Patent · US Active

System for maximizing a value of lumber

US8266073B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 2009
Grant dateSep 11, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 17, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF26B2210/16
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed that uses moisture content readings in order to determine how to maximize the price value of lumber. Feedback can then be provided to a kiln controller on how to adjust kiln settings in order to increase the value of the lumber produced. In one embodiment, moisture content is determined on a plurality of boards. Using the moisture content readings, an actual value of the plurality of boards is determined. Then a calculation is made to determine how to modify moisture content in order to maximize the value of the lumber. In yet another embodiment, geographic positions of individual packages are tracked in the kiln. The efficiency of the kiln is determined based on drying uniformity of the packages. Then the moisture content can be modified to determine how it impacts value of a charge of lumber.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.