Detector for heterogeneous materials
US5585732A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/46
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for the detection of knots and voids in wood or lumber employs opposed arrays of capacitor plates. The presence of knots and/or voids is detected based on changes in the dielectrical response produced in the electrical fields defined by the opposed capacitor plate arrays. A software system delineates specific knot and void defects determined. Wood or lumber strength can further be estimated by comparing a sensed dielectric value in a clear portion of the lumber or wood with an established dielectric response value for wood of known density. Employing an appropriate correlation factor the relative wood density, coupled with knot/void location and size, permits an estimate of over all wood strength.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.