CA2443789A1 - System and method of forming a oriented composite wood element mat - Google Patents
System and method of forming a oriented composite wood element mat Download PDFInfo
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- CA2443789A1 CA2443789A1 CA 2443789 CA2443789A CA2443789A1 CA 2443789 A1 CA2443789 A1 CA 2443789A1 CA 2443789 CA2443789 CA 2443789 CA 2443789 A CA2443789 A CA 2443789A CA 2443789 A1 CA2443789 A1 CA 2443789A1
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Abstract
The present invention is a system and method for improving the ability to control the orientation of wood elements in a composite wood element mat for subsequent formation into an oriented composite wood element product. The system includes a frame that has plurality of sections attached thereto. An orienting section is configured to orient the wood element at a predetermined orientation producing the wood element product. A distribution section is configured to distribute the wood elements at a predetermined wood element density over substantially the entire length of the orientor deck. The distribution section is controlled to produce a pattern, or wood element density, over the orientation section.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORMING A ORIENTED COMPOSITE WOOD
ELEMENT MAT
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to manufacturing equipment and its use and, more specifically to manufacturing equipment used to create oriented composite wood element mats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many processes are known in the art for forming an oriented composite wood element mat that is to be formed into an oriented composite wood element product.
However, the design limitations of current orientor machines adversely affect manufacturing efficiency and the ability to accurately control wood element orientation when forming an oriented composite wood element mat.
FIGURE 1 illustrates a few of the problems with current orienting machines.
Typically, the feed source 30 deposits the wood elements at a single location only at a 1 S forward region of the orientor. Consequently, a build-up of wood element typically occurs in the forward region of the orientor 20a, while little if any wood elements are deposited over the remaining regions of the orientor 20a. This build-up 70 and unequal distribution adversely affects the rate at which an oriented wood element mat 36 may be formed and also the orientor's ability to control orientation of the wood elements which ultimately adversely affects the quality of the oriented composite wood product. Examples of common orienting devices are US 1,104,993 issued July 28, 1914, US 5,487,460 issued January 30, 1996, US 5,676,236 issued October 14, 1997, US 3,896,536 issued July 29, 1975, US 3,721,329 issued March 20, 1973, US 5,404,990 issued April 11, 1995 and US
4,454,940 issued June 19, 1984, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
When build-up occurs, an insufficient amount of wood elements pass through the orientor 20a to produce a suitable wood element mat 36. Consequently, the production rate must be slowed in order to allow the orientor 20a time to clear the build-up 70. This slows production and thereby adversely affects a mill's ability to produce to its capacity.
Additionally, the unsteady flow of wood elements through the orientor 20a creates fluctuations in the amount of wood elements 32 within a given area of the oriented wood element mat 36. These fluctuations also adversely affect a mill's ability to produce a consistent composite wood element product.
The single feed point of current wood element orienters also affects the orientation quality of the wood elements in the oriented composite wood element mat. The build-up 3~ 70 and non-equal distribution of the wood element over the orientor 20a generally results in the majority of the oriented composite wood element mat being formed in the forward region of the orientor 20a. Consequently, as depicted in FIGURE l, an unacceptable orienting gap 68a often occurs between the orienting section and oriented wood element mat 36. When the orienting gap 68a meets or exceeds the length of the wood element, the orientor 20a loses its ability to control wood element orientation, which further adversely affects final product quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wood element orienting device that allows for increased production rates and increased control over wood element orientation.
The present invention is a wood element orienting device. The wood element orienting device includes a frame that has a plurality of decks attached thereto. An orienter deck is configured to orient the wood element at a predetermined orientation producing the wood element product. A distribution deck is configured to distribute the wood elements in a pattern over substantially the entire length of the orienter deck.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of improving the efficiency of an orientor. Introducing a plurality of wood elements into an orientor. The distribution of the wood element is then controlled to achieve a pattern over an orienting section of the orientor. The height of the orienting section is then controlled such that the amount of orienting gap is minimized.
The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
FIGURE 1 is a side view of the prior art;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a wood element orienting device according to the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a side view of the wood element orienting device of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is another side view of the wood element orienting device of FIGURE
2 illustrating additional features of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the distribution deck;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a distributor according to the present invention; and, FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the distributor.
_3_ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for forming oriented composite wood element mats that are to be formed into an oriented wood element product. By way of overview and with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an orienter 20b including a frame 22 supporting an orienting section 23 and a distributing section 25. The distributing section 25 is disposed above the orienting section 23 and is configured to broadcast the wood elements 32 in an unoriented pattern 33 over the orientating section 23. The orienting section 23 then orients the wood elements into an oriented wood element mat 36. The oriented wood element mat 36 then moves along a platform 34 in a direction 60 to be formed into any variety of oriented wood element products (not shown). Specific details of the orienter 20b are described with more particularity below.
The present invention is directed toward producing oriented composite wood element mats 36, which are subsequently formed into oriented wood element products (not shown) such as beams and dimensional lumber. However, the present invention is also capable of being used in the production of oriented composite wood element mats 36 for other oriented composite wood element products, such as, without limitation, panels (not shown).
The nature of the wood elements 32 may be any known wood element type, as the present invention may be used with any type of wood element 32. For example, the wood element 32 may be in the form of flakes, chips, strips, strands or any other commonly known wood element forms.
It will be appreciated that orienting wood elements 32 to form an oriented composite wood element mat 36 for later production into an oriented composite wood element product (not shown) is known in the art. There are several known methods of controlling the wood element orientation in the manufacture of oriented composite wood element mats 36. For example, without limitation, discs, vanes and other wood element guides are commonly used. The form of the orienting structure is not intended to limit the scope of this application, as the present invention is usable with any known orienting structure. As depicted in the FIGURES, the orienting section 23 includes an initial orientor 26, such as orienting vanes, and a primary orientor 28, such as at least one row of orientor disks 38 or similar orienting devices. The orienting section 23, although depicted in the FIGURES as being a combination of discs and vanes, may include any of the commonly known orienting structures or combinations thereof.
FIGURES 2-4 illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of the orienter 20. As discussed above, the orientor 20b includes a frame 22 supporting an orienting section 23 and a distributing section 25. The distributing section 25 is disposed over the orienting section 23 and is configured to receive the wood elements 32 from a feed source 30, such as a hopper or conveyer terminus. The distributing section 25 is configured to receive the wood elements 32 either directly from the feed source 30 or via a curved chute 80, and broadcast the wood elements 32 over the orienting section 23 in a pattern 33.
The pattern 33 is preferably chosen to minimize build-up in the orienting section 23.
Additionally, the pattern 33 helps to minimize the orientor gap 68 across the entire orientor section 23 and to control the amount or rate of wood elements 32 falling on any given region of the orienting section 23. 1n this manner, production and orientation control is optimized.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the distribution section 25 includes a distribution deck 24 having at least one distributor 42 movably attached thereto. As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the distribution section 25 includes a plurality of distributors 42 movably attached to the distribution section 25. The number, size, shape and location of the distributors 42 is dependent upon a variety of factors. For example, the overall size of the orientor 20, feed rate of the wood elements 32 from the feed source 30, and other factors such as the nature of the orienting section 23. Consequently, the number and location of distributors 42 are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
In size, the orientor 20b may have a length in excess of 60 feet and a width in excess of 10 feet. It will be appreciated that, if the orientor 20b is forming a beam or other relatively narrower width wood element composite product, a smaller orientor geometry may be used. Conversely, if the orientor 20b is forming a panel, such as oriented strand board, a relatively larger geometry may be required. The present invention may be used in either case, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the size of orientor 20b. Likewise, the present invention may be used for both continuous and batch composite wood element forming processes.
FIGURES 5 and 6 depict various aspects of the distributing section 25 and distributors 42. In particular, these FIGURES illustrate a presently preferred structure for positioning of the distributors 42 on the distribution deck 24. Located on the distribution deck is a rail 52 that is configured to mate with a brace 50 attached to the distributor 42.
The brace 50 includes a locking screw or pin (not shown) that allows the brace, and thus the distributor 42, to slide and be locked at any position along the rail 52.
The brace 50 is also configured to allow for the easy removal or addition of distributors 42 as desired for any given application. It will be appreciated that any other method of attaching the distributors 42 to the distribution deck 24 is also within the scope of this invention.
Preferably, each distributor 42 is independently driven and controlled by a drive element 44. In the presently preferred embodiment the drive element 44 is an electric motor. .A suitable example of a drive element 44 is an electric motor model GPP7451, manufactured by Baldor. This model comes with a'/a horsepower rating and a DCPN gear motor operating at about 250 RPMs. However, other suitable drive elements 44 are considered within the scope of this invention, such as, without limitation, pneumatic and hydraulic motors. Additionally, it will be appreciated that all of the distributors 42, or specific groups of distributors 42, may be controlled from a single drive element 44. For example, a chain or belt drive, driven by a single power unit (not shown) may control the rotation of each distributor 42 or group of distributors 42. These same drive elements 44 may also be used to drive, or otherwise control the discs of the orienting section.
Referring to FIGURE 4, a control unit 82 is configured to control of the drive element 44 such that the pattern 33 is attained. Control of the drive element 44 is suitably performed in a number of acceptable manners. For example, in one embodiment, drive unit control is performed by a processor or microprocessor (not shown) arranged to control drive element operation. Any processor known in the art is acceptable, without limitation, a Pentium°-series processor available from Intel Corporation or the like.
Alternately, control of the drive element 44 is performed by an electronic computer chip or is performed manually.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the distributors 42 are all configured to rotate in the same direction. However, a distribution deck 24 having distributors 42 with different rotation directions is within the scope of this invention. For example, several distributors 42 may be rotating in a clockwise direction while one or several other distributors 42 may be simultaneously rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. The rate and rotation direction of the distributors may be varied to achieve the desired pattern 33.
FIGURE 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of distributor 42b. The distributor 42b includes a plurality of radial elements 46b extending from the distributor 42b. The radial elements 46b are configured to engage the wood elements 32 and broadcast the wood elements 32 in the direction of distributor rotation.
As depicted in FIGURES 2-5, the radial elements 46 are preferably arranged in a separated bar type arrangement. However, FIGURES 5-7 depict alternative radial element 46 configurations. In FIGURE 6, the distributor 42b uses a solid bar radial element 46b. FIGURE 7 shows an alternative arrangement for the radial elements 46c.
More specifically, the radial elements 46c make-up substantially the entire distributor 42c. Consequently, the nature of the radial elements 46, their relative spacing, and form are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As such, any pattern, style arrangement or configuration of radial elements 46 is considered within the scope of this invention.
As depicted in the FIGURES 2-5, the distributing deck 24 is rigidly fixed to the frame 22 with flanges 62. It will be appreciated that flange 62 may be replaced with a movable connector (not illustrated) wherein the distributor deck 24 may be movable along frame 22. In this manner, the distribution deck 24 may be moved relative to orienting section 23 to help achieve the pattern 33.
In operation, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the distributors 42 are controlled to achieve an unoriented, pattern 33 of v~ood elements over the orienting section 23. The distributor rotation rate and direction of distributor rotation are some of the variables that may be manipulated to achieve the pattern 33. For example, the rotation rates of the distributors 42 may be varied from one distributor 42 to the next.
Likewise, the rotation direction of each distributor 42 may be varied as needed to achieve the desired pattern 33. For example, the distributors 42 located at the trailing edge of the orientor 20b may rotate in a direction opposite of the other distributors, and perhaps at a slower rate, in order to prevent the building up of material at a trailing edge of the orientor 20b.
The spacing between the distributors 42 is another variable that may be manipulated to achieve the pattern 33. The distance between the distributors 42 may be increased to allow more wood elements 32 to pass through a specific region.
Conversely, the distance between the distributors may be reduced to limit the amount of wood elements 32 passing through a specific region of the distribution deck 24. By way of illustrative example, FIGURE 3 depicts the distributor spacing 72a as being substantially consistent along the length of the distribution deck 24. Conversely, FIGURE 4 depicts increasing distributor spacing 72b between the distributors 42 across the distribution deck 24. More specifically, the distributors 42 further from the feed source 30 are spaced farther apart from one another than the distributors 42 closer to the feed source 30. Any distributor spacing 72a,b is considered within the scope of this invention.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the pattern 33 is a pattern having a substantially even wood element density over the entire orienting section 23.
However, any other pattern is considered within the scope of this invention. For example, the distributors 42 may be controlled and spaced such that the pattern 33 grows more or less dense the further down the orientor 20b. Consequently, a pattern 33 of any type is considered to be within the scope of this invention.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of he invention is not limited by the _7_ disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
ELEMENT MAT
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to manufacturing equipment and its use and, more specifically to manufacturing equipment used to create oriented composite wood element mats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many processes are known in the art for forming an oriented composite wood element mat that is to be formed into an oriented composite wood element product.
However, the design limitations of current orientor machines adversely affect manufacturing efficiency and the ability to accurately control wood element orientation when forming an oriented composite wood element mat.
FIGURE 1 illustrates a few of the problems with current orienting machines.
Typically, the feed source 30 deposits the wood elements at a single location only at a 1 S forward region of the orientor. Consequently, a build-up of wood element typically occurs in the forward region of the orientor 20a, while little if any wood elements are deposited over the remaining regions of the orientor 20a. This build-up 70 and unequal distribution adversely affects the rate at which an oriented wood element mat 36 may be formed and also the orientor's ability to control orientation of the wood elements which ultimately adversely affects the quality of the oriented composite wood product. Examples of common orienting devices are US 1,104,993 issued July 28, 1914, US 5,487,460 issued January 30, 1996, US 5,676,236 issued October 14, 1997, US 3,896,536 issued July 29, 1975, US 3,721,329 issued March 20, 1973, US 5,404,990 issued April 11, 1995 and US
4,454,940 issued June 19, 1984, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
When build-up occurs, an insufficient amount of wood elements pass through the orientor 20a to produce a suitable wood element mat 36. Consequently, the production rate must be slowed in order to allow the orientor 20a time to clear the build-up 70. This slows production and thereby adversely affects a mill's ability to produce to its capacity.
Additionally, the unsteady flow of wood elements through the orientor 20a creates fluctuations in the amount of wood elements 32 within a given area of the oriented wood element mat 36. These fluctuations also adversely affect a mill's ability to produce a consistent composite wood element product.
The single feed point of current wood element orienters also affects the orientation quality of the wood elements in the oriented composite wood element mat. The build-up 3~ 70 and non-equal distribution of the wood element over the orientor 20a generally results in the majority of the oriented composite wood element mat being formed in the forward region of the orientor 20a. Consequently, as depicted in FIGURE l, an unacceptable orienting gap 68a often occurs between the orienting section and oriented wood element mat 36. When the orienting gap 68a meets or exceeds the length of the wood element, the orientor 20a loses its ability to control wood element orientation, which further adversely affects final product quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wood element orienting device that allows for increased production rates and increased control over wood element orientation.
The present invention is a wood element orienting device. The wood element orienting device includes a frame that has a plurality of decks attached thereto. An orienter deck is configured to orient the wood element at a predetermined orientation producing the wood element product. A distribution deck is configured to distribute the wood elements in a pattern over substantially the entire length of the orienter deck.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of improving the efficiency of an orientor. Introducing a plurality of wood elements into an orientor. The distribution of the wood element is then controlled to achieve a pattern over an orienting section of the orientor. The height of the orienting section is then controlled such that the amount of orienting gap is minimized.
The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
FIGURE 1 is a side view of the prior art;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a wood element orienting device according to the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a side view of the wood element orienting device of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is another side view of the wood element orienting device of FIGURE
2 illustrating additional features of the present invention;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the distribution deck;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a distributor according to the present invention; and, FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the distributor.
_3_ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for forming oriented composite wood element mats that are to be formed into an oriented wood element product. By way of overview and with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an orienter 20b including a frame 22 supporting an orienting section 23 and a distributing section 25. The distributing section 25 is disposed above the orienting section 23 and is configured to broadcast the wood elements 32 in an unoriented pattern 33 over the orientating section 23. The orienting section 23 then orients the wood elements into an oriented wood element mat 36. The oriented wood element mat 36 then moves along a platform 34 in a direction 60 to be formed into any variety of oriented wood element products (not shown). Specific details of the orienter 20b are described with more particularity below.
The present invention is directed toward producing oriented composite wood element mats 36, which are subsequently formed into oriented wood element products (not shown) such as beams and dimensional lumber. However, the present invention is also capable of being used in the production of oriented composite wood element mats 36 for other oriented composite wood element products, such as, without limitation, panels (not shown).
The nature of the wood elements 32 may be any known wood element type, as the present invention may be used with any type of wood element 32. For example, the wood element 32 may be in the form of flakes, chips, strips, strands or any other commonly known wood element forms.
It will be appreciated that orienting wood elements 32 to form an oriented composite wood element mat 36 for later production into an oriented composite wood element product (not shown) is known in the art. There are several known methods of controlling the wood element orientation in the manufacture of oriented composite wood element mats 36. For example, without limitation, discs, vanes and other wood element guides are commonly used. The form of the orienting structure is not intended to limit the scope of this application, as the present invention is usable with any known orienting structure. As depicted in the FIGURES, the orienting section 23 includes an initial orientor 26, such as orienting vanes, and a primary orientor 28, such as at least one row of orientor disks 38 or similar orienting devices. The orienting section 23, although depicted in the FIGURES as being a combination of discs and vanes, may include any of the commonly known orienting structures or combinations thereof.
FIGURES 2-4 illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of the orienter 20. As discussed above, the orientor 20b includes a frame 22 supporting an orienting section 23 and a distributing section 25. The distributing section 25 is disposed over the orienting section 23 and is configured to receive the wood elements 32 from a feed source 30, such as a hopper or conveyer terminus. The distributing section 25 is configured to receive the wood elements 32 either directly from the feed source 30 or via a curved chute 80, and broadcast the wood elements 32 over the orienting section 23 in a pattern 33.
The pattern 33 is preferably chosen to minimize build-up in the orienting section 23.
Additionally, the pattern 33 helps to minimize the orientor gap 68 across the entire orientor section 23 and to control the amount or rate of wood elements 32 falling on any given region of the orienting section 23. 1n this manner, production and orientation control is optimized.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the distribution section 25 includes a distribution deck 24 having at least one distributor 42 movably attached thereto. As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the distribution section 25 includes a plurality of distributors 42 movably attached to the distribution section 25. The number, size, shape and location of the distributors 42 is dependent upon a variety of factors. For example, the overall size of the orientor 20, feed rate of the wood elements 32 from the feed source 30, and other factors such as the nature of the orienting section 23. Consequently, the number and location of distributors 42 are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
In size, the orientor 20b may have a length in excess of 60 feet and a width in excess of 10 feet. It will be appreciated that, if the orientor 20b is forming a beam or other relatively narrower width wood element composite product, a smaller orientor geometry may be used. Conversely, if the orientor 20b is forming a panel, such as oriented strand board, a relatively larger geometry may be required. The present invention may be used in either case, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the size of orientor 20b. Likewise, the present invention may be used for both continuous and batch composite wood element forming processes.
FIGURES 5 and 6 depict various aspects of the distributing section 25 and distributors 42. In particular, these FIGURES illustrate a presently preferred structure for positioning of the distributors 42 on the distribution deck 24. Located on the distribution deck is a rail 52 that is configured to mate with a brace 50 attached to the distributor 42.
The brace 50 includes a locking screw or pin (not shown) that allows the brace, and thus the distributor 42, to slide and be locked at any position along the rail 52.
The brace 50 is also configured to allow for the easy removal or addition of distributors 42 as desired for any given application. It will be appreciated that any other method of attaching the distributors 42 to the distribution deck 24 is also within the scope of this invention.
Preferably, each distributor 42 is independently driven and controlled by a drive element 44. In the presently preferred embodiment the drive element 44 is an electric motor. .A suitable example of a drive element 44 is an electric motor model GPP7451, manufactured by Baldor. This model comes with a'/a horsepower rating and a DCPN gear motor operating at about 250 RPMs. However, other suitable drive elements 44 are considered within the scope of this invention, such as, without limitation, pneumatic and hydraulic motors. Additionally, it will be appreciated that all of the distributors 42, or specific groups of distributors 42, may be controlled from a single drive element 44. For example, a chain or belt drive, driven by a single power unit (not shown) may control the rotation of each distributor 42 or group of distributors 42. These same drive elements 44 may also be used to drive, or otherwise control the discs of the orienting section.
Referring to FIGURE 4, a control unit 82 is configured to control of the drive element 44 such that the pattern 33 is attained. Control of the drive element 44 is suitably performed in a number of acceptable manners. For example, in one embodiment, drive unit control is performed by a processor or microprocessor (not shown) arranged to control drive element operation. Any processor known in the art is acceptable, without limitation, a Pentium°-series processor available from Intel Corporation or the like.
Alternately, control of the drive element 44 is performed by an electronic computer chip or is performed manually.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the distributors 42 are all configured to rotate in the same direction. However, a distribution deck 24 having distributors 42 with different rotation directions is within the scope of this invention. For example, several distributors 42 may be rotating in a clockwise direction while one or several other distributors 42 may be simultaneously rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. The rate and rotation direction of the distributors may be varied to achieve the desired pattern 33.
FIGURE 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of distributor 42b. The distributor 42b includes a plurality of radial elements 46b extending from the distributor 42b. The radial elements 46b are configured to engage the wood elements 32 and broadcast the wood elements 32 in the direction of distributor rotation.
As depicted in FIGURES 2-5, the radial elements 46 are preferably arranged in a separated bar type arrangement. However, FIGURES 5-7 depict alternative radial element 46 configurations. In FIGURE 6, the distributor 42b uses a solid bar radial element 46b. FIGURE 7 shows an alternative arrangement for the radial elements 46c.
More specifically, the radial elements 46c make-up substantially the entire distributor 42c. Consequently, the nature of the radial elements 46, their relative spacing, and form are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As such, any pattern, style arrangement or configuration of radial elements 46 is considered within the scope of this invention.
As depicted in the FIGURES 2-5, the distributing deck 24 is rigidly fixed to the frame 22 with flanges 62. It will be appreciated that flange 62 may be replaced with a movable connector (not illustrated) wherein the distributor deck 24 may be movable along frame 22. In this manner, the distribution deck 24 may be moved relative to orienting section 23 to help achieve the pattern 33.
In operation, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the distributors 42 are controlled to achieve an unoriented, pattern 33 of v~ood elements over the orienting section 23. The distributor rotation rate and direction of distributor rotation are some of the variables that may be manipulated to achieve the pattern 33. For example, the rotation rates of the distributors 42 may be varied from one distributor 42 to the next.
Likewise, the rotation direction of each distributor 42 may be varied as needed to achieve the desired pattern 33. For example, the distributors 42 located at the trailing edge of the orientor 20b may rotate in a direction opposite of the other distributors, and perhaps at a slower rate, in order to prevent the building up of material at a trailing edge of the orientor 20b.
The spacing between the distributors 42 is another variable that may be manipulated to achieve the pattern 33. The distance between the distributors 42 may be increased to allow more wood elements 32 to pass through a specific region.
Conversely, the distance between the distributors may be reduced to limit the amount of wood elements 32 passing through a specific region of the distribution deck 24. By way of illustrative example, FIGURE 3 depicts the distributor spacing 72a as being substantially consistent along the length of the distribution deck 24. Conversely, FIGURE 4 depicts increasing distributor spacing 72b between the distributors 42 across the distribution deck 24. More specifically, the distributors 42 further from the feed source 30 are spaced farther apart from one another than the distributors 42 closer to the feed source 30. Any distributor spacing 72a,b is considered within the scope of this invention.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the pattern 33 is a pattern having a substantially even wood element density over the entire orienting section 23.
However, any other pattern is considered within the scope of this invention. For example, the distributors 42 may be controlled and spaced such that the pattern 33 grows more or less dense the further down the orientor 20b. Consequently, a pattern 33 of any type is considered to be within the scope of this invention.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of he invention is not limited by the _7_ disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
Claims (22)
1. An improved wood element orienting device, comprising:
an orienting section configured to control orientation of the wood element;
and, a distribution section configured to receive the wood element from a feed source and broadcast the wood element in an unoriented fashion over the orienting section.
an orienting section configured to control orientation of the wood element;
and, a distribution section configured to receive the wood element from a feed source and broadcast the wood element in an unoriented fashion over the orienting section.
2. The device of Claim 1, wherein the distribution section comprises a rotatable distributor having at least one radial element extending therefrom.
3. The device of Claim 2, wherein the radial element is at least one of a solid bar and a separated bar arrangement.
4. The device of Claim 1, wherein the rotation of the distributor is controlled by a drive element.
5. The device of Claim 4, wherein the drive element is at least one of an electric motor, pneumatic motor and hydraulic motor.
6. The device of Claim 1, wherein the distribution section comprises a plurality of rotatable distributors.
7. The device of Claim 6, wherein each distributor of the plurality of distributors includes at least one radial element extending therefrom.
8. The device of Claim 7, wherein the radial element is at least one of a solid bar, and a separated bar.
9. The device of Claim 6, wherein the spacing of each distributor relative to each other distributor is at least one of a constant spacing and a varied spacing.
10. The device of Claim 6, wherein the rotation direction of individual distributors within the plurality of distributors is at least one of a constant rotation direction and a varied rotation direction.
11. The device of Claim 6, wherein the rotational speed of each distributor within the plurality of distributors is independently controlled by an independent drive element.
12. The device of Claim 6, wherein the rotational speed of all of the distributors within the plurality of distributors is controlled by a single drive element.
13. The device of Claim 1, wherein the feed source is at least one of a conveyor terminus, hopper and curved chute.
14. The device of Claim 1, wherein the wood element is at least one of a wood flake, chip, strip and strand.
15. A wood element orienting device, comprising:
an orienting section configured to control orientation of the wood element;
and, a means for distributing the wood element in an unoriented wood element pattern over substantially an entire length of the orienting section.
an orienting section configured to control orientation of the wood element;
and, a means for distributing the wood element in an unoriented wood element pattern over substantially an entire length of the orienting section.
16. The device of Claim 15, wherein the means for distributing is controlled by a drive element.
17. The device of Claim 16, wherein the dive element is at least one of an electric motor, hydraulic motor and a pneumatic motor.
18. The device of Claim 15, wherein the feed source is at least one of a conveyor terminus, hopper and curved chute.
19. The device of Claim 15, wherein the length of the orienting section is at least 10 feet.
20. A method of improving the efficiency of an orientor, comprising:
introducing a plurality of wood elements into an orientor; and controlling the distribution of the wood elements to achieve a pattern of wood elements falling on an orienting section, the orienting section being configured to orient the wood elements into an oriented wood element mat.
introducing a plurality of wood elements into an orientor; and controlling the distribution of the wood elements to achieve a pattern of wood elements falling on an orienting section, the orienting section being configured to orient the wood elements into an oriented wood element mat.
21. The device of Claim 20, wherein the wood element is at least one of a wood flake, chip, strip and strand.
22. The method of Claim 20, wherein the unoriented pattern is at least of an even wood element density and uneven wood element density.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US26846702A | 2002-10-08 | 2002-10-08 | |
| US10/268,467 | 2002-10-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2443789A1 true CA2443789A1 (en) | 2004-04-08 |
Family
ID=32392346
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2443789 Abandoned CA2443789A1 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2003-10-01 | System and method of forming a oriented composite wood element mat |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003252439A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2443789A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105563604B (en) * | 2016-02-02 | 2017-11-14 | 河北农业大学 | Turntable type fiber panel moulding apparatus |
-
2003
- 2003-10-01 CA CA 2443789 patent/CA2443789A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-10-02 AU AU2003252439A patent/AU2003252439A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2003252439A1 (en) | 2004-04-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |