United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of

Michigan Technological University

John R Erickson

Robert J Ross

Robert D Barwise

Rodger A Arola

Michael A Wehr

Earl A Geske

Dwight Flach

Xiping Wang

James A Mattson

John W Forsman

Gary J Lichtenberg

A system for and method of evaluating a log. The system includes an analysis module having at least one input terminal connectable to the at least one input device. The at least one input terminal is operable to receive at least one signal representing at least one measured property of the log and at least one determined parameter of the log determined in response to an energy being applied to the log. The analysis module further includes a processor coupled to the at least one input terminal. The processor determines a predictive modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the log based at least in part on the at least one measured property and the at least one sensed parameter. The analysis module also includes an output terminal coupled to the processor and connectable to an output device. The output terminal transmits a third signal representing the predictive MOE.

System for and method of performing evaluation techniques on a log or round timber

A self-centering and self-aligning joint is presented for bonding a first and second wood segment, wherein the joint includes a single tenon extending from the end face of the first segment, and a void disposed within the end face of the second segment. And adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the tenon, or to the inner surface of the void to join the two segments.

Joint for connecting wood members

A cutting machine to sever elongated wood particles or fiber masses to a predetermined length in one self-feeding and continuous operation. Said cutting machine reduces naturally formed and partially processed wood into particles of controlled length and cross-sectional dimension. A rotating spiral cutting edge mounted on a drive shaft is of varying radial length increasing from zero on one end to a radial length greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the wood or fiber to be sheared. In back of the shearing section a separate degradation spiral is situated that gradually decreases back to a minimal radial length on the other end. An anvil is provided over the length of the shearing section against which the rotating cutting edge shears the wood. In the back or degradation section, a casing in the shape of a truncated cone is fitted loosely around the decreasing spiral. Wood is fed parallel to the drive shaft into the front end of the apparatus. The rotating cutting edge contacts the log at regular intervals, thus severing wood particles of close length tolerance which are carried by the degradation spiral section and then pass through the degradation cone where, due to decreasing diameter and positive feed, cross-sectional area of said particles are reduced by longitudinal splitting and abrasion to permit passage through the outer end of the truncated cone.

Helical head comminuting shear

Growing community of inventors

Alexandria, VA, United States of America

John R Erickson