Patent ID: 6577143
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining a drying time of a piece of wood, comprising:a conveyor adapted to transport the piece of wood along a travelling path; a probe mounted aside the travelling path, the probe having first and second electrodes extending next to one another and having spiked ends directed toward the travelling path for insertion into the piece of wood when the piece of wood transported by the conveyor passes by the probe, the second electrode having an input for receiving electric power, the first electrode having an output for transmission of a current signal having passed through the piece of wood from the second electrode to the first electrode; driving means for selectively driving the probe toward and away from the piece of wood between a measuring position where the spiked ends of the electrodes are stuck in the piece of wood and a retracted position where the spiked ends of the electrodes are withdrawn from the piece of wood; a control means connected to the driving means, for controlling operation thereof; and a measuring means coupled to the outputs of the electrodes, for measuring the current signal, and determining the drying time of the piece of wood based on the current signal.