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:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
Ralph G. Rudolph, Center Valley, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and removing water from a surface of a moving metal sheet in continuous treatment line to prevent the formation of water stains thereon. A selected surface area of the moving metal sheet is illuminated with infrared radiation having a wavelength substantially absorbed by water, and an optical sensor system is employed to view images reflected off the selected surface area. An optical bandpass filter limits transmission of infrared light to within a specific range of wavelengths known to be strongly absorbed by water. The sensor assembly produces a signal representative of the intensity of the reflected light. If the intensity signal is lower than a predetermined level, water is detected and the signal may be used to trigger a control device that sounds alarms, records the event, or otherwise controls the environment of the object so that detected water may be removed to prevent the formation of water stains. The present invention is particularly suited for detecting the presence of water on a moving steel sheet treated in a continuous coating line.