Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/115,771, filed Nov. 18, 2008. This application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to methods and apparatus for sorting heterogeneous material, and more particularly, to an automatic sorting systems for the identification and separation of such material. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Recycling of post consumer and industrial material requires that composite materials be sorted and separated according to color, composition, shape, size, or any of several criteria. Such sorting has traditionally been done manually, wherein sorters visually identify objects to be sorted, and transfer them from one conveyer belt to another running parallel to the first. This is labor intensive and expensive. Automated systems have been developed to replace this traditional hand sorting. In such systems, materials are identified by conventional optical scanner and are transferred from a first conveyer by means of a mechanical or pneumatic force to a second conveyer. Such systems typically are imprecise in their sorting, allowing materials to be mixed, which must then be resorted before pelletization. This lack of precision is due both to the optical scanning mechanism, and the imprecise mechanical and pneumatic sorting mechanism. 
         [0004]    Known optical sorting techniques carry materials on a conveyor or vibratory deck and then rely on air jet propulsion methods and or finger push methods that lift or push desired picked materials past an outboard barrier. Unselected items typically fall off the end of the optics conveyor or shaker deck and often dropped on a conveyor below that would transport that material to another optical system where the process occurs again. The selected ejected items that have been propelled either land on another belt or vibratory conveyor and deposited in a holding bunker often with some type of post sorting to qualify the material is correctly identified. Such a system requires extensive room, both horizontally and vertically to allow for conveyers and dropping of the materials. 
         [0005]    What is needed therefore is a means for automated sorting heterogeneous material with high degrees of precision. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for the identification and sorting of heterogeneous material, the system comprising: a hyperspectral identification system for capturing spectra of material; a computer receiving and analyzing data from the hyperspectral identification system and selecting materials of a first user defined category from the materials; and an ejection system, whereby the desired materials are ejected from the system. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the hyperspectral identification system comprises at least one hyperspectral camera disposed proximate to a material intake port. 
         [0008]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a conveyer to deliver the heterogeneous material to the system. 
         [0009]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a receiving system, whereby the materials of a first user defined category are segregated and collected. 
         [0010]    A yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising an array of lights disposed proximate to the hyperspectral identification system. 
         [0011]    Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the lights have a wavelength suitable for hyperspectral imaging. 
         [0012]    An even further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the hyperspectral identification system is configured to collect spectral and spatial information from heterogeneous material entering the system, store the spectral and spatial information as images. 
         [0013]    Still another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the computer comprises software configured to compare the images to images stored in a library of images. 
         [0014]    A still further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the ejection system comprises a plurality of independently controlled air nozzles disposed beneath the material, and a blower hood disposed above the material, the blower hood providing a air current whereby the selected material is blown out of a discharge port. 
         [0015]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the heterogeneous materials comprise waste and recyclable materials. 
         [0016]    A yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the computer can select a plurality of user defined materials. 
         [0017]    Still yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the ejection system comprises a mechanical ejector. 
         [0018]    A still yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the ejection system comprises a fluid jet. 
         [0019]    Still even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the fluid jet is a water jet. 
         [0020]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for sorting heterogeneous material, the method comprising: generating hyperspectral images of the heterogeneous material; comparing the hyperspectral images of the heterogeneous material to hyperspectral images of known materials; physically isolating selected material from the heterogeneous material. 
         [0021]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a method further comprising illuminating the heterogeneous material to optimize the hyperspectral images. 
         [0022]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a method wherein the hyperspectral images comprise spectral and spatial data for articles within the heterogeneous material. 
         [0023]    Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a method wherein the heterogeneous material comprises waste material and recyclable material in combination. 
         [0024]    The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective drawing illustrating a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective drawing illustrating a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective drawing illustrating an optical scanner of a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective drawing illustrating a blower hood configured for use in a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective drawing illustrating a conveyer, air knife and ejector configured for use in a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a bottom, exploded perspective drawing illustrating an air knife and ejector configured for use in a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a top, exploded perspective drawing illustrating an air knife and ejector configured for use in a system for the separation of heterogeneous material configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided having a hyperspectral identification system and a positively sorted air ejector. 
         [0033]    In one such embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conveyer  1  carries material to a identification camera enclosure  4 . The identification camera enclosure  4  encloses a camera  6  disposed proximately to an array of lights  5 , highlighting the target area for the camera  6 . In such a system, the camera  6  is a hyperspectral camera. Hyperspectral cameras and sensors such as those employed in the one embodiment of the present invention collect and then combine spatial and spectral information as a set of ‘images’. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the camera  6  may be mounted on camera mounting brackets  10 . 
         [0034]    Each image, thus generated, represents a range of the electromagnetic spectrum and is also known as a spectral band. These ‘images’ are then combined and form a three dimensional hyperspectral cube for processing and analysis. 
         [0035]    Hyperspectral sensors also referred to as “imaging spectroscopy” look at objects using a vast portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Certain objects leave unique ‘fingerprints’ across the electromagnetic spectrum. These ‘fingerprints’ are known as spectral signatures and enable identification of the materials that make up a scanned object. Identification systems, can compare the spectral “fingerprint” of a sample with an unknown composition to a known spectra from a library of known exemplars. 
         [0036]    Hyperspectral cameras of one embodiment of the present invention, utilize visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared spectral imaging that utilizes spatial information provided by the hyperspectral image. Infrared is, in such an embodiment, the primary band utilized in identifying individual recyclable commodities encompassing sometimes a variety of spectral signatures including color for sorting and commodity segregation purposes. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be used in sorting heterogeneous materials in other fields including but not limited to agriculture, medicine, and industrial applications. 
         [0037]    Hyperspectral data, collected by the camera  6 , comprises a set of contiguous bands. In one embodiment of the present invention, this is collected by a single sensor, interfaced with an ejection method that resides within its field of vision and then used to select the desired item. This is in contrast to conventional multispectral techniques, where a set of optimally chosen spectral bands that are typically not contiguous and need to be collected from multiple sensors. This collection of spectral data is valuable in improving the accuracy of the identification, and is employed in various embodiments of the present invention. A single sensor, in one embodiment of the present invention, performs all the following tasks: Identify items searched for in a large area; searching for multiple items at the same time; identifying items by composition and color all with a higher degree of positive identification. Thus a single system may be programmed to sort all commodities required by a user. 
         [0038]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a system equipped with Wedge Jet style high flow ejection air nozzles  17  and high speed real time computer interfaces thus providing an ejection method capable of propelling desired items into an elevated air conveyance system enabling multiple units to be orientated on a straight line. 
         [0039]    A straight line orientation enables optical sorting systems to be installed in a smaller area with no vertical grade differential, thus enabling the simple retrofit of existing manual sorting lines with optical automatic sorters with minimal site work. Such an embodiment also enables new systems to be engineered into a much smaller footprint than existing traditional saw tooth designs which require elevation consideration. A system design configured according to one embodiment of the present invention and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  provides an accelerator rubber belt feed conveyor  1  of varying widths traveling at a rate of between 200 to 600 feet per minute. A light bar system  5  shines a high intensity light down on the belt where the hyperspectral imaging camera  6  collects its data. The camera  6  collects that data and feeds a high speed Lenox computer system or other suitable computer system  3  that has been programmed to receive this data and then provide output signals timed with the ejector nozzles  17  to eject desired product. Immediately after the discharge of the accelerator conveyor  1  is disposed an air knife  2  that helps to levitate materials and decreases the likelihood of material lodging between the accelerator belt  1  and manifold ejector plate  14 . The manifold ejection plate  12  houses the wedge jets  17  and enables those jets  17  to be directed to optimal lift. The wedge jets  17  also referred to as vortex, Typhoon, Hurricane or Fixed Flow Air Nozzles are fast acting, resistant to plugging and deliver a high velocity directed air flow that then expands to an 8″ diameter air flow. A venturie effect delivered by this style ejection jet positively holds the ejected item within its air flow decreasing the likelihood of the item colliding with competitive items in the air and discouraging turbulence. The additional force generated by these jets  17  propels the picked items into a receiving hood  7  area located above the accelerator belt  1 . This receiving hood system  7  is fitted with a high velocity fan type blower  8  that then pushes the selected items toward the collection point  9  at a 90 degree angle. In an alternative embodiment, the ejection system can be configured with at least one flipping lever or other mechanical device whereby desired material is pushed or otherwise segregated. Negative materials not selected continue down the ejector plate  12  and are deposited on another accelerator conveyor (not shown) upon which non-selected materials move in series to additional optical system where another desired item can be sorted and removed from the waste stream. In such an embodiment, each optical sorter may be deployed in line with the previous sorter in a very tight configuration with no change in elevation. The evacuation fan within the collection hood also develops a venture effect that helps to draw light fractional items into its air stream enhancing the collection rate of ejected selected items. An evacuation conveyor could also be positioned in this location and would deliver similar results. 
         [0040]    A further embodiment provides an accelerator conveyor enabling the spreading out of materials, a hyperspectral imaging camera designed to positively identify about approximately 100% of the desired item (for example, a recyclable material or other component of a heterogeneous material), items, air nozzle cannons with fast acting solenoid air valves which react to information provided by imaging camera designed to lift desired fractional recyclable material. 
         [0041]    Yet another embodiment provides an air conveyance system which develops a Venturi effect drawing in the previously lifted desired items and evacuating those items to a holding bin. 
         [0042]    The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

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