US3852579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining the surface configuration of elongate objects, particularly logs
Assignee: SUN STUDS
•
Filing: 1973-03-23
•
Granted: 1974-12-03
•
Expires: 1993-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for determining the surface configuration of a log prior to its peeling into veneer. An electro-optical ranging system determines the circumferential contour of the log at a plurality of spaced locations along its length while the log is rotated by a charger mechanism. The ranging system determines, for a plurality of points about the periphery of each log cross-sectional location, the distance of the surface from a predetermined point, typically the spin axis about which the log is rotated while its surface contour is determined. Data developed by the ranging sysem is transferred to a computer at fixed increments of angular rotation of the log. The computer processes this data to calculate the distance from the spin axis to the log surface at each angular increment so as to determine the surface contour of the log at each of the crosssectional locations. The computer then determines the optimum spin axis of the log for peeling into veneer and controls the operation of the charger mechanism to deliver the log into the chunks of a veneer lathe aligned so as to be rotated about its optimum spin axis.
Inventors
- 👤 J Holmes
- 👤 F Sohn
- 👤 L Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/0035; G01B11/00; G01B11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparataus for determining the surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. means for gripping said object by its respective ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis; b. a plurality of distance measuring means spaced along the length of said object for scanning the circumferential contour of said object at said said respective spaced locations, while said object is being continuously rotated each of said distance measuring means comprising an optical ranging system in the form of a transceiver means for radiating light energy which is then reflected back from an opposed point on the surface of said object and processed by said transceiver to produce a data signal descriptive of said circumferential contour at said respective spaced location; and c. a computer for processing said data signals received from said plurality of distance measuring means to determine the surface configuration of said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
An apparataus for determining the surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. means for gripping said object by its respective ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis; b. a plurality of distance measuring means spaced along the length of said object for scanning the circumferential contour of said object at said said respective spaced locations, while said object is being continuously rotated each of said distance measuring means comprising an optical ranging system in the form of a transceiver means for radiating light energy which is then reflected back from an opposed point on the surface of said object and processed by said transceiver to produce a data signal descriptive of said circumferential contour at said respective spaced location; and c. a computer for processing said data signals received from said plurality of distance measuring means to determine the surface configuration of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including shaft encoder means coupled to said gripping means for providing further data signals to said computer concerning the angular rotation of said object as it is being scanned by said plurality of distance measuring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further including buffer means for receiving and storing temporarily said data signals from said respective distance measuring means and furnishing said data signals upon demand to said computer on a periodic basis corresponding to predetermined angular increments of rotation of said object as indicated by said further data signals from said shaft encoder means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for determining the optimum spin axis for a log which is to be turned in the chucks of a veneer lathe for the purpose of maximizing the yield of veneer therefrom, comprising: a. a charger mechanism having a pair of arms for gripping a log by its ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis thereof; b. a plurality of distance meAsuring means spaced along the length of said log for scanning the circumferential contour of said log at respective cross-sectional locations while said log is being continuously rotated, said distance measuring means each providing data signals describing said respective circumferential contours; c. a computer for receiving said data signals from said distance measuring means and calculating therefrom the position of the center axis of the largest right cylinder which can be included within the volume of said log; and d. control means for adjusting the coordinant orientation of the arms of said charger mechanism in response to output signals from said computer so that said log is delivered by said charger mechanism into the chucks of said veneer lathe positioned in a manner so that it will be rotated about said calculated right cylinder axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for determining the optimum spin axis for a log which is to be turned in the chucks of a veneer lathe for the purpose of maximizing the yield of veneer therefrom, comprising: a. a charger mechanism having a pair of arms for gripping a log by its ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis thereof; b. a plurality of distance meAsuring means spaced along the length of said log for scanning the circumferential contour of said log at respective cross-sectional locations while said log is being continuously rotated, said distance measuring means each providing data signals describing said respective circumferential contours; c. a computer for receiving said data signals from said distance measuring means and calculating therefrom the position of the center axis of the largest right cylinder which can be included within the volume of said log; and d. control means for adjusting the coordinant orientation of the arms of said charger mechanism in response to output signals from said computer so that said log is delivered by said charger mechanism into the chucks of said veneer lathe positioned in a manner so that it will be rotated about said calculated right cylinder axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said distance measuring means comprise transceiver means for radiating light energy which is reflected back from an opposed point on the surface of said log, and means for determining the time for propagation of said light energy from transmission to reception by said transceiver means which is indicative of the location of said point in space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including shaft encoder means coupled to said gripping means for providing further data signals to said computer concerning the angular rotation of said log.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further including buffer means for receiving and storing temporarily said data signals from said respective distance measuring means and furnishing said data upon demand to said computer on a periodic basis corresponding to predetermined angular increments of rotation of said log as indicated by said further data signals from said shaft encoder means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for determining the optimum spin axis for a log when rotated in a veneer lathe in order to maximize the yield of usable veneer therefrom comprising the steps of: a. gripping said log by its ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis thereof; b. scanning preselected portions of the surface of said log while it is being continuously rotated to determine the approximate configuration thereof; c. determining the center axis of the largest right cylinder which can be included within the volume of said approximated log configuration; and d. delivering said log into the chucks of said veneer lathe positioned in a manner so that it will be rotated about said right cylinder axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for determining the optimum spin axis for a log when rotated in a veneer lathe in order to maximize the yield of usable veneer therefrom comprising the steps of: a. gripping said log by its ends and rotating it about a longitudinal axis thereof; b. scanning preselected portions of the surface of said log while it is being continuously rotated to determine the approximate configuration thereof; c. determining the center axis of the largest right cylinder which can be included within the volume of said approximated log configuration; and d. delivering said log into the chucks of said veneer lathe positioned in a manner so that it will be rotated about said right cylinder axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of scanning the surface of said log to determine its approximate configuration includes the measurement of the circumferential contour of said log at a plurality of locations spaced along the length thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for determining the approximate surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. means for gripping said object and rotating it about a longitudinal axis; and b. a plurality of distance measuring means spaced along the length of said object for scanning the circumferential contour of said object at respective spaced locations while said object is being continuously rotated, each of said distance measuring means comprising an electro-optical ranging system in the form of transceiver means for radiating light energy which is then reflected back from an opposed point on the surface of said object and processed by said transceiver to produce a data signal descriptive of said circumferential contour at said respective spaced location.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for determining the approximate surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. means for gripping said object and rotating it about a longitudinal axis; and b. a plurality of distance measuring means spaced along the length of said object for scanning the circumferential contour of said object at respective spaced locations while said object is being continuously rotated, each of said distance measuring means comprising an electro-optical ranging system in the form of transceiver means for radiating light energy which is then reflected back from an opposed point on the surface of said object and processed by said transceiver to produce a data signal descriptive of said circumferential contour at said respective spaced location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including shaft encoder means coupled to said gripping means for providing further data signals concerning the angular rotation of said object as it is being scanned by said plurality of distance measuring means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 further including buffer means for receiving and storing temporarily said data signals from said respective distance measuring means aNd furnishing output signals representative of said data signals on a periodic basis corresponding to predetermined angular increments of rotation of said object as indicated by said further data signal from said shaft encoder means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for determining the approximate surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. rotating said object about a longitudinal axis; and b. scanning with electro-optical transceiver means preselected portions of the surface of said object at a plurality of locations spaced along the length thereof, while said object is being continuously rotated, thereby to determine the circumferential surface contour of said object at said spaced locations.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for determining the approximate surface configuration of an elongate object, such as a log, comprising: a. rotating said object about a longitudinal axis; and b. scanning with electro-optical transceiver means preselected portions of the surface of said object at a plurality of locations spaced along the length thereof, while said object is being continuously rotated, thereby to determine the circumferential surface contour of said object at said spaced locations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3513321A
Cited
US3712741A
Cited
US3724958A
Cited
US3698818A
Cited
US3746065A
Cited
US3749499A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |