Measuring and testing – Volume or rate of flow – By measuring thrust or drag forces
Patent
1991-06-17
1994-09-06
Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
Measuring and testing
Volume or rate of flow
By measuring thrust or drag forces
73861, G01F 300
Patent
active
053437616
ABSTRACT:
A system and method for continuously measuring mass flow rate of grain in a harvester where an impact plate is disposed to be impacted by grain exiting a power driven conveyor which is a normal part of the harvester. The impact plate is mounted on force measuring apparatus which generates an electrical signal proportional to grain impact force. Computing apparatus in electrical communication with the force measuring apparatus calculates the average value of grain impact force, adjusts this value to compensate for the difference between an actual measured operating speed of the conveyor and a constant reference speed, and calculates grain mass flow rate utilizing a mass flow calibration characteristic which relates grain mass flow rate to average grain impact force, where this calibration characteristic is non-linear and has different values for different grain types and different grain moisture contents. Optionally, the operating speed of the conveyor is calculated by analyzing the signal received from the force measuring apparatus to determine a characteristic frequency which is directly proportional to operating speed. Also optionally, electrodes are mounted on the impact plate for generating an electrical signal which is indicative of grain moisture content, and this electrical signal is used in combination with a moisture calibration characteristic to determine grain moisture content. Harvester travel speed is measured and the area rate of harvesting is calculated by multiplying this speed by a preset swath width. Instantaneous crop yield is computed by dividing grain mass flow rate by area harvesting rate. Total weight of grain harvested and total field area harvested are calculated by integrating grain mass flow rate and area rate of harvesting, respectively. Electronic display apparatus displays measured and calculated values to the harvester operator, while an electronic memory device stores calculated values from multiple field areas. Optionally, the memory device is removable from the grain mass flow measuring system on a harvester to provide convenient transfer of data to a remote computing device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4765190 (1988-08-01), Strubbe
patent: 5065632 (1991-11-01), Reuter
Biegel R.
Chilcot Jr. Richard E.
Herink Kent A.
Laurenzo Brian J.
Trout Brett J.
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