High volume fiber testing system
US5943907A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/362
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A gin process control system including sensing stations for sensing the physical properties of cotton as it progresses through a gin. A moisture sensor determines, over a wide range of values, the amount of moisture in the cotton. A quality monitor determines the color of the cotton, color distribution, and the amount and type of trash or other impurities which may be entrained in the cotton. A micronaire unit determines both micronaire and cotton maturity. A fiber length tester provides information on the length distribution, breaking strength, and elongation of the cotton fibers. Cotton samples are gathered from the gin flow stream and presented to the sensing stations in a variety of manual, semi-automated, and automated fashions. In a fully automated unit, the sensing stations are connected directly to the gin. The sensing stations are also in communication with the gin process control system, which uses the data from the sensing stations to automatically control the operation of the gin. Alternately, the sensing stations are assembled into a stand-alone unit. In a semi-automatic version of the stand-alone unit, samples are manually gathered and presented to the unit in cassett…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.