Abstract: Stiffness and other properties of a wood member, such as a log, can be determined by excitation with a swept frequency sonic pulse followed by measurement of the resonant frequency by an accelerometer in contact with the log. It is desirable to minimize the sweep range in order to utilize the power in the sonic pulse to the maximum effect. This should be centered about the expected resonant frequency and is typically no more than about 300 HZ either side of the expected frequency. The resonant frequency is dependent principally on wood species and length. By first measuring length and inputting this into the associated software the sweep range can be controlled to achieve the maximum output signal. Time duration of the sweep is typically no longer than about 0.2 seconds and can be considerably shorter.

Abstract: Generally described, a bending stiffness predicting system 20 includes a density measurement sub-system 24 and a sound wave velocity measurement sub-system 28. From the measurements of both density and speed of sound through the wood product received from the sub-systems 24 and 28, respectively, the bending stiffness (Y) may be predicted by calculating the bending stiffness (Y) according to the bending stiffness (MOE) equation: Y=k?V2/g; wherein k is the calibration constant, ? is the density or specific gravity of the member, V is the velocity of a sound through the member and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The calculation of wood product bending stiffness may be carried out manually, or may be calculated using a calculating sub-system 32 from the two measured values, density and velocity, according to Equation 1 above.

Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl, and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.