Grain weighing and measuring system

Claim 2

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: an enclosure; an inlet controllably directing a continuous flow of grain into the enclosure; volume sizing means mounted within the enclosure for separating a known volume sub-sample of grain from the continuous flow of grain into the enclosure; moisture measuring means mounted within the enclosure for detecting the moisture content of the grain sub-sample; weigh means mounted within the enclosure for weighing the grain sub-sample; a reference measurement means positioned adjacent the weigh means inside the enclosure for determining external forces acting on the grain sub-sample during weighing and measuring; and an outlet for directing the grain sub-sample from the enclosure and into a grain storage tank of a grain harvester.

Claim 3

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the weigh means comprises a weigh chamber and a weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber.

Claim 4

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reference measurement means comprises a reference weight and a reference weight load cell operatively coupled to the reference weight.

Claim 5

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the weigh means comprises a weigh chamber and a weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber, and wherein the reference measurement means comprises a reference weight and a reference weight load cell operatively coupled to the reference weight.

Claim 6

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the reference weight load cell and the weigh chamber load cell are positioned in a coplanar relationship relative to one another.

Claim 7

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reference measurement means comprises an accelerometer.

Claim 8

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim i wherein the reference measurement means comprises an accelerometer, the accelerometer being mounted in a coplanar relationship relative to the weigh means.

Claim 9

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the volume sizing means includes a level detector to sense a grain level corresponding to the known volume sub-sample of grain.

Claim 10

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: a weigh chamber for mounting on a grain harvester, the weigh chamber holding a known volume sub-sample of grain; a first weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber for weighing the sub-sample of grain; a reference weight; a reference weight load cell operatively coupled to the reference weight; and means for detecting the effects of external forces other than gravity acting on the reference weight and for cancelling these effects in determining the weight of the known volume grain sub-sample.

Claim 11

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: a weigh chamber for mounting on a grain harvester, the weigh chamber holding a known volume sub-sample of grain; a first weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber for weighing the sub-sample of grain; a reference weight; a reference weight load cell operatively coupled to the reference weight; and means for detecting the effects of external forces other than gravity acting on the reference weight and for cancelling these effects in determining the weight of the known volume grain sub-sample.

Claim 12

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first weigh chamber load cell and the reference weight load cell are mounted in a coplanar relationship relative to one another.

Claim 13

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a second weigh chamber load cell, the first weigh chamber load cell, the second weigh chamber load cell, and the reference weight load cell being mounted in a coplanar relationship relative to each other.

Claim 14

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: a weigh chamber for mounting on a grain harvester, the weigh chamber holding a known volume sub-sample of grain; a first weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber for weighing the sub-sample of grain; an accelerometer mounted adjacent the weigh chamber to detect external forces acting on the grain sub-sample.

Claim 15

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: a weigh chamber for mounting on a grain harvester, the weigh chamber holding a known volume sub-sample of grain; a first weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber for weighing the sub-sample of grain; an accelerometer mounted adjacent the weigh chamber to detect external forces acting on the grain sub-sample.

Claim 16

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the first weigh chamber load cell and the accelerometer are mounted in a coplanar relationship relative to one another.

Claim 17

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second weigh chamber load cell, the first weigh chamber load cell, the second weigh chamber load cell, and the accelerometer being mounted in a coplanar relationship relative to each other.

Claim 18

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: an entrance chamber positioned on a grain harvester to receive a continuous flow of grain during operation of the grain harvester; a level detector located inside the entrance chamber for sensing the level of grain that corresponds to a known volume sub-sample of grain; a volume sizing chamber coupled to the entrance chamber, the volume sizing chamber being sized to receive the grain sub-sample; a first gate coupled between the entrance chamber and the volume sizing chamber, the first gate being moveable between an open position and a closed position to allow the grain sub-sample to flow from the entrance chamber to the volume sizing chamber; a moisture sensor coupled to the volume sizing chamber to detect the amount of moisture in the grain sub-sample; a weigh chamber coupled to the volume sizing chamber; a second gate coupled between the volume sizing chamber and the weigh chamber, the second gate being movable between an open position and a closed position to allow the grain sub-sample to flow from the volume sizing chamber to the weigh chamber; weigh means for weighing the grain sub-sample in the weigh chamber.

Claim 19

A weighing and measuring apparatus for continuously measuring sub-samples of a grain plot during harvesting, comprising: an entrance chamber positioned on a grain harvester to receive a continuous flow of grain during operation of the grain harvester; a level detector located inside the entrance chamber for sensing the level of grain that corresponds to a known volume sub-sample of grain; a volume sizing chamber coupled to the entrance chamber, the volume sizing chamber being sized to receive the grain sub-sample; a first gate coupled between the entrance chamber and the volume sizing chamber, the first gate being moveable between an open position and a closed position to allow the grain sub-sample to flow from the entrance chamber to the volume sizing chamber; a moisture sensor coupled to the volume sizing chamber to detect the amount of moisture in the grain sub-sample; a weigh chamber coupled to the volume sizing chamber; a second gate coupled between the volume sizing chamber and the weigh chamber, the second gate being movable between an open position and a closed position to allow the grain sub-sample to flow from the volume sizing chamber to the weigh chamber; weigh means for weighing the grain sub-sample in the weigh chamber.

Claim 20

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first gate and second gate operate in a manner to allow multiple grain samples to flow controllably and sequentially from the entrance chamber to the volume sizing chamber and from the volume sizing chamber to the weigh chamber.

Claim 21

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the first gate and the second gate each move in one plane, reciprocating between open and closed positions.

Claim 22

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein sub-samples of grain flow by gravity between the chambers.

Claim 23

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a third gate coupled to the weigh chamber opposite the second gate, the third gate moving between open and closed positions to allow the grain sub-sample to flow from the weigh means to a main storage tank on a grain harvester.

Claim 24

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the weigh means comprises: a first weigh chamber load cell operatively coupled to the weigh chamber to determine the weight of the grain sub-sample; and a reference weight mounted adjacent to the weigh chamber, the reference weight being supported by a reference weight load cell to measure external forces exerted on the reference weight.

Claim 25

A weighing and measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the level detector is an optical level detector.

Claim 28

The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of: introducing the grain sub-sample into a constant volume chamber; and measuring the moisture content of the grain sub-sample in the constant volume chamber.

Claim 29

The method of claim 22 wherein the step of measuring a constant volume of grain in the grain collection chamber includes sensing the level of grain with an optical level sensor.

Claim 32

The method of claim 25 wherein the step of measuring the acceleration of the grain sub-sample includes the reference weight and the grain sub-sample being suspended by respective load cells that are coplanar to each other.

Claim 33

The method of claim 22 wherein the step of measuring the acceleration of the grain sub-sample includes using an accelerometer to measure acceleration of grain sub-sample.