Abstract: A sensor, system and method for determining the various Z-directional properties of a sheet by measuring the caliper of a moving sheet of material at a plurality of pressures. The invention employs a caliper gauge and a set of pressure transducers that can measure and send signals indicative of the caliper as well as pressures exerted on the sheet. The signals are then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter and sent to a computer. The computer uses the compressibility data to construct a compression stress-strain diagram where the slope of the curve in the linear region of the curve is defined as the compression modulus of elasticity which can be empirically correlated to the tensile modulus of elasticity for various grades of paper. The tensile modulus of elasticity can be then used in various formulas to determine other Z-directional physical properties of the sheet, such as tensile strength, extensional stiffness and Scott bonding.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. Detectors coupled to the support detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in at least three different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each of the three directions. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. The support is rotatable to allow detectors coupled to the support to detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in a number of different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each direction. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.