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AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsGerald E. Rains, James J. Phelan, Zachary W. Slavens, Andrzej Kozicki, Robert C. Funk
Estimating the term…
A grain moisture sensor is disclosed having a sensor cell that includes a driven plate, a sense plate proximate to and substantially parallel with the driven plate for capacitive measurement across a spacing between the driven plate and the sense plate, and a fill plate adjacent the sense plate and substantially parallel with the driven plate for sensing whether the spacing is filled with grain. Optionally, the sensor cell includes a guard proximate to the parallel to the sense plate such that the sense plate is between the driven plate and the guard. The grain moisture sensor provides for measuring real and imaginary components of an excitation voltage applied to the driven plate, measuring real and imaginary components of a sense current sensed at the sense plate, calculating a complex admittance of the cell, calculating a complex admittance of a reference admittance, and calculating a grain complex permittivity.
A grain moisture sensor for combines comprising:
A grain moisture sensor for combines comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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By investigating capacitance: for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity
Details of combines: tanks for grain or chaff
Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines: for measuring grain quality
Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00: food
Term ended 4 Jan 2022 (estimated)
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to grain moisture sensors. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved grain moisture sensor for combines.
2) Related Art
FIG. 1A is a side view that shows a combine with a grain moisture sensor according to the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a side view of the grain moisture sensor of the present invention mounted in a combine and in a fill position.
FIG. 1C is a side view of the grain moisture sensor of the present invention mounted in a combine in a sensing position.
FIG. 1A shows a combine having a grain moisture sensor according to the present invention. In FIG. 1A, the combine 2 is shown with a grain tank 10. In addition, the clean grain elevator 4 is shown. Grain from the clean grain elevator 4 travels to the transition housing 15 of the grain tank 10. The sump 6 of the transition housing is also shown.
FIGS. 1B and 1C show side views of the grain moisture sensor of the present invention as mounted in a combine. The grain tank 10 shown includes the grain moisture sensor 12. The grain moisture sensor 12 is located in the grain tank 10 of the combine near the mass flow sensor 11. The cell opening 16 is located below the impact plate 14 in the transition housing 15. Although an impact plate 14 is shown, the present invention contemplates that other deflectors can be used. In this location, the cell 13 is positively filled due to the direct or indirect velocities of grain created from the clean grain elevator paddles (not shown). This permits the cell 13 to be filled at high rates. This reduces any problems with slow cycle times associated with low flow conditions as here, the cell 13 is filled at a high rate due to its placement within the stream of grain created by the clean grain elevator. The cell 13 is placed in line with the cell inlet. A plunger/piston 18 with an electric actuator is used to force the grain sample back out of the inlet opening. In FIG. 1C, the cell 13 and plunger/piston 18 are in a sensing position.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the cell 13 of the present invention. The cell opening 16 or spacing is filled with grain. On either side of the spacing are parallel capacitor plates 64 and 68. The driven plate 64 is the plate to which an excitation voltage is applied. The sense plate 68 is the plate at which current is measured passing through the cell. The fill plate 66 is adjacent to the sense plate 68 and parallel to the driven plate 64.