Patents by Inventor Peter C. Matthews

Peter C. Matthews has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5252836
    Abstract: Grain structure defect scanning is accomplished by a pair of light detectors directed toward an inspection point illuminated by a collimated light beam incident upon the inspection surface at a given angle of incidence. One detector, the specular detector, is positioned generally along the specular angle of reflection as defined by the angle of incidence and the other detector, the diffuse detector, lies substantially along the angle of incidence. When specular reflection dominates, as when the inspection point corresponds to clearwood, the specular detector indicates a higher reflective light intensity than the diffuse detector. When diffuse reflection dominates, however, as when the inspection point corresponds to a grain defect, both detectors indicate similar reflective light intensity. Grain defect discrimination is accomplished by calculating a ratio of specular detector output to diffuse detector output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Matthews, Barry G. Wilson, Jon F. Soest
  • Patent number: 4606645
    Abstract: The invention is a method for measuring fiber angle in a fibrous solid material relative to three mutually orthogonal reference axes. It is particularly well suited for measuring diving grain and grain surface angle in wood. The method is based on the measurement of the intensity of reflected light at different azimuthal angles when a beam of light of small diameter is impinged upon the surface. The nature of the specular reflections from a light beam striking the surface of a cylinder serves as a model for the system. A preferred apparatus for practicing the method comprises a light source, which may be a low powered laser, aimed normal to the surface of the fibrous material. A plurality of photosensors lying in a plane normal to the axis of the light beam are placed around the light source to detect the light reflected at various azimuthal angles. When the fibers of the material lie normal to the light beam, reflected light maxima are seen 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Peter C. Matthews, Jon F. Soest