Automatic mass-flow sensor calibration for a yield monitor

• US 20050003875A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Pickett, Terrence D., Beck, Andy D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,073,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 460/7
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/1271 for measuring crop flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/10 of flowmeters

Abstract

A system and method is provided for remotely and automatically calibrating a mass-flow sensor in a yield monitor of a combine. The invention uses a wireless communication device installed on a combine and a remote wireless communication device installed on a grain carrier or truck carrier. Once an actual weight is obtained, calibration information is sent to the combine to calibrate the mass-flow sensor.

Claims

8. A system for calibrating a mass-flow sensor on a yield monitor of a combine, comprising the steps of:

a first wireless transceiver operatively connected to the yield monitor; and

a second wireless transceiver operatively connected to a grain carrier for transmitting calibration information to the first wireless transceiver.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein grain harvested by the combine is transferred to the grain carrier.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the calibration information includes information relating to the weight of the grain in the grain carrier.

11. (cancelled)

12. (cancelled)

13. (cancelled)

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21. (cancelled)

22. A system for calibrating the mass flow sensor on a combine comprising:

a yield monitor having a mass flow sensor on the combine;

a wireless communication device on the combine and in communication with the yield monitor that calibrates the mass flow sensor.

1. A method of calibrating a mass-flow sensor on a yield monitor of a combine, comprising the steps of:

harvesting grain using the combine;

transferring the harvested grain to a location where its actual weight can be determined;

providing a wireless communication device on the combine;

transmitting information relating to the actual weight of the harvested grain to the wireless communication device on the combine; and

calibrating the mass-flow sensor using the information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the harvested grain is transferred using a grain carrier.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a grain carrier for transferring the harvested grain; and

weighing the grain on the grain carrier.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of providing a remote wireless communication device on the grain carrier for transmitting the information to the combine.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a truck for transferring the harvested grain; and

weighing the grain on the truck.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing a remote wireless communication device on the truck for transmitting the information to the combine.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted to the wireless communication device on the combine automatically.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising a remote wireless communication device in communication with the wireless communication device on the combine.

24. the system of claim 23 wherein the remote wireless communication device is on a grain carrier.

25. the system of claim 23 wherein the remote wireless communication device is on a truck.

24-1. The system of claim 23 wherein the remote wireless communication device transmits information to the wireless communication device on the combine.

25-2. The system of claim 24 wherein the information transferred is grain weight.

26. A combine comprising:

a wireless communication device mounted on the combine;

a remote wireless communication device in communication with the wireless communication device on the combine;

at least one sensor that monitors properties of harvested agricultural product operably connected to the wireless communication device on the combine.

27. The combine of claim 26 wherein the property of the harvested agricultural product includes the weight of the product.

28. The combine of claim 26 wherein the remote wireless communication device is installed on a grain carrier.

29. The combine of claim 28 wherein the grain carrier is a grain cart.

30. The combine of claim 28 wherein the grain carrier has a weighing system.

31. The combine of claim 26 wherein the remote wireless communication device calibrates a sensor.

32. The combine of claim 26 wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor.

33. The combine of claim 26 wherein the sensor is a mass-flow sensor.