Inertial system for detecting foreign objects between contra-rotating rolls
AssigneeKasha Farm Supplies Ltd.
InventorWayne Duncan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A foreign object detector comprises an inertial sensor mounted for displacement with one of the displaceable rolls in the feed mechanism of a forage harvester. When a foreign object is forced through the rolls, the acceleration of the rolls' displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold and the detector stops the feed mechanism. Preferably, the detector's sensor is a microswitch having an inertially-actuable lever and which is mounted for displacement with the upper feed roll. The detector's circuitry ties into existing metal detector circuitry.
Claims7
Apparatus for detecting the presence of a substantially non-compressible foreign object between contra-rotating, substantially parallel and opposing rotating rolls, the apparatus comprising:
- a first rotating rolls, rotatable on a shaft supported by a frame;
- a second rotating roll which is displaceable relative to the first roll for adjusting the spacing therebetween;
- and wherein the first and second contra-rotating rolls are oriented one above the other;
- microswitch, mounted for displacement with the second rotating roll, and having an inertially activated lever pivotally mounted for actuating the microswitch at a predetermined level of acceleration for emitting a signal when said acceleration of the second rotating roll and microswitch exceeds a predetermined level of acceleration said signal being indicative of the presence of a foreign object between the first and second rolls;
- and
- means for stopping the rotation of at least one of the first and second rolls upon said signal indicating the presence of a foreign object between the first and second rolls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.