Apparatus and process for ultrasonically identifying and coating articles having differing characteristics

• US 4,419,384 A
• Filed: 09/27/1982
• Issued: 12/06/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Kane, John F., Weinhold, Kerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pianalto, Bernard D.
• Application Number:
  US06/423,664
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 427/57, 427/421, 118/323, 118/324, 118/669, 118/697, 118/698
• US Class Current: 427/8
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/08 measured electrically or electronically B07C5/10 takes precedence ; sorting according to electric or electromagnetic properties B07C5/344; measuring size in general using electric or magnetic means G01B7/00; testing coins G07D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 17/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic vibrations

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and process for ultrasonically identifying and coating articles having differing dimensional characteristics wherein, a series of such articles are moved in a random sequence past a predetermined point where the presence of each article is electronically sensed. At least two ultrasonic wave transmitters located at known distances from this point impinge waves on each article when it arrives at said point. One of the wave transmitters is positioned above the article. Waves reflected from the articles are received by ultrasonic receivers and are compared to and matched with similar code-number-identified wave patterns contained in a computer data base to identify each article'"'"'s dimensional characteristics and select a predetermined control sequence program for a means for coating the articles. The matching code-number-identified signal selected from the data base is then transmitted to a pre-programmed coating means which applies a customized coating to the article according to its predetermined dimensional characteristics.

Claims

1. A process utilizing ultrasonic identifying and control means, for coating articles having differing dimensional characteristics comprising:

(a) providing a means for moving a series of said articles past a predetermined point to work station;

(b) detecting the presence of each article when it reaches said predetermined point;

(c) generating ultrasonic waves from at least two transducers and impinging the waves on each article at said predetermined point to obtain reflected wave patterns from each article thereby to identify its dimensional characteristics;

(d) electronically comparing and matching the reflected wave patterns with similar numerically code-identified wave patterns in a data base to select a predetermined control sequence program for operating a numerically controlled pre-programmed means for coating each of said articles in accordance with its dimensional characteristics; and

(e) electronically transmitting the identifying code numbers to the coating means to cause coating to be appropriately applied to each article when it arrives at the work station.

2. An apparatus utilizing ultrasonic identifying and control means, for coating articles having differing dimensional characteristics comprising:

(a) means for moving a series of said articles past a predetermined point;

(b) means for detecting the presence of each article when it reaches said point, and activating a means for identifying the dimensional characteristics of the article;

(c) means operably connected to said detecting means for generating and impinging ultrasonic waves on each article when it is present at said predetermined point, to obtain reflected wave patterns from said article, thereby to identify its dimensional characteristics;

(d) means for identifying each of a series of articles moved past the predetermined point, said means including a data base containing code-number-identified wave patterns corresponding to those produced by said articles;

(e) said means of subparagraph (d) further including means for electronically comparing and matching the reflected wave patterns from each article as it reaches said predetermined point with similar wave patterns in the data base and selecting a predetermined control sequence program for operating a means for coating the articles, said control sequence program selected being identified by a code number;

(f) a numerically controlled, pre-programmed coating means located at said work station and adapted to respond to code numbers electronically transmitted thereto and to apply coating to each article in accordance with its dimensional characteristics; and

(g) means for electronically transmitting the identifying code numbers to the coating means.