Patrick B O'Connor

US Patent:

48158917, Mar 28, 1989

Filed:

Feb 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/159463

Inventors:

Patrick L. O'Connor - Dryden MI

Assignee:

Thermal Power Corporation - Almont MI

International Classification:

E01C 2100

US Classification:

404 77

Abstract:

A method for repairing an opening formed in and below a section of pavement, comprising the steps of partially filling the opening with an unshrinkable filler material such that an upper surface of the filler material is near a lower surface of the section of pavement, heating an upper portion of the filler material so that the upper portion is substantially dried and becomes set, and substantially immediately thereafter making a permanent patch in the pavement section above the dried filler material.

US Patent:

45493642, Oct 29, 1985

Filed:

Oct 26, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/665288

Inventors:

Patrick O'Connor - Dryden MI

Assignee:

Thermal Power Corporation - Almont MI

International Classification:

E01H 500

US Classification:

37197

Abstract:

A method for laying a snow road or an airplane runway on a snow or ice covered surface includes the removal of a predetermined and relatively small portion of the snow or ice surface, which is melted to water and mixed with the snow or ice remaining on the snow surface. The mixture of water and snow or ice is leveled so as to form a road surface when the mixture freezes. Preferably, the snow remaining on the surface is mechanically worked with a rototiller, while the melted snow is injected into the snow being worked. The method is particularly advantageous in that it can be carried out without requiring melting of all the snow necessary to form the snow road, or requiring the addition of any water from an external source, other than the portion of snow removed from the snow surface. An apparatus for performing the method is also described.

US Patent:

54052130, Apr 11, 1995

Filed:

Jun 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/075998

Inventors:

Patrick L. O'Connor - Dryden MI

Assignee:

Thermal Power Corporation - Almont MI

International Classification:

E01C 706

US Classification:

404 77

Abstract:

A full depth thermal crack in an asphaltic pavement is repaired by spraying a first rejuvenating agent into the sides of the crack and over the top portion of the asphalt pavement surrounding the crack, heating the top portion of the asphalt to a predetermined temperature greater than 700. degree. F. , scarifying the heated asphalt, adding an asphaltic rejuvenating/emulsion agent to the heated, scarified asphalt, compacting the heated, scarified asphalt into the crack for the full depth of the crack wherein heat in the asphalt added to the crack is transferred to the asphalt surrounding the crack to raise the temperature of the surrounding asphalt sufficient to form a homogeneous bond between the original and new asphalt added to the crack. In a preferred embodiment, the heated, scarified asphalt is added in predetermined quantities into the crack so as to fill the crack only to a predetermined depth and then compacted before additional quantities of asphalt are added and compacted in subsequent steps.

US Patent:

50262068, Jun 25, 1991

Filed:

Mar 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/501876

Inventors:

Patrick L. O'Connor - Dryden MI

International Classification:

E01C 706

US Classification:

404 77

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for repairing a utility cut in a section of pavement is provided. The method includes the steps of transferring broken pavement and underlying base material from the utility cut, mixing the transferred material with predetermined quantities of water and binder material to form a fluid, unshrinkable, settable filler mixture which is then reapplied to the utility cut. The filler mixture hardens to a set state in a short period of time. All of the operative elements of the apparatus for performing the method are arranged for use directly at the utility cut site. An optional crusher for reducing larger excavated particles to a smaller size and a heater for heating the filler material reapplied to the utility cut may also be employed. Further, the removed material may be separated according to size to exclude particles above a predetermined size. Finally, a suction pump may be employed to remove water from, below or above the filler material after the filler material has been applied to the utility cut.