Intec Inc.

Cole H Baker

A laser inspection system is provided having an absolute closed loop dc system in which the power gain is automatically stabilized. In order to stabilize the power gain of the system and provide a closed loop absolute reference dc level, a sample of the radiation from the laser beam utilized to scan the material being inspected is applied to a photomultiplier tube for generating a reference pedestal signal which is dependent on the intensity of the laser beam and is free of the influence of the characteristics of the material being inspected. The reference pedestal signal is applied to a comparator which develops a control signal which is applied in a single closed feedback loop including in effect, the laser source and the light collection and detection system within the loop. This loop includes the photomultiplier tube and its high voltage power supply to which the control signal is applied for stabilizing the gain of the system. Accordingly, if the sensitivity of the receiver varies, the photomultiplier drifts, drift occurs in the power supply, and/or the laser beam intensity drifts, the feedback loop will detect such changes and compensate for them, to produce an absolute, stable dc system.

Absolute DC system for a laser inspection system

The beta ray gauge is augmented with a radiation inspection system for automatically improving products formed into a continuous web such as non-woven paper, non-woven textiles, plastics, etc. For example, the basis weight of a continuous web of paper is measured by passing the web through a beta ray gauge which generates a first signal based on the weight of the paper web. The first signal generated by the beta ray gauge is compared with a predetermined preset reference signal representing the basis weight desired. After the beta ray gauge measures the basis weight in the paper making process, a light inspection system applies a light source across the paper web and detects the light emanating therefrom to provide a second signal based on the characteristics of the paper web. The light inspection system continuously generates the second signal across the entire width of the web, and accordingly rapidly inspects the entire web with greater spatial resolution than the beta gauge which is stationary or slow moving. The first and second signals are compared producing a control signal which is used to regulate the dispensing of the paper stock forming the continuous paper web or to otherwise monitor and grade the continuous web output.

Radiation inspection system for a material making apparatus and method

A wide web laser scanner flaw detection method and apparatus are provided for rapid and accurate inspection of wide web materials. A plurality of laser sources are scanned by a plurality of aligned synchronized rotary scanners which repetitively scan the sources in sequence on a predetermined scan path over the material being examined with each laser scanning only a portion of the scan line. The rotary scanners are selectively blanked in sequence such that only one rotary scanner is scanning a single laser beam on only a portion of a line scan on the material in any given time interval and the blanking means are staggered such that one complete line scan is formed across the material by consecutive sequential alternating scans of each of the laser sources by each of the rotary scanners. The wide web is moved in a direction transversely with respect to the direction of the scan line for providing a raster type scan pattern along the wide web of material being inspected. Receiver means having detector means therein are positioned for receiving radiation applied by the laser beams from the material being inspected with the detector means generating signals in response to the intensity of the radiation received from the material being inspected by the laser beams. A single electronic processing console is provided having the detector signals applied thereto for processing the signals to detect and locate flaws in the material being inspected.

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Westport, CT, United States of America

Cole H Baker