Abstract: A method for continuously determining the water and fat content of a material such as butter which involves instantaneous measurements of the density of the substance, curd content, as well as either the dielectric constant or radiative backscatter intensity. Signals representing these nondestructive measurements are fed to a computer and compared with values of the same parameters which were previously measured by laboratory tests. The comparison permits a calculation of the composition of the substance, specifically fat and water content. In the case of a salted material, salt content can also be calculated.

Abstract: A method for continuously determining the water and fat content of a material such as butter which involves instantaneous measurements of the density of the substance, as well as either the dielectric constant or radiative backscatter intensity. Signals representing these non-destructive measurements are fed to a computer and compared with values of the same parameters which were previously measured by laboratory destructive tests. The comparison permits a calculation of the composition of the substance, specifically fat and water content. In the case of a salted material, salt content can also be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a solenoid coaxially surrounding an elongated electrically conducting material generates a radio frequency magnetic field of such a frequency that the material within excludes or displaces magnetic lines of force therefrom. One or more search coils are mounted coaxially within the solenoid, but outside of the material. By comparing the signal induced in the search coils when the material is present with the signal induced in the search coils when the material is absent, the outer cross sectional area of the material may be measured by measuring magnetic field exclusion or displacement, from the search coil andfrom this data, weight per unit length of solid material may be inferred. Furthermore, a pattern of deformations on the material may also be inferred, when the material is moving at known speed, from any high frequency modulation of the signal picked up by the search coil.

Abstract: A gauge for determining the mass per unit area, or alternatively the thickness of sheet material by measuring the attenuation, as well as backscatter, of an X-ray beam or the like, while continuously taking into account deviations and changes in localized material composition, insofar as these have an effect on the transmission coefficient of the beam. Electrical signals representing these deviations are combined with calibration data for given material nominal properties, i.e., nominal composition. The resultant and output signal represents the mass per unit area or thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuous measurement of thickness of a sheet at a rolling mill or the like without contacting the sheet. A system directing radiation through the sheet in two energy bands and providing a measure of change in composition of the material as it passes the thickness gauging station. A system providing for changing the absorption coefficient of the material in the thickness measurement as a function of the change in composition so that the measured thickness is substantially independent of variations in composition.