Measurex Corporation

Leonard M Anderson

Lee M Chase

John D Goss

Michael K Norton

Mathew G Boissevain

John J Howarth

Thierry M Cresson

Paul J Houghton

Harriss T King

David A Bossen

M Kent Norton

Ray S Shead

An apparatus and method for monitoring and regulating the amount of multiple coating materials containing different compositions applied to a substrate, such as paperboard. The coating measurement is insensitive to changes in both the amount of substrate as well as in the amount of an interfering component associated with the substrate.

Multiple coat measurement and control apparatus and method

The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for measuring and controlling the amount of multiple coating materials applied to a substrate, and in particular to an apparatus and method for monitoring and regulating the amount of multiple coating materials containing different compositions applied to a substrate, such as paperboard. The coating measurement is insensitive to changes in both the amount of substrate as well as in the amount of an interfering component associated with the substrate.

A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, offset substantially the same from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Sensor and method for mesaurement of select components of a material

A device for characterizing the formation of a sheet material is described. The device comprises a formation sensor for measuring the basis weight of the sheet material as the material passes through the sensor, and signal processing circuitry which receives a basis weight signal from the formation sensor and which produces three types of outputs, which outputs characterize: (1) the magnitude of variation in the sheet basis weight; (2) the strength of the weakest portion or portions of the sheet; and (3) the size of the flocs comprising the sheet. The formation sensor includes a light pipe that is held against the sheet as the sheet moves through the sensor, and that directs a small spot of light transmitted through the sheet to a light detecting device. The magnitude of small-scale variation in the sheet basis weight is computed by determining the ratio between average value of the basis weight signal and the varying or AC component of the basis weight signal.

On-line paper sheet formation characterizing method and device

A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, wherein at least one detecting means is offset from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Sensor and method for measurment of select components of a material

A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. Detectors coupled to the support detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in at least three different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each of the three directions. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.

Fiber orientation sensor

An infrared web moisture sensor which is substantially temperature and basis weight insensitive comprises a source of infrared radiation for directing an infrared beam through the web and an infrared detecting unit on the other side of the web which measures the transmission of the infrared beam through the web at three separate wavelength regions. The transmission in the first wavelength region is primarily sensitive to the moisture content of the web. The transmissions in the second wavelength region is less sensitive to the moisture content. The transmission in the third wavelength region provides an indication of the web temperature. Temperature insensitivity is achieved by selecting the temperature response of a measurement band pass filter and a reference band pass filter based on the maximum basis weight and the maximum moisture content of the web and compensating for any remaining temperature sensitivity with a temperature correction band pass filter. Signals indicative of the transmission of infrared through the web in each of these regions are digitized and fed to the process control computer for the paper mill. The computer combines the values of the digitized signals, using an empirically derived equation, to produce a value indicative of the percentage of moisture in the web which value is not affected by changes in web temperature. The process control computer utilizes this result to control devices which selectively and moisture to portions of the web or selectively dry portions of the web, thereby producing a web having a desired moisture content profile.

Sensor and method for measuring web moisture with optimal temperature

A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. The support is rotatable to allow detectors coupled to the support to detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in a number of different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each direction. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provide means by which non-warped corrugated paperboard sheet may easily and consistently be produced. The cross-directional moisture content profiles of the top and bottom liners of the corrugated sheet are automatically monitored, and controlled with independently operable water jets such that the liners have approximately equal machine and cross-direction moisture content profiles. The moisture content profiles of the liners are controlled to equalize the machine direction and cross-directional stresses created within the liners as they dry out, thereby producing non-warped corrugated paperboard sheet.

Warp control apparatus and method for sheet material

A sheet tension measuring device is disclosed for measuring the tension of a moving sheet wherein a moving sheet is accurately positioned with pinchers at 2 spaced locations. The sheet is deflected between these pinchers from its nominal straight line path, and the amount of deflection and deflecting force are measured. The pinchers iron out any wrinkles in the sheet as the moving sheet slides through the pinchers. Sheet tension is computed based upon the measured deflection force and deflection distance. The resulting measurements of local sheet tension are used to correct nondestructive sheet strength measurements. A device and method are also disclosed for nondestructively determining the sheet strength and the extensional stiffness of the sheet in the machine direction and in the cross-direction.

Sheet tension sensor

A sensor is disclosed for sensing a physical property of a sheet material. The sensor includes a mechanism for supporting one side of the sheet along the periphery of a defined region and a mechanism for forcibly deflecting the sheet into the unsupported center of the defined region. A transducer may also be incorporated to sense the force required to deflect the sheet into the unsupported region and/or the distance that the sheet is deflected into the unsupported region. The sensor may be operatively coupled to a computer programmed to determine a physical property of the sheet based upon the sensed force and/or distance, such as the sheet failure strength.

System and method for the determination of certain physical

A method and device for determining the strength of a sheet material, such as paper, utilizing floc size and the variability of the local basis weight of the sheet. The force required to deflect the moving sheet out of a nominal position, the distance the sheet is deflected by said force and the average tension applied to the sheet may also be utilized in the above determination of sheet strength.

On-line paper sheet strength determination method and device

An infrared paper web moisture sensor is described which comprises a source of infrared radiation for directing an infrared beam through the web and an infrared detecting unit disposed on the opposite side of the web from the infrared source. In one embodiment, the infrared detecting unit measures the transmission of the infrared beam through the web at three separate wavelength regions of the infrared spectrum, one of which is sensitive to web temperature. In a second embodiment, the infrared detecting unit measures the transmission of the infrared beam through the web at two separate wavelength regions of the infrared spectrum, one of which is insensitive to web temperature. For each embodiment, signals are developed indicative of the transmission of infrared through the web in each of these regions, digitized, and fed to the process control computer for the paper mill. The computer combines the values of the digitized signals, via an empirically derived equation, to produce a value indicative of the percentage of moisture in the web. The process control computer utilizes this result of control devices which selectively add moisture to portions of the web or selectively dry portions of the web to thereby produce a web having a uniform moisture content.

Temperature insensitive moisture sensor

A system and method for optically measuring parameters including dry basis weight, basis weight and moisture content of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes means for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and means to detect light transmitted through the web at least at four distinct bands of wavelengths.

System and method for measurement of traveling webs

A system and method for optically measuring parameters such as dry basis weight of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes mirror sections for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and a plurality of light detection devices to detect light transmitted through the web at two distinct wavelengths. The system further includes ducts to environmentally isolate the mirror sections and the light detection devices.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Leonard M Anderson