Separating and sorting apparatus for asphalt

An apparatus and method for testing asphalt in the field is described. The apparatus includes a motor for rotatively driving a chamber containing the asphalt to be tested. The chamber is rotated while cooler, ambient air is circulated through the asphalt particulate. After cooling the particles of the asphalt, the asphalt particles are separated by tumbling action.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to field test equipment and, more particularly, to a separating and sorting apparatus and method for treating and processing asphalt particulate in the field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In field tests of asphalt products the separating and sorting of asphalt particulate has always been done by hand. There is no commercial apparatus for doing this, mainly because field-testing is a hands-on, civil engineering trade. The frequency of doing this test, however, warrants something be done to facilitate and/or automate the procedure. Anyone who has ever separated and sorted asphalt can attest to the laborious difficulties encountered in performing this task.

The present invention seeks to provide a new field-testing apparatus to separate and sort asphalt particulate.

The current invention comprises a motor driven, rotating container for holding asphalt. The container has input and output vents for conveying cooler, ambient air through the container, as the asphalt is made to tumble therein. Cooler, ambient air is introduced into the container through the input vent. An electric blower produces the cooler, ambient air, which circulates about the tumbling asphalt particles, causing the particles and liquid asphalt in the asphalt mix to cool. The heat from the mix is discharged through the output vent. The cool, dried-asphalt particles then sink to the bottom of the container, which features a releasable latch. Opening the latch discharges the processed asphalt particulate into a trough disposed below the rotating container. The trough directs the particulate into a receptacle disposed below it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for processing asphalt in the field. The apparatus comprises a motor driven rotating container for holding the asphalt to be processed. The container has input and output vents for conveying ambient air through the container as the asphalt is made to tumble therein. Ambient air is introduced into the input vent. An electrically powered blower generates the cooler, ambient air, which circulates about the tumbling asphalt particles causing the components in the asphalt mix to cool, and allowing the hot gases to discharge through the output vent. A baffle plate disposed adjacent the output vent deflects the ambient air and cooler particles from being directed at the field test operator, thus preventing the possibility of burns. The cool, dried asphalt particles sink to the bottom of the container where a spring-loaded latch can be released. Releasing the latch causes the processed asphalt particulate to drop into a trough. The trough gathers the cooled particle portion and then directs it into a receptacle or bucket disposed below the trough.

The process of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) passing cooler, ambient air through the container having asphalt particulate to be processed; (b) tumbling the asphalt particulate while continuing to pass the cooler air through the container to drive off heat; (c) discharging the cooled asphalt particulate into a collecting receptacle. The tumbling action keeps the particles from sticking together as they cool, since at room temperature or below, asphalt particles no longer stick to each other.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for separating and cooling asphalt particulate in the field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compact apparatus and method for cooling, field-testing, processing, and separating asphalt particulate.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, like components and elements of the apparatus of this invention will bear the same designations or numbering throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Generally speaking, the invention features an apparatus and method for testing asphalt in the field. The apparatus comprises a motor driven chamber containing the asphalt to be tested. The chamber is rotated while cooler, ambient air is circulated through the asphalt particulate. While rotating the particles of the asphalt, the tumbling action causes the asphalt to cool and separate into loose, dry particles.

Now referring to FIG. 1 , an apparatus 10 is illustrated for processing asphalt in the field, comprising a container 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 . An electrically operated fan unit 18 , comprising an internal fan (not shown), blows cooler, ambient air (arrow 15 ) into intermediary plenum 17 , and connects with the inlet 14 . It introduces the cooler, ambient air to the chamber 20 , as shown in cut-away view. The cooler air travels (arrows 22 ) through the chamber 20 and exits through the outlet 16 where it impinges on a baffle plate 23 , which disperses the cool air and stray lighter particulate, as shown by arrows 25 , in order to prevent burns.

The container 12 is rotatably driven (arrow 27 ) by means of an electric motor 26 , operatively connected to the tubular inlet 14 , by means of a V-belt, or sprocket and chain transmission system 28 . Asphalt to be tested is introduced into the container 12 through the lid 11 , as better observed with reference to FIG. 3 . Lid 11 is opened (arrow 39 ), and the asphalt to be tested is poured into chamber 20 . The cooler air flowing through the rotating chamber 20 (arrow 27 ) causes the tumbling asphalt mix to cool, and allows it to remain separate in its component coarse and fine particulate as shown in FIG. 2 .

A second container 30 in the form of a receiving tray is disposed below container 12 . The second container 30 has a funnel 29 located in the sloping bottom section 31 . Asphalt particulate processed in container 12 will be discharged (arrows 37 ) to the second container 30 by releasing the spring-biased latch 35 disposed in the bottom of container 12 , as depicted in FIG. 3 . The asphalt particles are collected (arrows 36 ) in a bucket or receptacle 38 .