The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing. The present disclosure includes methods for adding line features to a roadway surface. In some examples, the line features may include wires, conduits and electronic components. In some examples, the mobile additive manufacturing apparatus may create communication means into an advanced roadway in line features, which may be used for various communications including communications to and from autonomous vehicles. The communications may involve data related to the operation of systems of autonomous vehicles. In other examples, the line features may be dynamically colored with LED components.

A bead flow sensor module includes a housing, a beam, and a sensor. The beam extends into a flow channel of the housing through which a flow of beads and compressed air flows. The sensor outputs a signal indicative of bead impacts on the beam. A system incorporating the bead flow sensor module includes a compressed air source, a bead hopper, and a bead dispenser. The compressed air source delivers a flow of compressed air to the bead hopper. A flow of beads carried by the compressed air discharges from the bead hopper along a flow pathway connecting the bead hopper to the bead dispenser. The bead flow sensor module positioned along the flow pathway outputs the signal from which a bead flow volume through the bead dispenser is determined.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

An example method includes storing surface treatment data to specify at least one selected surface treatment to apply at a target location along a vehicle path of travel, the surface treatment data including a machine-readable description and a reference coordinate frame for the selected surface treatment. The method also includes generating task plan data to apply the selected surface treatment based on the surface treatment data and at least one parameter of an application tool. The method also includes determining a location and orientation of the application tool with respect to the vehicle path of travel based on location data representing a current location of a vehicle carrying the application tool. The method also includes computing a joint-space trajectory to enable the application tool to apply the selected surface treatment at the target location based on the task plan data and the determined location of the application tool.

An example method includes storing surface treatment data to specify at least one selected surface treatment to apply at a target location along a vehicle path of travel, the surface treatment data including a machine-readable description and a reference coordinate frame for the selected surface treatment. The method also includes generating task plan data to apply the selected surface treatment based on the surface treatment data and at least one parameter of an application tool. The method also includes determining a location and orientation of the application tool with respect to the vehicle path of travel based on location data representing a current location of a vehicle carrying the application tool. The method also includes computing a joint-space trajectory to enable the application tool to apply the selected surface treatment at the target location based on the task plan data and the determined location of the application tool.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A hot applied thermoplastic pavement composition and method of using is described wherein the composition comprises; a modified polyamide resin in the range of between 3 and 10 percent by weight, wherein the composition contains rosin-modified esters, a copolymer, 30-70 percent by weight of a glass bead intermix, a range of between 1 and 15 percent by weight of either white or yellow pigment, the balance of the composition being selected from the group consisting of; one or more plasticizers, inorganic fillers, waxes, antioxidants and light stabilizers.

A hot applied thermoplastic pavement composition and method of using is described wherein the composition comprises; a modified polyamide resin in the range of between 3 and 10 percent by weight, wherein the composition contains rosin-modified esters, a copolymer, 30-70 percent by weight of a glass bead intermix, a range of between 1 and 15 percent by weight of either white or yellow pigment, the balance of the composition being selected from the group consisting of; one or more plasticizers, inorganic fillers, waxes, antioxidants and light stabilizers.

The present invention encompasses a novel soil-repellent reactive resin seal for markings or coating of areas of ground or trafficways, for example roads, based on cold plastic. Compared to established prior art systems, this sealing leads to reduced adhesion of soil, especially in hot and/or dry, dusty environments. Thus, the marking retains better visibility than conventional markings, even in dry, hot regions. Otherwise, the marking sealed in accordance with the invention has comparable mechanical properties to the prior art.