Measuring and testing – Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2001-12-11
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Moisture content or absorption characteristic of material
C073S863520, C460S007000, C460S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327899
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to agriculture and, more particularly, to a device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines.
To achieve optimal cultivating of crops and dispensing of fertilizers and plant protection agents according to actual requirements, it is important to determine the yield quantities in respective portions of the cultivated area. The measured yield values of the crop material should be as precise as possible to obtain data from these values for the subsequent produce. The yield is calculated from the stream of material in the harvesting machine, which is in turn related to the mass of crop material dried so as to be capable of storage. Precise determination of the moisture content of the crop material is during harvesting to make the yield correction in the correct position. Furthermore, values can be derived from the measured moisture content of the crop material for adjusting components of a harvesting machine. This also requires high precision of the measured values.
A generic device is known from German Patent Application 41 05 857. The device for moisture measurement shown there serves to correct a quantitative measurement determined by a first measuring device, by a moisture measurement determined by a second measuring device. The second measuring device consists of an overflow vessel. More material to be measured is supplied to the second measuring device in a time interval through an opening than can escape through an opening at the bottom. As a result, under normal harvesting conditions, sufficient filling of the measuring device with continuous exchange of the accruing material to be measured is ensured.
Another moisture measuring device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,851. There, a device is proposed in which a control flap remains in an “open” position for filling the measuring device, until a sensor indicates sufficient filling of the measuring device.
It is a common feature of both measuring devices that they derive an auxiliary stream from the stream of material for measuring purposes and, after measurement has taken place, return the removed quantity of crop material to the main stream of material. Both devices have the drawback that they soil easily, as a result of which the measured quantities and values are inaccurate, and blockages can occur. The sensors cannot be constantly monitored during continuous harvesting work. Therefore, it is possible for inaccurate values to be measured over a longer period of time owing to soiling or blockage of the measuring chamber or moisture sensor. The inaccurate values are unusable for subsequent evaluations. Furthermore, it is often impossible to subsequently determine the moment when the measured values obtained are erroneous. Thus, not only are the erroneous values disregarded, but also values which are actually correct are lost as well. Harvesting is done only once a year in many regions, therefore, such a loss of data results in a considerable setback in the endeavor to create a reliable database for partially plot-specific applications, especially as data losses can re-occur in subsequent years. Erroneous data which is not noticed can have an adverse effect on the farmer's success. For example, subsequent planning of the use of seed, fertilizers and plant protection agents, using erroneous data can lead to serious misallocations. For these reasons, it is important to carry out moisture measurement as accurately as possible and reliably eliminate all possible sources of error.
Accordingly it is a general object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the deficiencies described above. Another object is to improve the device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a harvesting machine for harvesting agricultural crops and having means for removing the material to be measured from a stream of crop material, means for supplying the material to be measured to a measuring chamber, a measuring chamber, an associated moisture sensor, means for return of the measured material to a stream of crop material and a cleaning means for compulsorily emptying the measuring chamber or at least one moisture sensor.
Preferably means are provided which compulsorily empty and/or clean both the measuring chamber and at least one moisture sensor. The characteristic of compulsory emptying or cleaning means that at least emptying or cleaning is brought about by either the form of the means or by the timing of the means. Compulsory emptying and/or cleaning of measuring chamber and moisture sensor ensures that a measurement with new material to be measured can be obtained repeatedly because the measuring chamber is no longer blocked. Also there is a reduction in the risk of smearing the sensor for measuring the filling of the measuring chamber. Such smearing would cause the simulation of constant filling of the measuring chamber. Furthermore, there is a reduction of old crop material clinging to the moisture sensor or to the walls of the measuring chamber falsifying the measurement for the current stream of crop material. In general the reliability of moisture measurement and hence the accuracy and usefulness of the moisture values obtained are clearly increased by the proposed means.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3270279 (1966-08-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 3293907 (1966-12-01), Schnatz et al.
patent: 3890830 (1975-06-01), Dyck
patent: 4663978 (1987-05-01), Lenski et al.
patent: 4994286 (1991-02-01), Greer
patent: 5173079 (1992-12-01), Gerrish
patent: 5398557 (1995-03-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 5616851 (1997-04-01), McMahon et al.
patent: 5664402 (1997-09-01), Sandvik et al.
patent: 5890961 (1999-04-01), Behnke et al.
patent: 2 123 375 (1971-11-01), None
patent: 30 45 728 A1 (1982-07-01), None
patent: 31 18 756 A1 (1982-12-01), None
patent: 35 38 885 C1 (1987-04-01), None
patent: 36 12 282 A1 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 36 21 514 A1 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 254 865 A3 (1988-03-01), None
patent: 273 754 A3 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 41 05 857 A1 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 42 24 128 A1 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 41 25 228 C2 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 195 18 210 C1 (1997-02-01), None
patent: 195 41 167 A1 (1997-05-01), None
patent: 0 183 643 A1 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 1 464 491 (1977-02-01), None
patent: 2 150 917 A (1985-07-01), None
patent: 1822967 A1 (1993-06-01), None
patent: WO 89/10548 (1989-11-01), None
Behnke Willi
Diekhans Norbert
Eggenhaus Georg
Wesselmann Winfried
Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
Cygan Michael
Husch & Eppenberger, LLC, Robert E. Muir, Kevin M. Kercher
Larkin Daniel S.
LandOfFree
Device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for moisture measurement in harvesting machines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2579264