Apparatus for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log including supporting means ( 3 ) forming a holder ( 4 ) for a log ( 2 ); means ( 5 ) for detecting the log ( 2 ) lateral surface structure positioned only on one side of the log ( 2 ) placed on the holder ( 4 ); and control and processing means for receiving detection step results from them and for reconstructing the log ( 2 ) overall surface structure; and means ( 6 ) for making the log ( 2 ) rotate about one or more axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with the log ( 2 ) main direction of extension (D), the control and processing means also being operatively connected to the means ( 6 ) for making the log rotate, controlling their operation.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log comprising:
 supporting means ( 3 ) forming a holder ( 4 ) for a log ( 2 );   means ( 5 ) for detecting the log ( 2 ) lateral surface structure which during operation are pointing towards a log ( 2 ) placed on the holder ( 4 ); and   control and processing means operatively connected to the detection means ( 5 ) for receiving detection step results from them and for reconstructing the log ( 2 ) overall surface structure;   the apparatus being characterised in that the detection means ( 5 ) are positioned only on one side of the log ( 2 ) placed on the holder ( 4 ) and in that it also comprises means ( 6 ) for making the log ( 2 ) rotate about one or more axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with the log ( 2 ) main direction of extension (D).   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the supporting means ( 3 ) also form the means ( 6 ) for making the log rotate. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the control and processing means are programmed to implement a method for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log, comprising the operating steps of:
 making the log ( 2 ) rotate;   during said rotation, detecting the relative surface structure of the log ( 2 ) at least at one lateral surface portion ( 13 ) using detection means ( 5 );   repeating the detection step a plurality of times, thus detecting at least once the relative surface structure of substantially all of the points at least of the lateral surface of the log ( 2 ); and,   combining the relative surface structures detected to reconstruct an overall surface structure at least for the lateral surface the log ( 2 );   the method being characterised in that the lop ( 2 ) is made to rotate about two or more axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with its main direction of extension (D);   the step of rotating the log ( 2 ) is carried out by resting the lateral surface of the log ( 2 ) on means ( 6 ) for making the log rotate, so that the instantaneous axis of rotation varies depending on the portion of the section of the log ( 2 ) resting on the means ( 6 ) for making it rotate, in such a way that after log ( 2 ) rotation a first reference system integral with it may, relative to the second reference system integral with the detection means ( 5 ), be subject to both a rotation and translations due to the irregularity of its surface which rests on the means ( 6 ) for making it rotate;   the detection step being repeated in such a way that each surface portion ( 13 ) detected shares several points with at least one other surface portion ( 13 ) detected, and/or in such a way that at least several points are shared by the results of two detection steps of one or both end surfaces of the log which may have been carried out simultaneously with two corresponding detection steps for the relative surface structures;   
       and also being characterised in that the step of combining the relative surface structures is carried out in such a way that the points shared by the various relative surface structures and/or the various detection step results of the end surfaces are made to coincide. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , characterised in that the method comprises the operating step of also detecting at least one log end surface simultaneously with each of the steps for detecting the log ( 2 ) relative surface structure at least at one lateral surface portion ( 13 ), the step of combining the relative surface structures also or only being carried out based on a comparison between the end surfaces gradually detected. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the supporting means ( 3 ) comprise at least one pair of motor-driven supporting chains ( 7 ) which are set at an angle at the two sides of the holder ( 4 ). 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of pairs of supporting chains ( 7 ) distributed along the holder ( 4 ). 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , characterised in that the pairs of supporting chains ( 7 ) form V-shaped supports. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that it also comprises one or more detectors ( 14 ) for detecting at least one end surface of the log ( 2 ), said detectors being operatively connected to the control and processing means for performing the detection simultaneously with the detection means ( 5 ). 
     
     
         24 . A log cutting plant comprising:
 a band saw ( 10 );   a carriage ( 11 ) for supporting a log ( 2 ) to be cut and able to move between a first, pick up position where a log ( 2 ) can be loaded on the carriage, and a second, cutting position where the band saw ( 10 ) can cut a log ( 2 ) positioned on the carriage; and   a line ( 12 ) for feeding logs ( 2 ) to be cut to the carriage ( 11 ) located in the pick up position;   an apparatus ( 1 ) according to  claim 16  for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log ( 2 ) to be cut,   positioned downstream of the feed line ( 12 ).   
     
     
         25 . The plant according to  claim 24 , characterised in that the apparatus ( 1 ) is positioned between the feed line ( 12 ) and the carriage ( 11 ). 
     
     
         26 . The plant according to  claim 24 , characterised in that the apparatus ( 1 ) is mounted on the carriage ( 11 ). 
     
     
         27 . The plant according to  claim 24 , characterised in that it also comprises means for positioning the log ( 2 ) in the optimum cutting position, the positioning means being operatively connected to the apparatus ( 1 ) and to the carriage ( 11 ). 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the supporting means ( 3 ) comprise at least one motor-driven supporting chain ( 7 ) at a side of the holder ( 4 ). 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of supporting chains ( 7 ) distributed along the holder ( 4 ). 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the control and processing means are operatively connected to the detection means ( 5 ) also for controlling their activation. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the control and processing means are also operatively connected to the means ( 6 ) for making the log rotate, controlling their operation. 
     
     
         32 . The plant according to  claim 27 , characterised in that the apparatus also forms the positioning means.