Abstract: Radio-frequency methods for engineered wood products (EWPs), such as thick EWP products and plywood having higher moisture contents are disclosed. For thick EWP products, intermittent RF is used as the sole energy source to heat the thick EWPs. This method for thick EWPs yields a higher panel MC of 9-12% compared to 5-8% from conventional hot pressing. The RF heating process facilitates manufacturing of structural composite lumber (SCL) products including LVL, oriented strand lumber (OSL) and veneer strand lumber (VSL) in addition to sawn lumber. For plywood products, a method of using RF in pre-pressing of stack of veneer layers for preparation of plywood is developed. In a preferred embodiment a conventional cold pre-press is retrofitted with a radio-frequency (RF) generator that pre-heats the stack of veneer layers to 60-80° C. under pressure. The pre-heating allows for a final hot press at lower press temperature and higher MC within the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood laminate panels, a system of two or more panels joined permanently together, the method of making the panels and the fabrication of object with the panels. The wood laminate panel comprises an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and extending a length thereof, the body having an arcuate cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and comprising first and second spaced apart edge surfaces extending along the length of the elongated body and each including a joint, the attachment joint having a shape that is complementary to that of the second edge surface such that the wood laminate panel is permanently jointable with an adjacent identical laminate panel through an engagement of adjacent complementary edge surfaces.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for sorting a plurality of green wood veneer sheets into a plurality of subsets of sheets, the subsets including a “driest” subset, a “wettest” subset, and one or more “intermediate” subsets. The system has a light source for transmitting light through a sheet of veneer as it passes along a conveyor system, and a light sensor for sensing the light passing through the sheet. The pattern of light is recorded by an image acquisition and processing subsystem as an image, which is fed to an image analysis subsystem programmed to analyse the light pattern and to produce a mathematical representation of the image. An integrated moisture content value (IMCV) is set for the particular veneer sheet. Based on this value, a controller sends signals to the conveyor system to convey the particular sheet to a location storing sheets having similar IMCV values for drying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for sorting a plurality of green wood veneer sheets into a plurality of subsets of sheets, the subsets including a “driest” subset, a “wettest” subset, and one or more “intermediate” subsets. The system has a light source for transmitting light through a sheet of veneer as it passes along a conveyor system, and a light sensor for sensing the light passing through the sheet. The pattern of light is recorded by an image acquisition and processing subsystem as an image, which is fed to an image analysis subsystem programmed to analyse the light pattern and to produce a mathematical representation of the image. An integrated moisture content value (IMCV) is set for the particular veneer sheet. Based on this value, a controller sends signals to the conveyor system to convey the particular sheet to a location storing sheets having similar IMCV values for drying.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative humidity of a volume V of air having a temperature of 100° C. or greater. The method comprises the steps of measuring the temperature TV of the volume of air and determining from that temperature the saturation vapor pressure psat(V) of the volume of air; collecting from the volume of air a sample volume S of air and cooling it to a temperature TS below 100° C.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative humidity of a volume V of air having a temperature of 100° C. or greater. The method comprises the steps of measuring the temperature TV of the volume of air and determining from that temperature the saturation vapor pressure psat(V) of the volume of air; collecting from the volume of air a sample volume S of air and cooling it to a temperature TS below 100° C., but above the dew point of the sample volume of air; determining from the temperature TS the saturation vapor pressure psat(S) of the cooled sample volume of air; determining the relative humidity RHS of the sample volume of air from TS and from the wet bulb temperature of the sample of air; and performing the calculation RHV=RHS×psat(S)/psat(V) to obtain a relative humidity RHV of the volume of air.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dimensionally stable composite cellulosic product having side and edge surfaces involves applying a sheet of thermoplastic material to at least one side surface of the composite product. Pressure and heat are applied for a pre-determined period via a heated press to melt the thermoplastic material to bond to and coat the at least one side surface of the product. The resulting product enjoys significantly improved dimensionally stability when exposed to water. Thickness swelling of the coated product is reduced by over 70% as compared to a conventional composite cellulosic product without the coating. In the case of oriented strand board (OSB) manufactured according to the method of the present invention, thickness swell of 2-5% after 24 hour water soaking is observed as compared to 10-15% swell with conventional OSB.