Abstract: A method for the contactless determination of the thickness of a web of material, for example a web of fibrous material using a sensor array including at least two optical measurement units between which the web can be guided. Each of the optical measurement units includes a measurement plate on the side facing the web. The optical measurement units, which are arranged on opposite sides of the web, are used to measure the distance of the measurement units from the web, and an evaluation unit is used to determine the thickness of the web from the determined distances between the optical measurement units and the web and the distance between the optical measurement units arranged on opposite sides of the web.

Abstract: A method for the contactless determination of the thickness of a web of material, for example, a web of fibrous material, with a sensor array including at least two measurement plates includes guiding the web between the at least two measurement plates. An air cushion is generated between each measurement plate and the web so as to keep the measurement plates at a distance from the web. A sensor array is used which includes at least one magnetic sensor as well as optical distance measuring devices, wherein the distance between the measurement plates arranged on opposite sides of the web is magnetically determined, while the distance between a measurement plate and the web is determined using optical distance measuring devices which are located on the measurement plates arranged on opposite sides of the web.

Abstract: A method for the contactless determination of the thickness of a web of material, for example a web of fibrous material using a sensor array including at least two optical measurement units between which the web can be guided. Each of the optical measurement units includes a measurement plate on the side facing the web. The optical measurement units, which are arranged on opposite sides of the web, are used to measure the distance of the measurement units from the web, and an evaluation unit is used to determine the thickness of the web from the determined distances between the optical measurement units and the web and the distance between the optical measurement units arranged on opposite sides of the web.

Abstract: Device and process for determining a distance to an object. The device includes a low coherence light source, at least one lens arranged to focus light from the low coherence light source onto the object and to collect light reflected and scattered from the object, and a window arranged between the lens and the object. An apertured element includes a circular aperture structured and arranged to form a circular light beam from the reflected and scattered light, and a detector system is structured and arranged to receive the circular light beam. The detector system is sensitive to light beam diameter. Further, a determining device is structured and arranged to determine a distance to the object based upon signals from the detector system.

Abstract: Device and process for determining a distance to an object. The device includes a low coherence light source, at least one lens arranged to focus light from the low coherence light source onto the object and to collect light reflected and scattered from the object, and a window arranged between the lens and the object. An apertured element includes a circular aperture structured and arranged to form a circular light beam from the reflected and scattered light, and a detector system is structured and arranged to receive the circular light beam. The detector system is sensitive to light beam diameter. Further, a determining device is structured and arranged to determine a distance to the object based upon signals from the detector system.

Abstract: A gloss sensor for optically measuring the gloss of a moving surface includes a housing having an exterior surface which is generally parallel with the moving surface. A light source is carried by the housing and configured for emitting a source beam of light. At least one light detector is carried by the housing. An optical prism is mounted to the housing at the exterior surface. The prism is configured to split the source beam into a reference beam which is reflected by the prism internally within the housing to the one or more light detectors, and a measurement beam which passes through the prism and is reflected by the moving surface to the one or more light detectors.

Abstract: Device and method of measuring a position of an irregular surface. The method includes projecting a spot along a first axis onto the irregular surface, focusing an image of the spot along a second axis onto a detector, wherein the second axis is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the first axis, processing signals from the detector, and calculating the position of the irregular surface based on at least one isolated desired frequency component of the signals.

Abstract: Device and process for determining a distance to an object. The device includes at least one lens arranged to focus light from a source onto the object and to collect light reflected and scattered from the object. An apertured element includes a circular aperture structured and arranged to form a circular light beam from the reflected and scattered light, and a detector system is structured and arranged to receive the circular light beam. The detector system is sensitive to light beam diameter. Further, a determining device is structured and arranged to determine a distance to the object based upon signals from the detector system.

Abstract: Device and process for determining a distance to an object. The device includes a low coherence light source, at least one lens arranged to focus light from the low coherence light source onto the object and to collect light reflected and scattered from the object, and a window arranged between the lens and the object. An apertured element includes a circular aperture structured and arranged to form a circular light beam from the reflected and scattered light, and a detector system is structured and arranged to receive the circular light beam. The detector system is sensitive to light beam diameter. Further, a determining device is structured and arranged to determine a distance to the object based upon signals from the detector system.

Abstract: Sensor and process for measuring mass of water on a sheet forming fabric. The sensor includes a microwave element positionable to couple an electromagnetic field into a stock layer to be measured, and a microwave signal generator coupled to the microwave element to generate, in the microwave element, a microwave signal having a frequency lower than a relaxation frequency of water. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of determining a distance to an object, includes the steps of: focusing light from a light source onto the object using a lens; collecting light that is reflected and scattered from the object using the lens; focusing the collected light onto a plurality of light detectors; establishing an exact position of a focal point of the focused light; and determining the distance to the object using the exact position of the focal point.

Abstract: Device and process for measuring mass per unit area of sheet products and/or density of material in a pipe. The device includes a microwave element positionable to couple a high frequency electromagnetic field into a sheet to be measured, and a microwave signal generator coupled to the microwave element to generate at least one operating frequency having a frequency substantially higher than a relaxation frequency of water in said microwave element. A device for measuring an effect of the sheet on the high frequency electromagnetic field is provided, as is a device for calculating mass per unit area based upon the measured effect of the sheet on the high frequency electromagnetic field. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A material web attribute detection system with the material web having a first side and a second side. The system includes a radiation source located proximate to the first side of the material web and emitting radiation toward the material web, and a radiation detection array located proximate to the second side of the material web and producing a plurality of signals based on the radiation detected from the radiation source. A processor is included which utilizes the plurality of signals to determine a lateral offset and a gap size of the radiation detection array relative to the radiation source. The processor can then compensate for the radiation detection array and radiation source relative misalignment using the plurality of signals, the lateral offset and the gap size.

Abstract: Sensor and process for measuring mass of water on a sheet forming fabric. The sensor includes a microwave element positionable to couple an electromagnetic field into a stock layer to be measured, and a microwave signal generator coupled to the microwave element to generate, in the microwave element, a microwave signal having a frequency lower than a relaxation frequency of water. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Device and method of measuring a position of an irregular surface. The method includes projecting a spot along a first axis onto the irregular surface, focusing an image of the spot along a second axis onto a detector, wherein the second axis is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the first axis, processing signals from the detector, and calculating the position of the irregular surface based on at least one isolated desired frequency component of the signals. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A system for the computer-aided measurement of quality and/or process data during the production and/or conversion of a material web, in particular paper or board web, by way of correlation with raw measured data. The raw measured data is present in the form of other quality and process data during the production or conversion process. Measurements of quality parameters in the laboratory may also be incorporated in the raw measured data. The raw measured data is combined to form data sets which in each case are determined simultaneously. Specific laboratory or quality measurements are selected as target data which, by way of at least one soft-sensor algorithm running in a computer-based operation and linking unit, can be calculated from the other data serving as input data, and each data set containing measured data, which relates approximately to the same monitored volume of web and raw material, in particular paper and paper raw material.

Abstract: A material web attribute detection system with the material web having a first side and a second side. The system includes a radiation source located proximate to the first side of the material web and emitting radiation toward the material web, and a radiation detection array located proximate to the second side of the material web and producing a plurality of signals based on the radiation detected from the radiation source. A processor is included which utilizes the plurality of signals to determine a lateral offset and a gap size of the radiation detection array relative to the radiation source. The processor can then compensate for the radiation detection array and radiation source relative misalignment using the plurality of signals, the lateral offset and the gap size.

Abstract: A combination caliper/moisture sensor in the form of a scanner in the cross-direction of sheet material being manufactured by a papermaking machine includes a pair of capacitive plates on opposite sides of the moving sheet material and in substantial contact with it which are utilized for measuring capacitance between the juxtaposed plates which are spaced in accordance with the caliper of the paper. Then a magnetic circuit which provides a flux path through the paper is utilized for measuring caliper which is the independent variable of the capacitance equation which, when solved, yields the dielectric constant. Since there is a known relationship between percent moisture and the dielectric constant, the percent moisture of the sheet material can be determined.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the thickness of a pulp suspension, having zones or slices, on the forming wire of a paper making machine includes an array of ultrasonic transducers located in the apertures of a structural member mounted in a cross-direction under the forming wire near the headbox of the machine. Each ultrasonic transducer is mounted on a flexible sheet which is mounted to an aperture and the transducer moved into close proximity to the bottom of the forming wire by means of air pressure in the structural member. A second array of transducers downstream of the first can be utilized for diagnostics.