Work And Product Patents (Class 144/394)
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Patent number: 8945666Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLCInventors: Robert E. Jewell, Hudson A. Pope
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Patent number: 8469067Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. The methods and woodworking equipment may include predictive blade stop algorithms that prevent unnecessary activations of a safety brake during coast down of a blade and continued protection in the event a main power switch is turned off.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Louis R. Slamka
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Patent number: 8215347Abstract: An apparatus for determining one or more optimal operating parameters for debarking wood is provided. The apparatus has a scraper and an actuator configured to adjust the position of the scraper toward a sample portion of the wood to scrape a surface of the sample portion of the wood with a scraping force. The apparatus also has a force sensor operatively associated with the scraper for detecting the scraping force. A light source impinges light on a scraped surface of the sample portion. A light detector detects a light image defined by light from the light source reflected by the scraped surface. A controller is operatively associated with the force sensor and the light detector. The controller has processing means to determine the one or more optimal operating parameters based on signals relating to the scraping force and signals relating to the light image. The one or more optimal operating parameters are relevant to debarking wood proximal to the sample portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Jan Brdicko, Alexander Ryan Precosky, Mehdi Bahrami
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Patent number: 7992603Abstract: A saw speed readiness system for use with a forestry machine comprises a controller configured to receive a threshold selection signal, and change a speed readiness threshold from a first saw speed to a second saw speed in response to the threshold selection signal, the speed readiness threshold representing a non-zero saw speed above which a disk saw is considered to be ready for a tree-felling operation but below which the disk saw is considered not to be ready for the tree-felling operation. An associated method is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Jason L. Pellymonter
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Patent number: 7900664Abstract: The settings of machining units of a machine are effected one after the other using a camera which transmits at least the position of the tool to a display unit. At least an end section of a workpiece to be machined is displayed with the actual position of the cutting tool, which can at least be preset. The machine contains a holding fixtures) for the camera. The camera) is inserted into a holder which is put onto the holding fixture.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Prewi, Schneidwerkzeuge GmbHInventor: Horst Altenhöner
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Patent number: 7870880Abstract: An optimizing planer infeed system for feeding an array of workpieces downstream to a planer includes an apparatus for setting the size of the gaps between successive linearly aligned workpieces so that each gap between successive workpieces provides enough time for at least one of movable cutting elements in the planer and movable guiding elements to be moved to their optimized position corresponding to the next successive workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar CompanyInventors: Ronald W. McGehee, Patrick Doyle
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Patent number: 7870879Abstract: An automated saw system for cutting a crooked piece of lumber with a mitered end and a length. The saw system includes a saw for cutting the piece of lumber, a lumber feed conveyor for feeding the piece of lumber to the saw, and a sensor that measures a deviation amount by which the piece of lumber deviates from an idealized straight piece of lumber. A controller communicates with the sensor to adjust either the saw or the conveyor in response to the detected deviation amount so that the piece of lumber is cut to correspond to a cut of the idealized straight piece of lumber.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Jerome E. Koskovich
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Patent number: 7857021Abstract: A system for positioning a workpiece in an optimized position. In one embodiment a marking device places a mark on the workpiece prior to the workpiece passing through a scanner cooperating with an optimizer. The optimizer determines the optimized position of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece is identified by a first camera. The mark may be used as a point of reference such that the workpiece may be positioned in the optimized position by rotating the workpiece relative to the orientation of the mark. A turning mechanism rotates the workpiece to position it in the optimized position. A further camera identifies the orientation of the mark while the workpiece is being rotated. A processor compares in real time the orientation of the workpiece with the optimized position to determine if the workpiece is in the optimized position.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar CompanyInventors: Murray Boyd, Sandy Webster, Roland Davyduke, Ronald H. Pobuda, Carl Flatman, Rory M. Mitchell
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Patent number: 7849894Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a log rotation verification system having an optimizer configured to determine an optimized cutting solution for the log and configured to identify an optimized rotational position, and a position indicator applicable to a log to indicate a reference rotational position of the log. A log rotator may be configured to rotate the log to reduce the difference between the reference rotational position and the optimized rotational position. And, a primary detector may be configured to detect a current rotational position of the position indicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Strebig, Christopher W. Blomquist
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Patent number: 7819148Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of log cutting either off-line or in real-time is based on optical measurement of half-squared or full-squared cants characteristics as produced at primary or secondary cutting stage, so as to increase the proportion of high-value wood pieces that can be recovered from full squared-cants produced at the sawing stage. The log is fed lengthwise to a primary cutting station (canter) capable of producing the first pair of opposing cut faces, while guiding the log substantially in a direction of the machine axis. The profile of the peripheral log surface at a plurality of cross-sections along the machine axis is measured to generate corresponding post-cut profile data, from which an estimation of log raw profile characteristics is made, to generate corresponding raw profile data. Then, from post-cut and raw profile data, resulting data on at least one parameter related to the cutting quality of the log.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Centre de Recherche Industrielle du QuebecInventors: Jean-Roch Rinfret, Jean-Luc Lessard, Pierre Poulin, Maxime Diamond
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Patent number: 7681610Abstract: An optimizing planermill system includes a control system and a workpiece feed path for feeding an array of workpieces linearly downstream to an optimizing planer. The gap size between successive workpieces is set so that each gap provides enough time for relative movement of at least one of movable cutting elements in the planer and movable guiding elements so as to obtain relative movement between the cutting elements and the workpiece being next fed in for optimized positioning.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar CompanyInventors: Ronald W. McGehee, Patrick Doyle
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Patent number: 7614433Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for producing wood chips are disclosed. The disclosure in one embodiment produces smooth wood chips of generally uniform size and shape, suited for use in making paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for collecting, aligning and guiding wood scraps through an array of spaced-apart saw blades using a feeder assembly operating on a continual basis. The feeder assembly in one embodiment includes one or more paddle assemblies shaped to align and guide the wood scraps along a feeder path toward the saw blades. A system for controlling an apparatus is also disclosed. A method for reducing wood scraps into cut chips is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignees: Arasmith Industries International, LLC, Arasmith Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventor: Stanley D. Arasmith
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Patent number: 7537031Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the timber products industry, and particularly to methods and apparatus for use in the manufacture of reconstituted or reconsolidated wood products. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for use in the manufacture of reconstituted or reconsolidated wood products using crushing and steam pressing methods and apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: TimTek LLCInventor: Walter Jarck
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Patent number: 7503359Abstract: A harvester for a forestry machine comprises grapples, a cutting device, trimming devices, and advancement devices for grasping, cutting, trimming, and advancement in the axial direction, respectively of a tree stem. Further, the harvester includes a measurement device for measuring the length of the tree stem and a measurement device for measuring how the transverse dimension of the tree stem varies along its length. The measurement device includes a movable measurement device for contact-free detection of the outer contour of the tree stem, from which the diameter is calculable. The measurement device is located between the trimming device and the advancement device for counteracting dirtying of the measurement device. A method for measuring the transverse dimension of a tree stem is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Fiberpac KBInventor: Christer Lennartsson
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Patent number: 7487809Abstract: A pruning assembly (10) including an elongate supporting body (not shown), right (11) and left (12) jaw members hinged together and movable along the supporting body and each having three sets of blade members (31) mounted on actuator means (16) and alternatively displaced above and below a plane to form two staggered rows of three bores each, the actuator means (16) adapted to maintain the clearance between the trunk and each set of blade members (31).Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Aust Pacific Forest Management Pty LtdInventor: Colin Uebergang
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Patent number: 7431060Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the automatic control of a debarking system for use in a chip mill, paper mill, or the like. The present invention comprises one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that receive input from ultrasonic sensors that measure the quantity of wood present at various locations within the system. Based on this data, the PLCs reference look-up tables that contain information on start, stop, speed up, and slow down times for various system components based on such criteria as wood variety and season. The control system optimizes the fiber yield from the debarking system while also reducing mechanical wear on components of the system by reducing the time at which components are run at high speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: The Price Companies, Inc.Inventors: John P. Price, Robert Stone, Jr.
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Patent number: 7426422Abstract: A “Woodprint™” characterization and identification technique employs cameras (16), lighting (14), camera interface hardware (18), a computer (20), and/or image processing software to collect and analyze surface characteristics of pieces of wood (8) to track them through an automated production process in real-time with information that is specific to each wood piece (8), such as what machining is required, its value, and/or its destination. When a wood piece (8) reaches a point in the production process where a decision is required, its unique identity is used to retrieve appropriate information previously determined and assigned to the wood piece (8).Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Lucidyne Technologies, Inc.Inventors: George M. Carman, Patrick S. Freeman, Ofer Heyman, William J. Briskey
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Patent number: 7422042Abstract: An apparatus for centering a log to allow an optimum yield axis and a maximum radius of rotation of the log to be calculated more accurately than conventionally possible. The angle of rotation of a log M is detected by a rotation angle detector that is engaged with a preliminary axis c about which the log M is rotated. A contour of the log for calculating the optimum yield axis of the log and a contour for calculating the maximum radius of rotation of the log are measured separately. The contour for calculating the optimum yield axis is measured in a fixed-point manner by measuring the log at a plurality of certain measurement points with beam reflection scanners. The contour for calculating the maximum radius of rotation is measured in a comprehensive manner using swing-angle detectors engaged with contact-swinging detection members provided individually in the plural measurement sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.Inventors: Nobuyuki Moriyama, Kazuhito Mawatari, Fumihiro Mizutani, Yukinobu Kuno, Katsuya Matsumoto, Masaru Koike
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Patent number: 7308921Abstract: A saw for cutting a cant by sensing the curvature of the cant and raising or lowering the saw blade in order to follow the curvature when cutting the cant.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Inventor: Clarence R. Brewer, Sr.
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Patent number: 7171278Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: COE Newnes/McGehee Inc.Inventors: Lyle Baker, Ray Stevens
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Patent number: 7134465Abstract: An apparatus for identifying, tracking and handling lumber to be cut-in-two includes a scanner and optimizer to scan the length of a board and to compare the scanned board to predetermined criteria so as to identify a board which, optimally, would be cut into two pieces along its length. An identification device applies a detectable indicator to the board. A transfer transfers in a downstream direction, the board from the scanner to the identification device, and from the identification device to a lug-loader loading device adjacent and immediately upstream of a lug loader. A detector cooperates with the lug-loader loading device so as to detect the detectable indicator on the board and to delay the loading of the lug loader following loading of the board into a lug space so that an immediately subsequent lug space behind and upstream of the board is left empty so as to receive a portion of the board cut from the board once the board is cut-in-two in a downstream trimmer or other sawing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: COE Newnes/McGehee Inc.Inventors: Richard Herring, Vince Vanlderstine
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Patent number: 7011124Abstract: A reversing automatic feed assembly for a stump grinder includes at least one sensor adapted to sense excessive load placed on the stump grinder and output a signal thereof. The reversing automatic feed assembly also includes a control system operatively connected to the least one sensor to automatically reverse feed movement of the cutting assembly in response to the signal from the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Tramor, Inc.Inventor: Michael Boyd Morey
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Patent number: 6991012Abstract: A method of forming a workpiece into sectioned parts using a pair of laterally translatable chipping heads and, downstream, a cutting device of the type having a plurality of rotatable cutting members mounted for rotation on a common axis which is movable and including workpiece transport means for moving the workpiece from a starting position to a final position along a path which extends first past the chipping heads and then past the cutting device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Coe Newnes/McGehee Inc.Inventors: Rory Matthew Mitchell, Brian Stroud
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Patent number: 6895844Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a place where a saw may be performed. An oscillating laser beam is provided to a target according to a user preference. The user selects at least one characteristic of the oscillating laser beam in order to identify the target in an outdoor environment. The selected at least one characteristic is then provided to a motor which executes the oscillating.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Cemar Electro Inc.Inventors: Walter Spirig, Young Chul Shin
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Publication number: 20040250913Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Lyle Baker, Ray Stevens
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Patent number: 6830087Abstract: The invention concerns a method to produce a uniformly moist veneer (6) or plywood. According to the invention moisture of the veneer (6) or plywood is measured in one or several points, and any moisture differences noticed in this veneer or plywood are levelled in a moistening stage following said measuring, in which stage the veneer or plywood, based upon measuring results received, is moistened with water or steam in one or several points in order to achieve an adjusted uniform moisture content.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Raute OyjInventor: Markku Kumpulainen