CA1061433A - Counting agricultural products - Google Patents
Counting agricultural productsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1061433A CA1061433A CA249,712A CA249712A CA1061433A CA 1061433 A CA1061433 A CA 1061433A CA 249712 A CA249712 A CA 249712A CA 1061433 A CA1061433 A CA 1061433A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- objects
- antenna
- antenna means
- grading
- signature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 235000013601 eggs Nutrition 0.000 description 15
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 244000291564 Allium cepa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002732 Allium cepa var. cepa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000448280 Elates Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000141359 Malus pumila Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000003768 Solanum lycopersicum Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000021016 apples Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000002844 continuous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000002969 egg yolk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005098 hot rolling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000873 masking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N22/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous and contactless grading and counting in which the articles or products to be surveyed are passed beneath a microwave radiometer antenna on a conveyor belt or the like, so as to measure the frequency spectrum of the radiation tempera-ture emitted by the articles at a convenient temperature and relating the "signature" thus obtained to a non-electrical parameter such as weight or size.
Description
- 1~61~33 This inVent$on ~elates to contlnuous and contactless grading and counting of products passingalong a conVe~or belt or the like. More particularly this invention relate8 to the continuous and contactless grad-ing and counting of agricultural products, such as eggs, tomatoes and the like by microwave radiometric assessment of the frequency spectrum of the radiation temperature emitted by the products, and relating this assessment to a non-electrical parameter such as weight or volume.
Continuous and semi-continuous counting and grading techniques have developed considerably in the past few years and are widely applied in many industries to separate products into different catagories according to volume, weight or quality. Such techniques include on-line manual inspection, direct measurement of weight or volume, measurement of linear dimensions by light sensitive detectors and measurement of surface characteristics such as colour, roughness and the like by various light sensitive detectors. All such techniques have their place in industry and, depending upon the speed required, are more or less successful. There is, however, a continuing need for new and more sophisticated sorting and grading techniques which will be accurate and reliable at the processing and packaging speeds now contemplated on certain high speed production and packaging lines. This need is particular-ly acute in the field of food processing and packaging, where rapid and accurate sorting for size and quality of produce at minimum cost is required.
It is an ob~ect, therefore of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive method for rapid, continuous and contactless grading and counting of articles, particularly agricultural produce by microwave radiometric means.
Thus by one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for contactless grading a plurality of ob~ects, comprising:
.~ ~
1g;~61433 (a) scanning a selected said object with a microwave radiometric antenna means at a series of frequencies in the range 12-18 GHz and measur-ing radiometric output intensity from said object to thereby establish an optimum frequency corresponding to maximum radiometric output;
(b) sequentially bringing a plurality of said objects into close proximity with said antenna means and effecting relative movement there-between so as to scan each of said objects;
(c) measuring the radiometric output intensity for each said object at said optimum frequency to thereby establish a signature for each said object; and (d) relating said signatures to a preselected non-electric parameter of said object whereby said objects may be graded by comparing their respective signatures to a standard established for that parameter.
By another aspect of this invention there is provided apparatus for use in contactless grading and counting a plurality of objects compris-ing:
(a) a microwave radiometer having antenna means for sequential scanning of each said object;
(b) means to convey said objects into close proximity with said antenna means for scanning thereby;
(c) means to measure radiation intensity, at a selected frequency in the range 12-18 GHz, of the radiation emission of said objects, which defines a signature for each said object whereby objects may be graded by comparison of their respective signatures to a standard co-related to a non-electrical preselected parameter of said objects.
The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a scanning apparatus according to the present invention;
Continuous and semi-continuous counting and grading techniques have developed considerably in the past few years and are widely applied in many industries to separate products into different catagories according to volume, weight or quality. Such techniques include on-line manual inspection, direct measurement of weight or volume, measurement of linear dimensions by light sensitive detectors and measurement of surface characteristics such as colour, roughness and the like by various light sensitive detectors. All such techniques have their place in industry and, depending upon the speed required, are more or less successful. There is, however, a continuing need for new and more sophisticated sorting and grading techniques which will be accurate and reliable at the processing and packaging speeds now contemplated on certain high speed production and packaging lines. This need is particular-ly acute in the field of food processing and packaging, where rapid and accurate sorting for size and quality of produce at minimum cost is required.
It is an ob~ect, therefore of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive method for rapid, continuous and contactless grading and counting of articles, particularly agricultural produce by microwave radiometric means.
Thus by one aspect of this invention there is provided a method for contactless grading a plurality of ob~ects, comprising:
.~ ~
1g;~61433 (a) scanning a selected said object with a microwave radiometric antenna means at a series of frequencies in the range 12-18 GHz and measur-ing radiometric output intensity from said object to thereby establish an optimum frequency corresponding to maximum radiometric output;
(b) sequentially bringing a plurality of said objects into close proximity with said antenna means and effecting relative movement there-between so as to scan each of said objects;
(c) measuring the radiometric output intensity for each said object at said optimum frequency to thereby establish a signature for each said object; and (d) relating said signatures to a preselected non-electric parameter of said object whereby said objects may be graded by comparing their respective signatures to a standard established for that parameter.
By another aspect of this invention there is provided apparatus for use in contactless grading and counting a plurality of objects compris-ing:
(a) a microwave radiometer having antenna means for sequential scanning of each said object;
(b) means to convey said objects into close proximity with said antenna means for scanning thereby;
(c) means to measure radiation intensity, at a selected frequency in the range 12-18 GHz, of the radiation emission of said objects, which defines a signature for each said object whereby objects may be graded by comparison of their respective signatures to a standard co-related to a non-electrical preselected parameter of said objects.
The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a scanning apparatus according to the present invention;
- 2 -16~61433 Figure 2 is a block diagram of a multifrequency microwave radi~meter suitable for use in the apparatus of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a graph s~owing the relationship between egg volume and recorded electrica~. voltage for eggs positioned on their side, and is located on the sheet containing Figure l;
Figure 4 is a graph showing the relat~onship between egg weight and recorded electrical voltage for eggs positioned small end down; and Figure 5 is a graph.showing the relationship between brass rod diameter and recorded electri~al voltage.
As previously indicated the principle upon which the present invention is based is the measurement of the frequency spectrum of the radiation temperature emitted by the ob~ect o~ interest, such as eggs, apples, oranges, onions, or manufactures such as nuts, bolts, screws or 1~61433 rods, at a conyelient temperature~ Normallr room temperature is selected as corresponding to the usual condition pxlor to storage or shipping. The frequency spectrum is measured as a function of voltage for each individual frequency, and thus generates a unique signature which can be directly related to a non-electrical parameter of interest. To a first approximation it has been found that the signature at a single frequency is linearly related to the 6elected non-electrical parameter as long as the ob;ect size remains within a preæelected range.
Since this range generally corresponds to the usual dimensions encountered in practice, an inversion procedure to establish quantitative information on such parameters as diameter and length or qualitative information such as grade or ripeness about the article or product under examination can be set up and displayed by graphical or digital display or set to actuate a selection device such as an on-line electro-pneumatic grading system, known per se.
It will also be appreciated that the articles under examination are generally carried on a moving conveyor which moves under a fixed radiometer antenna so that the articles are only visible to the antenna for a relatively short time period, depending on the size of the article and the speed of the conveyor. The signals received by the antenna amount to an intermittent perturbation in the background signature and can therefore be counted as pulses representative of the number of articles passing per unit time. Thus the frequency of pulses provides the counting rate while the height or amplitude of each pulse is related to the average radiation temperature of the article and by analogy with the average dielectric constant which also depends on the individual properties of the shell and core composition. The amplitude provides information about either the article size (volume or weight) assuming the basic composition remains the same or the composition (ripeness, age, physical temperature, colour etc~ assuming that the ob~ect size remains the same, but clearly not both.
Figure 3 is a graph s~owing the relationship between egg volume and recorded electrica~. voltage for eggs positioned on their side, and is located on the sheet containing Figure l;
Figure 4 is a graph showing the relat~onship between egg weight and recorded electrical voltage for eggs positioned small end down; and Figure 5 is a graph.showing the relationship between brass rod diameter and recorded electri~al voltage.
As previously indicated the principle upon which the present invention is based is the measurement of the frequency spectrum of the radiation temperature emitted by the ob~ect o~ interest, such as eggs, apples, oranges, onions, or manufactures such as nuts, bolts, screws or 1~61433 rods, at a conyelient temperature~ Normallr room temperature is selected as corresponding to the usual condition pxlor to storage or shipping. The frequency spectrum is measured as a function of voltage for each individual frequency, and thus generates a unique signature which can be directly related to a non-electrical parameter of interest. To a first approximation it has been found that the signature at a single frequency is linearly related to the 6elected non-electrical parameter as long as the ob;ect size remains within a preæelected range.
Since this range generally corresponds to the usual dimensions encountered in practice, an inversion procedure to establish quantitative information on such parameters as diameter and length or qualitative information such as grade or ripeness about the article or product under examination can be set up and displayed by graphical or digital display or set to actuate a selection device such as an on-line electro-pneumatic grading system, known per se.
It will also be appreciated that the articles under examination are generally carried on a moving conveyor which moves under a fixed radiometer antenna so that the articles are only visible to the antenna for a relatively short time period, depending on the size of the article and the speed of the conveyor. The signals received by the antenna amount to an intermittent perturbation in the background signature and can therefore be counted as pulses representative of the number of articles passing per unit time. Thus the frequency of pulses provides the counting rate while the height or amplitude of each pulse is related to the average radiation temperature of the article and by analogy with the average dielectric constant which also depends on the individual properties of the shell and core composition. The amplitude provides information about either the article size (volume or weight) assuming the basic composition remains the same or the composition (ripeness, age, physical temperature, colour etc~ assuming that the ob~ect size remains the same, but clearly not both.
-3-1~61433 One form of an apparatus for scanning samples according to the present lnvention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. A sample 1 on a suitable support 2 is carried through a sampling station indicated gener-ally at 3 on a conveyor 4. The station 3 is contained within a tank 5 having screened sides 6 and a water layer 7 on the bottom thereof. A
microwave Dicke-type radiometer 8 operating in the 12-18 GHz band is mounted above the conveyor and provided with an antenna Ku band pyramidal horn 9 oriented to receive a signal from the sample 1. The radiometer is opera-tively connected to appropriate recorders 10, 11 and 12 in known fashion.
The circuitry for the radiometer is shown schematically in Figure 2. For classification purposes, the Ku band (12-18 GHz) Dicke-type radiometer system is subdivided into three main sections: the antenna section, the radio frequency (R.F.) section and the intermediate frequency (I.F.)section which includes the audio output.
Antenna Section This consists of pyramidal horn antenna 9 located at a distance of 7.75 inches above the sample which was supported on an aluminum support 2. The antenna aperture dimensions are conveniently 6 inches x 5 inches with the larger dimension parallel to the longer dimension of the feed waveguide, and its axial height or distance from throat to midpoint of aperture is 12.75 inches. The antenna supplies the R.F. input signal which is the signature of the sample object. Also included in this section is a slide screw tuner ~for example, Hewlett-Packard model P870A) for antenna impedance matching, noise source (for example a Waveline model 2200-7 argon gas tube), attenuator (for example, a Waveline model 703), reference load termination (for example, a Waveline model 754) and power supply (for example, a Waveline model 2200, ser. U727).
R.F. Section This section consists of:
~ - 4 -1~61~33 1. A waveguide circulator switch (for example, an E & M model Ku 134 LYS~
with driver (for example, an E ~ M model EDS 1,5A);
2. 16.9 dB gain and 5.6 dB noise figure tunnel diode amplifier(fQr example an Aertech model 8740A) followed by a 42 dB gain and 11.5 dB noise figure travelling wave tube amplifier (for example, a Varian model VTU 4390Bl);
3 Ku band mixer (for example, a Spacekom model CKU-3); and
microwave Dicke-type radiometer 8 operating in the 12-18 GHz band is mounted above the conveyor and provided with an antenna Ku band pyramidal horn 9 oriented to receive a signal from the sample 1. The radiometer is opera-tively connected to appropriate recorders 10, 11 and 12 in known fashion.
The circuitry for the radiometer is shown schematically in Figure 2. For classification purposes, the Ku band (12-18 GHz) Dicke-type radiometer system is subdivided into three main sections: the antenna section, the radio frequency (R.F.) section and the intermediate frequency (I.F.)section which includes the audio output.
Antenna Section This consists of pyramidal horn antenna 9 located at a distance of 7.75 inches above the sample which was supported on an aluminum support 2. The antenna aperture dimensions are conveniently 6 inches x 5 inches with the larger dimension parallel to the longer dimension of the feed waveguide, and its axial height or distance from throat to midpoint of aperture is 12.75 inches. The antenna supplies the R.F. input signal which is the signature of the sample object. Also included in this section is a slide screw tuner ~for example, Hewlett-Packard model P870A) for antenna impedance matching, noise source (for example a Waveline model 2200-7 argon gas tube), attenuator (for example, a Waveline model 703), reference load termination (for example, a Waveline model 754) and power supply (for example, a Waveline model 2200, ser. U727).
R.F. Section This section consists of:
~ - 4 -1~61~33 1. A waveguide circulator switch (for example, an E & M model Ku 134 LYS~
with driver (for example, an E ~ M model EDS 1,5A);
2. 16.9 dB gain and 5.6 dB noise figure tunnel diode amplifier(fQr example an Aertech model 8740A) followed by a 42 dB gain and 11.5 dB noise figure travelling wave tube amplifier (for example, a Varian model VTU 4390Bl);
3 Ku band mixer (for example, a Spacekom model CKU-3); and
4 Ku band local oscillator (for example, a Varian Klystron model VA 94B).
The resulting overall R.F. system gain was optimized at 58.9 dB.
I.F. Section This section is a self-contained solid state high sensitivity receiver packaged and sold commercially as Spacekom Radiometer Receiver model U~IF-6R with audio output terminals for signature tracing on an x-y recorder as indicated in Figure 1. This sytem may be operated in the con-tinuous signal mode or the switched mode of operation. For the switched mode of operation, a suitable frequency timing wave is internally generated to operate the synchronous detector and also for use as a control signal for the R.F. antenna reference switch. The I.F. bandwidth is 180 MHz with provisions for use of plug-in filters to restrict the bandwith as desired.
The overall gain is nominally 85 dB with a nominal I.F. noise figure of 2 dB.
Example 1 Egg samples of the size set forth in Table 1 were scanned, on an apparatus as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, in both the small-end down and sideways position with the radiometer set at 14.32 GHz operat-ing frequency, 180 MHz IF bandwith and 1 second integration time.
Table 1 .
~olumes and Weight6 o~ Egg Sa~ples Egg Sa~ple Volume ~ Weight ~ _ ~ (gm) _ Small 48 49.60 Medium 55 55~68 Large 57 59.66 Extra Large 68 70.60 4~a) ;1433 The results a~e shown in ~igures 3 alld 4~ Figuxe 3 shows the relatlon-ship between egg volume and signature voltage for eggs placed on their sides and Figure 4 shows the relationship between egg weight and signature voltage for eggs placed in the small end down position. Figure 3 indicates that a linear relationship is obtained for an object having substantial rotational symmetry. For an object having no rotational symmetry, as with an egg in the end on position, the degree of accuracy or linearity decreases proportionally as is shown in Figure 4. This is believed due to the masking effect of the lower layers or lower part of the body by the upper part and the polarization of the antenna on ~he position.
Example 2 Brass rod samples 0.75 inch , 0.5 inch and 0.25 inch diameter with a constant length of 7 inches were scanned in a microwave radiometer device as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and following a similar technique as outlined in Example 1. The horn to rod separation was maintained at 1 inch with the radiometer settings as in Example 1 and with the electric field vector of the antenna parallel to the cylindrical axis of the rod samples. The results are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5 which shows, in the preferred rod position parallel to the electric field, that there i8 a substantially linear relation between the 8ignature and the size, but that the linearity is still restricted to the perturbation range. Although Figure 5 shows the frequency spectrum at room temperature it will be appreciated that this technique could advantageously be applied to the output from a hot rolling mill, where the radiation emission temperature will be much higher and the equipment more sensitive. It will be appreciated that the principles of the present invention may be applied to many grading and counting problems without departing ~rom the scope of this invention which is defined only b~ the appended claims. ~or example many articles other than eggs and ~rass roas may ~e scanned and other par~meters in eggs and t~ like ~ay be calibxated. Fo~ e~ample~ the system, when coupled to an on-line electro-pneumatic grading and gating system, would not only proYide an accurate numerical count but also separate graded eggs into different gates according to colour, shell thickness, size of yolk, presence of blood spots and air pockets, age etc.
The resulting overall R.F. system gain was optimized at 58.9 dB.
I.F. Section This section is a self-contained solid state high sensitivity receiver packaged and sold commercially as Spacekom Radiometer Receiver model U~IF-6R with audio output terminals for signature tracing on an x-y recorder as indicated in Figure 1. This sytem may be operated in the con-tinuous signal mode or the switched mode of operation. For the switched mode of operation, a suitable frequency timing wave is internally generated to operate the synchronous detector and also for use as a control signal for the R.F. antenna reference switch. The I.F. bandwidth is 180 MHz with provisions for use of plug-in filters to restrict the bandwith as desired.
The overall gain is nominally 85 dB with a nominal I.F. noise figure of 2 dB.
Example 1 Egg samples of the size set forth in Table 1 were scanned, on an apparatus as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, in both the small-end down and sideways position with the radiometer set at 14.32 GHz operat-ing frequency, 180 MHz IF bandwith and 1 second integration time.
Table 1 .
~olumes and Weight6 o~ Egg Sa~ples Egg Sa~ple Volume ~ Weight ~ _ ~ (gm) _ Small 48 49.60 Medium 55 55~68 Large 57 59.66 Extra Large 68 70.60 4~a) ;1433 The results a~e shown in ~igures 3 alld 4~ Figuxe 3 shows the relatlon-ship between egg volume and signature voltage for eggs placed on their sides and Figure 4 shows the relationship between egg weight and signature voltage for eggs placed in the small end down position. Figure 3 indicates that a linear relationship is obtained for an object having substantial rotational symmetry. For an object having no rotational symmetry, as with an egg in the end on position, the degree of accuracy or linearity decreases proportionally as is shown in Figure 4. This is believed due to the masking effect of the lower layers or lower part of the body by the upper part and the polarization of the antenna on ~he position.
Example 2 Brass rod samples 0.75 inch , 0.5 inch and 0.25 inch diameter with a constant length of 7 inches were scanned in a microwave radiometer device as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and following a similar technique as outlined in Example 1. The horn to rod separation was maintained at 1 inch with the radiometer settings as in Example 1 and with the electric field vector of the antenna parallel to the cylindrical axis of the rod samples. The results are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5 which shows, in the preferred rod position parallel to the electric field, that there i8 a substantially linear relation between the 8ignature and the size, but that the linearity is still restricted to the perturbation range. Although Figure 5 shows the frequency spectrum at room temperature it will be appreciated that this technique could advantageously be applied to the output from a hot rolling mill, where the radiation emission temperature will be much higher and the equipment more sensitive. It will be appreciated that the principles of the present invention may be applied to many grading and counting problems without departing ~rom the scope of this invention which is defined only b~ the appended claims. ~or example many articles other than eggs and ~rass roas may ~e scanned and other par~meters in eggs and t~ like ~ay be calibxated. Fo~ e~ample~ the system, when coupled to an on-line electro-pneumatic grading and gating system, would not only proYide an accurate numerical count but also separate graded eggs into different gates according to colour, shell thickness, size of yolk, presence of blood spots and air pockets, age etc.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for contactless grading a plurality of objects, comprising:
(a) scanning a selected said object with a microwave radiometric antenna means at a series of frequencies in the range 12-18 GHz and measuring radiometric output intensity from said object to thereby establish an optimum frequency corresponding to maximum radiometric output;
(b) sequentially bringing a plurality of said objects into close proximity with said antenna means and effecting relative movement there-between so as to scan each of said objects;
(c) measuring the radiometric output intensity for each said object at said optimum frequency to thereby establish a signature for each said object; and (d) relating said signatures to a preselected non-electric parameter of said object whereby said objects may be graded by comparing their respective signatures to a standard established for that parameter.
(a) scanning a selected said object with a microwave radiometric antenna means at a series of frequencies in the range 12-18 GHz and measuring radiometric output intensity from said object to thereby establish an optimum frequency corresponding to maximum radiometric output;
(b) sequentially bringing a plurality of said objects into close proximity with said antenna means and effecting relative movement there-between so as to scan each of said objects;
(c) measuring the radiometric output intensity for each said object at said optimum frequency to thereby establish a signature for each said object; and (d) relating said signatures to a preselected non-electric parameter of said object whereby said objects may be graded by comparing their respective signatures to a standard established for that parameter.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said objects are selected from similarly sized agricultural products and similarly sized manufactured products.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said objects are carried on a continuously moving conveyor means in spaced relationship to said antenna means.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said objects are scanned at room temperature.
5. Apparatus for use in contactless grading and counting a plurality of objects comprising:
(a) a microwave radiometer having antenna means for sequential scanning of each said object;
(b) means to convey said objects into close proximity with said antenna means for scanning thereby;
(c) means to measure radiation intensity, at a selected frequency in the range 12-18 GHz, of the radiation emission of said objects, which defines a signature for each said object whereby objects may be graded by comparison of their respective signatures to a standard co-related to a non-electrical preselected parameter of said objects.
(a) a microwave radiometer having antenna means for sequential scanning of each said object;
(b) means to convey said objects into close proximity with said antenna means for scanning thereby;
(c) means to measure radiation intensity, at a selected frequency in the range 12-18 GHz, of the radiation emission of said objects, which defines a signature for each said object whereby objects may be graded by comparison of their respective signatures to a standard co-related to a non-electrical preselected parameter of said objects.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including means to count pulses generated as each said object passes said antenna means.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6 including selection means actuated in response to a signal generated by said means to measure radiation intensity.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA249,712A CA1061433A (en) | 1976-04-07 | 1976-04-07 | Counting agricultural products |
| US05/728,651 US4106340A (en) | 1976-04-07 | 1976-10-01 | Grading agricultural products with a microwave antenna |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA249,712A CA1061433A (en) | 1976-04-07 | 1976-04-07 | Counting agricultural products |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1061433A true CA1061433A (en) | 1979-08-28 |
Family
ID=4105654
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA249,712A Expired CA1061433A (en) | 1976-04-07 | 1976-04-07 | Counting agricultural products |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4106340A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1061433A (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5813816B2 (en) * | 1977-07-15 | 1983-03-16 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | High frequency heating device |
| JPS5759850Y2 (en) * | 1978-07-13 | 1982-12-21 | ||
| US4568199A (en) * | 1983-04-06 | 1986-02-04 | Shell Oil Company | Microwave pyrometer |
| GB8318699D0 (en) * | 1983-07-11 | 1983-08-10 | Marconi Avionics | Tyre temperature measurement |
| JPS6022636A (en) * | 1983-07-19 | 1985-02-05 | Daido Gakuen | Method and device for measuring temperature of object |
| FR2561769B1 (en) * | 1984-03-21 | 1986-08-22 | Centre Nat Rech Scient | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMPEDANCE ADAPTATION IN LOW NOISE RECEPTION CHAINS AND MINIATURE MICROWAVE THERMOMETER FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
| JPS60231128A (en) * | 1984-05-01 | 1985-11-16 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Thermometer |
| FR2572176B1 (en) * | 1984-10-19 | 1987-02-20 | Inst Textile De France | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING BY MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY THE TEMPERATURE OF A FLOWING MATERIAL, PARTICULARLY TEXTILE |
| US4899671A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1990-02-13 | Shell Oil Company | Method for measuring temperature of hot gases inside a vessel which radiates microwave energy |
| US7477053B2 (en) | 1994-02-21 | 2009-01-13 | Carl Pinsky | Detection of electromagnetic fields |
| US5648038A (en) * | 1995-09-20 | 1997-07-15 | Lambda Technologies | Systems and methods for monitoring material properties using microwave energy |
| US5978738A (en) | 1997-02-13 | 1999-11-02 | Anthony Brown | Severe weather detector and alarm |
| GB0005925D0 (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2000-05-03 | Univ Glasgow | Radiometer antenna cavities |
| GB0005926D0 (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2000-05-03 | Univ Glasgow | Microwave radiometry |
| US6922652B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-07-26 | Jim Edwards | Automated quality assurance method and apparatus and method of conducting business |
| FR2880122A1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2006-06-30 | Air Liquide | Fluid or grainy body e.g. food product, presence detecting method for e.g. industrial oven, involves transmitting signal to radiometer based on radiometric signal, and evaluating, by evaluation unit of radiometer, body presence information |
| FR2880114B1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2007-03-16 | Air Liquide | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS DURING THEIR THERMAL TREATMENT BY MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY |
| FR2880115B1 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2007-03-16 | Air Liquide | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR MEASURING AND CONTROLLING BODY TEMPERATURE BY MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BONDING MEMBER CONNECTING THE SENSOR TO THE RADIOMETER |
| EP2295945A3 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-05-25 | CFS Bakel B.V. | Microwave-Radiometry-Dectector and heat-treatment device comprising such a detector |
| ES2661073T3 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2018-03-27 | Gea Food Solutions Bakel B.V. | A heat treatment device comprising a microwave radiometry antenna |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3129330A (en) * | 1958-06-30 | 1964-04-14 | Gen Motors Corp | Microwave radiometer system |
| US3028596A (en) * | 1958-06-30 | 1962-04-03 | Gen Motors Corp | Radiometer technique for classifying materials |
| US3451254A (en) * | 1965-07-26 | 1969-06-24 | Automation Ind Inc | Nondestructive tester |
| US3373869A (en) * | 1965-08-23 | 1968-03-19 | Burson Electronics Inc | Towel sorter having an infrared detector |
| US3911435A (en) * | 1970-06-01 | 1975-10-07 | Austin Mardon | Dual frequency radiometer |
-
1976
- 1976-04-07 CA CA249,712A patent/CA1061433A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-10-01 US US05/728,651 patent/US4106340A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4106340A (en) | 1978-08-15 |
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