Grain moisture measuring apparatus and method

A method for measuring the moisture content of grain as the grain moves through a grain conditioning system in which moisture is applied to the grain at a first location, the method comprising the steps of:

• extracting a sample of grain from the grain moving through the grain conditioning system at a point downstream from the first location where moisture is applied to the grain;
• grinding the sample of grain to physically alter the sample of grain;
• and
• measuring the moisture content of the grain sample after the grain sample has been ground.

A grain conditioning system for conditioning a continuous flow of grain to a target moisture level, comprising:

• a sprinkler head;
• a fluid control valve connected to the sprinkler head, wherein the fluid control valve is capable of being set to a desired liquid flow rate in order to control the flow of a liquid to the sprinkler head;
• an auger positioned to convey grain passed the sprinkler head in order to condition the grain;
• a sample extraction mechanism located at a point downstream from the sprinkler head wherein the sample extraction mechanism exacts a sample of grain from the grain moving through the auger;
• a grinding mechanism connected to the sample extraction mechanism wherein the sample of grain extracted from the sample extraction mechanism is transferred to the grinding mechanism and the grinding mechanism grinds the grain sample to physically alter the grain sample;
• a moisture sensor positioned adjacent to the grinding mechanism, wherein the sample of grain is transferred to a location adjacent the moisture sensor after the grain sample is ground by the grinding mechanism such that the moisture sensor measures the moisture content of the grain sample and provides a first electronic signal that corresponds to the moisture content of the grain sample;
• and
• a processor connected to the fluid control valve and the moisture sensor wherein the processor receives the first electronic signal from the moisture sensor that corresponds to the moisture content of the grain sample and the processor creates an output control signal which controls the operation of the fluid control valve so that the fluid control valve permits a desired liquid flow rate that corresponds to the output control signal from the processor so that the moisture level of the conditioned grain approximates the target moisture level.

A method for controlling addition of liquid to a continuous flow of grain material in order to condition the grain material to a target moisture level, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a sprinkler head connected to a fluid control valve wherein the fluid control valve is capable of being set to a desired flow rate in order to control flow of liquid to the sprinkler head;
• selecting a target moisture level for the grain material;
• conveying the grain material past the sprinkler head in order to condition the grain material;
• extracting a sample of the grain material at a point downstream from the sprinkler head;
• grinding the sample of grain material to physically alter the grain material;
• measuring the moisture content of the grain material after the grain material has been ground and providing a first electronic signal that corresponds to the moisture content of the grain material;
• and
• providing a processor for receiving the first electronic signal that corresponds to the moisture content of the grain material wherein the processor creates an output control signal which controls the operation of the fluid control valve so that the fluid control valve permits a desired liquid flow rate that corresponds to the output control signal from the processor so that the moisture level of a conditioned grain approximates the target moisture level.