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Abstract

A pit detection apparatus (10) and method for detecting the presence of pits or pit fragments (12) in fruit (14) as the fruit (14) passes through a zone of inspection (16) includes a scanning beam generator (17) for sweeping a transmission scanning beam (28) across the inspection zone (16). The inspection zone (16) is located intermediate the beam generator (17) and an array (38) of transmission sensors (40). The sensors (40) generate transmission sensor signals indicative of received light intensity from the beam (28). A second sizing beam generator (50) and associated array (60) of sensors (62) generate sizing signals representative of te optical path length through which the transmission scanning beam (28) travels within the fruit (14). The transmission sensor and sizing signals are applied to an analysis circuit (44) wherein the signals are analyzed to determine the presence or absence of pits or pit fragments (12). The analysis of the transmission sensor signals is synchronized with the transmission scanning beam (28) so as to utilize only those portions of the signals representative of the direct light in the field of view of the transmission sensors (40). An ejector valve (76) is enabled to direct an air blast against fruit falling through the inspection zone and deflect the fruit (14) from its normal path when a pit (12) is detected.

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First Claim