US3584853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracking system for strip processing lines
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-11
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1988-10-11
Abstract
Abstract Described is a system for tracking one or more welds or other specific points on strip material passing through a continuous processing line containing one or more loop storage areas in which the length of material may increase or decrease. Determination of the length of material in loop storage is made by counting up a storage counter in reference to the movement of the strip material introduced into the loop and down counting the same counter for strip material paid out of the loop. This quantity is then used to track the position of the point in the processing line.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Munson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/06; B; B23; B23D; B23D33/00; B23D33/02; B26; B26D; B26D5/00; B26D5/20; B26D5/30; B26D5/32; C; C21; C21D; C21D9/00; C21D9/52; C21D9/54; C21D9/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
For use with a processing line for strip material including a loop storage area where the length of the material passing through may vary, the combination of means for generating an electrical signal after a point on the strip material entering the processing line reaches a predetermined location with respect to a selected unit of processing equipment in the processing line, said combination including: first pulse-generating means for producing a first series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material entering said loop storage area, second pulse-generating means for producing a second series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material leaving said loop storage area, first pulse counter means responsive to said first and second series of pulses for generating a pulse count proportional to the actual length of material stored in said loop storage area, second pulse counter means, first control means actuable before said point on the strip material enters said processing line for presetting into said second pulse counter means the count of said first pulse counter means plus a constant, second control means for applying said second series of pulses to said second pulse counter means whereby the count of said second counter means decreases as said point progresses through said processing line from said loop storage area to said piece of processing equipment, and third control means for deriving from said second pulse counter means said electrical signal indicating that said point has reached said predetermined location with respect to said piece of processing equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
For use with a processing line for strip material including a loop storage area where the length of the material passing through may vary, the combination of means for generating an electrical signal after a point on the strip material entering the processing line reaches a predetermined location with respect to a selected unit of processing equipment in the processing line, said combination including: first pulse-generating means for producing a first series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material entering said loop storage area, second pulse-generating means for producing a second series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material leaving said loop storage area, first pulse counter means responsive to said first and second series of pulses for generating a pulse count proportional to the actual length of material stored in said loop storage area, second pulse counter means, first control means actuable before said point on the strip material enters said processing line for presetting into said second pulse counter means the count of said first pulse counter means plus a constant, second control means for applying said second series of pulses to said second pulse counter means whereby the count of said second counter means decreases as said point progresses through said processing line from said loop storage area to said piece of processing equipment, and third control means for deriving from said second pulse counter means said electrical signal indicating that said point has reached said predetermined location with respect to said piece of processing equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said selected unit of processing equipment comprises a temper mill and said point on the strip material coincides with a weld securing the trailing end of a length of strip material to the forward end of the next succeeding length, and including mill control means responsive to said electrical signal for separating the rolls of said temper mill.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said selected unit of processing equipment comprises a pickle tank and said point on the strip material coincides with a weld securing the trailing end of a length of strip material to the forward end of a succeeding length, and including side guides for the strip material passing through said pickle tank, and guide control means responsive to said electrical signal for separating said side guides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said processing line includes an entrance loop storage area and an exit loop storage area, with each of said loop storage areas being provided with first and second pulse generating means and first pulse counter means for determining the length of the material in said entrance and exit loop storage areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 4, including two second pulse counters for said exit loop storage area, gate means connecting the second pulse counters to the first pulse counter means for said exit loop storage area whereby the second pulse counters can be preset by signals from said first pulse counter means for the exit loop storage area, and means coupled to pulse counter means of said entrance loop storage area for enabling said gate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a processing line of the type in which strip material passes through a loop storage area where the length of the material passing through may vary, the combination of means for generating an electrical signal after a point on the strip material entering said loop storage area leaves saId loop storage area, said combination comprising: first pulse-generating means for producing a first series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material entering said loop storage area, second pulse-generating means for producing a second series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material leaving said loop storage area, an up-down counter responsive to said first and second series of pulses for producing an electrical signal indicative of the instantaneous length of material in said loop storage area, a down counter, means for presetting into said down counter at least the count of said up-down counter before said point enters the loop storage area, means for applying said second series of pulses to said down counter after the count of said up-down counter has been preset therein whereby the count of said down counter decreases as said point progresses through said loop storage area, and means for producing an electrical signal when said down counter has counted down to a value indicating that said point has left the loop storage area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a processing line of the type in which strip material passes through a loop storage area where the length of the material passing through may vary, the combination of means for generating an electrical signal after a point on the strip material entering said loop storage area leaves saId loop storage area, said combination comprising: first pulse-generating means for producing a first series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material entering said loop storage area, second pulse-generating means for producing a second series of pulses proportional in number to the length of strip material leaving said loop storage area, an up-down counter responsive to said first and second series of pulses for producing an electrical signal indicative of the instantaneous length of material in said loop storage area, a down counter, means for presetting into said down counter at least the count of said up-down counter before said point enters the loop storage area, means for applying said second series of pulses to said down counter after the count of said up-down counter has been preset therein whereby the count of said down counter decreases as said point progresses through said loop storage area, and means for producing an electrical signal when said down counter has counted down to a value indicating that said point has left the loop storage area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |