公开(公告)号：US06225620B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-01

申请号：US09277568

申请日：1999-03-26

Applicant: Duncan B. Campbell ,  James Ewan ,  Cliff J. Leidecker ,  H. Parks Squyres

Inventor： Duncan B. Campbell ,  James Ewan ,  Cliff J. Leidecker ,  H. Parks Squyres

IPC: B07C5342

CPC classification number: B07C5/3422 ,  G01N21/31 ,  G01N21/85 ,  G01N2021/8466

Abstract: A peach sorting system (110) conveys peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance value differences existing between peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Because there is a reversal in the reflectance values between the visible and infrared wavelengths, a data subtraction technique (150) is employed to enhance the detection contrast ratio. The data subtraction technique also cancels “glint” caused by specular reflections of the illumination source off the peaches and into the cameras.

Abstract translation: 桃分选系统（110）将传送带（112）上的桃（114）传送通过照射源（90）照射的检查区（126），所述照明源（90）在光谱的可见光和红外部分上辐射多个发射峰 。 照明源产生来自抛物面反射器（94）并通过“苏打吸管”准直器（100）反射的碘化铟灯（92）的照射以照亮桃子。 检测器系统（118）使用线扫描可见光和红外相机（142,140）来感测存在于桃肉（124）和桃子坑或坑碎片（126）之间的可见光和IR波长反射率值差。 因为可见光和红外波长之间的反射率值有反转，所以采用数据减法技术（150）来提高检测对比度。 数据减法技术还可以消除由于桃子和相机中的照明源的镜面反射引起的“闪烁”。

公开(公告)号：US06410872B1

公开(公告)日：2002-06-25

申请号：US09461079

申请日：1999-12-14

Applicant: Duncan B. Campbell ,  James Ewan ,  Cliff J. Leidecker ,  H. Parks Squyres ,  Hooshmand M. Kalayeh

Inventor： Duncan B. Campbell ,  James Ewan ,  Cliff J. Leidecker ,  H. Parks Squyres ,  Hooshmand M. Kalayeh

IPC: B07C5342

Abstract: A sorting system (110) conveys articles, such as peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a “soda straw” collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance values for the peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Various image processing and analysis methologies, such as subtraction, ratio, logarithmic, regression, combination, angle, distance, and shape may be employed to enhance the image contrast and classify the resulting data for sorting the peaches. Employing subtraction also cancels “glint” caused by specular reflections of the illumination source off the peaches and into the cameras.

公开(公告)号：US6152282A

公开(公告)日：2000-11-28

申请号：US241826

申请日：1999-02-01

Applicant: James Ewan ,  Philip L. Hoffman

Inventor： James Ewan ,  Philip L. Hoffman

IPC: B07C5/36 ,  B65G15/10 ,  B65G21/20 ,  B65G23/44 ,  B65G47/14 ,  B65G47/68 ,  B65G47/24 ,  B07C5/02 ,  B07C5/342

CPC classification number: B07C5/36 ,  B65G15/105 ,  B65G21/2054 ,  B65G23/44 ,  B65G47/1492 ,  B65G47/682 ,  B65G2201/0211

Abstract: A laned conveyor apparatus includes an infeed roller and an outfeed roller rotatably mounted to a frame in spaced apart relation for movably supporting a flexible product-carrying belt that forms a closed loop about the rollers to define a conveying region having a length and a width. A plurality of elastic separating bands are removably positioned around the rollers and the product-carrying belt and spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region to form lanes along the length of the conveying region. The separating bands contact an outer surface of the product-carrying belt to form a frictional interface with the product-carrying belt that causes the separating bands to move in coordination with movement of the product-carrying belt. A guide mechanism mounted to the frame includes multiple guide features spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region for guiding the separating bands so that the lanes are accurately and precisely positioned in relation to the frame. An adjustable tensioning device is provided for tensioning the separating bands across the conveying region to minimize slippage of the separating bands at the frictional interface. An infeed device is positioned to feed multiple streams of articles into the lanes. The frame is suitable for mounting an inspection and sorting system near the outfeed end of the conveyor apparatus for inspection and sorting of the articles as they are projected from the outfeed end of the conveyor apparatus. The rollers define effective pitch diameters of the product-carrying belt and the separating bands. The ratio of the effective pitch diameter of the separating bands to the effective pitch diameter of the product-carrying belt results in movement of the separating bands at a faster linear rate than the product-carrying belt, thereby causing an article that is inadvertently placed partly upon one of the separating bands and partly contacting the product-carrying belt to be urged or turned onto the product-carrying belt as the article is carried along the conveying region. Methods of segregating streams of articles are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US5893451A

公开(公告)日：1999-04-13

申请号：US802247

申请日：1997-02-19

Applicant: James Ewan

Inventor： James Ewan

IPC: B65G31/02 ,  B65G31/00

CPC classification number: B65G31/02 ,  B65G2201/0211 ,  Y10S209/939

Abstract: A catenary conveyor belt support is provided in a conveyor system for automated bulk processing equipment. The conveyor belt launches bulk articles along a trajectory from one end to a processing station. The upper surface of the conveyor belt at one end thereof is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and determines the launch angle of the trajectory along which the articles travel. The support holds constant the catenary shape of the belt and, thus, the launch angle of the trajectory regardless of the load thereon.

Abstract translation: 在用于自动批量处理设备的输送机系统中设置了一个悬链线传送带支架。 输送带沿着从一端到加工站的轨迹发射散装物品。 输送带的一端的上表面相对于水平面倾斜，并确定物品行进的轨迹的发射角度。 该支撑件保持皮带的悬链线形状，并且因此保持轨迹的发射角，而与其上的载荷无关。