Object sorting system
AssigneeDunkley International, Inc.
InventorErnest K. Kenneway
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An object sorting system automatically inspects a plurality of objects and sorts acceptable objects from defective objects. The system includes a feed conveyor, a barrier, a sorting camera, at least one rejection valve and a processor. The feed conveyor receives a plurality of objects and moves the objects through an inspection area, which is defined by the barrier, which is placed across and above a top surface of the feed conveyor. The barrier is configured to redirect the plurality of objects and cause the objects to rotate about an object axis such that the sorting camera can capture an image of each of the plurality of objects as the objects rotate and move through the inspection area.
Claims27
An object sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of objects and sorting acceptable objects from defective objects, the system comprising:
- a feed conveyer for receiving a first plurality of objects, the feed conveyor moving the first plurality of objects through an inspection area;
- a barrier placed across a top surface of the feed conveyer, wherein the barrier defines a boundary of the inspection area and is configured to redirect the first plurality of objects and cause the first plurality of objects to rotate about an object axis;
- a sorting camera positioned for capturing an image of each of the first plurality of objects as the first plurality of objects rotate and move through the inspection area;
- at least one final rejection valve, the at least one final rejection valve functioning to separate finally defective objects and inspected acceptable objects;
- and
- a processor coupled to the feed conveyer, the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve, wherein the processor executes an inspection routine that controls a speed of the feed conveyer, a scanning rate of the sorting camera and actuation of the at least one final rejection valve, and wherein the first plurality of objects are one of a bolt, an engine valve, a capsule, a ball bearing and a medical ball.
An object sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of objects and sorting acceptable objects from defective objects, the system comprising:
- a feed conveyer for receiving a first plurality of objects, the feed conveyor moving the first plurality of objects through an inspection area;
- a barrier placed across a top surface of the feed conveyer, wherein the barrier defines a boundary of the inspection area and is configured to redirect the first plurality of objects and cause the first plurality of objects to rotate about an object axis;
- a sorting camera positioned for capturing an image of each of the first plurality of objects as the first plurality of objects rotate and move through the inspection area;
- at least one final rejection valve, the at least one final rejection valve functioning to separate finally defective objects and inspected acceptable objects;
- and
- a processor coupled to the feed conveyer, the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve, wherein the processor executes an inspection routine that controls a speed of the feed conveyer, a scanning rate of the sorting camera and actuation of the at least one final rejection valve, wherein the first plurality of objects are spherical.
A method for automatically inspecting a plurality of objects and sorting acceptable objects from defective objects, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a plurality of objects;
- rotating and moving the objects through an inspection area;
- capturing an image of each of the plurality of objects as the plurality of objects move through the inspection area;
- comparing the captured image of each of the plurality of objects to at least one stored image to determine whether an object is defective;
- and
- directing a defective object such that the defective object is separated from inspected acceptable objects, wherein the plurality of objects are one of a bolt, an engine valve, a capsule, a ball bearing and a medical ball.
A method for automatically inspecting a plurality of objects and sorting acceptable objects from defective objects, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a plurality of objects;
- rotating and moving the objects through an inspection area;
- capturing an image of each of die plurality of objects as the plurality of objects move through the inspection area;
- comparing the captured image of each of the plurality of objects to at least one stored image to determine whether an object is defective;
- and
- directing a defective object such that the defective object is separated from inspected acceptable objects, wherein the plurality of objects are spherical.
An capsule sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of capsules and sorting acceptable capsules from defective capsules, the system comprising:
- a feed conveyer for receiving a first plurality of capsules, the feed conveyor moving the first plurality of capsules through an inspection area;
- a barrier placed across and above a top surface of the feed conveyer, wherein the barrier defines a boundary of the inspection area and is configured to redirect the first plurality of capsules and cause the first plurality of capsules to rotate about a capsule axis;
- a sorting camera for capturing an image of each of the first plurality of capsules as the first plurality of capsules rotate and move through the inspection area;
- at least one final rejection valve, the at least one final rejection valve functioning to separate finally defective capsules and inspected acceptable capsules;
- and
- a processor coupled to the feed conveyer, the sorting camera and the at least one final rejection valve, wherein the processor executes an inspection routine that controls a speed of the feed conveyer, a scanning rate of the sorting camera and the at least one final rejection valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.