Patent ID: 6092418
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting splits in wooden members comprising:at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers positioned to contact the wooden members on opposed points along an axis in a planar cross-section across a grain of the wooden member;driving circuitry for driving one of the ultrasonic transducers so as to produce an ultrasonic wave of known characteristics;detection circuitry connected to an other of the ultrasonic transducers receiving the ultrasonic wave after passage through the wooden member to provide a measurement; andan electronic computer communicating with the driving circuitry and detection circuitry and executing a stored program to compare wooden member measurements taken through the wooden member across the grain of the wooden member at a plurality of angles about the perimeter of the planar cross-section of the wooden member to detect a location of a split in the wooden member indicated by variation in the measurements.