Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 1 of 12 PageID #: 33473
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 1 of 12 PagelD #: 33473
`
`EXHIBIT 7
`EXHIBIT 7
`
`

`

`US009010871B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Busley et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,010,871 B2
`*Apr. 21, 2015
`
`(54) AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`ASWELL AS LIFTING COLUMN FORA
`CONSTRUCTION MACHINE
`
`(75) Inventors: Peter Busley, Linz/Rhein (DE); Ginter
`Tewes, Unkel/Rhein (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. 154(b) by 239 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/351,305
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 17, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/O179339 A1
`Jul. 12, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/991,846, filed as
`application No. PCT/EP2006/066305 on Sep. 12,
`2006, now Pat. No. 8,113,592.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(30)
`
`Sep. 12, 2005 (DE) ......................... 10 2005 O43 531
`Sep. 15, 2005 (DE) ......................... 10 2005 O44, 211
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`EOIC 23/088
`B60G 3/0
`B60G 7/09
`EOIC 2L/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ B60G 3/01 (2013.01); B60G 17/019
`(2013.01); B60G 2204/421 (2013.01); B60G
`2300/09 (2013.01); EOIC 21/00 (2013.01);
`EOIC 23/088 (2013.01)
`
`
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .......... 280/5.504, 5.506 5.508, 5.513, 5.514,
`280/6.154, 6.155, 6.157; 299/39.4, 39.6,
`299/1.5, 39.1: 404/90–94; 33/483,
`33/809–811, 1 LE, 756
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,674,094. A
`3,946,506 A
`4,041,623 A
`4,103.973 A
`
`7, 1972 Kuntz
`3/1976 Snow, Jr. et al.
`8, 1977 Miller et al.
`8, 1978 Cutler
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`DE
`
`6, 2006
`254.8521 A1
`11F1989
`38.12809 A1
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Sunil Singh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Patterson Intellectual
`Property Law, PC; Lucian Wayne Beavers
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Disclosed is an automotive road construction machine, par
`ticularly a recycleror a cold stripping machine, comprising an
`engine frame that is Supported by a chassis, a working roller
`which is stationarily or pivotally mounted on the engine
`frame and is used for machining a ground Surface or road
`surface. The chassis is provided with wheels or tracked run
`ning gears which are connected to the engine frame via lifting
`column and are vertically adjustable relative to the engine
`frame. Each individually vertically adjustable lifting column
`is equipped with a device for measuring the actual vertical
`state of the lifting column.
`
`36 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 2 of 12 PageID #: 33474
`
`

`

`US 9,010.871 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,139,318 A * 2, 1979 Jakob et al. .................. 404.90
`4,213,719 A
`7/1980 Swisher, Jr. et al.
`4,247,126 A
`1/1981 Claxton
`4,270,801 A
`6/1981 Swisher, Jr. et al.
`4,808,026 A
`2/1989 Clarke, Jr. et al.
`4,943,119 A
`7/1990 Zarniko et al.
`5,092,659 A
`3, 1992 Grathoff
`280,5507
`5,098,119 A * 3/1992 Williams et al.
`5,533,790 A * 7/1996 Weiland ......................... 299/15
`5,588,776 A 12/1996 Swisher, Jr. et al.
`5,893,677 A
`4/1999 Haehn et al.
`5.984.420 A 1 1/1999 Murray et al.
`6,152.648. A 1 1/2000 Gfroerer et al.
`7,316,520 B2
`1/2008 Grubba
`7.946,788 B2
`5/2011 Jurasz et al.
`8,113,592 B2 * 2/2012 Busley et al. ................ 299/39.6
`2002/0047301 A1
`4, 2002 Davis
`2005, OO77691 A1
`4, 2005 Witters
`
`
`
`4/2006 Troudt et al.
`2006/0076821 A1
`6/2007 Rasmussen
`2007/015O148 A1
`6/2008 Berning et al.
`2008. O152428 A1
`6/2008 Arcona et al.
`2008. O153402 A1
`2008/0246328 A1 10, 2008 Mannebach et al.
`2008/0315666 A1 12/2008 Von Schonebeck et al.
`2009/0108663 A1
`4/2009 Berning et al.
`2011/020645.6 A1
`8/2011 Jurasz et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3, 1991
`4.017107 A1
`DE
`1/1998
`19617442 C1
`DE
`5, 2005
`10357074 B3
`DE
`1154075 A2 11/2001
`EP
`2313347 A 11, 1997
`GB
`2279805. A 11, 1990
`JP
`93.08003 A1
`4, 1993
`WO
`02057112 A1
`T 2002
`WO
`* cited by examiner
`
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 3 of 12 PageID #: 33475
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 4 of 12 PageID #: 33476
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 5 of 12 PageID #: 33477
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 6 of 12 PageID #: 33478
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 21, 2015
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`US 9,010,871 B2
`
`1.
`AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`ASWELLAS LIFTING COLUMN FOR A
`CONSTRUCTION MACHINE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to an automotive construction
`machine, as well as a lifting column for a construction
`machine.
`Such construction machinery is known, for instance, from
`DE 103 57 074 B3. The said construction machine shows a
`machine frame that is supported by a chassis, as well as a
`working drum that is mounted at the machine frame in an
`immovable and/or pivotable manner, and is used for working
`a ground Surface or traffic Surface. The chassis is provided
`with wheels and/or crawler track units which are connected to
`the machine frame via lifting columns and are individually
`adjustable in height relative to the machine frame.
`The adjustment in height is made possible by a controller
`that raises or lowers the lifting columns by controlling the
`hydraulic input or hydraulic discharge of piston cylinder units
`in the lifting columns.
`The construction machine described in DE 103 57 074 B3
`is a recycler, and the disclosure of this publication is included
`in the present application to the extent that it is related to
`recyclers.
`A chassis for a machine used for milling carriageway pave
`ments is known from DE 19617442 C1, the front axle of the
`said chassis being, for instance, adjustable in height in the
`manner of a full-floating axle. The lifting columns of the
`chassis are capable of being raised or lowered respectively in
`a reciprocally opposed manner. The disclosure of this publi
`cation is also included by reference into the present applica
`tion.
`A known construction machine of the applicant is the recy
`cler WR 2000, the wheels of which are connected to the
`machine frame via lifting columns that are adjustable in
`height hydraulically. Each wheel is driven by an own hydrau
`lic motor. The known construction machine is equipped with
`all-wheel steering, with the front and/or the rear wheels being
`capable of acting as the steered axle.
`It is understood that the present application is not limited to
`wheel-driven construction machines, but also includes Such
`construction machines that are provided with crawler track
`units or a mixture of wheels and crawler track units.
`In the known construction machines, the lifting columns
`are adjusted manually via Switchover valves, with sensors
`detecting that the piston of the piston cylinder unit adjusting
`the lifting column has reached pre-determined positions. The
`sensors may detect, for instance, the upper edge of the piston
`in the piston cylinder unit. A first sensor detects the position
`of the piston in an operating position for milling, and a further
`sensor detects the position of the piston in a transport posi
`tion. In operating position, the machine frame therefore
`always has the same, pre-determined distance from the
`ground surface. When the piston has left the pre-defined
`sensor positions, the information about the position of the
`machine is lost. It is, in particular, not possible to adjust any
`other operating positions in a flexible manner without
`remounting the position sensors. It is not even possible to, for
`instance, adjust an operating position that is parallel to the
`pre-adjusted operating position but deviates from the same in
`height. What is more, it is not possible to adjust a defined
`transverse inclination or any other practical position of the
`machine frame or the machine respectively without cumber
`Some remounting efforts.
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`2
`This creates the additional problem that the machine frame
`can adopt a different distance to the ground Surface or traffic
`surface because of different loads or load distributions which
`are due to, for instance, a different filling level of the fuel tank
`or a water tank.
`In case of wheels, deviations additionally result because of
`the filling pressure, the temperature and the interaction of the
`relatively soft wheel with the ground surface or traffic surface,
`which may, for instance, cause an alteration in distance of
`several centimeters. These alterations in distance of the
`machine frame relative to the ground Surface require the
`position of the sensors to be displaced. Even though it is also
`possible to unlock the sensor for the operating position and to
`override this lifting position, the disadvantage results that the
`piston, at its front Surfaces, touches the respective front Sur
`faces of the cylinder when the mechanical limit stop of the
`piston cylinder unit has been reached, which may cause the
`piston of the piston cylinder unit to turn loose when carrying
`out steering movements of the wheels.
`The purpose of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned
`disadvantages and to enable the vehicle driver to select any
`given lifting position of the lifting columns as operating posi
`tion in particular for the working operation.
`The invention provides in an advantageous manner that
`each individual height-adjustable lifting column is provided
`with a measuring device for measuring the current lifting State
`of the lifting column, the lifting columns comprise two hol
`low cylinders capable of telescoping which serve as guiding
`unit and accommodate at least one piston cylinder unit for
`height adjustment, preferably in a coaxial manner, on their
`inside, that each individual height-adjustable lifting column
`is provided with a measuring device for measuring the current
`lifting state of the lifting column, the measuring device is
`coupled with elements of the lifting column, which are adjust
`able relative to one another in accordance with the lifting
`position, in Such a manner that a path signal pertaining to the
`lifting position of each lifting column is continuously detect
`able by the measuring device, and that a controller receiving
`the measured path signals from the measuring devices of all
`the lifting columns regulates the lifting state of the lifting
`columns in accordance with the measured path signals of the
`measuring devices and/or their alteration over time.
`The invention provides in an advantageous manner for
`pre-selectable positions of the lifting columns to be adjusted
`in a regulated manner, permitting the use of the measured path
`signal, and of the Velocity and acceleration signals which can
`be deduced therefrom. Recording of the measured values
`enables the lifting state of the lifting columns to be regulated
`automatically. A controller receiving the measured signals
`from the measuring device can adjust a desired lifting posi
`tion of the lifting columns in a regulated manner without
`overshooting or with as little overshooting as possible in
`accordance with the measured signals of the measuring
`device and/or their alteration over time.
`The measured signals may be suitable for Supplying to an
`indicator device for the lifting position of the lifting columns.
`Because the vehicle driver receives information on the current
`lifting state of each lifting column via the indicator device, it
`is possible to adjust and define as operating position a freely
`selectable position of the machine frame without the need for
`limit switches or sensors to be displaced. Hence, the vehicle
`driver has the possibility to equalize different load situations
`that may arise due to, for instance, a different filling level of
`the fuel tank or the water tank. Furthermore, influences of the
`relatively soft wheels due to different temperatures, a differ
`
`

`

`3
`ent filling pressure or because of the interactions with the
`ground can be equalized individually for each wheel or
`crawler track unit.
`The measuring device for the lifting position preferably
`includes a path measuring device, and all known path mea
`Suring systems like, for instance, capacitive, inductive,
`mechanical path measuring systems or laser measuring sys
`tems may be used.
`The lifting columns comprise two hollow cylinders
`capable of telescoping which serve as guiding unit and
`accommodate at least one piston cylinder unit, preferably in a
`coaxial manner, on their inside.
`A preferred path measuring device includes at least one
`wire-rope that is coupled with the elements of a lifting col
`umn, and one wire-rope sensor.
`A wire-rope that is under tension and capable of being
`rolled up is coupled with elements of the lifting column,
`which are capable of being displaced relative to one another
`in accordance with the lifting position, in Such a manner that
`a path signal pertaining to the lifting position of each lifting
`column is detectable continuously. The path signal transmit
`ted to the indicator device may be used for manual control of
`the height adjustment by the vehicle driver with the aid of the
`indicator device, but also for automatic control or regulation.
`The construction machine can be adjusted to a reference
`plane, where a desired spatial position like, for instance, a
`parallel position of the machine frame to the ground Surface
`or traffic surface can be stored on the reference plane by
`storing the current measured signals of the measuring device
`in accordance with the current lifting positions of the lifting
`columns as a reference lifting position of the chassis.
`By means of the reference plane, which is preferably a
`horizontal plane, the vehicle driver can bring the machine
`frame into a specific position which he can define as the
`reference lifting position. In case of a level machine frame,
`the said machine frame could, for instance, be brought into a
`precisely horizontal position which, with a pre-determined
`distance from the ground or the traffic surface, could be
`defined as the reference lifting position of the lifting columns.
`The vehicle driver can recognize the said reference lifting
`position by means of the indicator device and can approach it
`specifically as and when required. On the other hand, it is also
`possible to raise or to lower individual lifting columns or a
`combination of lifting columns by a specific amount. The
`vehicle driver can, for instance, also adjust an operating posi
`tion which deviates from the reference lifting position by a
`specific amount, e.g. 100 mm, or a specific transverse incli
`nation or a plane in space arbitrarily defined by the vehicle
`driver.
`In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that at least one
`limiting value for the height adjustment monitored by the
`measuring device is adjustable for each lifting column, the
`said limiting value limiting the lowest and/or highest lifting
`position of a lifting column to a pre-determined position. It is
`thus ensured that the piston cylinder unit provided on the
`inside of a lifting column will not run up against its corre
`sponding mechanical limit stops, as the piston cylinder unit
`may be damaged or may turn loose from the lifting column in
`these mechanical end positions, in particular in case of steer
`ing angles.
`Consequently, it is provided that the lowest or highest
`lifting position in the direction of movement is positioned in
`front of the mechanical limit stop of the piston against the
`cylinder of the piston cylinder unit.
`Recording of the measured values enables a controller,
`which receives the measured signals from the measuring
`devices, to regulate the lifting state of the lifting columns
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`US 9,010,871 B2
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`automatically in Such a manner that the machine frame is
`Subject to the Smallest possible displacement due to the struc
`ture of the ground surface or traffic surface.
`Alternatively, it is also possible for the controller to regu
`late the lifting state of the lifting columns by means of the
`measured signals in Such a manner that the machine frame is
`Subject to the Smallest possible transverse inclination or
`transverse oscillation transverse to the direction of travel due
`to the existing structure of the ground Surface or traffic Sur
`face.
`It may additionally be provided that, when altering the
`lifting state of one wheel or crawler track unit, a neighbouring
`wheel or crawler track unit in transverse direction or longitu
`dinal direction of the machine frame is adjustable in height in
`an opposite manner. Controlling of the lifting state may be
`effected, for instance, in accordance with the hydraulic
`method described in DE 19617442 C1. In case of a hydraulic
`forced coupling of neighbouring lifting columns, one single
`measuring device for both lifting columns is sufficient due to
`the identical amount of stroke adjustment.
`There is, however, also the possibility of controlling the
`lifting state of each wheel purely electronically in the manner
`of a full-floating axle. With such a full-floating control, an
`additional stroke adjustment can be overridden by the vehicle
`driver.
`With the reciprocal control of the lifting state, the neigh
`bouring wheels or crawler track units are preferably adjusted
`in height by the same amount and in an opposite manner.
`In case of a cold milling machine, the rear wheels or
`crawler track units when seen in the direction of travel are
`preferably adjustable in height in the manner of a full-floating
`axle by the same amount and in opposite direction.
`In case of a recycler, the wheels or crawler track units
`arranged behind one another on one side of the machine when
`seen in the direction of travel may be adjustable in height in
`the manner of a full-floating axle by the same amount and in
`opposite direction.
`A controller receiving the measured signals from the mea
`Suring devices can adjust a desired lifting position of the
`lifting columns without overshooting or with as little over
`shooting as possible in accordance with the measured signals
`from the measuring devices and/or their alteration over time.
`The measured signals from the measuring devices may be
`calibrated to a unit of length, so that a specified stroke amount
`can be entered in millimeters for the purpose ofheight adjust
`ment.
`The controller may regulate the working depth of the work
`ing drum, in which case the controller receives the measured
`path signals from the measuring device and includes them
`into the regulation of the working depth of the working drum.
`Each lifting column is provided at the lower end with a
`support for the wheel or crawler track unit, where a distance
`sensor measures the distance of the Support to the ground
`surface and traffic surface, preferably in a pre-determined
`distance in front of or next to the wheel or crawler track unit,
`and transmits a measured signal to a controller for the lifting
`position of the lifting columns, and/or to a controller for the
`working depth of the working drum, and/or to the indicator
`device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the following, embodiments of the invention are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The
`following is shown:
`
`

`

`US 9,010,871 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 1 is a side view of the construction machine in accor
`dance with the invention, in which the working drum is in a
`working position,
`FIG. 2 a top view of the construction machine in accor
`dance with FIG. 1, and
`FIG.3 a lifting column of the construction machine.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`6
`The upper outer hollow cylinder 13 is attached at the machine
`frame 4, and the lower inner hollow cylinder 15 is attached at
`a support 11 which may be coupled with a wheel 10 or a
`crawler track unit. The lifting column 14 is further provided
`with a hydraulic piston cylinder unit 16 for the stroke adjust
`ment. The piston cylinder unit 16 acts between the machine
`frame 4 and the Support 11, so that the machine frame 4 is
`capable of being adjusted in height relative to the support 11
`and thus, ultimately, relative to the ground Surface or the
`traffic surface 24 respectively. In the embodiment shown in
`FIG. 3, the piston element of the piston cylinder unit 16 is
`attached at the support 11, and the cylinder element of the
`piston cylinder unit 16 is attached at the upper hollow cylinder
`13, which is attached at the machine frame 4.
`It is understood that more than one piston cylinder unit 16
`may also be present in the lifting column 14.
`The piston cylinder unit 16 may also be force-coupled
`hydraulically with a neighbouring lifting column 14, as has
`been basically described in DE 196 17 442 C1, in order to
`form a purely hydraulic full-floating axle.
`The lifting column 14 is provided with a measuring device
`18 for measuring the current lifting state of the lifting column
`14. In the embodiment, the said measuring device 18 includes
`a wire-rope 22 that is attached at the support 11 or the lower
`hollow cylinder 15 and is, on the other hand, coupled with a
`wire-rope sensor 21 that is attached at the cylinder element of
`the piston cylinder unit 16 or at the upper hollow cylinder 13.
`The stroke path of the lifting column 14 can be measured by
`means of the wire-rope sensor 21. The wire-rope sensor 21,
`and the path signal produced by the same, is ultimately also
`Suitable for being converted into a Velocity signal or accel
`eration signal by including a time measurement.
`The measured path signal of the wire-rope sensor 21 is
`transmitted to an indicator device 20 and/or a controller 23 by
`means of a signal line 26. The indicator device 20 and/or the
`controller 23 receive measured path signals from each lifting
`column, as indicated in the drawing in FIG. 3. With a total of
`four existing lifting columns 14, four measured path signals
`can be displayed in the indicator device 20, so that the vehicle
`driver is immediately informed about the current lifting state
`of each lifting column and can alter the lifting position, if
`required.
`The measured path signals can additionally be Supplied to
`a controller 23, which enables overall control or regulation of
`the lifting position of the lifting columns 14.
`The controller 23 can, for instance, adjust a desired lifting
`position of the lifting column 14 without overshooting or with
`as little overshooting as possible in accordance with the mea
`Sured path signals of the measuring devices 18 and/or their
`alteration over time.
`In case of a full-floating axle, floating can be effected
`purely hydraulically through piston cylinder units 16 which
`are provided with a piston capable of being loaded from two
`sides, and the counter-operating cylinder chambers of which
`are force-coupled with the corresponding cylinder chambers
`of the piston cylinder unit of a neighbouring wheel 10. Alter
`natively, a height adjustment in the manner of a full-floating
`axle may be effected with purely electronic control by means
`of the measured path signals detected.
`The control or regulation may be such that, for instance, the
`machine frame 4 is Subject to the Smallest possible displace
`ment.
`The machine frame 4 may alternatively be regulated by
`means of the lifting State of the lifting columns 14 in Such a
`manner that a pre-determined transverse inclination of the
`machine frame 4 transverse to the direction of travel is main
`tained.
`
`FIG. 1 shows a road construction machine 1 for producing
`and working carriageways by stabilizing insufficiently stable
`soils or by recycling road Surfaces, with a machine frame 4
`supported by a chassis 2, as it is basically known from DE 103
`57 074 B3. The chassis 2 is provided with two each rear and
`front wheels 10, which are attached to lifting columns 14 in a
`height-adjustable manner and can be raised and lowered inde
`pendently of one another or also synchronously to one
`another. It is understood that other drive means like, for
`instance, crawler track units may also be provided in lieu of
`the wheels 10. The wheels or crawler track units may also be
`referred to as ground engaging Supports for Supporting the
`construction machine on the ground Surface or traffic Surface
`24. The lifting columns 14 are attached to the machine frame
`4.
`Both axles of the chassis, which are formed by the front and
`rear wheels 10 respectively, may be steerable.
`As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, an operator's platform
`12 for a vehicle driver is arranged at the machine frame 4
`above the front wheels 10 or in front of the front wheels 10,
`with a combustion engine 32 for the travel drive and for
`driving a working drum 6 being arranged behind the driver. In
`this manner, the operator's platform 12 can be ergonomically
`optimized for the vehicle driver.
`The working drum 6 which rotates, for instance, in oppo
`sition to the direction of travel when seen in the direction of
`travel, and the axis of which extends transversely to the direc
`tion of travel, is mounted to pivot relative to the machine
`frame 4 in Such a manner that it is capable of being pivoted
`from an idle position to a working position, as depicted in
`FIG. 1, by means of pivoting arms 42 arranged on both sides.
`Each pivoting arm 42 is mounted in the machine frame 4 at
`one end and accommodates the Support of the working drum
`6 at its other end.
`It is also possible to operate the machine 1 in reversing
`direction, with the milling operation then taking place Syn
`chronously to the direction of travel.
`The working drum 6 is, for instance, equipped with cutting
`tools that are not depicted in the drawings in order to be able
`to work a ground Surface or traffic Surface 24.
`The working drum 6 is surrounded by a hood 28 which, as
`can be seen from FIG. 1, is capable of being raised together
`with the working drum 6 by means of the pivoting arms 42.
`In operating position, the hood 28 rests on the ground
`surface or traffic surface 24 to be worked, as can be seen from
`FIG. 1, while the working drum 6 is capable of being pivoted
`further down according to the milling depth.
`It is understood that other embodiments of such a construc
`tion machine exist in which the hood 28, or the hood 28 and
`the working drum 6, are mounted at the machine frame 4 in a
`rigid manner. In the latter case, the working depth of the
`working drum 6 is adjusted via the lifting columns 14, in all
`other cases through an adjustment in height of the working
`drum 6.
`FIG. 3 shows an individual lifting column 14 comprising
`two hollow cylinders 13, 15 which are capable of telescoping
`in a form-fitting manner. The hollow cylinders 13, 15 serve as
`guiding unit for the height adjustment of the machine frame 4.
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 9 of 12 PageID #: 33481
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`accordance with the lifting position of the lifting column
`in Such a manner that a path signal pertaining to the
`lifting position of the lifting column is continuously
`detectable by the measuring device.
`2. The road construction machine of claim 1, further com
`prising:
`an indicator device operable to display the lifting positions
`of each of the lifting columns corresponding to the path
`signals detected by the lifting position measuring
`devices.
`3. The road construction machine of claim 1, wherein:
`each of the lifting position measuring devices includes a
`wire-rope and a wire-rope sensor.
`4. The road construction machine of claim 3, wherein:
`each of the wire-ropes is under tension and capable of
`being rolled up, and is connected to its respective lifting
`column Such that the path signal pertaining to the lifting
`position of the lifting column is continuously detectable
`by the wire-rope sensor.
`5. The road construction machine of claim 1, further com
`prising:
`a controller operable to define a reference plane relative to
`the ground Surface or traffic Surface and to store mea
`Sured signals from the lifting position measuring devices
`corresponding to current lifting positions of the lifting
`columns and to thereby define a current spatial position
`of the machine frame relative to the reference plane as a
`reference spatial position of the machine frame.
`6. The road construction machine of claim 1, further com
`prising:
`a controller operable to adjust at least one limiting value for
`the height adjustment of each of the lifting columns, the
`at least one limiting value defining a highest and/or
`lowest lifting position of each of the lifting columns.
`7. The road construction machine of claim 6, wherein:
`the limiting value for the height adjustment prevents
`engagement of a mechanical limit stop of the piston
`against the cylinder of the piston cylinder unit of each
`lifting column.
`8. The road construction machine of claim 1, further com
`prising:
`a controller operable to regulate the lifting positions of the
`plurality of lifting columns in Such a manner that the
`machine frame has a predetermined transverse inclina
`tion relative to a ground Surface or traffic Surface and
`transverse to a direction of travel of the machine frame.
`9. The road construction machine of claim 8, wherein:
`the controller is operable to vary the transverse inclination
`of the machine frame in a pre-determined path-depen
`dent transverse inclination sequence.
`10. The road construction machine of claim 1, further
`comprising:
`a controller configured such that with the alteration of the
`lifting position and height of one of the lifting columns,
`a neighboring lifting column in transverse direction or
`longitudinal direction of the machine frame is adjusted
`in height in an opposite manner.
`11. The road construction machine of claim 10, wherein:
`the height of the neighboring lifting column is adjusted by
`the same amount as the alteration of the height of said
`one of the lifting columns.
`12. The road construction machine of claim 10, wherein:
`said one of the lifting columns and said neighboring lifting
`column are connected to two front ground engaging
`Supports So that the lifting columns associated with front
`ground engaging Supports are height-adjustable in the
`manner of a full-floating axle.
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-7 Filed 04/12/24 Page 10 of 12 PageID #: 33482
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`A further alternative provides that the time sequence of the
`position of the machine frame 4 such as, for instance, a
`path-dependent transverse inclination sequence of the
`machine frame 4, may also be regulated by means of the
`measured path signals and the piston cylinder units 16 in
`combination with a path or machine position measurement.
`Ultimately, it is also understandable that a longitudinal
`inclination or a combination of a transverse and longitudinal
`inclination can also be regulated by means of the controller
`23.
`The measured signals of the measuring device 18 may be
`calibrated to a unit of length like, for instance, millimeters. In
`this way, it is possible for the vehicle driver to also alter the
`lifting state of the lifting columns 14 through entering a
`specific stroke in millimeters.
`Each