US3936665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sheet material characteristic measuring, monitoring and controlling method and apparatus using data profile generated and evaluated by computer means
Assignee: Industrial Nucleonics Corp
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Filing: 1974-04-29
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1994-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A sheet material characteristic monitoring apparatus is provided for use in processes involving the production and contouring of sheet material. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet material characteristic is measured at two or more stationary cross direction locations of the sheet. A digital computer computes a regression equation between the measured values of the sheet characteristic and their respective locations, which equation is evaluated between limits representing the sheet edges to provide a data profile comprising estimated values of the sheet characteristic across the width of the sheet. The data profile may be derived substantially instantaneously. The data profile may further be evaluated between limits representing one or more desired transverse dimensions of the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 John Francis Donoghue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:55
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D5/00; G05D5/04; G05D5/06; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/08; G05D5/02; G05D5/03; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S162/00; Y10S162/09; Y10S162/10; Y10S162/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of controlling a machine direction characteristic of a sheet comprising measuring a property of a sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive an indication of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, responding to the indications and a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location to derive a signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, deriving a machine direction control indication by integrating the signal representing the equation over a cross direction interval of the sheet that is substantially across the entire sheet width, and controlling the characteristic uniformly across the sheet width in response to the control indication.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of controlling a machine direction characteristic of a sheet comprising measuring a property of a sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive an indication of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, responding to the indications and a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location to derive a signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, deriving a machine direction control indication by integrating the signal representing the equation over a cross direction interval of the sheet that is substantially across the entire sheet width, and controlling the characteristic uniformly across the sheet width in response to the control indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the property is measured at three different cross sheet points, and the equation is of the form Y = Ax.sup.2 + Bx + C where: x = cross sheet location, Y = the approximated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the property is measured by maintaining gauge means for the property relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations for a substantial time duration, and averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the duration to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of controlling a cross direction characteristic of a sheet comprising measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive an indication of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, responding to the indications and a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location to derive a signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, deriving a cross direction control indication by separately integrating the signal representing the equation over a plurality of zones extending across the sheet, adjacent one of the said zones having abutting boundaries and each of said zones including one of said points, in response to the separate integration in each of the zones deriving a separate control indication for each of the zones, and activating a controller for the sheet characteristics in each of the zones in response to the separate indications for each of the zones.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of controlling a cross direction characteristic of a sheet comprising measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive an indication of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, responding to the indications and a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location to derive a signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, deriving a cross direction control indication by separately integrating the signal representing the equation over a plurality of zones extending across the sheet, adjacent one of the said zones having abutting boundaries and each of said zones including one of said points, in response to the separate integration in each of the zones deriving a separate control indication for each of the zones, and activating a controller for the sheet characteristics in each of the zones in response to the separate indications for each of the zones.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the property is measured at three different cross sheet points, and the equation is in the form Y - Ax.sup.2 + Bx + C where: x + cross sheet location, Y = the approximated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the property is measured by maintaining gauge means for the property relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations for a substantial time duration, and averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the duration to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the property is measured a n different cross sheet points, where n is an integer greater than 1 and the equation is a polynomial of the form Y = A.sub.n.sub.-1 x.sup.n.sup.-1 + A.sub.n.sub.-2 x.sup.n.sup.-2 + . . . + A.sub.1 x + A.sub.0 where: x = cross sheet location, Y = the approximated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A n -1 , A n -2 . . . A 1 and A 0 are values of the sheet property as determined for the n points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the property is measured at n different cross sheet points, where n is an integer greater than 1 and the equation is a polynomial of the form Y = A.sub.n.sub.-1 x.sup.n.sup.-1 + A.sub.n.sub.-2 x.sup.n.sup.-2 + . . . + A.sub.1 x + A.sub.0 where: x = cross sheet location, Y = the approximated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A n -1 , A n -2 . . . A 1 and A 0 are values of the sheet property as determined for the n points.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the property is measured by maintaining gauge means for the property relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations for a substantial time duration, and averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the duration to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the property is measured by maintaining gauge means for the property relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations for a substantial time duration, and averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the duration to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for deriving an output signal useful in the control of a machine direction or cross direction characteristic of a sheet comprising means for measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive a first signal indicative of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, means for storing a second signal indicative of a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location, means responsive to the first and second signals for deriving a third signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, and means responsive to the signal representing the equation for integrating the signal over a cross direction interval of the sheet to derive the output signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for deriving an output signal useful in the control of a machine direction or cross direction characteristic of a sheet comprising means for measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet to derive a first signal indicative of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, means for storing a second signal indicative of a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location, means responsive to the first and second signals for deriving a third signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, and means responsive to the signal representing the equation for integrating the signal over a cross direction interval of the sheet to derive the output signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the machine direction characteristic is controlled and the cross direction interval is substantially across the entire sheet width, and means responsive to the output signal for controlling the characteristic uniformly across the sheet width.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the measuring means includes means for measuring the property at three different cross sheet points, and the equation if of the form Y = Ax.sup.2 + Bx Bx C where x = cross sheet location, Y = an estimated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the measuring means includes gauge means for the property maintained relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations over a substantial time duration, and means for averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the direction to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the cross direction characteristic is controlled and the signal representing the equation is separately integrated in a plurality of zones extending across the sheet, adjacent ones of said zones having abutting boundaries and each of said zones including one of said points, means responsive to the separate integrated signal in each of the zones for deriving a separate control signal for each of the zones, and means for activating a separate controller for the sheet characteristics in each of the zones in response to the separate control signal for each of the zones.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the measuring means includes means for measuring the property of three different cross sheet points, and the equation is of the form: Y = Ax.sup.2 + Bx + C where: x = cross sheet location, Y = an estimated value of the property of any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the measuring means includes gauge means for the property maintained relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations over a substantial time duration, and means for averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the direction to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the measuring means includes means for measuring the property at three different cross sheet points, and the equation is of the form: Y = Ax.sup.2 + Bx + C where: x = cross sheet location, Y = an estimated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the measuring means includes gauge means for the property maintained relatively stationary at the same sheet locations over a substantial time duration, and means for averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the direction to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the measuring means includes means for measuring the property of n different cross sheet points, where n is an integer greater than 1 and the equation is a polynomial of the form Y = A.sub.n.sub.-1 x.sup.n.sup.-1 + A.sub.n.sub.-2 x.sup.n.sup.-2 + . . . + A.sub.1 x + A.sub.0 where: x = cross sheet location, Y = the approximate value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A n -1 , A n -2 . . . A 1 and A 0 are values of the sheet property as determined for the n points.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of using apparatus for deriving an output signal useful in the control of a machine direction or cross direction characteristic of a traveling sheet, said apparatus comprising first means for measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet, second means for storing signals, third means responsive to signals, and fourth means responsive to signals, comprising the steps of said first means deriving a first signal indicative of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, said second means storing a second signal indicative of a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location, said third means responding to the first and second signals for deriving a third signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, said fourth means responding to the signal representing the equation for integrating the signal over a cross direction interval of the sheet to derive the output signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of using apparatus for deriving an output signal useful in the control of a machine direction or cross direction characteristic of a traveling sheet, said apparatus comprising first means for measuring a property of the sheet related to the characteristic at a plurality of locations across the sheet, second means for storing signals, third means responsive to signals, and fourth means responsive to signals, comprising the steps of said first means deriving a first signal indicative of the property at each of a plurality of discrete, spaced cross sheet points, said second means storing a second signal indicative of a predetermined mathematical expression relating values of the property to cross direction location, said third means responding to the first and second signals for deriving a third signal representing a continuous, analytic equation that approximates the values of the property as a function of cross direction location substantially across the entire sheet width, said fourth means responding to the signal representing the equation for integrating the signal over a cross direction interval of the sheet to derive the output signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sheet machine direction characteristic is controlled and the cross direction interval is substantially across the entire sheet width, and wherein said apparatus further comprises fifth means, said fifth means responding to the output signal for controlling the characteristic uniformly across the sheet width.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first measuring means includes means for measuring the property at three different cross sheet points, and said third means equation is of the form Y = Ax.sup.2 + Bx + C where: x = cross sheet location, Y = an estimated value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A, b and C are values of the sheet property as determined for the three points.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the first measuring means includes gauge means for the property maintained relatively stationary at the same cross sheet locations over a substantial time duration, means for averaging responses from the stationary gauge means over the direction to derive the property indication at each of the points.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sheet cross direction characteristic is controlled and the signal representing the equation is separately integrated in a plurality of zones extending across the sheet, adjacent ones of said zones having abutting boundaries and each of said zones including one of said points, said apparatus comprising fifth means responsive to the separate integrated signal in each of the zones for deriving a separate control signal for each of the zones, and sixth means for activating a separate controller for the sheet characteristics in each of the zones in response to the separate control signal for each of the zones.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first measuring means includes means for measuring the property of n different cross sheet points, where n is an integer greater than 1 and the equation is a polynomial of the form Y = A.sub.n.sub.-1 x.sup.n.sup.-1 + A.sub.n.sub.-2 x.sup.n.sup.-2 + . . . + A.sub.1 x + A.sub.0 where: x = cross sheet location, Y = the approximate value of the property at any cross sheet location x, and A n -1 , A n -2 . . . A 1 and A 0 are values of the sheet property as determined for the n points.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |