Edge Pixelated Imaging for Real-Time Wood Furnish Fines Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring fines in wood furnish during engineered wood production are slow and do not provide real-time measurements, limiting mill operators' ability to make timely adjustments in response to changes in fines levels, which affects the quality and cost of engineered wood products.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using an inclined panel with a transparent window, lighting, and image capturing means to process images of wood furnish, allowing for real-time determination of fines levels by analyzing edge pixel counts and applying a calibration factor to derive accurate characteristics of the furnish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sampling and screening methods are used to measure fines levels, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but measurement speed is very slow and does not provide real-time measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling and screening with an automated optical imaging system. A camera captures images of wood furnish particles on an inclined panel, and image processing algorithms automatically determine fines levels by analyzing particle size distribution in the captured images, eliminating the need for manual intervention while providing real-time measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the wood furnish particles and processes these copies to determine fines levels. The inclined panel with transparent window allows lighting from below to illuminate particles, and the camera captures detailed images that are then analyzed to measure fines without physically handling or screening the material
2Loss of time
If real-time measurement systems are implemented, then timely adjustments can be made to control fines levels, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inclined panel with a transparent window as an intermediary element that simplifies the measurement system. This panel allows wood furnish to slide down while being illuminated from below, creating a standardized viewing plane for the camera. The transparent window acts as a mediator between the particles and the imaging system, enabling real-time measurement without complex sample preparation or handling mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional planar screening to a three-dimensional measurement approach. The inclined panel creates a slope that allows particles to naturally distribute themselves in a measurable configuration, while lighting from below and imaging from the side captures particle information in multiple dimensions simultaneously, enabling real-time analysis without complex mechanical screening devices
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
Enables real-time, accurate measurement of fines levels, improving the ability to adjust production processes and resulting in significant cost savings by optimizing wood recovery and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window
Implementation Method 2
an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.