Abstract: To determine measurements such as basis weight and caliper of a travelling sheet during production, the sheet is repeatedly traversed with a scanning sensor and, during each traverse, measurements are taken at a plurality of slice locations. Then, a series of reference locations are selected which are spaced apart in the machine direction along the sheet surface. Then, for selected slices, measurement values are estimated based upon actual measurements taken at locations on the selected slices which are not spaced in the machine direction at the same spacing as reference locations.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a moving sheet material. The gauge has two heads, one on either side of the sheet. The sheet contacting pads of the caliper gauge are aerodynamically designed to limit and/or reduce the tendency of boundary layer air travelling with the sheet to raise the sheet-contacting pads off of the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A scanning system and method for optically measuring parameters such as dry basis weight, basis weight and moisture content of fibrous sheets during manufacture. The system includes a first track that extends generally parallel to one face of a traveling web in the cross direction; a stationary light source arranged to direct collimated light generally parallel to the first track; a first reflector that travels along the first track and focuses the collimated light against the adjacent face of the web; a second track that extends parallel to the first track adjacent the opposite face of the web; a second reflector that travels along the second track and collects and collimates rays that are transmitted through the web; and stationary light detectors that detect the intensity of the collected rays at least at two selected ranges of wavelengths to measure the absorption properties of the traveling web at selected locations.

Abstract: A sensor for continuous sensing of a quantity of paper related to its elastic modulus and stiffness including a paper support in the form of a segmented ring, and a free running wheel which depresses the paper in the center of the ring as the paper passes over it. Force transducers mounted to sense force exerted on the segments provides a measure of a characteristic of the paper related to its elastic modulus and bending stiffness. The segments are aligned so that separate determinations of machine direction and cross-direction characteristics are made. The outputs of this sensor, together with basis weight, thickness and paper velocity are used to determine the strength of the paper on a continuous basis. Separate values of machine direction and cross-direction strength can be determined, as can a burst pressure strength.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a quality of paper related to elastic modulus and bending stiffness as it is being made including a paper support in the form of a ring and a free running wheel, which depresses the paper in the center of the ring as the paper passes over it. A force transducer mounted to the wheel senses the force of the deflected paper on the wheel and provides a measure of a characteristics of the paper related to its elastic modulus and bending stiffness. This factor, together with basis weight, thickness and paper velocity are used to determine the strength of the paper on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining process dead time and for controlling a process using a dead time compensated control loop. The dead time is determined from a cross-correlation function of a perturbing signal applied to a processing station and the output of a sensor which detects physical characteristics of the product controlled by the processing station affected by the perturbing signal.

Abstract: A device for determining gloss on a surface having a calibrating feature wherein a gloss calibration standard is provided by means of a built-in standardization surface. The standardization surface provides a reference to which the gloss of a sample surface is compared. The standardization surface is protected from dust build-up throughout the operation of the device.

Abstract: A system for detecting chemical characteristics within a material includes an optical fiber having a relatively short unclad sensor section for embedding in a material, a source of infrared radiation to direct infrared radiation into the fiber, and an optical decoder connected to the fiber to detect the spectrum of infrared radiation absorbed by the material in which the sensor section is embedded.

Abstract: A device for controlling the cross-directional gloss profile on the surface of a calenderable material by selectively directing jets of steam against sections of the material across its width. Built-in steam flow control valves are provided to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Suction means may also be provided to remove excess steam and thus prevent undesirable condensation on adjacent structures. The gloss finish may be monitored and compared to a desired gloss finish and the valves are activated accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring parameters including dry basis weight, basis weight and moisture content of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes means for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and means to detect light transmitted through the web at least at four distinct bands of wavelengths.

Abstract: A device for characterizing the formation of a sheet material is described. The device comprises a basis weight sensor for measuring the basis weight of the sheet material as the material moves through the sensor and signal processing circuitry which receives a signal from the basis weight sensor indicative of the measured basis weight. The basis weight sensor includes a light source for directing a beam of light at the moving sheet and a light detector which detects the beam after it passes through the sheet. This detector produces a signal indicative of the intensity of the detected beam and transmits the signal to the signal processing circuitry. To calibrate the signal processing circuitry, a rotatable opaque wheel having a plurality of slots is positioned in the path of the light beam. The rotating wheel alternately blocks the light beam and allows the beam to pass through the slots to the detector.

Abstract: The present invention is a device to measure the degree of cure of fiberglass using only infrared radiation. Particular frequencies of infrared radiation are used to determine the value of a cure-sensitive function and also the value of as cure-insensitive function and from a combination of the values of the functions, a property of fiberglass is determined.

Abstract: A device for controlling the diameter of cylindrical sections of a rotating calender roll. The device comprises at least one nozzle which directs a jet of air against the calender roll. The flow of air from each nozzle remains approximately constant. Only the temperature of the jets change as heating elements associated with each nozzle are energized or deenergized. Thermal expansion or contraction, resulting from localized heating or cooling by the air jets, corrects local non-uniformities in the calender roll diameter.

Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring parameters such as dry basis weight of fibrous sheet materials during manufacture without scanning. The system includes mirror sections for reflecting modulated light as parallel rays perpendicularly incident upon one surface of a traveling web, and a plurality of light detection devices to detect light transmitted through the web at two distinct wavelengths. The system further includes ducts to environmentally isolate the mirror sections and the light detection devices.

Abstract: A memory bus architecture uses a standard unified bus, microprocessor system, and separate memory bus. Access to memory banks coupled to the memory bus may be made by subsystems communicating over the unified bus using the standard protocol of the unified bus, or may be made by the microprocessor using an access protocol method wherein an accessed memory bank generates an acknowledgement signal upon receipt of a READ or WRITE command rather than after the completion of the respective READ or WRITE operation. A further aspect is an Early READ/WRITE circuit that rapidly detects the initiation of a READ or WRITE command by the microprocessor by decoding standard microprocessor status signals in order to generally commence a READ or WRITE operation prior to the time that a normal READ or WRITE operation would be commenced.

Abstract: An electrical air heater for a calender roll diameter control device is described. The heater comprises a tube for directing a flow of air along the inside of the tube from a plenum toward an object which is to be heated. An electrically resistive heating element is mounted inside the tube to heat the flow of air as it flows from the rear to the front of the tube. Since the air is heated by the heating element inside the tube, the air is coolest when it first enters the tube and hottest where it escapes at the front of the tube. Similarly, the heating element is cooled by the air and is, therefore, hottest near the front of the tube where the heated air escapes. The hotter front end of the heating element tends to burn out faster than the cooler end of the heating element. To prolong the life of the heater, openings are provided in the tube wall to admit a flow of cooling air at the hottest part of the heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the thickness of coatings on webs at a plurality of cross-directional positions while a coating procedure is taking place. The deflection of the metering element is controlled automatically in response to measurements of the uncoated and coated web that determine the thickness of the coating being applied at a plurality of cross-directional positions. In one preferred embodiment, a bimetallic member having a plurality of separated tongue-like extensions corresponding to cross-directional positions along the blade is used, the tongue-like extensions pressing on the back of the blade at their ends in response to heat applied dependent upon the determined thickness of the coating being applied. In another embodiment, pneumatic actuators whose pressure may be varied in response to the determined thickness are used to adjust the position of the metering element at a plurality of cross-directional positions to locally vary the thickness of the applied coating.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring the color of a sample material, and the system includes means for illuminating the sample and a sensor to measure light from the sample. The system also includes sample backing means to receive light transmitted by the sample and reflect the light back to the sample.

Abstract: A process for controlling a parameter based upon sampled data X(i) is disclosed. The process includes sampling the data x(i), repeatedly determining filtered data y(i) based upon two filter factors and controlling the parameter based upon y(i).

Abstract: A system for detecting missing or crossed cords in cord reinforced tire fabric. The entire width of the fabric as it is being made is scanned by a highly collimated X-ray source and a sensor. A change in the amount of X-ray radiation penetrating the fabric indicates the presence of the cords. A counter which counts at a fixed rate is gated on during the time that a cord's presence is detected. The total count in a small section of the fabric, called a slice, is proportional to the number of strands in the slice. Since the counting rate is relatively high with respect to the scan time, the system can easily detect missing or overlapping cords.