Stock preparation monitoring system and method of same

• US 7,013,287 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
• Inventors: Matz, Robert J., Doelle, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US09/510,651
• Time in Patent Office: 2,212 Days
• Field of Search: 162/261, 162/52, 162/246, 162/263, 162/272, 162/273, 162/274, 162/381, 162/199, 702 33- 35, 702/188, 705 26- 27, 700/175, 700/177
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: D21B 1/00 Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment pretreatment of the finely-divided materials before digesting D21C1/00; methods of beating or refining pulp D21D1/00; purification of the pulp suspension by mechanical means D21D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: D21D 1/00 Methods of beating or refining; Beaters of the Hollander type knotter screens D21F
• CPC Class Codes: D21D 5/00 Purification of the pulp suspension by mechanical means; Apparatus therefor centrifuges, cyclones B04
• CPC Class Codes: D21G 9/0009 Paper-making control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A stock preparation system includes a stock preparation apparatus and a sensor coupled with the stock preparation apparatus. The sensor is configured for sensing a physical parameter associated with the stock preparation apparatus, and includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting an air-borne wireless output signal corresponding to the sensed physical parameter. A remote unit includes a receiver for receiving the wireless output signal and a first data link for transmitting a remote output signal corresponding to the wireless output signal. A base unit includes a second data link at least intermittently coupled with the first data link for receiving the remote output signal. The base unit is configured for at least one of: analyzing the remote output signal; transmitting a state notification to the remote unit via the second data link and the first data link corresponding to a state of the sensed physical parameter; transmitting a price quote to the remote unit via the second data link and the first data link; and transmitting a shipment notification to the remote unit via the second data link and the first data link indicating a part has been shipped.

Claims

1. A stock preparation monitoring system, comprising:

a stock preparation apparatus;

a sensor coupled with said stock preparation apparatus and configured for sensing a physical parameter associated with said stock preparation apparatus, said sensor including a wireless transmitter for transmitting an air-borne wireless output signal corresponding to said sensed physical parameter;

a remote unit including a receiver for receiving said wireless output signal, said receiver including a first data link for transmitting a remote output signal corresponding to said wireless output signal; and

a base unit including a second data link at least intermittently coupled with said first data link for receiving said remote output signal, said base unit including means for at least one of;

transmitting a price quote to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link; and

transmitting a shipment notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link indicating a part has been shipped.

2. The stock preparation system of claim 1, wherein said stock preparation apparatus includes a wear part, and wherein said wireless output signal corresponds to a wear state of said wear part.

3. The stock preparation system of claim 1, said remote unit including means for at least one of:

analyzing said wireless output signal; and

transmitting a state notification to said base unit via said first data link and said second data link corresponding to a state of said sensed physical parameter.

4. The stock preparation system of claim 1, wherein said first data link and said second data link each comprise a modem.

5. A stock preparation monitoring system, comprising:

a stock preparation apparatus;

a sensor coupled with said stock preparation apparatus and configured for sensing a physical parameter associated with said stock preparation apparatus, said sensor including a wireless transmitter for transmitting an air-borne wireless output signal corresponding to said sensed physical parameter;

a remote unit including a receiver for receiving said wireless output signal, said receiver including a first data link for transmitting a remote output signal corresponding to said wireless output signal; and

a base unit including a second data link at least intermittently coupled with said first data link for receiving said remote output signal, said base unit including means for at least one of;

analyzing said remote output signal;

transmitting a state notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link corresponding to a state of said sensed physical parameter;

transmitting a price quote to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link; and

transmitting a shipment notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link indicating a part has been shipped;

wherein said stock preparation apparatus includes a wear part and said wireless output signal corresponds to a wear state of said wear part; and

wherein said stock preparation apparatus comprises a screen basket and said wear part comprises a screen within said screen basket.

6. The stock preparation system of claim 5, wherein said screen includes a plurality of holes and said wireless output signal generally corresponds to a profile of said holes.

7. The stock preparation system of claim 6, wherein said sensor comprises an ultrasound transceiver.

8. The stock preparation system of claim 7, wherein said wireless output signal generally corresponds to a size of said holes.

9. A stock preparation monitoring system, comprising:

a stock preparation apparatus;

a sensor coupled with said stock preparation apparatus and configured for sensing a physical parameter associated with said stock preparation apparatus, said sensor including a wireless transmitter for transmitting an air-borne wireless output signal corresponding to said sensed physical parameter;

a remote unit including a receiver for receiving said wireless output signal, said receiver including a first data link for transmitting a remote output signal corresponding to said wireless output signal; and

a base unit including a second data link at least intermittently coupled with said first data link for receiving said remote output signal, said base unit including means for at least one of;

analyzing said remote output signal;

transmitting a state notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link corresponding to a state of said sensed physical parameter;

transmitting a price quote to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link; and

transmitting a shipment notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link indicating a part has been shipped;

wherein said base unit includes means for each of said analyzing step and said transmitting steps.

10. A method of monitoring a stock preparation system, comprising the steps of:

providing a stock preparation apparatus;

coupling a sensor with said stock preparation apparatus;

sensing a physical parameter associated with said stock preparation apparatus;

transmitting an air-borne wireless output signal using a wireless transmitter, said wireless output signal corresponding to said sensed physical parameter;

receiving said wireless output signal at a receiver of a remote unit;

transmitting a remote output signal from a first data link of said remote unit to a second data link of a base unit; and

at least one of;

transmitting a price quote to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link; and

transmitting a shipment notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link indicating a part has been shipped.

11. The method of claim 10, including analyzing said remote output signal in said base unit.

12. The method of claim 10, including analyzing said remote output signal in said remote unit.

13. The method of claim 10, including analyzing said remote output signal and transmitting a state notification to said remote unit from said base unit.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said steps of transmitting said price quote and transmitting said shipment notification are each carried out in said base unit.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said first data link and said second data link each comprise a modem and said step of transmitting said remote output signal is carried out intermittently.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said analyzing step is carried out after said step of transmitting said remote output signal.

17. A stock preparation monitoring system, comprising:

a stock preparation apparatus;

a sensor coupled with said stock preparation apparatus and configured for sensing a physical parameter associated with said stock preparation apparatus, said sensor including a transmitter for transmitting an output signal corresponding to said sensed physical parameter;

a remote unit including a receiver for receiving said output signal, said receiver including a first data link for transmitting a remote output signal corresponding to said output signal; and

a base unit including a second data link at least intermittently coupled with said first data link for receiving said remote output signal, said base unit including means for at least one of;

transmitting a price quote to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link; and

transmitting a shipment notification to said remote unit via said second data link and said first data link indicating a part has been shipped.