Abstract: An array (1) for detecting electromagnetic radiation is provided for a radiographic inspection system (20). The array has a plurality of detector elements (2) arranged consecutively along a scan line which extends in a first direction (Y). Each of the detector elements has a detection surface (3) for receiving electromagnetic radiation and converting the received electromagnetic radiation into a corresponding detection signal. Each detection surface (3) has a surface normal (4, N) that extends in a common plane (S) and converges into a common focus (5). The common plane (S) extends in the first direction (Y). The distances between the common focus and the detection surfaces along the respective surface normal (4, N) are different for at least two detector elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system including a first conveyor leading to an inspection point, the first conveyor including a diversion mechanism configured to divert an object based on failing to meet an inspection parameter. The system includes a second conveyor configured to transport a container configured to receive the object from the diversion mechanism. A control module is configured to co-register an image of the object captured at the inspection point with container ID data of the container.

Abstract: An overhead sweep rejecter (16) removes an object from a conveyor belt of a conveyor line. The rejecter has a kicker portion (22) that suspended for limited rotation about a pivot axis (40) from the housing. When a horizontal impulse is applied to the kicker portion by a rod (52), the limited rotation converts the impulse into a combination of vertical and horizontal impulses on the object, as would be provided by a pendulum. However, a contacting plate (34) on the kicker portion is pinned at a lower end (64) to a pair of guide rails (30) so that a vertical separation of the lower end remains at a constant vertical separation above the conveyor belt during rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection system having a background positioned adjacent an inspection zone; and an image capturing device configured to receive background electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from the background and from the inspection zone, the inspection zone being configured and arranged to receive material for transport into the inspection zone; wherein the background has a background property defined by a background emission, a background absorbance, and a background reflectance, the background property being matched in EMR to a material EMR of material to be transported into the inspection zone, the material having a material property defined by a material emission, a material absorbance, and a material reflectance; and wherein the image capturing device is configured to detect a foreign object within material when transported into the inspection zone by deducting the background EMR from the material EMR.

Abstract: A module is used to configuring a multi-modular weighbridge. In one configuration, adjacent modules are coupled so that the modules bear as a unit upon the at least one load cell. In another configuration, the adjacent modules are coupled so that the modules bear independently upon associated load cells. In this latter configuration, a fastener assembly that couples the modules has a first fastener portion, affixed to an interior of each of the proximate compartments; and a second fastener portion connecting each of the first fastener portions to the other, the second fastener portion arranged to allow relative vertical movement of the modules while effectively restrictly any relative horizontal movement of the modules. In an embodiment, each first fastener portion has a clevis for receiving a tang provided by the second fastener portion, such that a clevis pin securing the tang is parallel to a horizontal plane of the module.

Abstract: A commercial-transaction weighing instrument (110) subject to W&M legal controls, configured with a weighing platform (12), at least one load cell (16), a controller (120) with weight-processing (122) and communications (124) modules, and software to be implemented on a general-purpose computer with display and data entry capabilities. The general-purpose computer itself is not subject to legal controls. The weight-processing module receives data from the at least one load cell and generates output data in the nature of weight and legally-required weighment information. The communications module receives the output data of the weight-processing module and further transmits the data to a general-purpose computer (136). Software implemented on the general-purpose computer has program code for establishing encrypted bidirectional communication with the communications module and to operate as the primary display device for the weighing instrument.

Abstract: A module for configuring a weighbridge has a rectangular frame with a pair of parallel side edges and a pair of parallel end edges, which are shorter than the side edges, and a pair of rails, parallel to the side edges and affixed to the end edges. The rails and end edges define an interior of the rectangular frame, arranged to have concrete poured therein. There are also means for increasing the ability of the poured concrete to handle tensile forces, located in the interior. A first of these is a plurality of rebar chair strips for locating and retaining rebars. Each of these has an elongate metal bar with a lower edge and an upper edge, along which a plurality of rebar support sites are provided in spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system including a first conveyor leading to an inspection point, the first conveyor including a diversion mechanism configured to divert an object based on failing to meet an inspection parameter. The system includes a second conveyor configured to transport a container configured to receive the object from the diversion mechanism. A control module is configured to co-register an image of the object captured at the inspection point with container ID data of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection system having a background positioned adjacent an inspection zone; and an image capturing device configured to receive background electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from the background and from the inspection zone, the inspection zone being configured and arranged to receive material for transport into the inspection zone; wherein the background has a background property defined by a background emission, a background absorbance, and a background reflectance, the background property being matched in EMR to a material EMR of material to be transported into the inspection zone, the material having a material property defined by a material emission, a material absorbance, and a material reflectance; and wherein the image capturing device is configured to detect a foreign object within material when transported into the inspection zone by deducting the background EMR from the material EMR.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

Abstract: Checkweigher system embodiments and associated weigh-in-motion methods that are usable to produce increased object weigh time and improved weight determination accuracy without a decrease in object throughput. Generally speaking, exemplary methods initiate weight data collection earlier than, and terminate weight data collection later than, known methods. An exemplary method may also make use of derived mean error data associated with object weight measurements at various locations along a checkweigher to determine if an object weight measured over less than a desired weigh time is nonetheless acceptable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, weighing scale component output signals may be analyzed to calculate the difference between any two current weighing scale component operating parameter values, and the calculated difference may be compared against a maximum allowable difference for determining if a problem exists. Alternatively, a statistical analysis may be performed that considers the output signal of a given weighing scale component relative to the output signal of another weighing scale component or to the collective output signals of all of the other weighing scale components, and the comparison may be used to determine if a problem exists.

Abstract: In an X-ray inspection system (1), a reject bin (14) is split into a reject bin top (15) and a reject bin bottom (16) along a separation gap (17) which is arranged at the level of a transport section (21) of a conveyor belt loop (10) and runs uninterrupted from the outfeed opening (26) to the conveyor access opening (43) which, in turn, continues uninterrupted to the infeed opening (8). After a conveyor access door (19) has been opened and a tensioning mechanism (32) has been released, the conveyor belt loop can be taken out of the enclosure cabinet (5) by sliding the transport section (21) through the separation gap and the conveyor access opening and simultaneously slipping a return section (22) of the conveyor belt loop around the reject bin bottom.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for adjustably mounting scanners in scale/scanner devices, and scale/scanner devices employing such assemblies.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the byte order (endianness) of a control device with which a peripheral device will exchange data. The control device initially transmits a special byte order determination data command to the peripheral device, which data command includes both a byte sequence having a byte order that can be read in any direction and still have the same value, and a specific data value that is known to both the control device and the peripheral device. Control device byte order is subsequently revealed by using the peripheral device to analyze the data value of the byte order determination data command in each of several possible byte orders to determine which byte order format results in a return of the expected specific value.

Abstract: A method of determining the mass of an object by scanning the object in a radiographic inspection system, specifically in an X-ray scanner with the capability to take scan images at a plural number J of energy leves, has three modes or parts, namely: an initial learning mode, a normal operating mode, and a learning improvement mode. An inintial learning mode in which refernce object are scanned and their actual masses weighed and stored as reference values. A normal operating mode wherein smaple objects with unknown mass m are scanned and analyzed for compatibility with the reference values, and if found incompatible, the method switches to the learning improvement mode. A learning improvement mode in which the actual mass of the sample object found incompatible is determined by weighing and updates the stored reference values.

Abstract: A checkweighing device, checkweighing systems employing one or more checkweighing devices, and methods of operation thereof. The checkweighing devices are designed for installation between parallel, spaced apart and vertically offset infeed and outfeed conveyors. Each checkweighing device includes a weighing cell with a weighing platform; a slide chute and at least one sorting gate for directing items either to the outfeed conveyor or to a discard receiver; and a power-actuated rake for sweeping incoming items from the infeed conveyor to the weighing platform, and sweeping weighed items from the weighing platform to the slide chute. While in no way limited to such a use, exemplary checkweighing device, system and method embodiments are well-suited for automatically checking the individual weights of small articles of high value, and/or other items that need to be weighed with high accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, the difference between any two current operating parameter values may be compared against a maximum allowable difference, and/or the deviation of current operating parameters from a calculated measure of central tendency may be determined and compared against a maximum allowable deviation. Alternatively or additionally, a standard statistical test for outliers may be employed. An outlying difference or deviation may be indicative of a problem with the associated component. In other embodiments, the current operating parameters of like components may be compared against calibrated parameters and any deviation of the current parameter for a given component may be compared against the total deviation to determine the percentage of deviation attributable to that component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely monitoring the rezero status of a weighing apparatus, such as a checkweigher. Remotely located interested parties may sign up for notifications related to the weighing apparatus rezero status, and the interested parties may be automatically electronically notified when certain status conditions occur. A hierarchy of notifications may be established such that not all interested parties will receive every notification. System and method embodiments may also operate to identify certain trends in rezero data and to resultantly predict future rezero faults.