×

Load-based yield sensor

  • US 10,188,035 B2
  • Filed: 09/14/2015
  • Issued: 01/29/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A harvesting machine comprising:

  • a grain elevator having a conveyor belt with upper and lower ends positioned within said harvesting machine and configured for lifting a harvested crop within said harvesting machine;

    an on-board processor having a non-volatile memory;

    said processor configured for controlling crop harvesting and weighing operation parameters;

    first and second weight sensors operably connected at first and second sides of said conveyor belt upper end at approximately equal elevations;

    each said weight sensor configured for providing an output corresponding to a portion of the conveyor belt weight on a respective conveyor belt upper end first or second side;

    each said weight sensor output comprising an input to said processor;

    a moisture sensor configured for determining the moisture content of said harvested crop and for providing an output corresponding to said moisture content of said harvested crop;

    said moisture sensor output comprising an input to said processor;

    said processor configured for processing data received from said weight and moisture sensors;

    said processor configured for initializing with an empty conveyor belt weight;

    each said weight sensor configured for providing an output to said processor comprising a loaded conveyor belt weight while said conveyor belt is lifting said harvested crop;

    said processor configured for subtracting said empty conveyor belt weight from said loaded conveyor belt weight to determine a weight of harvested crop on each side of said conveyor belt;

    said processor configured for automatically adjusting said crop harvesting parameters of said harvesting machine based on said weight and said moisture content of said harvested crop and to compensate for any asymmetrical weight conditions on said conveyor belt; and

    wherein said crop harvesting parameters are selected from the group consisting of;

    harvesting machine speed;

    direction;

    crop quality;

    engine RPM;

    sieve spacing;

    harvester machine fan-rotor speed; and

    combinations thereof.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×