Abstract:
An optical inspection system for using laser-induced luminescence to detect the quality of organic materials, such as peanuts. The inspection system comprises an excitation means for illuminating a specimen to cause it to produce fluorescent radiation. The spectral representation of the fluorescence produced by the specimen is compared to a reference spectrum to obtain an indication of the physical characteristics of the specimen. In a preferred embodiment, the system identifies and removes peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin from a stream of peanuts by determining fluorescence at a predetermined wavelength.
Patent Number:
4,866,283
Date Of Issue:
09/11/1989
Inventors:
Ralph H. Hill
Full Text: