as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0047301 Al
`
` Davis (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 25, 2002
`
`
`US 20020047301A1
`
`(54) METHOD FOR THE INTEGRATED
`MANAGEMENTOF THE PARAMETERS
`REGARDING THE CUTTING OF ROAD
`SURFACES AND ROAD SCARIFIER
`IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Danny Ray Davis, Jesi (IT)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
`
`FRANKLIN SQUARE, THIRD FLOOR WEST
`1300 I STREET, NW
`WASHINGTON,DC 20005 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/853,029
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 11, 2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 11, 2000
`
`(IT) we eeesesneceneeee VI2000A000092
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(SL)
`
`TIM. C0 cece eeccccsssssssssneesccecersnnnseeseeseees E01C 23/08
`
`Co) A© 299/1.5; 299/39.6; 404/84.05
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The invention is a road scarifier for cutting road surfaces,
`comprising: a frame provided with a cutter, supported by
`tracks by meansof hydraulic actuators suitable for modify-
`ing the position of said cutter with respect
`to the road
`surface; driving meansto obtain the setting in motion of the
`machineandtherotation of said cutter; right andleft sensors
`arranged at the sides of the machine and suitable for mea-
`suring the distance from the road surface; sensors to show
`the inclination of said machine with respect to the horizontal
`plane. Each one of the right and left sensors and said
`inclination sensor (a) sends signals to first data processing
`systems,the first data processing systems being suitable for
`comparing the values measured with those preset and for
`sending out difference signals that are received by a data
`processing unit capable of sending control signals to hydrau-
`lic actuators connected to the frame of the machine, in such
`a way as to reduceto zero the difference signal sent out by
`said first data processing systems.
`
`
`
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1004
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1004
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25,2002 Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25,2002 Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
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`FIG.2
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`FIG.4
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`oTmr mre rr rer nres
`
`FIG.3
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 25,2002 Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
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`;
`
`18
`
`14
`
`4
`
`4
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`
`
`161
`
`162
`
`17
`
`© QOO
` 171
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`172
`
`193
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`173
`
`20
`
`1
`
`4
`
`=a)|3.
`
`30
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`PLC
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`6
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`1
`
`FIG.5
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`22
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
`
`Apr. 25, 2002
`
`METHOD FOR THE INTEGRATED
`MANAGEMENT OF THE PARAMETERS
`REGARDING THE CUTTING OF ROAD
`SURFACES AND ROAD SCARIFTER
`IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The invention concerns a methodfor the integrated
`managementof the parameters regarding the cutting depth
`of road surfaces and a road scarifier suitable for implement-
`ing said method.
`
`road scarifiers are machines
`is known that
`It
`[0002]
`equipped with a cutting drum that sinks into the road surface
`for a given depth, in such a way as to removethe asphalt and
`prepare a bed suitable for the laying of a new asphalt
`blanket. Depending on the different needs, the road scarifier
`must remove the road surface until reaching a given depth,
`for example 10-15 cm with respect
`to the road level.
`Sometimes, besides removing the asphalt
`in horizontal
`direction, or in any case parallel to the road surface, it is
`necessary to remove the asphalt in a different manner from
`the right to the left side of the road, for example when a road
`with sloping sides for the drainage of rain must be obtained,
`that is, a road whosesides are lower with respect to its centre
`to avoid the stagnation of water.
`
`In this case it may happen that, if the road surface
`[0003]
`in question does not have this geometrical configuration, to
`obtain an inclined profile the scarifier must cut the road
`deeper on one side than on the other. Practically, the cutting
`drum mustnot be parallel to the road surface, but inclined
`of an angle a with respect to the same.
`
`In order to obtain these specific effects in the
`[0004]
`preparation of the road bed for the laying of a new asphalt
`blanket, the knownroad scarifiers use copying devices, like
`for example tracer points that cooperate with a wire ten-
`sioned through a series of pegs arranged on the road side.
`
`[0005] According to this method, the tracer point is con-
`stantly in contact with the tight wire and when this contact
`is lost an automatic correction of the machine position takes
`place by meansof hydraulic jacks that operate on the frame,
`in such a way as to vary the working depth of the cutting
`drum andrestore the contact between tracer point and wire.
`
`If it is not possible to use pegs and tight wire, the
`[0006]
`machine is equipped with a long linear bar positioned at the
`side of the machineitself and resting on the road surface, in
`such a way as to define a median plane that is followed by
`the machine in operation.
`
`[0007] Besides these devices, which substantially control
`the cutting depth,
`there are also devices that show the
`inclination of the cutting drum with respect to the road
`surface, in such a way as to remove different quantities of
`asphalt on the left and on the night side of the drum,
`respectively, and to obtain a given road profile, for example
`with sloping sides.
`
`[0008] More generally, road scarifiers are provided either
`with sensors positioned on the left and on the right side of
`the machine and suitable for measuring the distance between
`the sensor and the cutter contact surface, and with devices
`controlling the inclination of the cutting drum.
`
`[0009] At present these data are read and managed by the
`machine operator in a non-coordinated way, which means
`that if the machine must drive the cutter into the road surface
`for a given depth—for example the same depth on the right
`and left side—the operator of the machine must programme
`the right depth control instrument and the left depth control
`instrumentseparately, presetting a certain working depth for
`the right and left sides of the road.
`
`[0010] According to the known technique, therefore, the
`right and left scarification depth control devices cannot
`exchange information in order to correct any deviation from
`the preset parameters.
`
`[0011] Practically, according to the technique used at
`present there is no interdependence between the measured
`parameters regarding right depth, left depth and inclination,
`which would ensure the complete control of the cutting
`profile to be obtained.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0012] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the
`limitations of the known technique.
`
`[0013] Another aim of the invention, in fact, is the imple-
`mentation a road scarifier for the cutting of road surfaces that
`constantly ensures that the work of the cutting drum on the
`road surface is performed in such a way as to obtain the
`desired profile, and therefore following preset parameters.
`
`[0014] Said profile should also be automatically respected
`by the machine, which means that during the operation of
`the machine automatic correction in response to deviations
`from the preset parameters should be possible.
`
`[0015] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the
`work for the operator of the machine, by grouping on a
`single panel the controls regarding the parameters of the
`scarification profile to be obtained, that is, the right depth,
`left depth and inclination parameters of the road surface
`removed.
`
`[0016] A further aim to be achieved is that the scarifier
`control system should make it possible to operate the
`machine bysetting only two of the three parameters of the
`scarification profile to be obtained, while the third parameter
`should be derived from the other two.
`
`{0017] Another aim of the invention is the implementation
`of a machine equipped with a device that, whenever a
`deviation from the preset parameters takes place, intervenes
`with an automatic correction procedure acting directly on
`the componentsthat vary the position of the machine and of
`the cutting drum with respect to the road surface on which
`the work is being performed.
`
`[0018] All the aims mentioned above and others that will
`be described in greater detail below have been achieved
`through the implementation of a road scarifier for cutting
`road surfaces, comprising:
`
`a frame provided with at least one cutting
`[0019]
`drum, preferably supported by tracks by means of
`hydraulic actuators suitable for modifying the rela-
`tive position of said frame and said tracks, in such a
`way as to modify the axis of said cutter with respect
`to the road surface;
`
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
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`Apr. 25, 2002
`
`driving meansto obtain the setting in motion
`[0020]
`of the machine and the rotation of said cutter;
`
`the position of the hydraulic jacksthat lift or lower the frame
`2 as required by the work programme.
`
`right and left sensors arranged at the sides of
`[0021]
`the machine and suitable for showing the relative
`distance between said sensors and the road surface;
`sensors to show the inclination of said machine with
`
`respect to the horizontal plane, said road scarifier
`being characterized in that each of said right and left
`sensors and said inclination sensor sends signals to
`first programming and controlling data processing
`systems, said first data processing systems being
`suitable for comparing the signals received with
`preset signals and for emitting difference signals that
`are received by a second data processing system
`capable of sending control signals to hydraulic actua-
`tors connected to the frame of the machine, in such
`a way as to reduce to zero the difference signals sent
`out by said first data processing systems.
`[0022] The object of the invention includes also the road
`scarifier operation method for the removal of asphalt from
`road surfaces through the cutting of the asphalt with preset
`depth and inclination, comprising a presetting cycle for the
`definition of the parameters to be obtained and a working
`cycle according to the contents of the independent claim
`regarding said method.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0023] Further characteristics and details of the invention
`will be better highlighted in the description of one favourite
`application among manyof the invention in question,illus-
`trated in the enclosed drawings, wherein:
`
`FIG.1 is a front view of the machine object of the
`[0024]
`invention;
`
`FIG.2 is a plan view of the machine object ofthe
`[0025]
`invention, showingin particular the position of the hydraulic
`jacks with which the machine is equipped;
`
`[0026] FIG.3 is a schematic section of the machine object
`of the invention along line II-III, showing in particular the
`hydraulic diagram of the front hydraulic jacks;
`
`[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic section of the machine object
`of the invention along line IV-IV, showing in particular the
`hydraulic diagram of the rear hydraulic jacks and the
`machine inclination sensor;
`
`[0028] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control devices
`with which the machine object of the invention is equipped;
`
`[0029] FIG. 6 showsa section of the road surface removed
`by the machine object of the invention; and
`
`[0030] FIG. 7 shows by means of a table the possible
`operation modes of the rear actuators and of the inclination
`sensor of the machine object of the invention.
`
`[0031] With reference to the figures mentioned above, it
`can be observed that the road scarifier, indicated as a whole
`by 1 in FIG. 1, is provided with a frame 2 supported by
`tracks 3, 4, 5 and 6, on which the same numberof jacks
`indicated by 7, 8, 9 and 10 rest, as shown in FIG.2.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`It must be observed that road scarifiers are gener-
`[0033]
`ally provided with front jacks 8 and 9 operated by a single
`hydraulic control, so that they act together as if they were a
`single central jack positioned at the front of the machine, as
`shown in the hydraulic diagram of FIG. 3. On the other
`hand,as far as the rear jacks 7 and 10 are concerned, these
`are controlled independently of each other and can have
`different configurations, so that the cutting drum 11 can be
`parallel to the road surface, or inclined as much as necessary
`to obtain the scarification according to a given profile, for
`example with sloping sides, in such a way as to obtain an
`asphalt covering having certain specific characteristics.
`
`[0034] According to the invention, the road scarifier 1 is
`provided on both sides with sensors, indicated by 13 and 14,
`respectively, that can be seen in FIG. 2 and 1. These sensors
`can be ultrasound sensors orreflection sensors and serve to
`measure the distance between said sensors and the road bed.
`
`[0035] As it can be observedin the block diagram of FIG.
`5, the sensors 13 and 14 sendtheir signals to first program-
`ming and controlling data processing systems indicated by
`16 and 17, respectively. More particularly, the sensors 13
`send their signals to the data processing system 16 and the
`mean of said signals is made and shownon a display 161.
`
`the sensors 14 send their measure
`[0036] Analogously,
`signals to the data processing system 17, which shows the
`mean of the readings on the display 171.
`
`the road scarifier is also
`[0037] As already explained,
`provided with a frame inclination sensor indicated by 18,
`whichin fact showsthe inclination angle a of the frame with
`respect to the horizontal line of the machine. Since the
`cutting drum 11 is integral with the frame 2, the inclination
`of the frame obviously correspondsto the inclination of the
`cutting drum, which is the inclination that is actually rel-
`evant to the work performed by the machine. Even in this
`case the inclination sensor 18 is connected to a further first
`
`data processing system 19 that shows the measured incli-
`nation, expressed in degrees, on the display 191.
`
`[0038] According to the invention,it is possible to set two
`of the three parameters necessary for the setting of the
`scarification in the first data processing systems 16, 17 or 19,
`since the third parameter can be derived from the other two.
`More particularly,
`it
`is possible to set the left and right
`scarification depth parametersin the data processing systems
`16 and 17 through the displays 162 and 172, respectively.
`
`[0039] Obviously, if the right and left scarification depth
`values are the same, the angle a on the display 192 of the
`data processing system 19 will be equal to 0. The situation
`will be different if the left scarification depth value differs
`from the right scarification depth value and in this case the
`value of the angle a will be derived directly from the
`difference between the two valuesset.
`
`It is clear, therefore, that to preset the operation
`[0040]
`parameters of the road scarifier it will be necessary to preset
`two ofthe first three data processing systems 16, 17 and 19,
`that is, the respective values required, the third value result-
`ing directly from the other two.
`
`[0032] The road scarifier is equipped with a cutting drum
`11 suitable for working on the road surface 12 according to
`
`[0041] More particularly, if the two scarification depth
`values are set, the inclination angle value will be set as a
`
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`US 2002/0047301 Al
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`Apr. 25, 2002
`
`consequence of the other two. It is also possible to set the
`valueofthe left or right scarification depth together with the
`desired inclination angle, and the other nghtorleft scarifi-
`cation depth value will be consequently defined and preset
`and then automatically displayed bythe first data processing
`systems.
`
`[0042] When the machine is in operation, each data pro-
`cessing system 16, 17 or 19 carries out a comparison
`between the scarification depth or angle set and the corre-
`sponding readings, by means of an electronic processor.
`Consequently, a difference signal 6S, 6D and 5ais sent out
`by the first data processing system 16, or 17, or 19, respec-
`tively. These difference signals are received by a second data
`processing system PLC, indicated as a whole by 20, which
`processes the signals received and sends control signals to
`hydraulic left and right actuators, indicated by 21 and 22,
`respectively, which control the hydraulic cylinder 10 and the
`hydraulic cylinder 7, respectively, so that
`the lifting or
`lowering of each one of the hydraulic cylinders tends to
`reduce to zero the difference signals 6 received bythefirst
`data processing systems 16, 17 and 19.
`
`It is clear that in this way the road scarifier object
`[0043]
`of the invention, with its control device, controls all the
`parameters regarding the scarification carried out by the
`cutting drum and adapts the position of the machine through
`the operation of the hydraulic jacks, in such a way as to
`follow the desired scarification profile.
`
`[0044] From an operational point of view, the first step
`necessary to carry out the scarification according to preset
`parameters as described herein is represented by the setting
`of the parameters, which is followed by the actual scarifi-
`cation process.
`
`[0045] For the parameter setting cycle, first of all it is
`necessary to operate the hydraulic jacks of the machine, in
`such a wayasto lift the frame with the maximum extension,
`that is, at
`the maximum distance of the same from the
`ground, after which the jacks must be lowered until the
`cylinderrests on the ground. With the cylinder resting on the
`ground and parallel to the road surface to be scarified, the
`measured values shownbythe displays 162, 172 and 192 are
`read and then set to zero by means of the reset buttons
`positioned on eachfirst data processing system, indicated by
`163, 173 and 193. Once the valuesare set to zero, the desired
`values are set in two of the three displays 162, 172, 192
`belonging to the data processing systems 16, 17 and 19,
`according to one of the combinations shownbythe table in
`FIG. 7. For example, as it can be observed for the setting 1
`of the selector 30, the value LS canbeset in the display 162,
`the value LD in the display 172, and the angle « will be set
`in the display 192 as a consequenceof the other twosettings.
`
`[0046] Another optionis available, according to position 2
`of the selector 30 of FIG.7,if the operator decidesto set the
`right scarification depth value LB and the inclination angle
`a. In this case the left scarification value LS will automati-
`cally derive from the other two settings.
`
`It may also happen, as shownin line 4 and 5 of the
`[0047]
`table of FIG.7,that the left or right cylinder respectively are
`kept inoperative and therefore fixed in their initial position.
`The position 6 indicates that the machineis at rest.
`
`[0048] Therefore, once two of the three reference values
`have been set, as explained above, in each one ofthe first
`data processing systems 16, 17, or 19, it is possible to start
`the work.
`
`[0049] As soon as the scarification work is started, the
`sensors 13, 14 and 18 transmit the scarification depth and
`inclination angle values measured to the respective data
`processing systems. These values are compared with the set
`depth and inclination angle values and, if there is a differ-
`ence between the values read and thoseset, the first data
`processing systems send out a difference signal 8S, 6D or
`da. These signals are received by a data processing unit, for
`example a PLC indicated by 20, which sends out one or two
`signals, 21 and 22, that operate the hydraulic actuators 7 and
`10. Said cylinders are operated in order to obtain a variation
`in the position of the frame 2, in such a wayasto reduce to
`zero the difference 6S, 5D or da signalled by the first data
`processing systems 16, 17 and 19.
`
`If the machine keeps working with constant value
`[0050]
`readings and if the readings substantially correspond to the
`preset values, no difference signal will be sent out bythe first
`data processing systems and consequently the PLC 20 will
`not emit any signal to operate the hydraulic actuators 7 and
`10.
`
`it is
`It is clear that, according to the invention,
`[0051]
`possible to obtain the full automatic control of the geometri-
`cal configuration of the scarification profile, after presetting
`the starting data.
`
`It is also obvious that thanks to this possibility of
`[0052]
`presetting the parameters the road scarifier can obtain any
`scarification profile, an example of which is shown in FIG.
`6.
`
`1) Roadscarifier for cutting road surfaces, comprising:
`
`a frame provided with at least one cutter, supported by
`tracks by means of hydraulic actuators suitable for
`modifying the relative position of said frame and said
`tracks, in such a way as to modify the position of said
`cutter with respect to the road surface;
`
`driving means to obtain the setting in motion of the
`machine and the rotation of said cutter;
`
`right and left sensors arranged at the sides of the machine
`and suitable for showingthe relative distance between
`said sensors and the road surface;
`sensors to show the inclination of said machine with
`respect to the horizontal plane,
`
`wherein each of said right and left sensors and said
`inclination sensor sends signals to first programming
`and controlling data processing systems, said first data
`processing systems being suitable for comparing the
`measured values with the preset values and for emitting
`difference signals that are received by a signal process-
`ing unit capable of sending control signals to hydraulic
`actuators connected to the frame of the machine, in
`such a way as to reduce to zero the difference signals
`sent out by said first data processing systems.
`2) Road scarifier according to claim 1, wherein the values
`preset in said first data processing systems are two, the third
`value being derived directly from the other two.
`
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`3) Road scarifier according to claim 1, wherein said data
`processing unit
`is provided with a selector suitable for
`enabling two of the three first data processing systems,
`indifferently, for the presetting of data the third of saidfirst
`data processing system being set consequently.
`4) Road scarifier according to claim 1, wherein the
`hydraulic actuators are hydraulic cylinders, more precisely
`two front and two rear cylinders, said front cylinders being
`hydraulically connected to each other, so that they can be
`operated by meansof a single control.
`5) Method for the operation of a road scarifier according
`to claim 1, suitable for removing asphalt from road surfaces
`by cutting with preset scarification depth and inclination,
`comprising a first cycle for the setting of the parameters to
`be obtained and a working cycle, wherein it comprises the
`following steps:
`
`A)lifting the hydraulic jacks supporting the frame of the
`machine and resting on the tracks with maximum
`extension;
`
`B) lowering the hydraulic jacks until the cutting drum of
`said scarifier rests on the road surface;
`
`C) measuring the distance between the road surface and
`the lateral sensors positioned on the right and left side
`of the machine frame, by means ofa first right data
`processing system and of a first left data processing
`system, respectively;
`
`D) measuring the transversal inclination of the machine
`by meansofan inclination sensor anda furtherfirst data
`processing system;
`
`E) sending said signals to said first right and left data
`processing systems and to said inclination data pro-
`
`cessing system on the respective first right scarification
`depth, left scarification depth and inclination display;
`F) setting to zero the values shownbysaid first displays
`by meansof a reset button acting on each one of said
`first data processing systems;
`G) setting two values chosen amongthe right scarification
`depth,left scarification depth and inclination in two of
`said first data processing systems;
`and in that the working cycle comprises the following
`steps:
`
`AJ)starting the rotation of the cutting drum and the
`machine;
`
`B1) sending the values taken by said right and left
`sensors and by said inclination sensor to said first
`right and left scarification depth data processing
`systems and inclination data processing system;
`C1) comparing the values taken with the values preset
`in said first data processing systems;
`D1) sending out a difference signal from each first data
`processing system, said difference signal being pro-
`portional to the difference between the values taken
`and those preset and being received by a data pro-
`cessing unit;
`E1) sending out control signals from the data process-
`ing unit to hydraulic actuators connected to the frame
`of the machine, said control signals being such as to
`vary the values measured by the right and left
`scarification depth sensors and by the inclination
`sensor, in such a way as to restore the preset values.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
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