Timber Kiln Moisture Measurement With Resilient Contacts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timber drying kiln moisture measurement systems require manual insertion of metal plates into the timber stack, posing health and safety risks, and are difficult to use due to inconsistent stack shapes and environmental conditions, leading to unreliable moisture content readings.

Innovation Solution

A timber drying kiln electrical contact system using resiliently movable electrically conductive elements that deform to conform to the shape of the timber stack, allowing for contactless measurement of dielectric properties to determine moisture content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual metal plates are inserted into the timber stack for moisture measurement, then moisture content can be measured, but health and safety risks arise and the system becomes difficult to use due to inconsistent stack shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content measurementVSAvoidmanual plate insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually inserting metal plates with an electromagnetic field-based measurement system. Conductive elements are positioned within the kiln chamber that generate electromagnetic fields to measure moisture content without requiring physical contact with the timber stack, thereby eliminating manual insertion operations and associated safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces conductive elements as intermediaries between the measurement system and the timber stack. These elements are positioned within the kiln chamber and interact with the timber through electromagnetic fields, serving as a mediator that enables measurement without direct manual handling of the timber stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If metal plates are manually inserted into the timber stack, then moisture measurement is possible, but the measurements become unreliable due to inconsistent stack shapes and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content measurementVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs conductive elements that are movable along guides within the kiln chamber. These elements can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate varying timber stack shapes and sizes, maintaining consistent measurement conditions despite environmental variations and inconsistent stack geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures changes in electrical parameters (such as capacitance or conductivity) of the conductive elements when exposed to electromagnetic fields in the presence of timber. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system reliably determines moisture content without being affected by physical inconsistencies in the timber stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the kiln door is opened to check timber moisture content, then measurement can be performed, but thermal energy is lost and additional energy is required to restore drying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendpoint moisture measurementVSAvoidthermal energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of opening the kiln door for manual measurement with a non-contact electromagnetic measurement system. Conductive elements positioned within the closed kiln chamber can measure moisture content through electromagnetic fields without requiring door opening, thereby preventing thermal energy loss and maintaining stable drying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 safe, efficient, and reliable moisture content measurement without manual plate insertion, accommodating stack inconsistencies and environmental challenges, improving operational safety and reducing energy loss.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the moisture content of the timber using electromagnetic measurement, and more specifically using the dielectric properties of the timber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric properties: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS12449197B1Timber drying kiln electrical contact system, a timber drying kiln moisture measurement system and a timber drying kiln moisture measurement method

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 KDS WINDSOR

AI summary

A kiln moisture measurement system is provided for measuring the moisture content of a charge of timber in a timber drying kiln, and comprises first and second electrically conductive elements spaced apart in the kiln on respective mounts, with the charge of timber between the electrically conductive elements. The first and second electrically conductive elements are connected to an electronic controller such that electric charge can be transmitted between the first and/or second electrically conductive element and the electronic controller. The electrically conductive elements are each resiliently movable against respective contact portions of the charge of timber when the charge of timber is adjacent the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element. The electronic controller is subsequently configured to measure one or more dielectric properties of a portion of the timber between the electrically conductive elements to determine a moisture level of the charge of timber.