Abstract: A roller conveyer transports sheet material to accumulating hoppers provided with rotatable distributing chutes. Chute drivers are electrically connected to a unit for measuring the material thickness via a control unit. The thickness measuring unit comprises a radioisotope thickness gauge including a radiation detector and a radioactive source, positioned on opposite sides of the sheet material between two pairs of drive rollers of the conveyer. A meter measures the average value of the radiation intensity during a period of time within which a single sample of the material being sorted passes through the radiation zone. Another meter measures the instantaneous value of the radiation intensity.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for continuously monitoring a light sensitive electronic component, forming part of a device for detecting light pulses of a specified character, the apparatus comprising a light source directing light through fiber optics at the component, the source being pulsed by a pulse generator which also sets an alarm monitor connected to operate a switch having its input taken to the component, the switch output being connected to a voltage sensor for resetting the alarm monitor if a signal received from the switch is above a predetermined minimum, the alarm monitor being adapted to activate an alarm if not reset.

Abstract: A process for separating limestone ore particles from gangue particles comprises the steps of (1) conditioning the mixed particles with an agent comprising a compound having both a surface-selective functional group and a fluorescent moiety, to selectively coat either the ore particles or the gangue particles, to the substantial exclusion of the other; (2) irradiating the mixture to cause fluorescence in the coated particles; and (3) separating the fluorescing, coated particles from the substantially uncoated particles. The process may be used to separate by coating either the ore particles or the gangue particles.

Abstract: A seed monitoring apparatus for use with a seed planting machine includes a seed sensor comprising a housing forming a substantially tubular passageway and mounting a light source and three photosensitive elements arranged substantially in a triangular configuration. The arrangement of the light source and the triangular photosensor configuration is such that a seed passing through the tubular passageway will momentarily obscure the passage of light to the photosensor the apex of the triangle, if at all, before obscuring the passage of light to either of the photosensors forming the base of the triangle. The monitoring circuit includes two signal paths in which different methods of counting are used to produce different numbers of pulses in response to signals from the three photosensors. One or the other of these signal paths is selected automatically in accordance with the rate at which seeds are detected.

Abstract: A network for separating an article-detect signal into a number of parts corresponding to the number of articles randomly disposed in next-abutting relationship is characterized by a circuit arrangement adapted to sample and hold a predetermined percentage of the peak magnitude of a characteristic signal representative of each article, a comparator for comparing the instantaneous value of the characteristic signal with the predetermined peak and for generating an enabling signal when the instantaneous characteristic signal falls below the predetermined percentage, and a timer responsive to the enabling signal to interrupt the article-detect signal for a predetermined time interval after a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: A sorting machine has a member a part of which has a translucent viewing area. Material to be sorted is passed adjacent to but spaced from a surface on the translucent viewing area. Light passing through the translucent viewing area is viewed and in dependence on such viewing, an ejector separates. desired and undesired material. A film of washing liquid is directed over the surface of the translucent viewing area, the film then passing to a liquid removal zone which is located on another surface of the member. The liquid removal zone is disposed in a position in which the ejector does not cause the material to be wetted by the liquid.

Abstract: A method of separating a mineral component from particulate ore consisting of many components, such as oxides, silicates, carbonates, sulfides etc. is disclosed. The particulate ore is conditioned with a surface-active agent capable of selectively coating one of the components of the ore to the substantial exclusion of coating the other components. A coloring agent having an affinity towards the coating of surface active agent is combined with the surface active agent, providing the coated ore particles with a distinguishable color from the non-coated ore particles. The distinguishable color-coated ore particles are separated from the non-coated ore particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bulk sorting particulate material such as ore rocks. A conveyor belt carries the material in a continuous stream past a detector responsive to a required characteristic to produce a time sequence of detector signals dependent on degree to which material passing the detector possesses that characteristic. The material is projected from the downstream end of the conveyor belt into free flight trajectory and a deflector plate is moved across the face flight path so that material in some zones of the stream is deflected whereas material in other zones is not deflected. A control circuit monitors the detector signals and causes the deflector plate to move so that said zones are determined by the degree to which the material in them possesses the required characteristic.

Abstract: An electronic fruit grading machine includes an endless chain having positioning rollers or bars which rotate and on which the fruit coming from a hopper is positioned in rows. The grading machine includes an electronic apparatus capable of detecting surface marks or defects in the fruit which is situated on the bars. The fruit is arranged in transverse rows and is displaced at a certain speed under a standard television camera. The feed of the fruit from the hopper to the endless chain is carried out by a cylindrical drum acting as a feeding device. On the surface of the cylindrical drum are rows of holes, and adjacent each hole is provided a wedge, one face of which follows the prolongation of a radius of the cylindrical drum and is arranged for the expulsion of extra fruit adhered to the periphery of the cylindrical drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a selected material from a batch of particulate material in which a stream of the particulate material is irradiated with pulsed electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays to cause the selected material to fluoresce. The fluorescing material is then detected and ejected from the stream.

Abstract: A non-marking type method and apparatus for optimizing the recovery, at on-line speeds, of salvageable sheet product from a large width web, utilized in conjunction with a radiation scanning type inspection system.

Abstract: A method for the separation of limestone from a particulate limestone ore containing particles of limestone and gangue which comprises conditioning the limestone ore with at least one coupling agent selected from saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids containing from about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms, or at least one coupling agent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amines containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, and beta amines containing from about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms, to selectively coat the limestone or the gangue in the ore to the substantial exclusion of the other in combination with providing at least one fluorescent dye to said coupling agent; radiating the conditioned ore to excite and induce fluorescence of the fluorescent dye to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated particles from the non-coated particles and separating the fluorescing, coated particles from the nonfluorescing, non-coated particles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the separation of coal from run of mine (ROM) coal containing particles of coal and refuse, which comprises conditioning the ROM coal with a coupling agent capable of selectively coating the particulate coal to the substantial exclusion of coating the refuse, which coupling agent is at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms. Combined with said coupling agent is a fluorescent dye in a quantity to make the coated particles of coal fluoresce upon excitation to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated coal particles from the substantially non-coated refuse. Exciting (e.g. as with ultraviolet light) the fluorescent dye coupled to the coal particles induces fluorescence and enables separating the fluorescing, coated coal particles from substantially non-fluorescing, non-coated refuse particles.

Abstract: A method for the separation of magnesite from a particulate ore containing particles relatively rich in magnesite and particles relatively rich in dolomite and/or calcite, which comprises conditioning the ore with at least one coupling agent selected from saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids containing from about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms, to selectively coat the calcite and/or dolomite in the ore to the substantial exclusion of the magnesite, in combination with providing at least one fluorescent dye to said coupling agent; radiating the conditioned ore to excite and induce fluorescence of the fluorescent dye to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated particles from the non-coated particles and separating the fluorescing, coated particles from the non-fluorescing, non-coated particles.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sorting pieces or particles of radioactive ore where the particles are moved through the apparatus in an asynchronous or non-constant manner. The particles are moved one at a time to a position in front of a radiation detector where they are temporarily stopped. The counts from the particle are accumulated with respect to time. In a control unit of the apparatus there is data representing a cut-off grade radiation rate and early upper and lower decision limits are established with regard to the cut-off rate. As soon as the accumulated count/time ratio from the detector exceeds the upper limmit or falls below the lower limit, the control unit is able to provide a decision to accept or reject the particle. If the particles are not closely sized then the size of each particle is determined before it is positioned in front of the radiation detector and the size determination is used to modify the cut-off grade and upper and lower early decision limits.

Abstract: The colors or surface conditions of small articles are determined by passing the articles through an integrating sphere and separately illuminating the articles before they enter the sphere, during their passage through the sphere and after they leave the sphere. The light transmitted through or reflected by each article is collected by the sphere and passed to analyzing apparatus. The articles are sorted according to the measurements.

Abstract: A method, system, and attachment for sorting articles, such as laundry or the like whereby each article includes as a part thereof a quantity of each of a number of different materials of the type which each produce secondary radiation at a characteristic energy level when x-ray, gamma or other radiation impinges thereon, the combination of materials forming a code uniquely identifing the article. Each article is passed through a pneumatic tube or on a conveyor line substantially one at a time past a source of radiation and a multi-channel energy level detector which produces an electrical output signal indicating the article, and also indicating when two or more combination codes are being simultaneously passed. The articles are then diverted in accordance with the electrical signal.

Abstract: Lumber is classified in terms of knots. The method used employs high frequency radio energy and a detector responsive to phase to detect the energy passing through the lumber. The knots exhibit a different dielectric constant, the real part of which is different from normal wood, and the difference in phase of the radiation detected effects the measurement. Preferably, the frequency radiation is near 10 GHz.