Grain flow rate monitor
Abstract
Abstract A COMBINE HARVESTER IS PROVIDED WITH A CIRCUIT FOR DETECTING THE FLOW RATE OF GRAIN AT ANY PARTICULAR POINT IN THE COMBINE. THIS CIRCUIT INCLUDES A HIGH FREQUENCY PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER LOCATED AT A CONVENIENT POINT IN THE PATH OF FLOW OF THE GRAIN. AS GRAIN AND OTHER CROP MATERIALS IMPINGE, THE TRANSUCER DEVELOPS VOLTAGE SPIKES, A PARTICULAR FREQUENCY RANGE OF WHICH IS DETECTED BY A FREQUENCY DETECTING CIRCUIT WHICH AMPLIFIES THE DETECTED SPIKES. NEXT THE SIGNAL IS FED TO AN AMPLITUDE DETECTING CIRCUIT TO DETECT A RANGE OF AMPLITUDES OF VOLTAGES SPIKES ABOVE A PREDETERMINED AMPLITUDE WHICH INCLUDES SPIKES PRODUCED BY A GRAIN IMPINGEMENT ON THE TRANSDUCER, BUT EXCLUDES THE SPIKES PRODUED BY OTHER THRESHED CROP MATERIAL. THE DETECTED VOLTAGE SPIKES ARE THEN CONVERTED BY A MONOSTABLE MUTIVIBRATOR INTO SQUARE WAVE FORM AND SENT TO A METER CIRCUIT WHERE THEY ARE AVERAGE AND VISUALLY DISPLAYED ON A METER. IN THIS MANNER THE COMBINE OPERATOR CAN INSTANTANEOUSLY KNOW THE FLOW RATE OF GRAIN AT ANY SPECIFIED POINT IN THE COMBINE AND CAN DETERMINE FROM THIS FLOW WHETHER THE COMBINE IS OPERATING EFFICIENTLY.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C F Girodat
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |