US5223918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic color balance monitor
Assignee: Babcock and Wilcox Co
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Filing: 1992-06-08
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2012-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic apparatus and method for monitoring color balance of a product that can consist of a complex two dimensional color pattern. This system employs at least one illuminating optical fiber (18) and at least two pick-up optical fibers (16). Filters (36) associated with each of the pick-up fibers (16) separate the reflected light into different color components. Photodetectors (38) convert the light intensity from each fiber (16) into analog electrical signals which are routed to a microprocessor based signal processing module (10) for conversion to digital output and subsequent analysis for monitoring color balance. If there is a change in color balance, a visual and/or acoustic alarm (62) is automatically activated.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Berthold
- 👤 Larry A. Jeffers
- 👤 Mehmet A. Erdentug
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; B; B41; B41F; B41F33/00; B41F33/0036; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0218; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/51; G01J3/513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor for continuously measuring color balance of a moving product having a width and a length, comprising: a light source; a fiber optic pick-up assembly positioned across the width of the product; a plurality fiber optic sensors positioned in said fiber optic pick-up assembly positioned across the product, each of said fiber optic sensors having two optical fibers connected to said light source for illuminating the product, and four optical fibers situated therebetween for receiving reflected light therefrom; a filter connected to each of said four optical fibers receiving reflected light for separating the reflected light into four distinct color components; a photodetector connected to each filter for receiving a different color component signal from each of said four optical fibers; a signal processor receiving said signals for characterizing the reflected light to determine color balance; and a rotary encoder in communication with said signal processor for coordinating light measurements with location on the product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor for continuously measuring color balance of a moving product having a width and a length, comprising: a light source; a fiber optic pick-up assembly positioned across the width of the product; a plurality fiber optic sensors positioned in said fiber optic pick-up assembly positioned across the product, each of said fiber optic sensors having two optical fibers connected to said light source for illuminating the product, and four optical fibers situated therebetween for receiving reflected light therefrom; a filter connected to each of said four optical fibers receiving reflected light for separating the reflected light into four distinct color components; a photodetector connected to each filter for receiving a different color component signal from each of said four optical fibers; a signal processor receiving said signals for characterizing the reflected light to determine color balance; and a rotary encoder in communication with said signal processor for coordinating light measurements with location on the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fiber optical color balance monitor as recited in claim 1, wherein the product is an output of a printing machine having a printing roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mounting plate for said plurality of fiber optic sensors, said mounting plate extending across the product to be monitored.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 3, wherein said illuminating optical fibers are recessed in said mounting plate for minimizing light from being transmitted directly to said four optical fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 4, wherein said illuminating optical fibers are recessed approximately two millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 3, further comprising at least one purge air plate positioned between said mounting pate and the product to be monitored, each of said purge air plates having a plurality of apertures with each of said apertures being in optical alignment with each of said fiber optic sensors, and means for supplying purge air to each of said purge air plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal processor is set to a predetermined color balance for tracking a repetitive pattern and identifying any deviations in that pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fiber optic color balance monitor as recited in claim 7, wherein said signal processor further includes an alarm to sound when deviations exceed preset limits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fiber optic method for continuously monitoring color balance of a moving product having a width and a length, comprising the steps of: providing a light source; positioning a plurality of fiber optic sensors in a fiber optic pick-up assembly across the width of the product, each of the fiber optic sensors having two optical fibers connected to said light source for illuminating the product, and four optical fibers situated therebetween for receiving reflected light therefrom; separating the reflected light transmitted by the four optical fibers into four different color components; detecting the four different color components and converting them to analog signals; processing the analog signals into digital signals for characterizing the reflected light to determine color balance; and coordinating light measurements with location on the product with a rotary encoder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fiber optic method for continuously monitoring color balance of a moving product having a width and a length, comprising the steps of: providing a light source; positioning a plurality of fiber optic sensors in a fiber optic pick-up assembly across the width of the product, each of the fiber optic sensors having two optical fibers connected to said light source for illuminating the product, and four optical fibers situated therebetween for receiving reflected light therefrom; separating the reflected light transmitted by the four optical fibers into four different color components; detecting the four different color components and converting them to analog signals; processing the analog signals into digital signals for characterizing the reflected light to determine color balance; and coordinating light measurements with location on the product with a rotary encoder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fiber optic method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the step of purging air between the product and each of the plurality of fiber optic sensors.
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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) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |