Disclosed herein is a device for measuring physicochemical properties with regard to gases in contact with a material, especially material transport properties with regard to gases in contact with a material and mechanical properties, comprising: an upper end, in which a pressure sensor connected to an apparatus for recording and optionally processing a signal is hermetically inserted; a lower end in communication with the pressure sensor and which is open in order to allow (i) insertion of the measuring device into the material and (ii) formation of a gaseous chamber between the pressure sensor and the material when the measuring device is inserted therein; a system for scavenging a gas; at least one means for introducing the gas into the device, and advantageously at least one means for removing the gas from the device; the device made from a material which does not absorb the gas.

Disclosed herein is a device for measuring physicochemical properties with regard to gases in contact with a material, especially material transport properties with regard to gases in contact with a material and mechanical properties, comprising: an upper end, in which a pressure sensor connected to an apparatus for recording and optionally processing a signal is hermetically inserted; a lower end in communication with the pressure sensor and which is open in order to allow (i) insertion of the measuring device into the material and (ii) formation of a gaseous chamber between the pressure sensor and the material when the measuring device is inserted therein; a system for scavenging a gas; at least one means for introducing the gas into the device, and advantageously at least one means for removing the gas from the device; the device made from a material which does not absorb the gas.

An automated crosscut saw system utilizing a wood scanning unit to optimize the cuts in a particular piece of wood to remove defects or flaws and a method of use therefor is provided. The automated saw system has the ability to scan and cut a piece of wood simultaneously or in rapid succession without the need for scanning the entire length of the wood prior to cutting. Further, the automated saw system may eliminate the need for a secondary feeder and secondary queue.

A density detection system uses a magnetic force feedback actuator positioner to maintain a precise selected pressure between transducer wheels and the surface of a sheet of material as the sheet of material moves through a position between transducer wheel and lift wheel. Consequently, the antiquated mechanical/pneumatic springs/airbags of prior art ultrasonic density detection systems are replaced with a highly responsive magnetic force feedback actuator positioner capable of providing a precise and relatively constant force that can react to the introduction of a sheet of material, and/or variations in the surface of a sheet of material, extremely rapidly without the bounce/recovery oscillations associated with prior art ultrasonic density detection systems. Consequently, precise density measurements of an entire sheet of material can be obtained with unprecedented accuracy.

A density detection system uses a magnetic force feedback actuator positioner to maintain a precise selected pressure between transducer wheels and the surface of a sheet of material as the sheet of material moves through a position between transducer wheel and lift wheel. Consequently, the antiquated mechanical/pneumatic springs/airbags of prior art ultrasonic density detection systems are replaced with a highly responsive magnetic force feedback actuator positioner capable of providing a precise and relatively constant force that can react to the introduction of a sheet of material, and/or variations in the surface of a sheet of material, extremely rapidly without the bounce/recovery oscillations associated with prior art ultrasonic density detection systems. Consequently, precise density measurements of an entire sheet of material can be obtained with unprecedented accuracy.

A light 2 for reflected light that emits visible light for reflected light onto a front side of a veneer 6, a light 32 for invisible light that emits near-infrared light for transmitted light onto a back side of the veneer 6, and an image processing device 1 that detects defects of the veneer 6 by analyzing a captured image generated by a line sensor camera 4 are provided. Defects of the veneer 6 are discriminated on the basis of a set of shading and shapes in an infrared-transmitted-light image based on the transmitted light, and colors in a visible-light image based on the reflected light. Consequently, even if a defect has a small color difference from a normal part in the visible-light image, difference of shading between the defective part and the normal part appears in the infrared-transmitted-light image, and a defect that is difficult to detect by seeing only a color difference in a visible-light image can be relatively easily detected.

A light 2 for reflected light that emits visible light for reflected light onto a front side of a veneer 6, a light 32 for invisible light that emits near-infrared light for transmitted light onto a back side of the veneer 6, and an image processing device 1 that detects defects of the veneer 6 by analyzing a captured image generated by a line sensor camera 4 are provided. Defects of the veneer 6 are discriminated on the basis of a set of shading and shapes in an infrared-transmitted-light image based on the transmitted light, and colors in a visible-light image based on the reflected light. Consequently, even if a defect has a small color difference from a normal part in the visible-light image, difference of shading between the defective part and the normal part appears in the infrared-transmitted-light image, and a defect that is difficult to detect by seeing only a color difference in a visible-light image can be relatively easily detected.

According to one embodiment, a structural health monitoring apparatus for monitoring health of structure includes a resistance measurement unit and an evaluation unit. The resistance measurement unit measures a resistance value between one terminal and another terminal of a set of two terminals. The set of two terminals is selected from a plurality of terminals provided on the electrical paths formed in the assembled body that forms frames of the structure. The evaluation unit evaluates the health of the structure by using a difference between the resistance value between terminals of the set of two terminals and a reference resistance value between the two terminals, and outputs evaluation result information.

A wood monitoring system and method is disclosed for monitoring lumber characteristics (e.g., lumber moisture) in environments of extremely high and prolonged temperature and moisture, e.g., a kiln. The monitoring system and method includes: (a) Sensors (provided within lumber stacks), wherein such sensors are battery powered and wirelessly communicate measurements indicative of moisture content of the wood adjacent to and/or between metal plates provided in an electrical circuit with the sensors and the wood between the plates; (b) Computer implemented methods and systems for wireless communication that conserve sensor battery power such that the sensors can operate for, e.g., six months within extremely adverse temperature and moisture environmental variations; and (c) Computer implemented methods and systems for estimating moisture content with a wood/lumber stack, and for predicting such moisture content (e.g., as a substantially steady state within the wood) after drying completion.

A wood monitoring system and method is disclosed for monitoring lumber characteristics (e.g., lumber moisture) in environments of extremely high and prolonged temperature and moisture, e.g., a kiln. The monitoring system and method includes: (a) Sensors (provided within lumber stacks), wherein such sensors are battery powered and wirelessly communicate measurements indicative of moisture content of the wood adjacent to and/or between metal plates provided in an electrical circuit with the sensors and the wood between the plates; (b) Computer implemented methods and systems for wireless communication that conserve sensor battery power such that the sensors can operate for, e.g., six months within extremely adverse temperature and moisture environmental variations; and (c) Computer implemented methods and systems for estimating moisture content with a wood/lumber stack, and for predicting such moisture content (e.g., as a substantially steady state within the wood) after drying completion.