US Patent:
20100011841, Jan 21, 2010
Inventors:
Walaa S. MOGAWER - South Dartmouth MA, US
Alexander J. AUSTERMAN - Wareham MA, US
International Classification:
G01N 11/14
E01C 21/00
Abstract:
An apparatus for testing the workability of asphalt mixes includes a frame, a motor operably attached to the frame for rotating a turntable, a container attachable to the turntable, and a paddle for mixing a first asphalt mixture in the container. A torque meter is operably attachable to the frame and to the paddle to measure in real-time the torque applied to the paddle shaft, and a temperature sensor measures the temperature in real-time of the first asphalt mixture in the container. In one embodiment the paddle has a vertical shaft, a plurality of laterally-extending elongated arms attached at first ends to the shaft and at distal second ends to angled plates. In another embodiment, a display and a processor are provided for automatically displaying on the display in real-time a plot of the torque verses time and the temperature verses time for the measured torque and temperature while mixing the asphalt mixture.