Patent ID: 7938595
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: E01C

Abstract:
1. A surface compactor, comprising: a base; a vibratory mechanism, including a drive system that moves at least two weights in a manner that generates a fluctuating vertical force on the base, the drive system including an actuator to move the weights relative to one another to change a net centrifugal force generated by the weights as the weights rotate; and a control system that senses a load in the surface compactor that fluctuates in reaction to the drive system moving the one or more weights and generating the fluctuating vertical force, wherein the control system adjusts the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed load, wherein the control system includes a sensor adapted to sense the load in the surface compactor, the load being on an actuator.