Traversable Fiber Web Sensor for Real-Time Moisture Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the cross-direction moisture profile of a moving lignocellulose-containing fiber web in a tissue machine are time-consuming, unsafe for operators, and disrupt production due to the need for manual sampling, providing outdated moisture data that may not reflect current operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a movable property sensor and quick-clamping mounting bracket that allows for fast and safe measurement of the web's properties across multiple positions, using temperature as a proxy for moisture to create a cross-direction profile without physical sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sampling and physical scraping of the web is used to determine moisture profile, then moisture content can be measured, but the measurement process is time-consuming (taking more than 24 hours) and provides outdated data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scraping and physical sampling system with an optical measurement system. A camera captures images of the web on the Yankee cylinder, and image analysis algorithms automatically determine moisture content and profile without physical contact. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual sampling process while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the web's moisture distribution pattern through camera imaging. Instead of physically removing material samples, the system captures an optical representation of the moisture profile and analyzes it digitally. This copying approach enables rapid, non-destructive measurement that doesn't disrupt production.
2Measurement precision
If manual scraping of samples from the Yankee cylinder is performed, then moisture profile data can be obtained, but the process is unsafe for operators who must approach high-speed, high-temperature machine sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical scraping operation with an automated optical imaging system. The camera and image analysis system perform measurements remotely without requiring operator proximity to the high-speed, high-temperature Yankee cylinder, thereby eliminating safety hazards while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is self-operating and does not require human intervention for sample collection. The camera automatically captures images and the analysis software processes them, making the measurement process independent of operator presence and eliminating exposure to hazardous conditions.
3Measurement precision
If physical samples are scraped from the moving tissue web, then moisture content can be determined, but the uniform structure of the web is broken and production is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the destructive mechanical sampling process with a non-contact optical measurement system. The camera captures images of the web without physical contact, and image analysis determines moisture content. This substitution preserves the web's uniform structure and eliminates production disruptions while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy of the web's moisture distribution without physically removing or damaging any material. By analyzing the visual characteristics in the captured image, the system determines moisture content while leaving the web intact and continuous for uninterrupted production.
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, safe, and non-disruptive monitoring of the web's moisture profile, improving operational efficiency by providing current moisture data and reducing production losses.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor movable in a cross direction of the moving fiber web and configured to determine a measurement result representing the property of the web at a number of cross directional measurement positions
Data Source
AI summary
A traversable measuring device (15) for determining a cross direction profile of a property of a moving lignocellulose-containing fiber web (2). The measuring device has a property measuring sensor (23) for determining a measurement result representing the property of the web at multiple cross directional measurement positions (P1, P2, P3, P4), a position measuring sensor (24) for determining the cross directional measurement position of the property measuring sensor associating to the respective measurement result, and an analysis device (25) for receiving the measurement results and the respective cross directional measurement positions (P1, P2, P3, P4) and for allocating the measurement results with the respective cross directional measurement positions for forming the cross direction profile of the web property (2). The measuring device has a mounting bracket (16) that is detachably fixable with quick clamping for fastening the measuring device at a measurement site in a fiber web machine (1).