Paving machine with gravity feed hopper and auger mechanism
US5615973A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE01C2301/30
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A paving machine has a gravity feed hopper which is capable of delivering by gravity to the paving apparatus substantially all of the paving materials stored in the hopper without employing any internal conveyors. The discharge opening of the hopper is selectively closed by a feeder gate, the degree of opening of which is preferably coordinated with other operating parameters of the machine such as vehicle speed, distributing auger height and/or speed, and screed operation. Use of the gravity feed hopper significantly reduces construction and maintenance costs, provides a more uniform feed of materials from the hopper, and permits the use of a smaller engine. The paving machine as thus constructed is also relatively easy to operate and thus can be controlled by a single operator seated in the vicinity of the screed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.