Abstract: Associating user interface elements with information ancillary to said user interface elements includes creating one or more items of user interface element ancillary information, receiving a request for user interface element ancillary information, the request identifying the context in which the information is to be used, searching, using a processor, said one or more items of user interface element ancillary information for items matching the context in which the information is to be used, and returning one or more items of user interface element ancillary information matching the context in which the information is to be used.

Abstract: Associating user interface elements with information ancillary to said user interface elements includes creating one or more items of user interface element ancillary information, receiving a request for user interface element ancillary information, the request identifying the context in which the information is to be used, searching, using a processor, said one or more items of user interface element ancillary information for items matching the context in which the information is to be used, and returning one or more items of user interface element ancillary information matching the context in which the information is to be used.

Abstract: Associating user interface elements with information ancillary to said user interface elements includes creating one or more items of user interface element ancillary information, receiving a request for user interface element ancillary information, the request identifying the context in which the information is to be used, searching, using a processor, said one or more items of user interface element ancillary information for items matching the context in which the information is to be used, and returning one or more items of user interface element ancillary information matching the context in which the information is to be used.

Abstract: Associating user interface elements with information ancillary to said user interface elements includes creating one or more items of user interface element ancillary information, receiving a request for user interface element ancillary information, the request identifying the context in which the information is to be used, searching, using a processor, said one or more items of user interface element ancillary information for items matching the context in which the information is to be used, and returning one or more items of user interface element ancillary information matching the context in which the information is to be used.

Abstract: An apparatus is taught for draining static electrical charges build-up on a traveling web of dielectric material. The apparatus includes discharge means comprised of a metal member having one end formed into at least one needle point projection. The discharge means is connected to ground potential and mounted in close proximity to the traveling web. Responsive to concentrated static electrical charges the discharge means causes ionization of the gasses surrounding the discharge means, thereby draining the static electrical charges to the ground potential through the discharge means. The apparatus further includes means for sensing and reading the magnitude of static electrical charges drawn from the web of dielectric material and for applying the sensed information as digital signals to a manufacturing controller. The manufacturing controller uses the information to control manufacturing parameters that minimize the generation of static electrical charges during the manufacture of the dielectric material.

Abstract: An apparatus is taught for draining static electrical charges build-up on a traveling web of dielectric material. The apparatus includes discharge means comprised of a metal member having one end formed into at least one needle point projection. The discharge means is connected to ground potential and mounted in close proximity to the traveling web. Responsive to concentrated static electrical charges the discharge means causes ionization of the gasses surrounding the discharge means, thereby draining the static electrical charges to the ground potential through the discharge means. The apparatus further includes means for sensing and reading the magnitude of static electrical charges drawn from the web of dielectric material and for applying the sensed information as digital signals to a manufacturing controller. The manufacturing controller uses the information to control manufacturing parameters that minimize the generation of static electrical charges during the manufacture of the dielectric material.

Abstract: An on-line laser triangulation position sensing system provides measurements of the surface features of a moving sheet such as paper. The measurements are correlatable with measurements made with standard laboratory surface smoothness testers and provide predictions of the printability of paper during its fabrication. The sensing system includes a segmented balance detector having a high frequency response. The sensing system further includes signal processing circuitry comprising a plurality of channels, each channel including a filter. The various filters have different cutoff frequencies for passing different frequency spectra representing ranges of surface feature scale sizes. The cutoff frequency of each filter is varied in response to variations in sheet speed. The sheet sensing system further includes a sheet stabilizer to minimize flutter in the measurement region and a standardizing member permitting performance verification of the sensor system at at least one scale size spectrum.

Abstract: A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, offset substantially the same from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Abstract: A device for characterizing the formation of a sheet material is described. The device comprises a formation sensor for measuring the basis weight of the sheet material as the material passes through the sensor, and signal processing circuitry which receives a basis weight signal from the formation sensor and which produces three types of outputs, which outputs characterize: (1) the magnitude of variation in the sheet basis weight; (2) the strength of the weakest portion or portions of the sheet; and (3) the size of the flocs comprising the sheet. The formation sensor includes a light pipe that is held against the sheet as the sheet moves through the sensor, and that directs a small spot of light transmitted through the sheet to a light detecting device. The magnitude of small-scale variation in the sheet basis weight is computed by determining the ratio between average value of the basis weight signal and the varying or AC component of the basis weight signal.

Abstract: A sensor and method is provided for measuring one or more select components of a material. In one embodiment, a method measures the components by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the material and detecting the intensity of the emerging radiation at separate locations from the source. In another embodiment, a sensor provides a radiation source for emitting radiation at a sheet, a plurality of detecting means, wherein at least one detecting means is offset from the source, for detecting radiation after interaction with the sheet and first and second reflectors for directing the radiation so that the radiation makes multiple interactions with the sheet when moving from the source to the detecting means. The invention can accurately measure the select components (e.g., moisture) of different grades of paper by eliminating the effects of the scattering power and determining absorption power at each band of the spectrum considered necessary for a particular measurement.

Abstract: A method for determining bending stiffness of a moving sheet using an on-line sheet bending stiffness sensor. The sensor continuously bends the sheet as it is being manufactured and, based upon the force required to bend the sheet, the amount of bending and the tension applied to the sheet, the sensor determines a parameter indicative of sheet bending stiffness. The resulting parameter can be correlated with conventional destructive laboratory tests of sheet bending stiffness.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. Detectors coupled to the support detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in at least three different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each of the three directions. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.

Abstract: A system and process for continuously determining the strength of paper sheet material during manufacture includes a plurality of sensors for detecting proxies related to properties such as the strength of individual fibers, length distribution of fibers, quantity of fibers, distribution of fibers, orientation of fibers, number of bonds between fibers, and bond strength of fibers. For a given papermaking machine and paper type, multiple regression analysis is used to determine correlations between the measured proxies and laboratory tests of paper strength. Then, during operation of a papermaking machine, changes in the proxy measures are used to indicate paper strength and to adjust operation of the papermaking machine based upon changes in the strength of sheet material being produced.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor has a support for supporting the moving sheet. The support defines an open region into which the moving sheet is deflected by a deflector. The support is rotatable to allow detectors coupled to the support to detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support by the deflected sheet in a number of different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each direction. The directional variations of the physical characteristic may be used to determine the fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of the sheet.

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 passes through the sensor and signal processing circuitry which receives a signal from the basis weight sensor indicative of the measured basis weight and which produces three types of outputs, which outputs characterize: (1) the magnitude of variation in the sheet basis weight; (2) the strength of the weakest portion or portions of the sheet; and (3) the size of the flocs comprising the sheet. The basis weight sensor includes a light pipe which is held against the sheet, as the sheet moves through the sensor, and which directs a small spot of light transmitted through the sheet to a light detecting device. The magnitude of variation in the sheet basis weight is computed to be proportional to the true root-mean-square variation in the basis weight of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet tension measuring device is disclosed for measuring the tension of a moving sheet wherein a moving sheet is accurately positioned with pinchers at 2 spaced locations. The sheet is deflected between these pinchers from its nominal straight line path, and the amount of deflection and deflecting force are measured. The pinchers iron out any wrinkles in the sheet as the moving sheet slides through the pinchers. Sheet tension is computed based upon the measured deflection force and deflection distance. The resulting measurements of local sheet tension are used to correct nondestructive sheet strength measurements. A device and method are also disclosed for nondestructively determining the sheet strength and the extensional stiffness of the sheet in the machine direction and in the cross-direction.

Abstract: An x-ray sensor for determining the amount and composition of a multi-component material is disclosed. The sensor is particularly useful for determining the amount and chemical composition of a coating spread on a continuously moving paper sheet or filler material mixed into such a sheet.

Abstract: A system and process for continuously determining the strength of paper sheet material during manufacture includes a plurality of sensors for detecting proxies related to properties such as the strength of individual fibers, length distribution of fibers, quantity of fibers, distribution of fibers, orientation of fibers, number of bonds between fibers, and bond strength of fibers. For a given papermaking machine and paper type, multiple regression analysis is used to determine correlations between the measured proxies and laboratory tests of paper strength. Then, during operation of a papermaking machine, changes in the proxy measures are used to indicate paper strength and to adjust operation of the papermaking machine based upon changes in the strength of sheet material being produced.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a quality of a sheet, such as a paper sheet, related to elastic modulus and bending stiffness as it is being made including a sheet support in the form of a ring and a free running wheel, which depresses the paper into 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 characteristic of the paper related to its elastic modulus and being stiffness. Alternatively, or in addition, a displacement sensor may be used to sense the distance that the sheet is displaced by the wheel into the ring. These factors, together with basis weight, thickness and paper velocity may be used to determine the strength of the paper on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A system for measuring the open space between, and the ratio of open space to cord diameter, of cord reinforced tire fabric. A collimated x-ray source and detector scan across the tire fabric as it is calendered providing a signal corresponding to each edge of a cord. A counter counting at a constant rate provides a time interval measurement of each open space, and also of the corresponding open space plus cord, as the x-ray source and detector scans the fabric. The quotient of the two time intervals determined is proportional to the fractional open space at a particular location in the fabric. An alarm is provided to indicate when the open space is outside predetermined limits.