System and method for assessment of a workpiece in a continuous flow process
AssigneeJohn Bean Technologies Corporation
InventorsJon A. Hocker, George R. Blaine, Craig E. Pfarr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for measuring physical properties of a workpiece in motion which includes a conveyance assembly for conveying the workpiece, a scanning assembly for scanning the workpiece, and a measurement assembly for measuring at least one physical property of the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion.
Claims22
A system for measuring physical properties of a workpiece in motion, comprising:
- (a) a conveyance assembly for conveying the workpiece;
- (b) a scanning assembly for scanning the workpiece;
- and
- (c) a measurement assembly for measuring at least one viscoelastic property of the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion, wherein the measurement assembly is a rotary actuator configured to selectively move an impact device into and out of engagement with the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion, wherein the impact device is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator, wherein an axis of the output shaft is substantially transverse to an axis of the impact device, and wherein the axis of the output shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conveyance assembly.
A method of processing a workpiece in motion based on measured physical properties of the workpiece, comprising:
- (a) moving at least one workpiece along a conveyance assembly;
- (b) scanning the at least one workpiece to determine a workpiece region of interest;
- (c) selectively rotating an impact device into and out of engagement with the at least one workpiece at the region of interest while the at least one workpiece is in motion to measure at least one viscoelastic property of the at least one workpiece wherein the impact device is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator, wherein an axis of the output shaft is substantially transverse to an axis of the impact device, and wherein the axis of the output shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conveyance assembly;
- (d) comparing the measurement data to predetermined criteria;
- and
- (e) selecting a subsequent processing step for the at least one workpiece based upon said comparison.
A system for measuring physical properties of a workpiece in motion, comprising:
- (a) a conveyance assembly for conveying the workpiece;
- (b) a scanning assembly for scanning the workpiece;
- (c) a measurement assembly for measuring at least one physical property of the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion;
- (d) a first carrier unit for moving the measurement assembly relative to the conveyance assembly to measure the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion;
- and
- (e) at least a second carrier unit for carrying together both a cutting assembly for cutting the workpiece and at least one unloading system to remove the cut portions from the conveyance assembly and place said removed cut portions at selected locations away from the conveyance assembly.
A system for measuring physical properties of a workpiece in motion, comprising:
- (a) a conveyance assembly for conveying the workpiece;
- (b) a scanning assembly for scanning the workpiece;
- and
- (c) a measurement assembly for measuring at least one viscoelastic property of the workpiece while the workpiece is in motion in multiple measurement motions per workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.