Methods and apparatus for making an asphalt-aggregate pavement.

摘要

An apparatus and method for delivering asphalt-aggregate material from a plurality of supply trucks (16) to a finishing machine (12). In a preferred form of the invention the hopper (14) of the finishing machine (12) is modified to have a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of one of the supply trucks (16). The apparatus (10) is a self-propelled storage vehicle including a hopper (23) having a capacity substantially equal to the capacity of one of the supply trucks (16), a high capacity loading conveyor (33), and a high capacity unloading conveyor system (47). A transversely disposed screw auger (60) is provided for remixing the asphalt-aggregate material in the hopper (23) prior to its discharge to the finishing machine (12). In the first method of operation the storage vehicle (10) shuttles between the finishing machine (12) and a remote location of the supply trucks (16) and in the second method of operation the storage vehicle (10) travels in tandem with the finishing machine (12) as the paving operation is performed. The high capacity loading conveyor (33) can be equipped with an extendable trough (120) which has a pivotally attached trough floor (126) with front (132) and side plates (130). The extendable trough (120) provides a large area which facilitates discharge of paving material from frameless trailers and allows for the early departure of the supply trucks (16) from the conveyor (33). The final discharged paving material is gradually emptied from the extendable trough (120) into the conveyor (33) by hydraulic cylinders (146) which tilt the trough (120) to slide the material in the trough (120) into the infeed end of the conveyor (33).