Method and apparatus for calculating and using the profile of a surface
US7044680B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE01C23/07
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Knowledge of the profile of a road surface—most importantly its defects—is a must to construct an acceptable road surface in this day of high speed traffic. Measurement and calculation of the surface during the process of forming the road—when the road material is still plastic—provides the opportunity to repair unacceptable defects while the road surface material can still be worked. The benefits include a smoother, more durable surface at a lesser cost than methods used on hardened road surfaces. Shown herein is for a method and apparatus for calculating a surface's elevation profile using measurements taken by non-contact devices at a number of locations. Since non-contact sensors are used, elevation profiles of wet concrete can be measured and calculated. Such an apparatus can be mounted on a road paving machine to provide a real time feedback of the surface so corrections to the surface and to the paving machine's operation can be made as required. Alternatively, the method and apparatus can be used just after the pavement is formed but while the pavement is still in a plastic condition so that defects can be corrected before the pavement has hardened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.