Abstract: Integration of clothing performance into production planning, scheduling and execution of papermaking machines yields paper products with consistent acceptable quality with minimum downtime and inventory. Linking the selection and operation of papermaking machines to their respective clothing performances improves clothing life cycle. Selected operating parameters of a papermaking machine and historical clothing data are indicative of the machine's clothing condition. Order scheduling engine identifies manufacturing times for particular grades of product and generates order blocks. Papermaking machines are assigned to execute specific order blocks with provision that each machine completes execution of the assigned orders without any anticipated breakage of the wire or felts.

Abstract: Reduction of crosstalk between induction heating coils in an induction heating apparatus and particularly to reduction of crosstalk in a multi-zone induction heating system provides greater reliability for the power modules.

Abstract: Nuclear-based basis weight sensors are passline-sensitive. Error in measurement is induced when the sheet moves up and down in the gap between the radiation source and detector. A passline-insensitive basis weight sensor includes a triangulation sensor to measure the position of the sheet within the gap. The sensor and gap is characterized in the laboratory for its passline behavior over a range of basis weights. The curves are either parameterized or a lookup table is created for each weight and passline position and the data added to the sensor's processor. The basis weight measured can be automatically corrected to account for deviations from the passline or nominal path through the sensor.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected From the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle.

Abstract: Integration of clothing performance into production planning, scheduling and execution of papermaking machines yields paper products with consistent acceptable quality with minimum downtime and inventory. Linking the selection and operation of papermaking machines to their respective clothing performances improves clothing life cycle. Selected operating parameters of a papermaking machine and historical clothing data are indicative of the machine's clothing condition. Order scheduling engine identifies manufacturing times for particular grades of product and generates order blocks. Papermaking machines are assigned to execute specific order blocks with provision that each machine completes execution of the assigned orders without any anticipated breakage of the wire or felts.

Abstract: Continuous on-line thin film measurements employ a sensor having a spectrometer for interferometric measurements and a stack of single channel detectors for adsorption measurements. The stack is separated from the spectrometer, which analyzes radiation that emerges (transmitted pass or reflected from) the film, whereas the stack analyzes radiation that has passed through the film multiple times. The spectrometer is (i) positioned directly opposite the source of radiation so that it detects transmitted radiation or (ii) disposed on the same side of the film as is the source of radiation so that the spectrometer detects radiation that is specularly reflected from the film. The sensor includes a broadband radiation source emitting visible to far infrared light which propagates through a measurement cell defined by reflective surfaces exhibiting Lambertian-type scattering. The sensor is capable of measuring thin plastic films with thicknesses down to 1 micron or less.

Abstract: Functional diagnostic testing of an electronic circuit board assembly with one or more embedded channels to be tested includes steps of: (a) connecting a channel under test; (b) imposing a known digital or analog voltage, as appropriate for a channel under test, that is generated by a digital or analog output of the electronic circuit board assembly; and (c) comparing data read by the channel under test with the stored value of the imposed voltage and required tolerance to determine whether the channel under test is within specifications. Diagnostic test implemented by digital logic and software residing onboard the electronic circuit board assembly. Execution of software or firmware code segment controls the diagnostic test sequence. Signal switching is facilitated by digital and analog multiplexers.

Abstract: Product packaging technique including the conversion of paperboard into boxes and packages in a process that includes layout optimization of printing plates and takes into account vendor specifications, box order types, and printing machine constraints.

Abstract: Partitioning control of the wet end and dry end, by introducing estimates of physical properties such as dry weight: and percent ash at the wire, allows for machine direction (MD) controls to continue during loss of scanner measurements. A mathematical model estimates the controlled, variables, such as dry weight, basis weight, and ash percent at the wire, and these estimated values are then controlled. When scanner measurements resume, parameters in the model are recursively updated to compensate for any model errors and ensure an accurate model. MD controls consist of a cascade set-up where the estimated wire-dry weight or wire basis weight and estimated wire ash percent are controlled by manipulating stock flow and addition of filler to stock. When scanner measurements are available, they become the downstream variables in the cascade control and are controlled by manipulation of the setpoints for the estimated wire weight and ash.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes a front screen equipped with steam perforations wherein the output area of at least some of the perforations can be adjusted to enable active control of the steam jet velocity. The steam velocity can be controlled independently of steam flow. The front screen is includes (i) a first plate that has a first set of apertures and (ii) a second plate that has a second set of apertures, wherein the second plate covers the first plate, and wherein the means fir varying the size of at least one of the perforations moves the first plate, the second plate, or both the first and the second plates in order to change the position of the first set of apertures relative to the second set of apertures.

Abstract: Robust terahertz time-domain spectrometer has a reflective surface arrangement that renders the sensor insensitive to x or y displacement. The apparatus includes: (a) first scanner head; (b) a first reflective surface; (c) emitter; (d) beam splitter to yield reference radiation pulses and sample radiation pulses; (e) first reflector to reflect sample radiation pulses that have been transmitted through the sample to generate reflected sample radiation pulses that are directed towards a web; (f) second reflector that reflects the reference radiation pulses to generate reflected reference radiation pulses that are directed towards the beam splitter which in turn transmits a portion of the reflected references radiation pulses towards the web; and (g) a detector that receives (i) the reflected sample radiation pulses that have interacted with the sample a plurality of times and (ii) reflected reference radiation pulses that have interacted with the sample a plurality of times.

Abstract: Scanning sensor for measuring properties of continuous flat sheet, that is moving in the machine direction, employs an IR radiation source for directing a beam of incident IR radiation that impinges the sheet. The IR source has elongated lamp filament that generates IR radiation and the corresponding spot size formed on the sheet has elongated dimensions with its long axis being aligned with the machine direction. Aligned with the MD maximizes sensor spatial resolution in the cross direction. The sensor can employ a receiver having rectangular geometry with its long axis being aligned also in the MD. Scanning sensor can operate in the reflective, transmissive, or offset transmission mode to monitor characteristics of flat sheets, particularly of paper or plastic products.

Abstract: Optimal charting patterns for charting of raw rolls/sheets from flat sheet industry are produced with a processing system and includes the steps of: (a) receiving user selected business objectives; (b) receiving user selected business preferences; (c) setting targets for user selected business preferences; (d) establishing charting constraint sets; (e) generating charting patterns based on user selected business objectives and targets for user selected business preferences; and (f) selecting charting patterns based on targets for user selected business preference using an objective function, wherein the objective function includes terms related to the user selected business objectives. Target driven charting assists users in knowing the bounds (upper and/or lower) of the values for various business objectives for an individual charting run.

Abstract: Nuclear-based basis weight sensors are passline-sensitive. Error in measurement is induced when the sheet moves up and down in the gap between the radiation source and detector. A passline-insensitive basis weight sensor includes a triangulation sensor to measure the position of the sheet within the gap. The sensor and gap is characterized in the laboratory for its passline behavior over a range of basis weights. The curves are either parameterized or a lookup table is created for each weight and passline position and the data added to the sensor's processor. The basis weight measured can be automatically corrected to account for deviations from the passline or nominal path through the sensor.

Abstract: Microwave techniques for measuring moisture and other properties of paper and related products without requiring an independent measurement of temperature are provided. A sensor directly measures the reflection or transmission of microwaves at a number of well-chosen frequencies so as to characterize the absorption spectrum of the product. The technique of measuring the parameters of a composition includes: (a) directing incident microwave radiation over a spectrum of wavelengths from an antenna upon the composition; (b) measuring the microwave radiation over the spectrum of wavelengths that emerges from the composition; (c) determining the reflected and/or transmitted transfer function; and (d) relating the transfer function of the composition to the parameters of the composition by applying a theoretic, calibrated, or hybrid model. The product moisture and temperature are extracted from the transfer function.

Abstract: Robust terahertz time-domain spectrometer has a reflective surface arrangement that renders the sensor insensitive to x or y displacement. The apparatus includes: (a) first scanner head; (b) a first reflective surface; (c) emitter; (d) beam splitter to yield reference radiation pulses and sample radiation pulses; (e) first reflector to reflect sample radiation pulses that have been transmitted through the sample to generate reflected sample radiation pulses that are directed towards a web; (f) second reflector that reflects the reference radiation pulses to generate reflected reference radiation pulses that are directed towards the beam splitter which in turn transmits a portion of the reflected references radiation pulses towards the web; and (g) a detector that receives (i) the reflected sample radiation pulses that have interacted with the sample a plurality of times and (ii) reflected reference radiation pulses that have interacted with the sample a plurality of times.

Abstract: A steam distributor includes multiple steam discharge chambers that are separated by laterally spaced apart partition panels that create corresponding profiling zones. The profiling zones are covered by a perforated screen plate through which steam passes onto a moving sheet that is traveling in the machine direction. One or more of the partition panels is not aligned in the machine direction so that one or more of the steam discharge chambers defines a non-rectangular profiling zone. The orientation of one or more of the baffles can be adjusted in order to control the response shape of the steam footprints on a moving sheet for zone moisture control. The panels can be articulated to allow dynamic adjustments of the profiling zones for cross direction response control.

Abstract: An analytical model simulates the propagation of radiation through a coated continuous web where layer thickness and refractive index, as variables, determine the speed and direction of transmitted radiation. The model predicts characteristics of transmitted radiation based on characteristics of incident radiation and initially assigned values for layer thicknesses. Coating thickness(s) are ascertained in a process whereby incident radiation of known characteristics is directed onto a coated web and thereafter, actual measurements of transmitted radiation are compared to predicted characteristics. Using a fitting algorithm, the assigned thickness(es) of the layer(s) of the model are adjusted and the process repeated until the actual and predicted values are within desired limits at which time, the assigned thickness(es) represent the measured calipers.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free-standing sheets detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface and scanning the laser beam through a selected wavelength range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Alternatively, the intensity of an interference pattern formed from the superposition of radiation that is directly transmitted through the web and radiation that is transmitted through the web after internal reflections from the internal surfaces of the web. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scanning head configured to move one or more sensors back and forth across a surface of a moving web of material. The apparatus also includes a vibration dampening device configured to reduce vibrations of the one or more sensors when the scanning head moves the one or more sensors back and forth across the surface of the web. The vibration dampening device includes at least one mass and one or more springs configured to create oscillatory movement of the at least one mass. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can be located within a housing that rides on a rail back and forth to move the scanning head across the surface of the web. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can also be located on a web deflector connected to the scanning head.