Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 1 of 21 PageID #:
`12397
`
`Exhibit K
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 2 of 21 PageID #:
`12398
`I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 lllll 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US008424972B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Berning et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`(54) ROAD MILLING MACHINE AND METHOD
`FOR POSITIONING THE MACHINE FRAME
`PARALLEL TO THE GROUND
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Christian Berning, Zulpich (DE);
`Dieter Simons, Buchholz (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH (DE)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54(b) by 520 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No .:
`
`12/226,342
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Dec.21,2007
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT /EP2007 /064520
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), (4) Date: Oct.16, 2008
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W02008/077963
`
`PCT Pub. Date: .Jul. 3, 2008
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0108663 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2009
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 22, 2006
`
`(DE) .......... ........... 20 2006 019 509 U
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. CI.
`EOJC 231088
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ......................... 299/1.5; 299/39.6; 404/84.05
`(58) Field of Classification Search ...... ............. 299/1.5,
`299/39.6; 404/84.05
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,423,859 A
`1/1969 Swisher, Ji-. et al.
`3,598,027 A
`8/1971 Swisher, Jr.
`3/1976 Snow, Jr. et al.
`3,946,506 A
`(Continued)
`
`EP
`
`FOREIGN PATENr D0CUMENrs
`I 154 075 A2
`lli2001
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S . Appl. No. 12/003,094, filed Dec. 20, 2007, entitled " Road Mill(cid:173)
`ing Machine and Method for Measuring the Milling Depth", U.S .
`Patent Publication 2008/0152428 (not prior art).
`
`John Kreck
`Primary Examiner -
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm····· Waddey & Patterson, P.C. ;
`Lucian Wayne Beavers
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`In a self-propelled road milling machine (1), particularly a
`cold-milling machine, comprising a track assembly carrying
`the machine frame (4) via lifting columns (12,13), a milling
`roller (6) supported on the machine frame (4) for treatment of
`a ground surface (8) or traffic surface (8), height-adjustable
`side plates (10) for edge protection, arranged to rest on the
`ground surface (8) or trafilc surface (8) to be treated, a height(cid:173)
`adjustable stripping means (14) arranged in the moving direc(cid:173)
`tion behind the milling roller (6) and adapted to be lowered,
`during operation, into the milling track (17) generated by the
`milling roller (6), and a control means (23) for controlling the
`milling depth of the milling roller (6), the control means (23)
`detecting the milling depth of the milling roller (6) from the
`measurement values of at least one measuring means (16), it
`is provided that the control means (23) is operative to auto(cid:173)
`matically control the lifling condition of at least one rear
`and/or front lifting column (12,13) as seen in the traveling
`direction, for establishing the parallel orientation of the
`machine frame ( 4) relative to the ground surface (8) or traffic
`surface (8) or to a predetermined milling plane.
`40 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`WA-0014170
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 3 of 21 PageID #:
`12399
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,139,318 A * 2/ 1979 Jakob et al.
`4/ 1982 Swisher, Jr. et al.
`4,325,580 A
`4,943,119 A
`7/ 1990 Zarniko et al.
`5,309,407 A *
`5/ 1994 Sehr et al.
`5,31 5,770 A
`5/ 1994 Campbell
`5,378,08 1 A
`1/1995 Swisher, Jr.
`5,607,205 A * 3/ 1997 Burdick et al.
`
`.... 404/90
`
`.. .. 367/96
`
`5,639, 181 A
`5,893,677 A
`5,984,420 A *
`6,37 1,566 Bl
`2002/0047301 Al *
`2007/0286678 Al*
`2008/0152428 Al
`
`6il997 Swisher, Jr.
`4i l999 Haehn et al.
`11/1999 Murray eta!.
`4i2002 Haehn
`4/2002 Davis
`12/2007 Berning et al.
`6/2008 Berning et al.
`
`.. .. 299i l.5
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`.. 299/1.5
`
`.. 299/1.5
`.... 404/90
`
`WA-0014171
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 4 of 21 PageID #:
`12400
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
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`WA-0014172
`
`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 5 of 21 PageID #:
`12401
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 8,424,972 B2
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`WA-0014173
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 6 of 21 PageID #:
`12402
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
`
`10
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`8
`
`16
`
`Fig.4
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`35
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`WA-0014174
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 7 of 21 PageID #:
`12403
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
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`WA-0014175
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 8 of 21 PageID #:
`12404
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 10 of 21 PageID #:
`12406
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 11 of 21 PageID #:
`12407
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 23, 2013
`
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 12 of 21 PageID #:
`12408
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
`
`1
`ROAD MILLING MACHINE AND METHOD
`FOR POSITIONING THE MACHINE FRAME
`PARALLEL TO THE GROUND
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention refers to a self-propelled road milling
`machine, especially a cold milling machine, as well as a
`method for positioning the machine frame parallel to the
`ground.
`In such road milling machines, the machine frame is sup(cid:173)
`ported by a track assembly comprising wheels or caterpillar
`tracks connected to the machine frame through lifting col(cid:173)
`umns, the lifting columns allowing to adjust the machine
`frnme to a specific horizontal plane or in parallel to the ground
`or under a predetermined longitudinal and/or transversal
`inclination.
`A milling roller for working a ground or traffic surface is
`supported at the machine frame.
`Near the front end sides of the milling roller, height-adjust(cid:173)
`able side plates are provided as edge protectors at an outer
`wall of the road milling machine, which side plates, in opera(cid:173)
`tion, rest on the ground or traffic surface at the lateral non(cid:173)
`milled edges of the milling track. Behind the milling roller, 25
`seen in the traveling direction, a height-adjustable stripping
`means is provided which, in operation, may be lowered into
`the milling track formed by the milling roller to strip off
`milling material remaining in the milling track. Further, the
`road milling machine has a control means for controlling the
`milling depth of the milling roller and for controlling the
`setting of the lifting colunms.
`It is a problem with known road milling machines that, if
`the machine frame does not extend parnllel to the ground, the
`stripping means will not rest on the ground with sufficient 35
`exactness behind the milling roller to allow for a residue-free
`stripping process to be performed on the surface under treat(cid:173)
`ment. Further, the problem exists that, if the machine frame is
`not arranged parallel to the ground, the band shoe surround(cid:173)
`ing the transport band does not flatly rest thereon, so that 40
`material which has been milled off may intrude into the
`region between the band shoe and the still untreated ground
`surface, or that the function as a hold-down means is per(cid:173)
`formed insufficiently so that chunks of ground material will
`warp in front of the milling roller and become adhered under 45
`the band shoe. Further, the problem exists that the milling
`depth can not be controlled accurately enough and that, for
`this reason, the milling depth has to be measured repeatedly
`by hand during the milling operation. Especially in cases
`where a hard traffic surface, e.g. concrete, is milled, the tools so
`are worn heavily so that the milling depth set is corrupted by
`the decreasing diameter of the cutting circle. For example, the
`wear of the tools, when milling concrete, can cause a differ(cid:173)
`ence in the milling radius of 15 mm after only a few 100
`meters, so that the measuring of a displacement of side plates, 55
`for example, with respect to the machine frame is not suffi(cid:173)
`ciently accurate. If the milling depth is insufficient, a time(cid:173)
`consuming reworking of the milling track has to be carried
`out. Should the milling track be too deep, more building
`material has to be applied afterwards in order to achieve the 60
`desired ground or traffic surface level.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Thus, it is an object of the invention to simplify the oper- 65
`ating of the road milling machine and to improve the milling
`process.
`
`2
`l11e invention advantageously provides that the control
`device automatically controls the lifting condition of at least
`one rear and/or front lifting column, as seen in the traveling
`direction, for positioning the machine frame parallel to the
`5 ground or traffic surface or for positioning the machine frame
`at a predetermined milling level.
`The invention is useful also for recycling machines.
`The solution according to the invention has the advantage
`that the parallel orientation of the machine frame relative to
`10 the ground or traffic surface is automatically set and that the
`operating person does not have to readjust this parallel
`arrangement on his or her own, particularly not after a like(cid:173)
`wise automatic control of the milling depth. By keeping the
`machine frame held parallel to the treated or untreated ground
`15 or trnffic surface, the correct functioning of other machine
`elements, e.g. of the stripping means and of the band shoe, is
`guarnnteed. This will prevent operntional disturbances
`caused by material accumulating under the band shoe or
`chunks of material becoming warped up due to an inaccurate
`20 setting of the parallel orientation, or by the impossibility to
`correctly strip off the already milled surface.
`Further, the opernting person can concentrate on the actual
`driving process and is not distracted by control processes
`which have to be performed manually.
`For establishing the parallel orientation of the machine
`frame relative to the bottom or traffic surface, the control
`device can detect the longitudinal inclination of the machine
`frame relative to the treated or untreated ground.
`Detection of the longitudinal inclination can be performed
`30 on the basis of two distance values indicating the distance
`between the machine frame and the treated or untreated
`ground, said distance values being displaced relative to each
`other in the traveling direction.
`The longitudinal inclination can be detected from at least a
`first distance value between the machine frame and the treated
`ground, and at least one second distance value, displaced
`relative to the first distance value in the traveling direction,
`between the machine frame and the untreated ground, in
`connection with a measurement value for the milling depth.
`The first or the second distance value between the machine
`frame and the treated or untreated ground can be detectable
`from the position of a chain track assembly ruuning on the
`treated or untreated ground, relative to the machine frame.
`l11e longitudinal inclination can be detectable from a first
`distance value between the machine trame and the treated
`ground and a second distance value between the machine
`frame and the treated ground, with the second distance value
`being detectable from the position of the stripping means or
`from the position of at least one of the track assemblies
`running on the treated ground, relative to the machine frame.
`A transport band can be arranged on the machine frmne,
`with a band shoe taking up the roll-side end of the transport
`band provided for discharge of the milled material.
`The longitudinal inclination can be detectable from at least
`one first distance value between the machine frame and the
`untreated ground and a second distance value between the
`machine frame and the untreated ground, the second distance
`value being detectable from the position of the band shoe or
`from the position of at least one of the chain track assemblies
`rmming on the untreated grom1d or from the position of at
`least one of the side plates .
`The distance values between the machine frame and the
`treated or untreated ground can be detectable with the aid of
`path measurement systems.
`The path measurement systems can be integrated in the
`lifting columns or in the hydraulic cylinders of the lifting
`colmnns.
`
`WA-0014180
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 13 of 21 PageID #:
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`5
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`3
`The longitudinal inclination of the machine frame relative
`to the untreated ground can be detectable from the relative
`angle, as seen in the traveling direction, between a side plate
`resting on the ground and the machine frame.
`The longitudinal inclination of the machine frame relative
`to the treated or untreated ground can be detectable from the
`relative angle between at least one lifting column extending
`orthogonally to the machine frame and the track assembly
`extending parallel to the ground.
`The automatic establishing of the parallel orientation of the 10
`machine frame relative to the treated or untreated ground can
`be perfom1ed by the control means only when the control
`means perfonns a readjustment of the milling depth or per(cid:173)
`forms a setting of a predefinable milling depth.
`The control means can decide whether the lifting condition 15
`of the front and/or the rear lifting columns will be controlled
`for adaptation to the milling depth.
`Ihe automatic establishing of the parallel orientation of the
`machine frame relative to the treated or untreated ground can
`be performed by the control means independently of the 20
`control of the milling depth.
`The control means can control the milling depth of the
`milling roller independently on each of both sides of the
`machine frame as seen in the traveling direction.
`At least one measuring means can detect the lifting of a first 25
`sensor means resting on the ground or traffic surface and/or
`the lowering of a second sensor means to the bottom of the
`milling track, the lifting or lowering being effected in corre(cid:173)
`spondence with the present milling depth, wherein, from the
`measured values supplied by the at least one measuring 30
`means, the control means can determine the milling depth of
`the milling roller.
`For establishing the parallel orientation of the machine
`frame relative to the ground or bottom surface or to the pre(cid:173)
`determined milling plane, the lifling condition of the rear and 35
`front lifting colunms as seen in the traveling direction can be
`adapted to be changed to the effect that the machine frame is
`pivotable about the milling roller axis.
`Since the controlling of the parallel orientation of the
`machine frame is performed in such a manner that the 40
`machine frame is pivoted about the milling roller axis, it is
`accomplished that the controlling of the parallel orientation
`will not influence the milling depth, i.e. the milling configu-
`ration.
`A method for establishing the parallel orientation of the 45
`machine frame relative to the ground or traffic surface or to a
`predetermined milling plane, for use in road milling machines
`wherein a ground or traffic surface is milled by means of a
`milling roller, in that the road milling machine is lowered
`together with the milling roller so as to perform the milling in
`correspondence to a predetermined milling depth, can com(cid:173)
`prise the detecting of the longitudinal inclination of the
`machine frame relative to the treated or untreated ground by
`detection of measurement values, and the automatic control(cid:173)
`ling of the lifting condition of at least one rear and/or front
`lifting column as seen in the traveling direction, so as to
`establish the parallel orientation of the machine frame relative
`to the ground or traffic surface or to the predetermined milling
`plane in dependence on the longitudinal inclination of the
`machine frame.
`There can be provided at least one measuring means which
`detects the lifting of a first sensor means resting on the ground
`or traffic surface and/or the lowering of a second sensor
`means to the bottom of the milling track, the lifting or low(cid:173)
`ering being effected in correspondence with the present mill- 65
`ing depth. From the measured values supplied by the at least
`one measuring means, the control means can determine the
`
`4
`milling depth at the level of the stripping means of the milling
`roller or the second sensor means.
`Here, the measurement is effected preferably at the level of
`the stripping means arranged closely behind the milling
`roller, or inm1ediately behind the stripping means, if a sepa(cid:173)
`rate sensor means is provided.
`The second sensor means can consist of the stripping
`means.
`Using the stripping means as a sensor means is advanta-
`geous in that no measuring errors will be caused by some
`unevenness in the milling track. It is another advantage that
`the stripping means is protected against wear at its bottom
`edge.
`As an alternative, the control means can use the measure(cid:173)
`ment values of the at least one measuring means to determine
`the current milling depth of the milling roll er at the level of the
`milling roller axis. Preferably, this is done by a calculation
`that may also take into account an inclined position of the
`machine frame.
`The measuring means are preferably formed by path sens(cid:173)
`ing means. In one embodiment, it is provided that the first
`sensor means is formed by at least one of the side plates
`arranged on either side at the front sides of the milling roller
`so as to be height-adjustable and pivotable with respect to the
`machine frame. The side plates rest on the ground or traffic
`surface or are pressed against these, so that a change of their
`position relative to the machine frame during operation
`allows for an exact dett.'Ction of the milling depth, if a mea(cid:173)
`surement of the change of the position of a second sensor
`means is performed additionally in the milling track relative
`to the machine frame.
`The measuring means can comprise cable lines coupled to
`the first sensor means and/or the second sensor means, and
`cable-line sensors as path sensing means.
`Also in side plates, advantage exists that their bottom edges
`are protected against wear.
`Here, the measuring means may comprise cable lines
`coupled with the side plates and/or the stripping means, and
`associated cable-line sensors as the path sensors which mea(cid:173)
`sure the changes of the position of the side plates and the
`stripping means relative to the machine frame, or the relative
`displacement ofat least one of the side plates in relation to the
`stripping means or the second sensor means.
`Preferably, the cable lines coupled with the side plates and
`the stripping means are arranged transversely to the milling
`track in a substantially vertical plane extending approxi(cid:173)
`mately at the level of the stripping means.
`Hereby, it can be avoided that a measurement error is
`50 caused by using different reference planes for the measure(cid:173)
`ment at the side plates with respect to the measurement at the
`stripping plate.
`To achieve this, it may be provided that a cable line is
`coupled on the one hand with the stripping means and, on the
`55 other hand, with at least one of the side plates via a guide
`roller, such that a cable-line sensor will innnediately measure
`the milling depth, e.g. at the guide roller.
`The measuring means can detect the displacement of the
`first sensor means relative to the second sensor means or the
`60 respective displacement of the first and second sensor means
`relative to the machine frame.
`According to another alternative, it may be provided that
`the stripping means has a respective measuring means at the
`side edges facing the side plates, which measures the relative
`displacement of the stripping means with respect to the at
`least one adjacent side plate or the relative displacement of at
`least one side plate with respect to the stripping means.
`
`WA-0014181
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 14 of 21 PageID #:
`12410
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`US 8,424,972 B2
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`10
`
`6
`a control means for the lifting position of the lifting colunm
`and/or to a control means for the milling depth of the milling
`roller.
`The milling roller can extend substantially along the whole
`5 working width of the machine frame.
`The milling roller can be supported in the machine frame in
`a height-adjustable manner.
`The control means can compute the current milling depth
`from the obtained path measurement signals and generate a
`control signal for the height adjustment of the milling roller.
`In a method for measuring the milling depth ofroad milling
`machines wherein a ground or tra±Iic surface is milled with
`the aid of a milling roller by lowering the road milling
`machine together with the milling roller in correspondence to
`the predetennined milling depth, wherein a side plate on at
`15 least one side beside the milling track is set onto the untreated
`ground and traffic surface and wherein a stripping plate is
`lowered into the milling track generated by the milling roller,
`the measuring of the milling depth of the milling track can be
`performed by detecting the measurement values of at least
`20 one first sensor means detecting the position of the untreated
`ground or tra±Iic surface, in relation to the measurement val(cid:173)
`ues of a second sensor means detecting the position of the
`bottom of the milling track, or by measuring the measurement
`values of both sensor means in relation to the machine frame.
`In the method, the side edges to the side of the milling track
`can be kept down with the aid of side plates, and at least one
`of the side plates can be used as a first sensor means, while the
`stripping plate for stripping the milled surface is used as the
`second sensor means.
`In the method, also the correcting of the measured milling
`depth value can be performed in dependence on the distance
`between the second sensor means and the axis of rotation of
`the milling roller if the machine frame of the road milling
`machine should not extend parallel to the ground or traffic
`35 surface.
`The following is a detailed description of a preferred
`embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompa(cid:173)
`nying drawings.
`
`5
`According to another alternative embodiment, the strip(cid:173)
`ping means may include at least one height-adjustable beam
`as the first sensing means, which is guided vertically and
`linearly in the stripping means and extends transversely to the
`traveling direction, said beam resting on the ground or tra±Iic
`surface beside the milling track, the position of the beam
`relative to the stripping means, preferably with respect to
`height and/or inclination, being measurable by the measuring
`means.
`Due to gravity, the side plates may rest on the edges of the
`ground or tra±Iic surface beside the milling track milled by the
`milling machine, or they may alternatively be pressed on the
`edges by hydraulic means.
`The stripping means may also be pressed on the surface of
`the milling track using hydraulic means.
`The hydraulic means for pressing the side plates on the
`ground or tra±Iic surface or for pressing the stripping means
`on the bottom of the milling track may comprise integrated
`path sensing systems.
`For lifting or lowering the side plates and/or the stripping
`means, a plurality of-preferably two-respective piston/
`cylinder units with integrated position sensing systems may
`be provided, whose path sensing signals are used by the
`control means to calculate the current milling depth from the 25
`relative difference between the positions of the stripping
`means and the at least one first sensor means.
`The control means that receives the path sensing signals
`from the measuring means is adapted to automatically control
`means the lifted condition of the rear lifting columns, seen in 30
`the traveling direction, to establish parallelism between the
`machine fran1e and the ground or tra±Iic surface at a desired
`milling depth.
`The side plates resting on the tra±Iic surface so as to be
`pivotable with respect to the machine frame may comprise
`measuring means spaced apart in the traveling direction, the
`control means being capable to measure the longitudinal and/
`or the transversal inclination of the machine frame with
`respect to the ground or tra±Iic surface on the basis of the
`difference bet\veen the measurement signals from the side 40
`plates and the stripping means.
`The front and/or rear lifting columns may include a path
`sensing system to detL-ct the lifted condition. The control
`means which receives the path sensing signals from the mea(cid:173)
`suring means can control the condition of all lifting columns 45
`to the effect the machine frame has a predetermined inclina(cid:173)
`tion or a predetermined travel-distance-dependent transverse
`inclination across the traveling direction.
`Preferably, the current set value for the milling depth of the
`milling roller is adjusted using the front lifting columns.
`The current desired value of the milling depth of the mill(cid:173)
`ing roller can be adjustable by means of the front lifting
`columns.
`The control means which receives the measurement signals
`of all measurement means, of the side plates and/or of the 55
`stripping means and/or of the band shoe and/or of all lifting
`columns, is configured to detect, in dependence on the path
`measurement signals of the measuring means and/or of the
`desired site-dependent change of a desired value of the mill(cid:173)
`ing depth in the course of the treated path, the resultant lifting 60
`position of the lifting colul1llls.
`The zero level of the measurement means (16) can be set to
`the unmilled ground or tra±Iic surface.
`Each lifting coh111lll can have its lower end provided with a
`support for a wheel or a chain track assembly, and a distance 65
`sensor can measure the distance from said support to the
`bottom and traffic surface and transmit a measuring signal to
`
`50
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a cold milling machine.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a first sensor means attached to the strip(cid:173)
`ping plate.
`FIG. 3 shows two piston/cylinder units for lifting or low(cid:173)
`ering the stripping plate of a stripping means.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an optical device for measuring the posi(cid:173)
`tional difference between the side plates and the stripping
`means.
`FIG. 5 shows a cable line measuring means provided
`between the side plates and the stripping means.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment.
`FIGS. 7a, b, care schematic illustrations of the measure(cid:173)
`ment error occurring at the stripping plate of the stripping
`means in the absence of parallelism between the machine
`frame and the ground or tra±Iic surface.
`FIG. 8 shows hydraulic circuit diagram of a preferred
`embodiment.
`FIG. 9 shows an enlarged representation of the band shoe.
`FIG. 10 shows a road milling machine in which the
`machine frame does not extend parallel to the ground surface.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The road milling machine illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a
`machine frame 4 supported by a track assembly having two
`
`WA-0014182
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-11 Filed 11/17/22 Page 15 of 21 PageID #:
`12411
`
`US 8,424,972 B2
`
`7
`front chain tracks 2 and at least one rear chain track 3. The
`chain tracks 2,3 are connected with the machine frame 4 via
`lifting colunms 12,13. It is understood that wheels may be
`used instead of the chain tracks 2,3.
`Using the lifting colunms 12,13, the machine frame 4 can
`be lifted or lowered or be moved to take a predetermined
`inclined position with respect to the ground or traffic surface
`8. The milling roller 6 supported in the machine frame 4 is
`enclosed by a roll case 9 which is open at the front, seen in the
`traveling direction, towards a conveyor belt 11 that conveys
`the milled material in a front part of the machine frame 4 to a
`second conveyor means 13. The second conveyor means 13
`by which the milled material may be delivered onto a trnck,
`for example, is not fully illustrated in FIG. 1 because of its
`length. Behind the milling roller 6, a height-adjustable strip(cid:173)
`ping means 14 is arranged which, in operation, has a stripping
`plate 15 engage into the milling track 17 formed by the
`milling roller 6 and strip the bottom of the milling track 17 so
`that no milled material is left in the milling track 17 behind the 20
`stripping plate.
`Above the milling roller 6, a driver' s stand 5 with a control
`panel for the vehicle operator is provided for all control
`functions of the driving and milling operations. It also
`includes a control means 23 for controlling the milling depth 25
`of the milling roller 6.
`The side plates 10, arranged on either side near the front
`end of the milling roller 6, and the stripping means 14 are
`provided with measuring means 16 that allow the detennina(cid:173)
`tion of the current milling depth at the level of the stripping 30
`means 14 or the calculation of the milling depth at the level of
`the rotational axis of the milling roller. Here, the milling depth
`is detennined in a plane orthogonal to the ground or traffic
`surface, which plane is parallel to the rotational axis of the
`milling roller and includes the rotational axis.
`The position of a first sensor means, e.g. the side plates 10,
`on the ground or traffic surface 8, and/or the lowering of a
`second sensor means, e.g. the stripping means, can thus be
`detected. Measuring means 16, preferably formed by position
`sensing means, will measure the displacements of the sensor 40
`means, e.g. the side plates 10 or a beam 20 or the stripping
`plate 15, with respect to the machine frame 4 or relative to
`each other.
`The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 shows a beam 20 as
`the sensor means, resting on the ground or traffic surface 8
`and guided at the stripping plate 15 of the stripping means in
`a slot 24 extending linearly and orthogonally to the bottom
`edge 19 of the stripping plate 15. It is understood that two
`mutually parallel slots 24 can be provided in the stripping
`plate 15 or that the beam 20, serving as the sensing means, can
`be guided in a different manner so as to be height-adjustable
`at the stripping means 14. lbe measuring means 16, provided
`in the form of a position sensing means, detects the displace(cid:173)
`ment of the beam 20 with respect to the stripping means 14.
`Should two horizontally spaced slots 24 be used, it is possible 55
`to Sc.'Parately detect the milling depth on the left side of the
`milling track 17 and on the right side of the milling track 17.
`Moreover, this offers the possibility to determine an inclina(cid:173)
`tion of the machine frame 4 with respect to the ground or
`traffic surtace 8.
`FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment wherein the strip(cid:17