Timber drying kiln electrical contact system, a timber drying kiln moisture measurement system and a timber drying kiln moisture measurement method

A kiln moisture measurement system for measuring a moisture content of at least a portion of a charge of timber in a timber drying kiln comprising at least one timber drying chamber;

• the kiln moisture measurement system comprising:
• a first electrically conductive element;
• a first mount and a first electrical connector;
• and
• a second electrically conductive element, a second mount and a second electrical connector;
• wherein the first mount and the second mount are configured to respectively mount the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element inside the at least one timber drying chamber such that the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are spaced apart;
• and
• wherein the first electrical connector is configured to electrically connect the first electrically conductive element to an electronic controller, and the second electrical connector is configured to electrically connect the second electrically conductive element to the electronic controller, such that electric charge can be transmitted between the first electrically conductive element and/or the second electrically conductive element, and the electronic controller;
• wherein the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are each resiliently movable against respective contact portions of the charge of timber when the charge of timber is adjacent the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element;
• and
• wherein the electronic controller is subsequently configured to:
• measure one or more dielectric properties of a portion of timber between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element to determine measured dielectric properties;
• and
• to subsequently determine the moisture content of the charge of timber based on the measured one or more dielectric properties.

A kiln moisture measurement method for measuring a moisture level of a charge of timber in a timber drying chamber of a timber drying kiln, including steps of:

• moving the charge of timber into contact with a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element such that the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element resiliently contact respective contact portions of the charge of timber;
• using an electronic controller to apply electrical charge to one or both of the first electrically conductive element and/or the second electrically conductive element;
• using the electronic controller to subsequently measure one or more dielectric properties of timber between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element;
• subsequently determining a moisture level of the charge of timber based on the one or more dielectric properties.