Dielectric Sensor for Round Wood Grain Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the grain angle of round wood objects, particularly those with fine grain like maple, are inefficient and subjective, leading to increased breakage of baseball bats due to excessive slope-of-grain, as existing technologies cannot accurately measure curved surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A dielectric sensor system with self-adjusting guides and a flexible printed circuit board is used to track and correct for the curvature of the wood object, employing sensors like rotary encoders or potentiometers to provide accurate grain angle measurements by compensating for the radius and electric field distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ink blot method is used to measure grain angle on curved surfaces, then the measurement can be performed on any wood species, but the results are subjective and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual ink blot method with an automated dielectric sensor system that uses electrical fields to detect grain orientation. The sensor plate measures the dielectric properties of the wood along different axes, automatically calculating grain angle without subjective human interpretation, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining adaptability to curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric sensor system automatically performs measurements and calculations without requiring operator intervention for each measurement. The microprocessor automatically processes the dielectric readings from the sensor plate and computes the grain angle, eliminating the time-consuming manual observation and interpretation required by the ink blot method.
2Ease of operation
If a flat dielectric sensor plate is used on a curved surface, then the measurement process is simplified, but measurement error increases with increasing grain angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces curved guides that conform to the curvature of the wood object's surface. These guides ensure the flat dielectric sensor plate maintains proper tangential contact with the curved surface while the guides themselves adapt to various radii of curvature, allowing simplified operation without sacrificing measurement precision on curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a correction mechanism that detects the radius of curvature of the wood object and applies appropriate corrections to the measured grain angle values. The microprocessor uses feedback from the curvature detection to compensate for measurement errors, maintaining accuracy while keeping the sensor plate design simple and flat.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct observation of grain angle is attempted on fine-grained wood like maple, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process is difficult and subjective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual observation with electrical measurement using dielectric sensors. The sensor plate applies an electrical field that interacts with the wood's cellular structure, and the microprocessor analyzes the dielectric response to determine grain orientation. This substitution eliminates the subjectivity and difficulty of visual inspection while maintaining measurement simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual appearance to dielectric properties. By measuring the electrical response of the wood's cellular structure rather than relying on visual grain patterns, the system can accurately detect grain orientation in fine-grained woods where visual observation fails, transforming an inobservable parameter into a measurable electrical property.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable and repeatable method for measuring grain angles on curved surfaces, reducing the frequency of bat failures by ensuring accurate detection of grain orientation, thus enhancing the structural integrity of wood objects.
Implementation Method 1
the invention's dielectric sensor (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,154)
Implementation Method 2
the fall off of the dielectric sensor's electric field in the sample
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the grain angle of a wood object which has a circular cross section of constant or varying radius along the object's length. This apparatus may be hand-held or fixed mounted as testing circumstances dictate. The resulting grain angle may be displayed in real time, as perceived by the user, or transmitted to a processing unit for data collection or interpretation.