Method and apparatus for optically monitoring and controlling a moving fiber ...

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
OPTICALLY MONITORING AND
CONTROLLING A MOVING FIBER OF
MATERIAL

[75] Inventors: Keiin C. Becker, Westlake; Patrick J.

O'Keefe, Jr., Wellington; Eddie W.
Dixson, Jr., Cleveland, all of Ohio

[73] Assignee: Nordson Corporation, Westlake,
Ohio

[21] Appl. No.: 787,237
[22] Filed: Not. 4, 1991

[51] Int. a.5 B05D 1/00

[52] U.S. Q 427/8; 118/712;

250/561; 250/571; 356/429

[58] Field of Search 427/8, 10; 118/688,

118/712; 356/429; 250/561, 571, 222.1

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Primary Examiner—Shrive Beck

Assistant Examiner—Katherine A. Bareford

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Raymond J. Slattery, III

[57] ABSTRACT

A beam of light is transmitted from a transmitter (30) which is broken as the moving fiber (22) passes through the beam. A receiver (32) receives the light and generates a signal in response thereto. The signal is processed to determine the status of the pattern generated by the moving fiber (22) of material. In response to changes in the status of the pattern, the rate at which the fiber is dispensed and/or the movement of the pattern can be adjusted as well as alarm conditions noted.

20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets