IP Library Granted Patent US 12680238
Granted Patent B2
US 12680238 · App. 18/125,021 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Asphalt compactor stop/start assist

Inventors: Timothy J. Lindholm (Ham Lake, MN); John L Marsolek (Watertown, MN); Cary M Bryant (Plymouth, MN); Jeremy W. Lee (Otsego, MN); Matthew D. Chisholm (Maple Grove, MN); Joseph A. Lehtola (Buffalo, MN); Robert J. McGee (Clayton, NC); Mark A. Tarvin (Canton, IL); Rianto A. Rahman (Plymouth, MN); Paul S. Petersen (Maple Grove, MN)
Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
E01C19/235E01C19/283E01C19/288
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680238
App. No.
18/125,021
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for assisting an asphalt compactor in performing a directional change can include a controller configured to perform a turn-out for the asphalt compactor by steering the asphalt compactor at a desired turning angle on an asphalt mat; the controller configured to turn off a vibratory system for the asphalt compactor during the turn-out; the controller configured to slow down and stop the asphalt compactor after a desired distance into the turn-out; and the controller configured to move the asphalt compactor in an opposite direction and restart the vibratory system.

Claims (34)

1 . A system for assisting an asphalt compactor in performing a directional change, the system comprising:

a controller configured to perform a turn-out for the asphalt compactor by steering the asphalt compactor at a desired turning angle on an asphalt mat;

the controller configured to turn off a vibratory system for the asphalt compactor during the turn-out;

the controller configured to slow down and stop the asphalt compactor after a desired distance into the turn-out; and

the controller configured to move the asphalt compactor in an opposite direction and restart the vibratory system.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an operator manually enters the desired turning angle and manually activates the turn-out.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the turning angle and performs the turn-out after being triggered by at least one of initiation by an operator or autonomously by the asphalt compactor or by a remote system.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the turning angle and the desired distance to travel is determined based on a width of the asphalt mat and a starting position of the asphalt compactor on the asphalt mat.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the width of the asphalt mat is received from a paver located in front of the asphalt compactor.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the width of the asphalt mat is determined by the controller.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the asphalt compactor is autonomous.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller calculates an entire route to determine a full path for a compaction of the asphalt mat based on a determined mat width, a speed of the paver, a width of a drum of the asphalt compactor, and a number of compactors on a jobsite.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to not use a turn out lane twice in the route.

10 . A method for controlling an asphalt compactor when changing directions, the method comprising:

automatically performing a turn-out of the asphalt compactor by steering the asphalt compactor at a desired turning angle on an asphalt mat;

automatically turning off a vibratory system for the asphalt compactor during the turn-out;

automatically slowing down and stopping the asphalt compactor after a desired distance into the turn-out; and

automatically moving the asphalt compactor in an opposite direction and restarting the vibratory system.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein an operator manually enters the desired turning angle and manually activates the turn-out.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a controller determines the turning angle and performs the turn-out after being triggered by at least one of initiation by an operator or autonomously by the asphalt compactor or by a remote system.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the turning angle and the desired distance to travel is determined based on a width of the asphalt mat and a starting position of the asphalt compactor on the asphalt mat.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the width of the asphalt mat is received from a paver located in front of the asphalt compactor.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the width of the asphalt mat is determined by the controller.

16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a controller calculates an entire route to determine a full path for a compaction of the asphalt mat based on a determined mat width, a speed of the paver, a width of a drum of the compactor, and a number of compactors on a jobsite.

17 . An asphalt compactor comprising:

a frame;

a drum coupled to the frame for rolling over and compacting an asphalt mat; and

a controller configured to perform a turn-out of the asphalt compactor by steering the asphalt compactor at a desired turning angle on the asphalt mat;

the controller configured to turn off a vibratory system for the asphalt compactor during the turn-out;

the controller configured to slow down and stop the asphalt compactor after a desired distance into the turn-out; and

the controller configured to move the asphalt compactor in an opposite direction and restart the vibratory system.

18 . The compactor of claim 17 , wherein an operator manually enters the desired turning angle and manually activates the turn-out.

19 . The compactor of claim 17 , wherein the controller determines the turning angle and performs the turn-out after being triggered by at least one of initiation by an operator or autonomously by the asphalt compactor or by a remote system.

20 . The compactor of claim 17 , wherein the turning angle and the desired distance to travel is determined based on a width of the asphalt mat and a position of the asphalt compactor on the asphalt mat.