A new and improved method and apparatus for use in conjunction with the free floating paving screed used for road paving is disclosed. The method of forming a bituminous mixture into a smooth flat paved mat comprising some areas with a given nominal mat density and some selected areas with a predeterminedly higher mat density is described wherein problems posed by a reduced compaction ratio occurring subsequently to paving the mat where the roller drum bridges over recesses in the subbase are addressed. The modified paving screed described employs a new adjustable screed plate that allows localized areas of increased angle of attack and a device to increased material entry density in localized areas in front of a screed plate leading edge. Either method is used to create an increase in mat density in the desired area. The method and apparatus teach that by pairing differences in compaction ratio that inherently occur due to subbase irregularities with correspondingly predetermined and different mat densities in the paved mat, a good consistent final density can be achieved notwithstanding the limitations of the compaction rolling. A forward looking vision system is described that identifies subbase recesses, a digital controller quantifies the density increase required, and a GPS system maps locations where the mat density increases are to be applied.

In a self-propelling road construction machine, particularly a road roller (1), comprising a travel drive, a steering device, a control device (30) for the travel drive and the steering device, and a driver's seat (5) rotatable by at least 180° and including an integrated operating element (8) for the vehicle speed, with the operating element (8) generating the control signals for the travel drive in dependence on the direction of the control movement of the operating element (8) or the direction of force application on the operating element (8), it is provided that, in response to a first switching command, the control device (30) will automatically perform a reversing process comprising deceleration, seat rotation, change of direction of travel, and acceleration to the set vehicle speed in opposite direction to the original direction of travel.

A paving machine including a frame, a hopper assembly, and a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of the paving machine, determine a heading and a travel speed of the paving machine, and generate a non-circular geofence corresponding to the paving machine. The non-circular geofence may have an anchor point that is disposed at the location of the paving machine, and may be positioned and oriented based on the heading and the travel speed of the paving machine. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of a supply machine relative to the paving machine, and determine a state of the supply machine based on a comparison between the location of the supply machine and the non-circular geofence. The control unit may be configured to cause an action to be performed based on the state of the supply machine.

A paving machine including a frame, a hopper assembly, and a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of the paving machine, determine a heading and a travel speed of the paving machine, and generate a non-circular geofence corresponding to the paving machine. The non-circular geofence may have an anchor point that is disposed at the location of the paving machine, and may be positioned and oriented based on the heading and the travel speed of the paving machine. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of a supply machine relative to the paving machine, and determine a state of the supply machine based on a comparison between the location of the supply machine and the non-circular geofence. The control unit may be configured to cause an action to be performed based on the state of the supply machine.

The subject invention provides methods of preparing and/or modifying a working area of interest that results in a level surface layer. In preferred embodiments, a three-dimensional (3-D) paver is utilized to deposit a compressible paving material, wherein, prior to being compacted mechanically, the pavement has a thickness that varies in accordance with the topography of the subgrade surface. Advantageously, paving methods comprising 3-D printing technology provided herein offer a more effective, economical, and versatile solution in preparing level road surface layers than existing paving machines.

The subject invention provides methods of preparing and/or modifying a working area of interest that results in a level surface layer. In preferred embodiments, a three-dimensional (3-D) paver is utilized to deposit a compressible paving material, wherein, prior to being compacted mechanically, the pavement has a thickness that varies in accordance with the topography of the subgrade surface. Advantageously, paving methods comprising 3-D printing technology provided herein offer a more effective, economical, and versatile solution in preparing level road surface layers than existing paving machines.

The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing and the methods for their utilization. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may perform surface treatments that support the building of walls. Other examples may involve the support of creating and repairing advanced roadways.

Method for detecting a quality of paving material distributed along a paving area using a paver, including: receiving a first thermal profile of a portion of the paving area where the paving material is distributed, the first thermal profile having a plurality of temperature values assigned to respective measurement points; the portion including a first subportion; analyzing the first thermal profile to detect segregated spots of paving material within the portion enabling to determine a quality of the paving material, including: determining a first zone of the measuring points arranged adjacent to each other and having temperature values within a predetermined range, the first zone corresponding to the first subportion and being at least partially surrounded by measurement points having temperature values out of the predetermined range; determining a first analysis parameter for the first zone; and determining a first quality parameter for the subportion to assign the first quality parameter to the first analysis parameter.

Method for detecting a quality of paving material distributed along a paving area using a paver, including: receiving a first thermal profile of a portion of the paving area where the paving material is distributed, the first thermal profile having a plurality of temperature values assigned to respective measurement points; the portion including a first subportion; analyzing the first thermal profile to detect segregated spots of paving material within the portion enabling to determine a quality of the paving material, including: determining a first zone of the measuring points arranged adjacent to each other and having temperature values within a predetermined range, the first zone corresponding to the first subportion and being at least partially surrounded by measurement points having temperature values out of the predetermined range; determining a first analysis parameter for the first zone; and determining a first quality parameter for the subportion to assign the first quality parameter to the first analysis parameter.

An autonomous ground maintenance system comprising a vehicle comprising a chassis supported upon a ground surface by ground support members, a container supported by the chassis, the container defining a discharge outlet operable to disperse treating material held within the container to a target area of the ground surface, a gate adapted to selectively open and close the discharge outlet, a sensor adapted to identify the target area, and an electronic controller supported by the chassis, the controller being in communication with the sensor and the gate. The controller is adapted to position the chassis at a location proximate the target area such that the discharge outlet is capable of delivering the treating material to the target area and energize the gate to open the discharge outlet.