Apparatus and method for a joint sensor assembly

Abstract

A joint sensor assembly for use on a screed having a movable screed extension and a substantially vertical plate. The assembly has a joint sensor operatively connected to the plate and adapted to transmit a joint location signal, a means for moving the plate which is operatively connected to the extension and adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position, a valve operatively connected to the means for moving the plate and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, and a controller adapted to receive the joint location signal and adapted to send a valve signal. The valve signal causes the valve to move between the open position and the closed position, and the movement of the valve causes the means for moving the plate to move between the first lateral position and the second lateral position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A joint sensor assembly adapted for use on a screed having at least one movable screed extension and at least one substantially vertical plate, said joint sensor assembly comprising:
 (a) at least one joint sensor, said at least one joint sensor being operatively connected to the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to transmit a joint location signal;   (b) a means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate, said means being operatively connected to the at least one movable screed extension and being adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position;   (c) a valve, said valve being operatively connected to the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; and,   (d) a controller, said controller being adapted to receive the joint location signal from the at least one joint sensor and being adapted to send a valve signal to the valve;   wherein the valve signal causes the valve to move between the open position and the closed position; and wherein the movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position causes the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate to move between the first lateral position and the second lateral position.   
     
     
         2 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises a laser sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises a pulse sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises a magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises a first joint sensor that is adapted to transmit a first joint location signal and a second joint sensor that is adapted to transmit a second joint location signal. The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the assembly is adapted to move the at least one movable screed extension and the at least one substantially vertical plate in a direction that is normal to a direction of travel of the screed. 
     
     
         8 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the assembly is adapted to automatically move the at least one movable screed extension and the at least one substantially vertical plate in a direction that is normal to a direction of travel of the screed. 
     
     
         9 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the substantially vertical plate comprises an actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the substantially vertical plate comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for moving the substantially vertical plate comprises a motor. 
     
     
         12 . A joint sensor assembly adapted for use on a screed having at least one movable screed extension and at least one substantially vertical plate, said joint sensor assembly comprising:
 (a) a first joint sensor, said first joint sensor being operatively connected to the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to transmit a first joint location signal;   (b) a second joint sensor, said second joint sensor being operatively connected to the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to transmit a second joint location signal;   (c) a means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate, said means being operatively connected to the at least one movable screed extension and being adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position;   (d) a valve, said valve being operatively connected to the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; and,   (e) a controller, said controller being adapted to receive the first joint location signal from the first joint sensor and receive the second joint location signal from the second joint sensor and being adapted to send a valve signal to the valve;   wherein the valve signal causes the valve to move between the open position and the closed position; and wherein the movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position causes the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate to move between the first lateral position and the second lateral position.   
     
     
         13 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 12  wherein the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate comprises an actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 12  wherein the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         15 . The joint sensor assembly of  claim 12  wherein the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate comprises a motor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for detecting the location of a joint of an asphalt mat, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a joint sensor assembly adapted for use on a screed having at least one movable screed extension and at least one substantially vertical plate, said joint sensor assembly comprising:
 (i) at least one joint sensor, said at least one joint sensor being operatively connected to the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to transmit a joint location signal; 
 (ii) a means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate, said means being operatively connected to the at least one movable screed extension and being adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position; 
 (iii) a valve, said valve being operatively connected to the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate and being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; 
 (iv) a controller, said controller being adapted to receive the joint location signal from the at least one joint sensor and being adapted to send a valve signal to the valve; 
 wherein the valve signal causes the valve to move between the open position and the closed position; and wherein the movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position causes the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate to move between the first lateral position and the second lateral position; and, 
   (b) detecting the location of the joint of the asphalt mat.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the location of the joint of the asphalt mat is automatically detected. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the at least one joint sensor comprises a first joint sensor adapted to transmit a first joint location signal and a second joint sensor adapted to transmit a second joint location signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate comprises an actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the means for moving the at least one substantially vertical plate comprises a motor.