Strand orientation system and method
US10112316B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/10
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for orienting strands (e.g., wood strands) includes multiple rotatable shafts that extend perpendicular to a travel direction of a mat of aligned strands. Each shaft can include axially spaced agitation members that extend radially away from the shaft, such as in a direction parallel to the travel direction. A vane set can be positioned vertically below the shafts. The vane set can include multiple partitions that define inter-partition spacings parallel to the travel direction. In an example, an inter-partition spacing of the vane set can be greater along a bottom portion of adjacent partitions than along a top portion of the same adjacent partitions. In an example, an upper edge thickness of a partition can be greater than a lower edge thickness of the same partition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.