END GATE WEAR PLATE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to systems and methods for end gates of a screed assembly on an asphalt paving machine. More particularly, the present application relates to systems and methods for a wear component of an end gate.

Background

Paving machines or pavers are used in a paving process to create a new road surface. Pavers assist in pouring and spreading paving material to form a new roadway surface or mat. With asphalt pavers, an aggregate-filled bituminous mixture that comprises the paving material is spread while hot and is then compacted so that a hardened pavement surface is formed upon cooling. Pavers typically utilize a heavy assembly (termed a “screed”) that is drawn behind the paving machine. The screed assembly includes one or more screed plates to spread a smooth even layer of paving material on the prepared roadbed. The weight and/or a vibration of the screed assembly aids in compressing the paving material and performing initial compaction of the paving material layer.

To facilitate depositing and compressing paving material, the screed assembly can have components including a one or more of screed plates. These can be separate from one another and can be extended and retracted laterally relative to the direction of travel of the paver. This ability to use multiple screed plates to cover a larger lateral area allows a greater area to be paved more efficiently with a reduced number of passes. Furthermore, having multiple independent screed plates as part of the screed assembly can allow for changes in a relative angle of the screeds individually. This can allow the mat in certain areas to be provided with a desired angle, curvature or gradient as desired. This can allow a water drainage gradient to be introduced to the mat, for example. Various screed assemblies having multiple screed plates are known and include a front mount screed extension assembly and a rear mount screed extension assembly. With the front mount screed extension assembly, one or more side screed plates are positioned laterally of and in front of a main screed plate. With the rear mount screed extension assembly, one or more side screed plates are positioned laterally of and behind the main screed plate.

Summary of the invention

An apparatus comprising a screed assembly is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a screed assembly and an end gate releasably attached to an end portion the screed assembly. The end gate comprises a wear plate, the wear plate adjustably attached to an interior surface of the end gate. The wear plate may be disposed on the end gate in a first position, and the wear plate may be flush with the screed plate in the first position. The wear plate may be operable to be adjusted from the first position to a second position, where in the wear plate is flush with the screed plate in the second position. The wear plate may comprise one or more elongated slots, and the wear plate is operable to be adjusted from a first position to a second position by loosening and tightening one or more adjustment bolts disposed in the one or more elongated slots. The wear plate may be operable to be adjusted by turning an adjustment bolt, the adjustment bolt extending outward from an exterior surface of the end gate. The apparatus may comprise at least one of AR450 and AR500 steel.

A wear plate for an end gate of a paving machine is disclosed. The wear plate is operable to adjustably attach to the end gate. The wear plate is disposed on an interior surface of the end gate and is further operable to be adjusted from a first position to a second position on the end gate. The wear plate is operable to adjustably attach to the end gate in a first position, wherein the wear plate is flush with a screed plate in the first position. The wear plate is operable to be adjusted from the first position to the second position, and the wear plate is flush with a screed plate in the second position. The wear plate further comprises one or more elongated slots operable to receive one or more threaded bolts. The wear plate is operable to adjustably attach to the end gate by receiving the one or more threaded bolts through the elongated slots. The one or more threaded bolts are operable to be loosened to enable adjustment of the wear plate from the first position to the second position. The wear plate is operable to wear at a rate substantially the same as a rate of the screed plate. The wear plate may be operable to be adjusted by turning an adjustment bolt, the adjustment bolt extending outward from an exterior surface of the end gate. The first position may be a worn position and the second position may be a flush position, the flush position flush with a screed plate of a screed assembly. The wear plate comprises at least one of AR450 and AR500 steel.

A method for adjusting a wear plate adjustably attached to an end gate of a paving machine is disclosed. The method comprises loosening one or more attachment bolts. The one or more attachment bolts securing the wear plate to the end gate. The method further comprises moving the wear plate from a first position to a second position. The wear plate may be flush with a screed plate in the second position. The method further comprises tightening the one or more attachment bolts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an asphalt paving machine including a screed assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front mount screed assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear mount screed plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a screed plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end gate for a screed assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an asphalt paving machine (“paver”) including a screed assembly. An end gate of the screed assembly and a screed plate are in contact with a material deposited on a road surface to be paved. In some pavers, a screed plate surface and an end gate surface may wear with use as the screed is moved over and compresses the deposited paving material. In some pavers, a screed plate and end gate shoe may wear with use and be replaced at regular intervals. However, an inside frame or plate of an end gate may also wear with use. With continued usage, an inside surface plate of an end gate that adjoins or abuts a screed may wear unevenly relative to the screed plate and end gate shoe. As a result, the paver may leave an unsightly ridge of paving material extending away from a gap formed by the uneven wear between an end gate and the screed plate along the direction of paver travel.

In general, an inside surface of an end gate and end gate shoe should be flush with a screed plate where the end gate shoe and screed plate contact the road surface to obtain the desired appearance in a deposited asphalt mat. With repeated use, a portion of the end gate and screed plate will wear. In some systems, the screed plate and end gate are replaced when worn. An inside surface of the end gate may also wear but is typically not replaced. This area of wear in an inside surface of an end gate may leave a gap between the end gate and the screed plate. An interior surface of an end gate is part of the end gate arm weldment. To repair an unevenly worn portion of the end gate surface would require either a costly new arm to be purchased, or to undertake a gap-filling procedure to add new material to the worn surface of the end gate. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an adjustable wear plate of an end gate. The wear plate may be adjustable, replaceable or both. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for an end gate wear plate that includes a wear plate able to be adjusted or replaced contemporaneously with a screed plate.

FIG. 1 is a side view of paving machine 10 showing a main screed assembly 52 positioned rearward of vehicle 18. Paving machine 10 may receive paving material 30 from a front position and transport it to main screed assembly for deposition on a roadbed via auger 28. Asphalt paving machine 10 can comprise a vehicle 18, which can be connected to the main screed assembly 52 via a tow arm 20A. Main screed assembly 52 includes screed plate assembly 14 and operational controls. Screed plate assembly 14 may include end gate 14A and screed plates 16. Vehicle portion 18 may travel along a roadway in direction D by propulsion element 22 and conveyor system 24. Vehicle 18 includes hopper 26, which may receive and/or temporarily store paving material 30 until or while paving material is carried by auger 28 to main screed assembly 52 for deposition and compression by screed plate assembly 14 into paving mat 34.

Paving material 30 can be asphalt, aggregate materials, concrete, and/or any other suitable material for forming a road surface. In various embodiments, paving material 30 may be scooped or deposited into hopper 26 of vehicle 18. As paving machine 10 travels in direction D, conveyor system 24 can move paving material 30 in the opposite direction from the hopper 26 to the auger 28. Conveyor system 24 may be a belt-driven conveyance system that transports paving material 30 from hopper 26 to auger 28.

Conveyor system 24 can be disposed within or below the hopper 26. Conveyor system 24 transports paving material 30 by operation of a belt or other conveyance through hopper 26 toward auger 28. Auger 28 may receive and by rotational motion deposit paving material 30 under main screed assembly 52 as vehicle 18 travels in direction D. Main screed assembly 52 may be attached to the rear of the vehicle portion 18 to receive the paving material 30 from auger 28. Main screed assembly 52 can be towed by tow arms 20A (one of which is shown in FIG. 1). Propulsion system 22 can comprise a ground engaging element, such as an endless track, wheels or any other suitable propulsion mechanism for propelling paving machine 10 along the roadbed 32. Paving material 30 can be deposited by the conveyor system 24 in front of the auger 28. Auger 28 may disperse paving material 30 along the width (into the plane of FIG. 1) of main screed assembly 52. The screed plate assembly 14 may compact the paving material 30 into mat 34 behind paving machine 10.

More particularly, to facilitate formation of the mat 34, main screed assembly 52 can include screed plate assembly 14 on a bottom portion. Screed plate assembly 14 may be disposed on a bottom portion of main screed assembly 52 to press paving material 30 against a roadbed 32 to form paving mat 34. End gate 14A may be attached to screed plate assembly 14 to form an outer boundary. Paving material 30 may thus be shaped to form mat 34. End gate 14A may be fixed or otherwise attached to an end screed plate assembly 14 by any suitable means.

In operation, end gate 14A may be configured to restrict the spread of the paving material 30 beyond specified lateral limits. End gate 14A can be used in combination with screed plate assembly 14 to deposit mat 34 in a predetermined width. Screed plate assembly 14 can be configured to spread a smooth, even layer of paving material 30 on roadbed 32 as mat 34. In some embodiments, a weight and/or a vibration of screed plate assembly 14 may facilitate compressing paving material 30 and performing an initial compaction of paving material 30 layer into mat 34. To facilitate laying of the paving material 30 into mat 34, screed plate assembly 14 and other plates can be heated to a temperature in the range of about 82° to 171° C. (180° to 340° F.). Heating portions of screed plate assembly 14 may assist the paving material 30 in flowing under the screed plate assembly 14 and may reduce adhesion of paving material 30 to the screed plate assembly 14.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of main screed assembly 52 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows the screed plate assembly 14 configured to create mat 34 (shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, screed plate assembly 14 may be configured as a front mount main screed assembly 52. This arrangement positions the main screed assembly 52 and parts of end gate 14A forward of the screed plate assembly 14. However, other configurations, such as a rear mount screed extension assembly are contemplated, as described further below.

As shown in FIG. 2, a forward mounted main screed assembly 52 includes end gate 14A, screed plate assembly 14, screed plates 16, and walkway 54. Paving material may be received from auger 28 from a forward direction of screed plate assembly 14 and deposited in front of screed plate assembly 14. As vehicle 18 travels, screed plate assembly 14 may press paving material 30 into paving mat 34, as discussed further herein. Walkway 54 may extend laterally along a rear side of the main screed assembly 52 rearward of the screed plate assembly 14. Walkway 54 can be used by personnel during paving operation to monitor laying of mat 34 and to perform operations necessary to operate paving machine 10.

FIG. 3 shows screed plate assembly 14 operable to be mounted to main screed assembly 52 in a rear mount configuration according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Screed plate assembly 14 includes end gate 14A, end gate shoe 15, and screed plates 16. Paving material 30 may be received from auger 28 as paving machine 10 travels along direction D and pressed by screed plate assembly 14 into paving mat 34. As discussed above, screed plate assembly 14 and other plates can be heated to a temperature in the range of about 82° to 171° C. (180° to 340° F.). Heating portions of screed plate assembly 14 may assist the paving material 30 in flowing under the screed plate assembly 14 and may reduce adhesion of paving material 30 to the screed plate assembly 14. Because screed plates 16 contact paving material 30 with screed plates 16 may wear with repeated use. Accordingly, screed plates 16 may need to be replaced to ensure continued optimal operation and a smooth, even deposition of paving material 30 into paving mat 34. Screed plates 16 may be removed and replaced according to known methods. Screed plate assembly 14 may include replaceable wear plate 70. Replaceable wear plate 70 may be disposed on an inside surface endgate 14A and at least partially abutting screed plates 16. Replaceable wear plate 70 may comprise a different material than screed plates 16 and may therefore wear at a different rate than screed plates 16. An uneven wear depth on replaceable wear plate 70 relative to a wear depth on screed plates 16 may produce an undesirable ridge on paving mat 34 as paving material 30 is deposited. Accordingly, wear plate 70 may be adjusted and/or replaced to ensure an even mat 34 surface as discussed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a rear end view of the screed plate assembly 14. As discussed herein, screed plate assembly 14 includes screed plates 16. As screed assembly 14 travels along direction D, paving material 30 is deposited underneath screed plates 16 and between end gates 14A. Paving material 30 is pressed by the weight of screed plates 16 and/or channeled by end gates 14A. With continued operation, one or more screed plates 16 may wear and may need to be replaced with a replacement screed plate 16. Screed plates 16 may be replaced by methods known in the art. Wear plate 70 may be positioned on an inside surface of endgate 14A and at least partially abutting one or more screed plates 16. Operation of paving machine 10 may cause replaceable wear plate 70 to wear at a different rate than screen plate 16. Uneven wear depth on replaceable wear plate 70 relative to a wear depth on screed plates 16 may produce an undesirable ridge on paving mat 34 as paving material 30 is deposited and pressed into paving mat 34 on a roadbed 32. Wear plate 70 may be adjusted and/or replaced to ensure an even mat 34 surface as discussed further below.

FIG. 5 shows end gate 14A according to embodiments of the present disclosure that includes an adjustable and/or replaceable wear plate 70. End gate 14A may include end gate shoe 15 that contacts a road surface. As discussed above, end gate 14A may channel paving material 30 and form an outer edge of mat 34. End gate 14A may attach to screed plate assembly 14 by any suitable means. When attached, an inside surface 72 may abut an outside surface of screed plate assembly 14. Wear plate 70 may be removably or adjustably attached to an inner and rear portion of end gate 14A by any suitable means. In some embodiments, wear plate 70 may be affixed to end gate 14A via bolts 71 positioned through elongated slots formed in wear plate 70 and threaded into interior threads formed in end gate 70. Tightening bolts 71 may adjustably secure wear plate 70 to end gate 14A.

Wear plate 70 may be adjusted or replaced at periodic intervals or after a certain amount of service time. As discussed above, wear plate 70 may wear as wear plate 70 and screed plate 16 press paving material 30 into a mat 34 during operation of paving machine 10. If only screed plate 16 is replaced, screed plate 16 and wear plate 70 may not be in an optimal flush alignment. Accordingly, to obtain an optimal flush alignment between wear plate 70 and screed plate 16, end gate 14A may be removed from screed assembly 14. Once removed, one or more bolts 71 may be loosened or removed. Wear plate 70 may be adjusted downward from a first, worn position to a second, flush position. The second position may be aligned in a flush manner to screed plate 16. Screed plate 16 may also be replaced at the same time as wear plate 70 is adjusted and/or replaced using known methods to maintain a flush alignment between wear plate 70 and screed plates 16. Bolts 71 may be tightened to again secure wear plate 70 to end gate 14A. As wear plate 70 wears during continued operation, the adjusting procedure may be repeated as necessary. In some embodiments, wear plate 70 may no longer be able to be adjusted to a flush position and may be replaced with a second wear plate 70 using a similar procedure.

In some embodiments, wear plate 70 may be comprised of abrasion resistant steel, such as, for example, AR450 or AR500 steel. However, wear plate 70 may be comprised of any suitable steel or other wear material.

In some embodiments, wear plate 70 may be attached to end gate 14A in an adjustable or replaceable manner, such that wear plate 70 may be adjusted or replaced without removing end gate 14A. As one example, wear plate 70 may be attached to a threaded screw extending outward to a surface of end gate 14A. Turning the threaded screw may adjust wear plate 70 up or down to be aligned in a flush position to screed plate 16. Such adjustment may be faster and more economical, resulting in less paving machine 10 downtime while servicing. As wear plate 70 wears during continued operation of paving machine 10, the threaded screw may be adjusted downward as necessary to maintain a flush alignment with screed plate 16. In some embodiments, wear plate 70 may no longer be able to be adjusted to a flush position and may be replaced with a second wear plate 70 using a procedure as described above.

Industrial Applicability

Example machines in accordance with this disclosure can be used in a variety of industrial, construction, commercial or other applications including paving. Such pavers can have the screed plate assembly 14 including screed plates 16.

When paving, wear parts are designed to be replaced, including a screed plate. Such replacement may cause undesirable ridge lines caused by uneven surfaces between an end gate 14A in paving material deposited on a road surface. Accordingly, a wear plate 70 may be adjusted or replaced at the same time screed plate 16 is replaced, created an even surface between the screed assembly 14 and mat 34.

The above detailed description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with references to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The claims should be considered part of the specification for support purposes.