Remixing material transfer vehicle with storage cleanout door

Abstract

In accordance with example embodiment, a material transfer vehicle comprised of a hopper having a cleanout door configured to slide out under the influence of first and second door cylinders.

1 . A material transfer vehicle comprising:
 a first hopper arranged at a front of the material transfer vehicle, the first hopper being configured to receive asphalt from a dump truck; and   a second hopper arranged near a middle of the material transfer vehicle, the second hopper being configured to receive material from the first hopper via a first feeder, wherein the second hopper includes a storage cleanout door configured to move laterally with respect to a direction of travel of the material transfer vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one actuator configured to move the storage cleanout door laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the material transfer vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one actuator includes a front cylinder arranged near a front of the storage cleanout door and a rear cylinder arranged near a back of the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         4 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one telescoping guide configured to support and guide the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         5 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one telescoping guide includes a cylinder in a cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one telescoping guide includes a front telescoping guide arranged near a front of the storage cleanout door and a back telescoping guide arranged near a back of the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         7 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the storage cleanout door stores asphalt remixed by an auger housed in the second hopper. 
     
     
         8 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage frame configured to receive and support an end of the storage cleanout door while the storage cleanout door is moved laterally inwards to a home position.   
     
     
         9 . A material transfer vehicle comprising:
 a hopper arranged near a middle of the material transfer vehicle;   
       an auger in the hopper, the auger being configured to mix asphalt in the hopper;
 a bearing guard configured to support the auger; 
 a storage cleanout door arranged at a bottom of the hopper, the storage cleanout door being configured to translate outwards to expose a surface of the storage cleanout door; 
 at least one actuator configured to translate the storage cleanout door; and 
 
       at least one telescoping guide configured to support and guide the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         10 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one actuator includes a front cylinder arranged near a front of the storage cleanout door and a rear cylinder arranged near a back of the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         11 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one telescoping guide includes a cylinder in a cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one telescoping guide includes a front telescoping guide arranged near a front of the storage cleanout door and a back telescoping guide arranged near a back of the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         13 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the storage cleanout door stores the asphalt mixed by the auger. 
     
     
         14 . The material transfer vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the hopper is configured to receive the asphalt from a feeder that moves asphalt from a loading hopper of the material transfer vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of cleaning a hopper of a material transfer vehicle comprising:
 energizing at least one actuator to cause a storage cleanout door of the hopper to move sideways and expose an inner surface of the storage cleanout door.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when the cleanout door moves sideways it translates. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one actuator is at least one cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one cylinder includes a front cylinder arranged near a front of the storage cleanout door and a rear cylinder arranged near a back of the storage cleanout door. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the storage cleanout door is configured to slide into and out of a storage frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when the storage cleanout door moves sideways at least one guide moves in a telescoping manner.