Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Rye

Timothy W. Rye 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).

  • Method and apparatus for directing air and optical signals to detect edge cracks and other absences of product
    Patent number: 5389795
    Abstract: A method for detecting both separated and non-separated edge cracks on a travelling product, such as a continuous paper web, and the like, and an apparatus for performing the invented method. The method includes directing air onto a travelling product with sufficient force to separate non-separated edge cracks and utilizing an optical signal device to detect edge cracks in the travelling product. A preferred embodiment of the method includes directing two streams of air toward opposite surfaces of the travelling product to effectively separate the non-separated edge cracks and orienting the optical device so that the direction of emitted optical signals forms an angle other than a right angle with the direction in which the product is travelling. The air used to separate the non-separated cracks is also directed across the optical signal device to prevent the build-up of foreign particles, thus improving the integrity of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Timothy W. Rye
  • Method and apparatus for detecting edge cracks
    Patent number: 5260583
    Abstract: A method for detecting both separated and non-separated edge cracks on a travelling product, such as a continuous paper web, and the like, and an apparatus for performing the invented method. The method includes directing air onto a travelling product with sufficient force to separate non-separated edge cracks and utilizing an optical signal device to detect edge cracks in the travelling product. A preferred embodiment of the method includes directing two streams of air toward opposite surfaces of the travelling product to effectively separate the non-separated edge cracks and orienting the optical device so that the direction of emitted optical signals forms an angle other than a right angle with the direction in which the product is travelling. The air used to separate the non-separated cracks is also directed across the optical signal device to prevent the build-up of foreign particles, thus improving the integrity of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Timothy W. Rye
  • Method and apparatus for detecting edge cracks
    Patent number: 5166536
    Abstract: A method for detecting both separated and non-separated edge cracks on a travelling product, such as a continuous paper web, and the like, and an apparatus for performing the invented method. The method includes directing air onto a travelling product with sufficient force to separate non-separated edge cracks and utilizing an optical signal device to detect edge cracks in the travelling product. A preferred embodiment of the method includes directing two streams of air toward opposite surfaces of the travelling product to effectively separate the non-separated edge cracks and orienting the optical device so that the direction of emitted optical signals forms an angle other than a right angle with the direction in which the product is travelling. The air used to separate the non-separated cracks is also directed across the optical signal device to prevent the build-up of foreign particles, thus improving the integrity of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Timothy W. Rye