Zellweger Uster, Inc.

Computational Systems, Inc.

Other

Csi Technology, Inc.

Emerson Electric (us) Holding Corporation (chile) Limitada

Joseph C Baldwin

Frederick M Shofner

Youe-T Chu

Michael E Galyon

Mark G Townes

Gordon F Williams

Christopher K Shofner

David B Patelke

Benjamin M Kacenas

Masood A Khan

Stewart V Bowers, Iii

James C Robinson

Raymond Earl Garvey, Iii

Thomas E Nelson

Daniel L Nower

William E Childress

John S Turner

Fred M Shofner

James W Walker

Drew L Mackley

A vibration data collection system performs an integration or differentiation process on incoming digitized vibration data in real time. The system uses a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter running at the input data rate to provide the integration or differentiation function. With this approach, the system reduces hardware complexity and data storage requirements. Also, the system provides the ability to directly integrate or differentiate stored time waveforms without resorting to FFT processing methods.

Integrated vibration measurement and analysis system

A digital transducer provides a digital output indicative of dynamic characteristics of machines and processes. The transducer sensors may be single-axis or multiple-axis accelerometers and other measurement sensors. The transducer may be hands-free and wireless in machinery monitoring applications. An integral magnetic mount assists with hands-free data collection. Digital data accumulated in transducer memory may be selectively decimated before or after transfer from the transducer to a remote analyzer. Wireless communications are used to upload measurement setups to the transducer and download data from the transducer to a handheld analyzer or remote computer. Analysis and interpretation of dynamic digital data streams are performed after data is downloaded.

Dynamic transducer with digital output and method for use

A laser strobe tachometer combines a strobe light with a laser speed sensor. The ability of the laser sensor to accurately determine machine speed enables a synchronous strobe rate to be determined without user intervention. Having locked onto the turning speed, the stroboscope can 'freeze' the motion of the shaft, thereby allowing an operator to observe locations, such as on a keyway, flat or screw head, for the optimum placement of the laser spot to generate a once-per-revolution tachometer pulse.

Laser strobe tachometer

A low power vibration sensor and wireless transmitter system has one or more sensors that sense parameters of a machine including vibration and produces dynamic signals representing the sensed parameters. The system converts the signals to a digital format, digitally filters the signals, and processes the signals. A processor determines a plurality of levels, which represent the characteristics of the signal such as the peak value of a predetermined set of data points of the digital signal. Together, the levels comprise a PeakVue waveform. The processor determines the peak level value for the PeakVue waveform. Also, a true root-mean-square is calculated as the signal is received at the processor. The peak level and the RMS value are communicated wirelessly by a communication module to a control protocol network such as a daisy chain HART or Fieldbus protocol network. The system power supply and the communication module power supply are separate and allow for low power operation.

Low power vibration sensor and wireless transmitter system

An apparatus for delooping fibers in a fluid flow preferably includes a cyclone for receiving entities from a fiber individualizer and delivering individual fibers to a sensor. The fluid flow rate to the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the individualizer and the flow rate from the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the sensor. A nozzle is provided in the sensor for mechanically delooping the fibers so they are sensed in a straight condition. In addition, electronics associated with the sensor detects sensor signals corresponding to looped fibers and electronically &ldquo;deloops&rdquo; the fibers to produce data, such as the actual length of a fiber that was presented to the sensor in a looped condition.

Methods and apparatus for mechanically and electronically correcting presentation of entities in a fluid flow

An apparatus and method for monitoring and processing a web of textile materials which includes a plurality of entities including fibers, neps, seed coat fragments and trash. The web is monitored, preferably by an imaging unit, to produce a monitor signal. A computer receives the monitor signal and locates the position of entities of interest and controls a web processor in accordance with the location of the entities. Preferably, the web processor includes ejectors for ejecting entities from the web under the control of the computer. In one embodiment, the web is formed by a sampler and forming apparatus which removes a sample of fibers from a supply and reconfigures it into a desired configuration, such as a web, for being monitored.

Removal of undesirable entities in thin webs of textile materials

An apparatus and method for measuring characteristics of entities in a sample of textile material, including trash, provides a sample of textile material to a processor where entities are individualized and thereafter transported to a sensor system. Characteristic signals are generated by the sensor signal corresponding to sensed characteristics of the entities, including trash, and a computer analyzes the characteristic signals to identify signals corresponding to trash and to classify the trash signals as corresponding to one of several types of trash. Based on the characteristic signals, the computer determines an entity length, diameter and speed and also determines a peak value of a characteristic signal corresponding to an entity. Based on these measurements, trash is characterized as to one of several types of trash.

Apparatus and methods for measurement and classification of trash in

An apparatus monitors a web of textile material which is also processed by a textile processing machine. The web is in motion relative to an imaging unit, and the imaging unit repetitively scans at least one strip across the web in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of relative motion of the web. A computer receives signals from the imaging unit and produces digital data corresponding thereto. The computer further analyzes the digital data to find entities of interest in the web and determines parameters of the found entities of interest. Preferably, the imaging unit and computer include distinguishing means for producing a plurality of optical images of the same portion of the web where each of the optical images are distinguished one from the others by the spectral content. In addition, the imaging unit and computer produce a plurality of time separated images, where each of the time separated images are produced during different lighting conditions on the web. In one embodiment, one image is produced while the front side of the web is illuminated, and another image is produced on the same portion of the web while the rear side of the web is illuminated.

Continuous two dimensional monitoring of thin webs of textile materials

A testing apparatus includes a receiver for holding a plurality of textile samples and an automatic feed mechanism disposed adjacent to the receiver for selectively engaging and removing samples from the receiver and transporting them to a processor where the textile material is processed to produce textile entities in an individualized condition. The entities are then transported to a sensor that produces signals corresponding to characteristics of the entities. A control means detects the presence or absence of a sample in the automatic feed mechanism and controls it accordingly. Analog and digital components analyze the characteristic signals to identify segments of the characteristic signals that correspond to neps, trash and fibers.

Apparatus and method for testing multiple characteristics of single

Method and Apparatus for measuring and classifying individual neplike entities in a textile fiber sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fiber sample processor which takes a supply of fiber samples, separates and individualizes the individual entities of the fiber sample and provides the individualized entities to an airflow. The airflow directs the entities through a sensor volume which utilizes electro optical sensors to generate characteristic signals corresponding to the entity passing through the sensor volume. These signals are then analyzed to determine if the entity passing through the sensing volume was a nep and further classify neps by their type. Thus, a neplike entity could be classified as either a polyester nep, a fiber nep or a seed coat fragment and further may be classified as a mature entity or an immature entity.

Apparatus and methods for measurement and classification of generalized

An apparatus for delooping fibers in a fluid flow preferably includes a cyclone for receiving entities from a fiber individualizer and delivering individual fibers to a sensor. The fluid flow rate to the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the individualizer and the flow rate from the cyclone is set to optimize operation of the sensor. A nozzle is provided in the sensor for mechanically delooping the fibers so they are sensed in a straight condition. In addition, electronics associated with the sensor detects sensor signals corresponding to looped fibers and electronically 'deloops' the fibers to produce data, such as the actual length of a fiber that was presented to the sensor in a looped condition.

Methods and apparatus for mechanically and electronically correcting

A map maker is disclosed in which a physical map is produced by depositing fluid entrained entities, such as cotton fibers, trash and neps, in a pattern on a surface, such as a nylon mesh surface. Each position in the pattern is uniquely associated with data produced by another monitor to provide topological mapping between the data event map and the physical map. In one embodiment, a drive system and computer are used to control the position of a surface relative to a nozzle that deposits the entities on the surface and relative to a camera that scans the map formed on the surface. In the preferred embodiment, the map is planar, but an alternate cylindrical map is shown. Also, an embodiment is shown in which a map maker is incorporated into a carding machine.

Topological map maker

Acquisition, measurement and control of thin webs on in-process textile

An apparatus for monitoring trash in a sample of trash particles and fibers includes scales for determining the weight of the sample which is transmitted to a computer. The sample is presented to a sensing volume and an optical sensor produces an output signal corresponding at least to the presence of the trash particle in the sensing volume. In one embodiment, the output signal is the waveform corresponding to light extinction caused by the presence of the particle in the sensing volume. In a second embodiment, image analysis of trash particles in a sensing volume provide output signals corresponding to the size, shape or composition of the particles. The computer receives the weight data and the output signal from the optical sensor and produces output data in the form of a count of at least a portion of the trash particles per unit weight of sample. The computer also outputs data in the form of or corresponding to the effective diameter, projected area and weight of the trash particles and count and weight of the fibers. In particular, the computer categorizes trash particles and outputs data for a particular category of particles.

Growing community of inventors

Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Joseph C Baldwin