Asphalt application systems and methods

Abstract

An attachment apparatus for a distributor vehicle configured to apply asphalt onto a surface is provided. The attachment apparatus comprises a truss and a broom head attached to the truss. The broom head comprises a plurality of bristles. The attachment apparatus further comprises a drive assembly configured to shift the truss and the broom head between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the surface.

1 . An attachment apparatus for an asphalt distributor vehicle configured to apply asphalt onto a surface, the attachment apparatus comprising:
 a truss;   a broom head attached to said truss, wherein said broom head comprises a plurality of bristles; and   a drive assembly configured to shift said truss and said broom head between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said broom head is configured to extend laterally with respect to a direction of travel of the distributor vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles of said broom head are metal. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles of said broom head are plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when said broom head is in the lowered position, said broom head forms a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when said broom head is in the lowered position, said broom head forms a perpendicular angle with respect to the surface. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said broom head is a first broom head, wherein said attachment apparatus comprises a second broom head attached to said truss, wherein said second broom head comprises a flexible flange, and wherein said first broom head is positioned at a front end of said truss and said second broom head is positioned at a rear of said truss. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more arms having a first end pivotably attached to said truss and a second end configured to attach to the distributor vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending barriers attached to said truss. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of asphalt emitters supported by said truss, wherein said asphalt emitters are configured to be fluidly connected to the distributor vehicle via conduits. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said asphalt emitters are configured to emit a mixture of asphalt and aggregate onto the surface. 
     
     
         13 . A distributor vehicle configured to apply asphalt onto a surface comprising:
 a wheeled chassis;   a reservoir supported by the chassis for storing the asphalt;   an applicator in fluid communication with the reservoir; and   an attachment apparatus connected to the wheeled chassis and comprising—
 a truss, 
 a broom head attached to said truss, wherein said broom head comprises a plurality of bristles, and 
 a drive assembly configured to shift said truss and said broom head between a raised position and a lowered position with respect to the surface. 
   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein said broom head is a first broom head, and wherein the bristles of said first broom head are metal, wherein said attachment apparatus comprises a second broom head, wherein said second broom head comprises a flexible flange, and wherein said first broom head is positioned at a front end of said truss and said second broom head is positioned at a rear of said truss. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more arms having a first end pivotably attached to said truss and a second end attached to said distributor vehicle, and wherein said drive assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending barriers attached to said truss, and further comprising a plurality of asphalt emitters supported by said truss, wherein said asphalt emitters are configured to be fluidly connected to the distributor vehicle via conduits. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein said asphalt emitters are configured to emit a mixture of asphalt and aggregate. 
     
     
         18 . A method of applying asphalt to a surface, the method comprising:
 lowering a truss of an attachment apparatus that is pivotally attached to the distributor vehicle, such that a broom head attached to the truss contacts the surface;   emitting the asphalt onto the surface via a plurality of emitters in fluid communication with a reservoir on a distributor vehicle; and   spreading the asphalt against the surface via the broom head, wherein the broom head comprises a plurality of bristles.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein upon said lowering step, said broom head forms a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said emitting step includes emitting a mixture of asphalt and aggregate. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said aggregate comprises particles having an average particle size of less than 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the broom head extends generally laterally, and wherein the truss includes a plurality of longitudinally extending barriers, and wherein the barriers are configured to maintain the asphalt inside a space defined by the plurality of barriers. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of applying a treatment material onto the surface, wherein the treatment material is configured to (i) restore the ductility and flexibility of the surface, and/or (ii) provide oxidation protection of the surface.