With Use Of Control Means Energized In Response To Activator Stimulated By Condition Sensor Patents (Class 144/382)
  • Patent number: 10722978
    Abstract: The invention relates to machines and methods for the separative machining of a plate-shaped workpieces. The machine includes a first movement device for moving the workpiece in a first direction (X), a second movement device for moving a machining head, which directs the machining beam onto the workpiece, along a second direction (Y), Between workpiece bearing faces there is formed a gap for the passage of the machining beam. In the machine, mutually facing side edges of at least two of the workpiece bearing faces are oriented non-perpendicularly and non-parallel with respect to the first direction (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Jens Ottnad
  • Patent number: 10274127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of photographing equipments and discloses a waterproof stabilizer. The waterproof stabilizer has a fastening assembly, a rotary assembly and a waterproof assembly. The rotary assembly has a first motor, a second motor and a third motor, a first connecting arm piece and a second connecting arm piece. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are spatially distributed orthogonally. The waterproof assembly has a first seal ring, a second seal ring, a third seal ring, a fourth seal ring, a first waterproof plug, a second waterproof plug and a third waterproof plug. Multiple said seal rings and said waterproof plug are respectively arranged between structural parts or between connecting parts to reinforce the sealability of the waterproof stabilizer, which enables the waterproof stabilizer to be waterproof and functionally applicable in dampness or when contacting water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Chengyun Wei
  • Patent number: 10245748
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a method for producing flooring modules comprising elements with curvilinear edges made from timber planks having edges with the natural curvature of the wooden material. Every single module comprises multiple elements, which are intended to be laid down in the module in adjacent rows in pairs, where the joint of row is of each displaced in relation to the adjacent row and the ends of each row of elements in the module are also displaced in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BOLE OÜ
    Inventor: Hannes Tarn
  • Publication number: 20140290799
    Abstract: Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 8352066
    Abstract: A machine tool with a main positioning device for positioning a main support element in a translational linear direction within a main region of displacement is provided. A main machining device and an accessory machining device are arranged on the main support element. The machining devices have pivoting devices for pivoting the machining heads in a rotatory basic pivoting direction. Every accessory pivoting device is connected to the main support element via a respective supplementary accessory positioning device for positioning the respective accessory machining head in the translational linear direction relative to the main support element within a respective supplementary accessory region of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eberhard Zentgraf
  • Publication number: 20120305138
    Abstract: A tree processing vehicle comprising a prime mover and a pair of tracks for propelling the tree processing vehicle, the prime mover being in a driving relationship with the tracks. The tree processing vehicle also comprises an operator cabin comprising a front side, a rear side, and a pair of lateral sides between the front side and the rear side. A first one of the lateral sides defines an access opening allowing an operator to enter or exit the operator cabin. The operator cabin also comprises a door for closing the access opening and a set of controls for allowing the operator to control the tree processing vehicle. The tree processing vehicle also comprises a pair of arms pivotally movable across a range of angular positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Stéphane Bergeron, Martin Roy, Pierre Chagnon, Jonathan Thibault
  • Publication number: 20120186699
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to detect contact between a person and the blade of the saw. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Publication number: 20120168032
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Publication number: 20120125485
    Abstract: A method of controlling a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool. The method monitors a signal for a change indicative of a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, senses movement of the cutting tool, and performs an action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the signal change and movement of the cutting tool are both detected. A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine and then to perform some action to mitigate the dangerous condition is also disclosed. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, Robert L. Chamberlain, J. David Fulmer, Joel F. Jensen, Benjamin B. Schramm
  • Patent number: 8117952
    Abstract: A closed-loop cutting system comprises a cutting device for cutting a piece of material at a given dimension; a positioning device for positioning the cutting means to cut the piece of material at the given dimension; a position controller for controlling the positioning device; a feedback means comprising a dimension sensor for measuring the actual dimension of the cut piece of material, the feedback means for measuring a difference between the actual dimension and the given dimension and sending signal back to either one of the positioning device and the position controller to effect an adjustment of the position of the cutting device by reducing the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Benoit Carpentier, Gilles Pilon
  • Publication number: 20120024427
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. The methods and woodworking equipment may include predictive blade stop algorithms that prevent unnecessary activations of a safety brake during coast down of a blade and continued protection in the event a main power switch is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, Louis R. Slamka
  • Patent number: 8087438
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7971613
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. The methods and woodworking equipment may include predictive blade stop algorithms that prevent unnecessary activations of a safety brake during coast down of a blade and continued protection in the event a main power switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, Louis R. Slamka
  • Patent number: 7954524
    Abstract: A motor for a tree processing machine is provided. The motor includes a mechanism configured to drive a wheel. The wheel is configured to engage a portion of a tree. The motor also includes a housing containing the mechanism. The motor further includes an encoder. The encoder is configured to be operably coupled to the mechanism. The encoder is also configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of a portion of a tree engaged by the wheel. The encoder is contained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventor: Grant William Voermans
  • Patent number: 7913731
    Abstract: A pencil sharpener that facilitates the sharpening of pencils by any one or more of the following: preventing injury; automatically sharpening pencils without manual manipulation; providing status indicators during sharpening; and/or allowing varying degrees of sharpness to be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Sued, Aron Abramson
  • Publication number: 20110061769
    Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7900664
    Abstract: The settings of machining units of a machine are effected one after the other using a camera which transmits at least the position of the tool to a display unit. At least an end section of a workpiece to be machined is displayed with the actual position of the cutting tool, which can at least be preset. The machine contains a holding fixtures) for the camera. The camera) is inserted into a holder which is put onto the holding fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Prewi, Schneidwerkzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Altenhöner
  • Patent number: 7870880
    Abstract: An optimizing planer infeed system for feeding an array of workpieces downstream to a planer includes an apparatus for setting the size of the gaps between successive linearly aligned workpieces so that each gap between successive workpieces provides enough time for at least one of movable cutting elements in the planer and movable guiding elements to be moved to their optimized position corresponding to the next successive workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. McGehee, Patrick Doyle
  • Patent number: 7861754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a wood processing machine adapted to cut wood workpieces along multiple optimized cutting paths. In various embodiments, the wood processing machine includes a first saw assembly and a second saw assembly that is disposed down stream from the first saw assembly. The first saw assembly is adapted to cut the workpiece along the first optimized cutting path and the second saw assembly is adapted to cut the workpiece along the second optimized cutting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventor: Rory M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7819148
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of log cutting either off-line or in real-time is based on optical measurement of half-squared or full-squared cants characteristics as produced at primary or secondary cutting stage, so as to increase the proportion of high-value wood pieces that can be recovered from full squared-cants produced at the sawing stage. The log is fed lengthwise to a primary cutting station (canter) capable of producing the first pair of opposing cut faces, while guiding the log substantially in a direction of the machine axis. The profile of the peripheral log surface at a plurality of cross-sections along the machine axis is measured to generate corresponding post-cut profile data, from which an estimation of log raw profile characteristics is made, to generate corresponding raw profile data. Then, from post-cut and raw profile data, resulting data on at least one parameter related to the cutting quality of the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec
    Inventors: Jean-Roch Rinfret, Jean-Luc Lessard, Pierre Poulin, Maxime Diamond
  • Patent number: 7802595
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power source (1, 10) of a forestry machine, wherein the power source utilizes directly or indirectly one or more work devices and/or handling devices (3, 4, 7, 8) positioned in the forestry machine and is controlled by a control unit (2). When the control unit in the forestry machine gives one or more work or handling devices a control command starting a change operation, it is transmitted substantially simultaneously to the power source. When arriving at the power source, one or more control commands requiring a power change of the power source affect control parameters of the power source, predicting the future load of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ponsse Oyj
    Inventors: Kalle Einola, Veikko Rintamäki
  • Patent number: 7792602
    Abstract: A material processing system includes an apparatus having a processing path. A saw station is located along the processing path. A positioner is configured to push a trailing end of a work piece along the processing path toward the saw station. A computer is connected to the apparatus, and programmed to provide a digital interface allowing an operator to control operation of the apparatus through the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer B. Dick
  • Patent number: 7784507
    Abstract: A router is described for cutting workpieces with router bits. The router includes a safety system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and a router bit. The safety system includes a reaction subsystem configured to perform one or more predetermined actions in the event a dangerous condition is detected. In one embodiment, the safety system is configured to detect accidental contact between a person and the router bit, and then at least partially retract the router bit the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Publication number: 20100180739
    Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7600545
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for receiving and feeding into a chipper wood to be chipped, said apparatus containing a feed conveyor receiving log bundles, a tumbling drum breaking the bundles, and a receiving conveyor. The feed conveyor is speed-controlled according to the position information of a log bundle, and the speed of rotation of the tumbling drum is adjusted depending on the amount of wood discharged from the drum. The position information of the log bundle is received for example from the torque moment or input power of the drives of the drum. Thereby the speed of the feed conveyor, respectively the rotation speed of the drum, is set to slow down as a result of the increasing toque moment or input power of the drum, respectively to speed up as a result of the decreasing torque moment or input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi Honkanen, Ari Havu, Arvo Jonkka
  • Publication number: 20080236704
    Abstract: In a wood processing plant, planks are typically split into strips and then passed through an automated cross-cutting saw station to remove defects such as knots, cracks or flash. One defect which also occurs is the hit and miss defect caused by a planer and/or a sander. In order to improve the performance of the cross-cutting saw station, color is applied to the wood prior to being planed and sanded. The cross-cutting saw station is then modified to optically inspect the wood for the presence of color, indicating a hit and miss defect, and to remove the portions of the wood containing color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Prolam, Societe En Commandite
    Inventor: Benoit RISI
  • Publication number: 20080230151
    Abstract: A board edger is taught that includes an infeed conveyor, a scanner for scanning a board to be edged as it passes on the infeed conveyor to determine orientation and dimension and a saw. The saw includes a reference plane for supporting a board to be edged, a first saw box disposed adjacent the reference plane and having at least two blades controllable for width, longitudinal angle and depth, a second saw box disposed adjacent the reference plane and having at least two blades controllable for width, longitudinal angle and depth, and a saw controller coupled to the scanner for receiving signals from the scanner and coupled to the first and second saw boxes for setting the first saw box for cutting and controlling the cutting by the second saw box. Advantageously, while one saw box is cutting a board the other saw box is being set up by the saw controller to cut the next board thereby decreasing the spacing required between boards. This increases the throughout of the board edger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Ken Appeldoorn, James D. Woodford, Hugh Hawley, Stephen Mockler
  • Publication number: 20070215248
    Abstract: There is described a closed-loop cutting system which comprises: a cutting device for cutting a piece of material at a given dimension; a positioning device for positioning the cutting means to cut the piece of material at the given dimension; a position controller for controlling the positioning device; a feedback means comprising a dimension sensor for measuring the actual dimension of the cut piece of material, the feedback means for measuring a difference between the actual dimension and the given dimension and sending signal back to either one of the positioning device and the position controller to effect an adjustment of the position of the cutting device by reducing the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Benoit Carpentier, Gilles Pilon
  • Patent number: 7228772
    Abstract: A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7171278
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: COE Newnes/McGehee Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle Baker, Ray Stevens
  • Patent number: 7063282
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a chipping or crushing apparatus having a prominent speed of rotation and mass inertial moment. The main parts of the apparatus include a chipping disc or a rotor, a short circuit motor and a frequency converter connected to the circuit of the motor. From the chipping disc, respectively from the rotor or from the motor there is arranged a data connection of the speed of rotation to the frequency converter, and the frequency converter has been arranged to control the frequency of the motor current by means of said data so, that in a situation of peak load, when the motor load (torque M) has reached the nominal load, the frequency converter keeps the motor load at the nominal load by decreasing the frequency of the motor current. Thereby kinetic energy of the rotating components will be released for use in the peak loads corresponding to the decrease of the speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Arvo Jonkka, Antti Tohkala
  • Patent number: 7011006
    Abstract: In preferred embodiments the invention includes a transverse board conveyor, a board extrusion portion, a marking station, a sawing portion, and a plurality of board feeding portions, all of which are controlled by a process controller. In such preferred embodiments, a bunk feeder and magazines feed boards serially onto the transverse board conveyor and are conveyed in a direction transverse to the length of the boards. The boards are individually deposited into an elongate receiver of a board extrusion portion to be conveyed longitudinally. A carriage in the receiver transports the boards past an end detection station, past a marking station, and to a sawing station. The marking station prints desired indicia at selected positions on the board such as by an ink jet printer without physical contact of the printing mechanism with the board and while the board is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome E. Koskovich
  • Patent number: 7007728
    Abstract: When arranging the geometry of knuckle booms with efficient hydraulic circuits it is sometimes necessary to place the cylinder that provides the reaching force above the boom so that its base area rather than its rod end area provides the boom point motion and force in the pulling direction. It is also sometimes necessary to provide equal areas for both pushing and pulling by further modifying the reach cylinder installation. In the invention, the knuckle boom apparatus has a machine base, a hoist boom and a stick boom. The stick boom has an intermediate pivot pinned to pivot on the distal end of the hoist boom, and a proximal end having a suitable cylinder push point. At least one hydraulic hoist cylinder is mounted between the machine base and the hoist boom, and at least one hydraulic stick cylinder is mounted between the hoist boom and the stick boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Tigercat Industries Inc.
    Inventor: John Kurelek
  • Patent number: 6997221
    Abstract: The knuckle boom includes a hoist boom having a proximal end pivoted to a machine base, and a stick boom having a proximal end pivoted to a distal end of the hoist boom. At least one hydraulic hoist cylinder is mounted between the machine base and the hoist boom, and at least one hydraulic stick cylinder is mounted between the hoist boom and the stick boom. A hydraulic circuit supplies hydraulic oil to the cylinders, and provides an oil flow path between working ends of the cylinders so as to transfer a slug of pressurized hydraulic oil between the working ends. In one embodiment, reaching movement is controlled by a pump connected to control transferring of the slug between the hoist and stick cylinders. The pump determines which cylinder receives which portion of the slug of oil, and thereby controls the angle between the booms, thereby producing reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tigercat Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John Kurelek, Grant J. Somerville
  • Patent number: 6997090
    Abstract: A saw with a safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and a blade while the blade is moving. The safety system further includes a brake system adapted to engage the blade and to stop the blade when the detection system detects contact between the person and the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, J. David Fulmer, David S. D'Ascenzo, Jonathan N. Betts-LaCroix, Robert L. Chamberlain, Joel F. Jensen, Andrew L. Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald, Benjamin B. Schramm
  • Patent number: 6986368
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a tree-cutting machine having a feed mechanism powered by hydraulic fluid at the output of a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor may comprise a variable-displacement motor. The hydraulic circuit may comprise elements which provide an anti-stall mode, wherein the feed mechanism is operated to withdraw the cutting element upon pressure at an input port of the hydraulic motor exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Risley Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry Brown
  • Patent number: 6971423
    Abstract: A log handling and cutting system which cuts logs into lengths, and allows for maximum use of fiber. The system includes equipment for singulating the logs, optimally removing the bark from the logs, scanning the true log image, cutting the logs to length, and sorting the cut logs arranged in a sequence of coupled operations. The logs are singulated using a dual quadrant singulation system to provide maximum singulation reliability, thereby allowing a single operator to attend to this process. Once singulated, the logs are fed automatically into a debarker where the diameter and volume are scanned and debarker-operating parameters are set for optimum bark removal. The log is then scanned, tree length, using a unique scanning system, which determines the true image of the log. This enables the determination by computer of the optimum bucking solution of the log as well as a proper sorting of the optimum random lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: Donald Starr
  • Patent number: 6965411
    Abstract: Apparatus for remotely controlling the positioner of a camera head. At least one hydraulically-actuated positioner for rotating the camera head with respect to an axis is fixed to the camera head and to a camera support device, such as a camera boom. The positioner includes an output shaft whose angular displacement is responsive to fluid flows transmitted through a pair of associated hydraulic lines. A valve is associated with each positioner and controls the flow of fluid within the pair of positioner hydraulic lines. A control unit receives and processes inputs provided by a camera operator (observing the camera's field-of-view on a monitor) and outputs generated by the system so that the necessary adjustments may be controlled by the valves to assume smooth camera movements in either an aquatic environment or otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Richard A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6860302
    Abstract: In combination with a cant sawing or cutting unit, a system for guiding two-faced cants through the cut along the line of their natural curvature which includes at the infeed and outfeed ends of the unit, laterally moveable rollers for clamping upon parallel planar faces of the cant and imparting to it a pivotal movement in the horizontal plane while it is moving forward through the cut, so that the saws or cutters follow along a controlled curve in relation to the natural curvature of said cant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Denis Comact Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Brisson
  • Patent number: 6857345
    Abstract: A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, Andrew L. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040250913
    Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Lyle Baker, Ray Stevens
  • Publication number: 20040216808
    Abstract: The log positioning and conveying apparatus is used for conveying a log from an upstream end to a downstream end, and for positioning a log according to a predetermined downstream position. The apparatus comprises an open frame and a number of powered conveying rollers arranged therein in a row. These rollers, in addition to being rotatable, are displaceable in two directions relative to the open frame, namely, in a vertical direction for correcting the position of the log vertically relative to the open frame, and in a horizontal direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the conveying apparatus, for correcting the position of the log transversely relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Rene Achard, Robert Gauthier, Jean-Pierre Perreault, Eddy Ste-Croix
  • Patent number: 6789589
    Abstract: A controller for controlling the operation of gripping devices of a loader harvester bulk handling device. In the controller, the coupling of a valve with the operating device of the loader harvester's cross-cutting device, and with a tilting mechanism of a tilting frame, is arranged to operate in conjunction with the cutting device and felling so that the gripping devices are normally in the closed position. The gripping devices are arranged, at least in the felling position, to always open when the guide bar or equivalent cutting device is operating or when the harvester head turns to the delimbing position, and to close immediately after the operation in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Outokummun Metalli Oy
    Inventors: Veikko Kettunen, Kari Kinnunen, Jussi Makkonen
  • Patent number: 6789587
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting submerged trees at an underwater logging site and for retrieving the cut trees. Once cut, each tree is retrieved to the water surface by an inflatable bag deployed from and inflated by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit positioned on a surface vessel, such as a barge or large boat, and an underwater vessel connected together by an umbilical. Preferably the underwater vessel is a remotely controllable submersible including a grapple for releasably holding each tree to be cut, a saw, a gas supply connectable to a gas source located on the surface vessel, and an air bag deployment and inflation assembly for inflating the air bag and securely attaching it to the tree. The underwater vessel is initially loaded with a plurality of air bags which are stored in a magazine located in the interior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Triton Logging Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart A. Mossman, Forest G. Metsker
  • Patent number: 6778680
    Abstract: A peeler block is formed previously on its opposite end faces with markings the centers of which define an optimum axis about which the block should be rotated for achieving maximum yield in peeling veneer from the block in a rotary veneer lathe. An apparatus is disclosed herein which is designed to detecting such markings at two different detecting stations and finally positioning the block such that its optimum axis is set parallel to the axes of spindles of a rotary veneer lathe is disclosed. At the first station, the markings are detected by a first pair of image sensors such as CCD cameras having lenses with a short focal length hence wide-angle viewing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Koike
  • Patent number: 6772809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knife assembly for a veneer lathe, the knife assembly comprising heads having mounted therebetween a knife beam and a nose bar beam, the beams respectively supporting a peeling knife and a solid nose bar. The knife assembly is turnable about an axis of rotation aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the peeling knife and the nose bar, whereby the angular position of the knife assembly relative to the lathe carriage heads is adapted to change about this axis of rotation in compliance with the progress of veneer peeling. In the knife assembly, the angular position of the nose bar relative to the peeling knife is adapted changeable during peeling in order to control the angle between the nose bar and the peeling knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Raute Oyj
    Inventor: Jussi Puranen
  • Patent number: 6763863
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve is used to judiciously shunt oil from lowering ends of the hoist and stick cylinders that have been plumbed to achieve near horizontal movement. This allows the use of cylinders that have unequal rod/bore ratios or to compensate for certain transient effects that may require the exchange of oil to the reservoir. The action of the hydraulic valve acts without obtrusive operator intervention and is essentially automatic. This allows for greater flexibility in the design of the boom system, allows the boom system to perform various tasks, while not requiring obtrusive intervention from the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tigercat Industries Inc.
    Inventor: William Pierre Liu
  • Publication number: 20040089376
    Abstract: An edge-routing unit has a routing tool (4) on a shaft (9) of a routing motor (6), which is arranged on a rest (10), and which is controlled approximately along a workpiece outline in a workpiece feed-through direction, an X-axis, and in a workpiece thickness direction, a Z-axis. Furthermore, by way of a feeler wheel (5), which is coaxial to the routing tool (4) and which travels over a workpiece surface adjoining an edge strip (3), the rest (10) is supported on the workpiece (1) for follow-up of the routing tool (4) according to a contour sensed. In order to be able to change adjustment of the routing tool (4) relative to the feeler wheel (5) during machining operations, a positioning slide (15) is arranged on the rest (10), on which the positioning slide (15) and the routing motor (6) sit together with the routing tool (4) and which is traversable in a motor-operated program-controlled manner relative to the rest (10), in a direction of the X-axis and in a direction of the Z-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Rose, Karl-Heinz Schekelmann
  • Patent number: 6732774
    Abstract: A multi-purpose farm apparatus capable of being easily transported and which can be used to perform a variety of tasks. The multi-purpose farm apparatus comprises a trailer, a combination baler and wood splitter and a hydraulic system mounted thereon. The combination baler and log splitter apparatus includes a baling portion having a baling chamber and a first gib assembly comprising a pressure platen and is mounted for reciprocal movement within said baling chamber. The combination baler and log splitter apparatus further includes a log splitting portion having a second gib assembly comprising a splitting wedge and is mounted to said trailer for reciprocal movement. The first gib assembly and the second gib assembly are mechanically coupled to the hydraulic system for effecting reciprocating movement of the first gib assembly and the second gib assembly. The hydraulic system further comprises a hydraulic motor for driving various farm machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Gary J. Seckel
  • Patent number: 6719023
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing rectangular furniture boards with a glued-on edge, in which the following are arranged one after another in the passage direction: a longitudinal sawing device (14), which divides a rectangular initial board (12) into a plurality of parallel longitudinal boards (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), a longitudinal gluing device (31), which in each case glues a longitudinal edge onto both longitudinal sides of a longitudinal board (12a) passing through and machines the edge, a transverse sawing device (38), which divides a longitudinal board (12a) transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction into furniture boards (39) with a predetermined size, a transverse gluing device (40), which in each case glues a transverse edge onto both transverse sides of a furniture board (39) passing through and machines this edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Paul Ott GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kaser, Gerhard Pittrich