Abstract:
This application relates to an apparatus (Fig. 3) and method for providing patterned illumination fields for use within process control and article inspection applications. More specifically, it pertains to the use of patterned illuminators (90, 110) to enable visual surface inspection of polished objects (30)such as ball bearings. The use of patterned illuminators properly disposed in relation to a polished part under inspection allows small surface imperfections such as scratches and pits to become visible against the normal surface background. The use of carefully engineered illuminators facilitates advantageous defect-site scattering from generally dark field sources. The patterned nature of the illuminators defined by this invention allows the complete surface (55) of three-dimensional parts to be effectively highlighted using dark field illumination fields.
Abstract:
A system for direct injection of selected thermal-infrared (IR) wavelength radiation or energy into articles for a wide range of processing purposes is provided. These purposes may include heating, raising or maintaining the temperature of articles, or stimulating a target item in a range of different industrial, medical, consumer, or commercial circumstances. The system is especially applicable to operations that require or benefit from the ability to irradiate at specifically selected wavelengths or to pulse or inject the radiation. The system is particularly advantageous when functioning at higher speeds and in a non-contact environment with the target.
Abstract:
This application relates to an apparatus and method for automated inspection of formed metal containers. More specifically, it pertains to the use of machine vision systems to identify and correlate manufacturing defects occurring in formed food and beverage containers to specific manufacturing paths or sources of origin (e.g., body makers) used in the container forming process. The disclosed invention is enabled by the placement of a machine-readable code on specific portions of the can body during the forming process and the use of illumination exposure techniques.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting multi-layer plastic containers (10). More particularly, the invention relates to such an apparatus and method whereby optical energy absorbing compounds are added to the materials comprising the layer(s) of the container (10) to facilitate inspection thereof. Apparatus comprises a sensor unit (40), an illumination unit (30) for illuminating a portion of electromagnetic spectrum at a near IR wavelength to an inspection zone (20) which is located between the sensor unit (40) and the illumination unit (30). A processing unit (50) which receives an output of the sensor unit (40) and determines the attributes of the multi-layer plastic containers (10).
Abstract:
A laser diode based system for direct injection of selected thermal-infrared (IR) wavelength radiation or energy into articles for a wide range of processing purposes is provided. These purposes may include heating, raising or maintaining the temperature of articles, or stimulating a target item in a wide range of different industrial, medical, consumer, or commercial applications. The system is especially applicable to operations that require or benefit from the ability to irradiate at specifically selected wavelengths or to pulse or inject the radiation. The system is particularly advantageous when functioning at higher speeds and in a non-contact environment with the target.
Abstract:
A stretch blow molding system that condition preforms such that the temperature distribution within the cross-section of each preform is optimized prior to blow molding operations is provided. The system has a temperature measurement and control system capable of directly monitoring both the outside as well as inside surface temperature of preforms at different stages of transport throughout the thermal conditioning section of the system.
Abstract:
Procedimiento para la cocción, calentamiento o procesado de alimentos, comprendiendo el procedimiento: proporcionar, por lo menos, un conjunto compuesto, por lo menos, por un emisor directo de IR de estado sólido, de banda estrecha, de electrón o corriente a fotón (dispositivo de emisión de radiaciones), que funciona para emitir energía radiante, por lo menos, en una banda estrecha de longitud de onda; y controlar, por lo menos, un conjunto de irradiación de banda estrecha para emitir energía radiante, al menos, en una banda estrecha de longitud de onda seleccionada según la curva espectral de absorción específica, al menos, de un artículo alimenticio para producir el efecto de procesamiento deseado, al menos, en un artículo alimenticio.
Abstract:
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WAVELENGTH SPECIFIC THERMAL IRRADIATION AND TREATMENT Abstract There is disclosed herein a system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic target components prior to molding or processing operations comprising: a means operative to locate plastic target components in a manner facilitating the application of radiant heating; and a thermal monitoring and control section into which the plastic components are located for exposure, the thermal monitoring and control section comprising one or more solid state RED based radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band matching a desired absorptive characteristic of the plastic target components via a direct electrical current-to-photon conversion process.
Abstract:
A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WAVELENGTH SPECIFIC THERMAL IRRADIATION AND TREATMENT Abstract 5 There is disclosed herein a system for non-contact thermal treatment of plastic target components prior to molding or processing operations comprising: a means operative to locate plastic target components in a manner facilitating the application of radiant heating; and a thermal monitoring and control section into which the plastic components are located for exposure, the thermal monitoring and control section 10 comprising one or more solid state RED-based radiant heating elements operative to emit radiant energy in a narrow wavelength band matching a desired absorptive characteristic of the plastic target components via a direct electrical current-to-photon conversion process.
Abstract:
A method for cooking, heating, or processing food, the method comprising: providing at least one array comprised of at least one narrowband irradiation device, operative to emit radiant energy in at least one narrow wavelength band matching at least one desired absorptive characteristic of at least one food item; and, controlling the at least one narrowband irradiation array to cause a desired processing effect in the food item.