Apparatus for detecting the position of an object along a secondary axis and scanning a profile of the object in a primary axis
AssigneeSilvatech Corporation
InventorMichael Hughes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A positioning device having a transmitter mounted on a carriage which is movable along a secondary axis. A linear detection array is provided to scan a profile of an object mounted on the carriage. The detection array has a plurality of sensors which are arrayed in a direction which is parallel to the secondary axis. A directing device serves to direct a signal emitted from the transmitter to a corresponding one of the sensors which is in opposition to the transmitter. Position of the carriage, along the secondary axis, can be determined based on the on/off status of the sensors.
Claims16
An apparatus for determining a position of an object along a secondary axis while a profile of the object in a primary axis, which is perpendicular to the secondary axis, is determined, said apparatus comprising:
- a carriage which supports the object;
- means for moving the object on said carriage along the primary axis;
- means for moving said carriage along the secondary axis;
- a transmitter mounted on said carriage, said transmitter emitting a first signal;
- a detection array comprising a plurality of detectors disposed along a line which is parallel to said second secondary axis;
- means for determining the profile of said object based on respective detection status of said detectors;
- means for directing the first signal towards said detection array;
- and
- means for determining a position of the object based on which of said detectors receives said first signal.
An sawmill apparatus for determining a position of a carriage carrying a log along a secondary axis while a profile of the log in a primary axis, which is perpendicular to the secondary axis, is determined, said apparatus comprising:
- a saw blade for carrying out a sawing operation on the log;
- a carriage which supports the log;
- means for moving the log on said carriage along the primary axis;
- means for moving said carriage along the secondary axis;
- a transmitter mounted on said carriage, said transmitter emitting a first signal;
- a detection array comprising a plurality of detectors disposed along a line which is parallel to said second secondary axis;
- means for determining the profile of the log based on respective detection status of said detectors;
- means for directing the first signal towards said detection array;
- and
- means for determining a position of the log based on which of said detectors receives said first signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.