Townsend Engineering Company

Stork Townsend Inc.

R Thomas Seaberg

Brent M Veldkamp

Doug McCloskey

Don D Holms

Matthew A Bergman

Liansuo Xie

A method and means for controlling the operation of a machine by an operator having a transmitter mounted to a machine, a sensor attached to an operator or an operator's clothing, and a tracking device that receives signals from the sensor and determines the position of the sensor. Based on the determined position of the sensor, the tracking device sends signals to the operator and an actuator on the machine based on a comparison with a danger zone, warning zone, or operator zone.

Method and means for controlling the operation of a machine based upon the wearing of a sensor by a machine operator

A method and apparatus for removing a portion of fat from meat cuts involves placing a meat cut on a longitudinal conveyor, pressing sensor probes into the meat cut to measure the relative thickness of fat and the location of lean in the meat, and then withdrawing the sensor probes from the meat. An electronic signal is transmitted from the sensor to a controller along with an encoder signal to determine the depth from the outer lower surface of the meat cut through a layer of fat in the meat to a layer of lean in the meat. Data taken from the foregoing step determine the desired position of the blade, which removes the appropriate amount of fat to be removed from the meat cut.

Method and apparatus for removing fat from meat cuts

A method for removing a portion of fat from meat cuts involves placing a meat cut on a longitudinal conveyor, pressing sensor probes into the meat cut to measure the relative thickness of fact and the location of lean in the meat, and then withdrawing the sensor probes from the meat. An electronic signal is transmitted from the sensor to a controller along with an encoder signal to determine the depth from the outer lower surface of the meat cut through a layer of fat in the meat to a layer of lean in the meat. Data taken from the foregoing step determine the desired position of the blade. A predetermined amount of fat is thereupon cut from the meat cut by the blade. An apparatus for removing a portion of fact from meat cuts includes a frame and at least one sensor probe including fiber optics to permit scanning of the interior of a meat cut penetrated by the probe. Power for moving the probe into the meat is mounted on the frame along with a skinning blade mounted in a path of movement of a meat cut on the frame. A controller on the frame takes data from the sensor probe and determines the linear depth of fat material on the meat cut and lean material in the meat cut. The controller then determines the operating position of the blade and positions the blade to effect the removal of the desired amount of fat.

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Des Moines, IA, United States of America

R Thomas Seaberg