Patent ID: 6816794
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G01N,G01V

Abstract:
Apparatus for detecting contamination of an object by a metal or other electrolyte, which apparatus comprises a metal detector associated with a computer programmed to present a signal from the metal detector upon a visual display unit and to accept input from a keyboard or other data input device so as to modify the form of the signal displayed on the visual display unit, characterized in that it comprises:a mechanism for transporting the object relative to a scanning station at which the object is to be scanned; a metal detector located at the scanning station and adapted to scan the object and to generate an observed signal corresponding to the effect of the contamination present in the object on the signal generated from the metal detector; computer means for comparing the observed signal from the metal detector with a calibration signal corresponding to an object having an acceptable level of contamination, and for identifying when an observed signal received from the metal detector deviates by an unacceptable amount from that calibration signal; display means for displaying in visual graphical form the observed signal from the metal detector and the calibration signal; and means for use by an operator for varying the calibration signal displayed on the display means.