Abstract:
A sensor (12) system and method for determining the various Z-directional properties of a sheet (14) by measuring the caliper of a moving sheet (14) of material at a plurality of pressures. The invention employs a caliper gauge (10) and a set of pressure transducers (not shown) that can measure and send signals indicative of the caliper as well as pressures exerted on the sheet (14). The signals are then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (not shown) and sent to a computer (30). The computer (30) uses the compressibility data to construct a compression stress-strain diagram where the slope of the curve in the linear region of the region of the curve is defined as the compression modulus of elasticity which can be empirically correlated to the tensile modulus of elasticity for various grades of paper. The tensile modulus of elasticity can then be used in various formulas to determine other Z-directional physical properties of the sheet (14) such as tensile strength, extensional stiffness and Scott bonding.
Abstract:
A sensor (10) for detecting directional variations in a physical characteristic, fiber orientation angle and the degree of anisotropism of a moving sheet of material is disclosed. The sensor (10) has a support (12) for supporting the moving sheet (14). The support (12) defines an open region into which the moving sheet (14) is deflected by a deflector (16). Detectors (20) coupled to the support (12) detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support (12) by the deflected sheet in at least three different directions. Alternatively, the support (112) may be rotatable to allow detectors (120) coupled to the support (112) to detect and produce signals indicative of the force exerted on the support (112) by the deflected sheet (114) in a number of different directions. Each signal is processed to determine a physical characteristic, such as extensional stiffness, of the sheet of material in each of the at least three directions.