US 4,356,850 AGranted

Veneer lathe scanning system

AssigneeThe Black Clawson Company

InventorsDarrell N. Halgrimson, Donald H. Hanson, Richard T. King

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Abstract

A pair of sonic transducers are mounted above a peeler block on a veneer lathe, adjacent opposite ends of the block. Bursts of sonic energy are directed downward to strike the surface of the block such that sonic energy is reflected from the block surface to the transducers. The distance from the transducers to the axis of rotation of the lathe spindle upon which the block is mounted is known and, as a consequence, the radius of the peeler block may be determined in response to the ultrasonically measured distance from the transducers to the block surface. A series of radius measurements may be made as the block is rotated on the lathe spindle. Additionally, measurements may be made when a log is first loaded onto the lathe, after the log is rounded up, and after peeling of the block is completed.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A scanning device for use with a veneer lathe for providing an indication of the radius of a peeler block mounted on the lathe spindle, comprising:

first sonic transducer means, mounted adjacent a first end of said peeler block, for directing a burst of sonic energy toward said peeler block in response to a transducer input signal, and for providing a transducer output signal in response to receipt of sonic energy reflected from said peeler block adjacent the first end thereof,
second sonic transducer means, mounted adjacent a second end of said peeler block opposite said first end, for directing a burst of sonic energy toward said peeler block in response to a transducer input signal, and for providing a transducer output signal in response to receipt of sonic energy reflected from said peeler block adjacent the second end thereof,
transmit circuit means for supplying said transducer input signals to said first and second sonic transducer means in response to transmit control signals, and
transducer receiver circuit means for providing a reception signals in response to transducer output signals from said first and second sonic transducer means, whereby the time delays between said transmit control signals and said reception signals provide an indication of the distance between said first transducer means and the surface of said peeler block adjacent the first end thereof and an indication of the distance between said second transducer and the surface of said peeler block adjacent the second end thereof for calculation of peeler block radius adjacent said first and second ends thereof.

1 more element

A method of determining the radius of a log mounted for axial rotation on the spindle of a veneer lathe, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a burst of sonic energy from a reference point toward the log surface, said reference point being a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the spindle,
receiving sonic energy at said reference point reflected from the log surface,
measuring the time interval between transmission of said burst of sonic energy from said reference point and reception of reflected sonic energy at said reference point,
determining the distance from said reference point to said log surface based upon the measured time interval between transmission of said burst of sonic energy from said reference point and reception of reflected sonic energy at said reference point, and
determining the radius of the log by subtracting the distance from said reference point to said log surface from said predetermined distance.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.