The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 14, 1994
Filed:
Sep. 19, 1991
Frederick M Shofner, Knoxville, TN (US);
Joseph C Baldwin, Knoxville, TN (US);
Mark G Townes, Knoxville, TN (US);
Youe-T Chu, Knoxville, TN (US);
Michael E Galyon, Knoxville, TN (US);
Zellweger Uster, Inc., Knoxville, TN (US);
Abstract
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.