Fibre monitoring apparatus and method

US7983785B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Instrumar Limited · CA

Inventors

• Stuart Inkpen · St. John's, CA
• Chris Nolan · St. John's, CA
• Darryl Pike · St. John's, CA
• Heather Rowe · St. John's, CA
• John Hall · St. John's, CA
• Dana Linfield · Portugal Cove - St. Philip's, CA
• Joshua Swamidas · St. John's, CA
• Chris Dawson · St. John's, CA
• Gerard Galway · Torbay, CA
• Shawn T. Walsh · Richardson, US
• Ruth Abraham · St. John's, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 30, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 19, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B23/0235
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A computer-based fibre production monitoring system includes at least one sensor, and a computer server in communication with the sensors. Each sensor is configured to provide data packets each being associated with a respective threadline and providing a measurement of at least one physical characteristic of a fibre as it is drawn past the sensor on the threadline and wound onto a bobbin. The computer server is configured to provide an analysis of the physical characteristics on a per-threadline basis and/or per-bobbin basis from the measurements. The sensor is configured as an electric field sensor, and includes an insulating substrate, non-contacting electrodes disposed on the substrate, and vias extending transversely through the substrate. The electrodes are interlaced with one another. One portion of the vias is coupled to one portion of the electrodes, and another portion of the vias is coupled to another portion of the electrodes.