Servo-shutter mechanism for detecting defects in cans
AssigneeDelaware Capital Formation, Inc.
InventorsJoe Schill, Steve Walker, Mark Plymale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes a servo-shutter mechanism comprising a servo-motor and a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor. The gear has teeth. The invention also includes a second gear having a first end and a second end. The first end has teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear and the second end is adapted to be joined to a cam ring. The cam ring has an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins where one of the pivot pins is joined to the second end of the second gear. Additionally, the invention includes at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring and the second end is adapted to block the aperture.
Claims19
A servo-shutter mechanism comprising:
- a servo-motor;
- a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor, the gear having teeth;
- a second gear having a first end and a second end, the first end having teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear, and the second end adapted to be joined to a cam ring;
- a cam ring having an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins, one of said pivot pins joined to the second end of the second gear;
- and
- at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring, the second end adapted to block the aperture.
A light testing apparatus comprising:
- a servo-motor;
- a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor, the gear having teeth;
- a second gear having a first end and a second end, the first end having teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear, the second end adapted to be joined to a cam;
- a cam ring having an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins, one of said pivot pins joined to the second end of the second gear;
- at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring, the second end adapted to block the aperture;
- a pin hole in the at least one shutter blade, the pin hole adapted to admit a predetermined amount of light;
- a light source adapted to shine light onto a container;
- and
- a light sensor adapted to detect the predetermined light.
A method of testing a can for defects comprising the steps of:
- conveying the can to a light detecting apparatus, the apparatus including a servo-motor, a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor, the gear having teeth, a second gear having a first end and a second end, the first end having teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear and the second end adapted to be joined to a cam ring, the cam ring having an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins, one of said pivot pins joined to the second end of the second gear and at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring, the second end adapted to block the aperture;
- shining light onto the can;
- and
- detecting light from the can with the light detecting apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.