a positive number between 0 and 1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control device as defined in claim 19, wherein q is between 0.25 and 0.40.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The control device as defined in claim 20, wherein q is approximately equal to 1/3.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The control device as defined in claim 16, wherein the means for calculating the new value, calculates a new value for the first amplitude, the new value being constrained by an upper limit, the upper limit being an amplitude of vibration which if exceeded will cause damage to the compacting apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The control device as defined in claim 16, further including: means for determining an acceleration of the compacting body as the compacting body passes over the segment of the ground; and means for determining whether the vibration of the compacting body is stable, and if unstable reducing the frequency of vibration, while holding the amplitude of vibration steady, until the compacting body is determined to be stable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The control device as defined in claim 16, further including: means for determining an acceleration of the compacting body as the compacting body passes over the segment of the ground; and means for determining whether the vibration of the compacting body is stable, and if unstable reducing the frequency of vibration and the amplitude of vibration, until the compacting body is determined to be stable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
160 words
A measuring device for measuring a shear modulus of a ground while the ground is being compacted by a compacting apparatus moving along a segment of the ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an amplitude and a phase, the measuring device comprising: at least one accelerometer for determining an acceleration of the compacting body as a function of time in an acceleration direction, the acceleration direction being in a plane approximately tangential to the segment of the ground and approximately parallel to a movement direction of the compacting body, and the acceleration direction being within 45 degrees of a vertical line, contained in the plane; and means for calculating the shear modulus of the segment of the ground based upon the amplitude of the vibration, the phase of the vibration, the determined acceleration of the compacting body, and fixed constants relating to physical parameters of the compacting apparatus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
160 words
A measuring device for measuring a shear modulus of a ground while the ground is being compacted by a compacting apparatus moving along a segment of the ground, the compacting apparatus having a compacting body subjected to vibration by an eccentric system, the vibration having an amplitude and a phase, the measuring device comprising: at least one accelerometer for determining an acceleration of the compacting body as a function of time in an acceleration direction, the acceleration direction being in a plane approximately tangential to the segment of the ground and approximately parallel to a movement direction of the compacting body, and the acceleration direction being within 45 degrees of a vertical line, contained in the plane; and means for calculating the shear modulus of the segment of the ground based upon the amplitude of the vibration, the phase of the vibration, the determined acceleration of the compacting body, and fixed constants relating to physical parameters of the compacting apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The measuring device as defined in claim 25, wherein the at least one accelerometer includes two accelerometers, the two accelerometers being arranged to measure the acceleration of the compacting body in directions which are essentially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The measuring device as defined in claim 25, further including: means for determining transition states of the compacting body as a function of time, the transition states being defined by a change in an interaction between the compacting body and the segment of the ground.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The measuring device as defined in claim 25, further including: means for determining a plastic parameter of the segment of the ground based upon at least the determined acceleration of the compacting body.