Patents Assigned to Weyerhaeuser NR Company
  • System and method for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data using local view
    Patent number: 8599365
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees and its canopy shape in LiDAR data determines if the view of each LiDAR data point is blocked by one or more neighboring LiDAR data points. LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the view are considered to be a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are central part of a canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each canopy detected. The central part of the canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Zhenkui Ma
  • System and method for analyzing trees in LiDAR data using views
    Patent number: 8577611
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the local view at a defined angle are considered to be in a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are in a central part of a tree canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each tree canopy detected. The central part of the tree canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Zhenkui Ma
  • PAPERBOARD ASSEMBLY WITH CO EXTRUDED MICROLAYERED POLYMER BARRIER FILM
    Publication number: 20130266749
    Abstract: A co-extruded microlayered polymer barrier film is provided. The barrier film can be applied to paperboard to form a container having reduced oxygen gas permeability. Co-extrusion of the barrier film allows for the simultaneous fabrication of tens or hundreds of alternating microlayers of two different polymers that combine to form a film having reduced oxygen gas permeability compared to macro layer thickness films of the same two polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Dwayne M. Shearer
  • System and method for analyzing trees in LiDAR data using views
    Patent number: 8538695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees in LiDAR data based on the view of a LiDAR data point. In one embodiment, the number of trees represented by a LiDAR data point cluster is estimated based on a calculated value related to the exposure to the sky of a LiDAR data point in the LiDAR data point cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Welty
  • Method and apparatus for analyzing tree canopies with LiDAR data
    Patent number: 8537337
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a canopy of a forest by analyzing the spatial uniformity of LiDAR data point heights in a number of areas surrounding a tree top, where the areas are smaller than the expected size of the crown of the tree. In one embodiment, the spatial uniformity is quantified as a canopy closure vector based on an analysis of the LiDAR data point heights in a frequency domain. In one particular embodiment, the standard deviation of the frequency components in the cells of a number of rings centered around the average value in an FFT output matrix is used to quantify the spatial uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Welty
  • METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A TRUSS FROM SELECTED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20130232907
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a truss and a method for selecting components to construct a truss. The truss includes three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. Embodiments of methods according to the disclosure include estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The method may also include selecting the one or more web elements from the plurality of wood members such that it compensates for deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: John E. Jones, III
  • Multipurpose transport system having a roof assembly and method for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals
    Patent number: 8523265
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multipurpose transport system, a roof assembly, and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals. Roof assemblies according to the disclosure are mountable on a top portion of a transport system. In some embodiments, roof assemblies include two or more panels, one or more panel movements assemblies operably connected each of the two or more panels, and one or more actuation assemblies. The two or more panels extend from a first side of the roof assembly to and second side of the roof assembly in a louvered configuration. Each of the two or more panels are moveable between a first position and a second position. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards multipurpose transport systems and methods for transporting forest biomass and wood residuals using systems according to the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: James R. Leist, Frank Corley
  • INTERNALLY CURING CEMENT BASED MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20130213276
    Abstract: A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a carboxylated bleached wood pulp fiber to the material during mixing. The fiber has a carboxyl content of from 10 to 70 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibers are 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autognous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130210964
    Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 weight % wood pulp fiber, 45 to 85 weight % thermoplastic polymer and 0.1 to 5 weight % clear mineral oil having a specific gravity less than water. A composition comprising 65 to 85 wt % wood pulp fiber, 15 to 35 wt % thermoplastic polymer and 0.1 to 5 weight % mineral oil having a specific gravity less than water. The wood pulp fiber can be bleached chemical wood pulp fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130206036
    Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 wt % wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 wt % thermoplastic polymer wherein the average dispersion of the fibers within the thermoplastic polymer composition is equal to or greater than 90% as determined by the Dispersion Test. The pulp can be bleached chemical wood pulp fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130210965
    Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 wt % wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 wt % thermoplastic polymer wherein the dilution level for detection in a bag at 40° C. is equal to or less than 450 as determined by ASTM E679.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Composite Polymer Molded Product
    Publication number: 20130206037
    Abstract: A molded part comprising 10 to 50 weight % wood pulp fiber, 45 to 85 weight % thermoplastic polymer and having an edge extending between two faces wherein the edge has two tactile defects or less per foot or less of edge length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Process for Making Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130207297
    Abstract: In the process of forming a wood pulp fiber and thermoplastic polymer composition the step of decreasing the exit area of the mixing device to 40 to 60% of the cross-sectional area of the mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Process for Making a Molded Part
    Publication number: 20130207302
    Abstract: The process of forming a molded part comprising providing a masterbatch composition comprising 65 to 85 weight percent wood pulp fiber and 15 to 35 weight percent thermoplastic polymer, placing the masterbatch composition directly into an injection molder; adding additional material comprising thermoplastic polymer to provide a let-down composition whereby the let-down composition comprises 20 to 50 weight percent wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 weight percent thermoplastic polymer, forming molded parts from the injection molder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Process for Making Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130207295
    Abstract: The method of making a pellet comprising wood pulp fiber and thermoplastic polymer, comprising extruding an extrudate comprising 10 to 50 weight % wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 weight % thermoplastic polymer through a die, cutting a pellet from the extrudate, removing the pellet from the extrudate with water having a temperature less than the extrudate, filtering the pellet from the water. In one embodiment the wood pulp fiber in the pellet has a moisture content of 1% or less. In one embodiment the wood fiber does not swell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Composite Polymer
    Publication number: 20130206035
    Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 weight % wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 wt % thermoplastic polymer wherein the composition has a brightness of at least 20 as measured by the Brightness Test. The wood pulp fiber can be bleached chemical wood pulp fiber. The brightness may be at least 30 as measured by the Brightness Test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS TO REDUCE BOWING
    Publication number: 20130199731
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for manufacturing a composite wood product. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of forming a mat from a plurality of wood elements and an adhesive, the mat having a width W measured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mat and an initial thickness T1. The mat is then moved in a machine direction, the machine direction being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the temperature across the width W of the mat is adjusted. The mat is then compressed into a billet having a final thickness T2. In some embodiments, the system includes a continuous movement mechanism, a side preheat assembly, and a press assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
    Inventor: WEYERHAEUSER NR COMPANY
  • Utilization of kraft lignin in phenol/formaldehyde bonding resins for OSB
    Patent number: 8501841
    Abstract: A resin for OSB comprising an aqueous resole reaction product of phenol, formaldehyde, alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate, urea and a degraded lignin polymer having 35-65% solids, a pH of 8-13 and a viscosity 50-1000 centipoises. The phenol and formaldehyde are present in a molar ratio of 1.5 to 3.4 moles formaldehyde to 1 mole phenol and are 40 to 85% of the total solids added to the mixture. In one embodiment they are 50 to 75% of the total solids added to the mixture. The alkaline metal hydroxide or carbonate are 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. Urea is 5 to 35% of the total solids added to the mixture. The degraded lignin is 5 to 20% of the total solids added to the mixture. A method for making the resin and a product using the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Winterowd, Cheng Zhang, Amar N. Neogi
  • Methods for predicting warp at a given condition
    Patent number: 8496034
    Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a lumber product at a given condition, such as relative humidity, temperature, moisture content, or the like. Note that this methodology may apply to any of crook, bow, twist, cup, or combinations of these quantities. The method involves measuring an original warp of a first wood product at a known condition; changing the condition of the first wood product to a new condition; measuring a second warp of the first wood product at the new condition; developing a prediction model based on data from the original warp and condition and the second warp; measuring an original warp and condition of the given wood product; and inputting data from the original warp and condition of the given wood product to the prediction model to determine warp at a given condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: John E Jones, Mark A Stanish, Stanley L Floyd, Susan K Kaluzny, Thomas J Taylor
  • System and method for manufacturing composite wood products
    Patent number: 8480831
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally towards systems and methods for manufacturing composite wood products. In some embodiments, the method includes performing an initial manufacturing step and performing a subsequent manufacturing step before residual heat from the initial manufacturing step completely dissipates. The initial manufacturing step includes combining veneers with an adhesive and heating and consolidating the veneers to form a core laminate. The one or more subsequent manufacturing steps each include applying one or more layers to the core laminate. The one or more layers each include a veneer component and an adhesive component. The core laminate and the one or more layers are sequentially heated and pressed to form a composite wood product. The disclosure also relates to systems for manufacturing composite wood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Fyie, Kristin L. Brandt, Brian C. Scott