| 摘要 |
A channel starvation detector (28) for detecting an interruption in the passage of a series or string of cigarettes (22) through a channel (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7) is provided. The detector (28) includes an optical fibre cable (32) comprising seven individual pairs of transmit (36.1) and receive (36.2) optical fibres positioned to detect variations in received light arising from the steady passage of the cigarettes (22) through the channel (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7), and to generate an alarm or stop signal in the event of a blockage or void arising in the channel (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7). The transmit (36.1) and receive (36.2) fibres are positioned to receive a reflected optical signal in such a way that a fluctuating reflected signal arises from the steady passage of the cigarettes (22) through the channel (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7) and a constant reflected signal arises from a blockage or void in the channel (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7). |
