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:
Apr. 08, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2001
Pradeep Kumar, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Huron Valley Steel Corporation, Belleville, MI (US);
Abstract
A system for sorting randomly positioned, irregularly shaped scrap metal particles on a moving conveyor employs laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), and includes an image detector for locating the particles as they path through a predefined viewing area, a position detector for detecting movement of the conveyor, a laser system for providing laser pulses, a scanner assembly for directing the pulses to selected locations within a target area, a light collector, a light distribution and spectral analyzer for isolating and measuring at least one selected band from the collected light, a separator, and suitable logic for identifying the particles, monitoring their position, monitoring the output of the laser and, operating the scanner assembly to direct the pulses to the identified particle. The spectral data is then analyzed, each particle is categorized, and thereafter sorted.