SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING MOISTURE CONTENT IN A BALE OF HAY
First Claim
1. A system for measuring the moisture content in a bale of hay comprising:
- a first pair of electrodes configured to mount in a first position in a bale chamber;
at least one additional electrode configured to mount in a second position in the bale chamber;
a controller having circuitry to obtain a first measurement between the first pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with a bale of hay;
the controller having circuitry to obtain a second measurement between at least one of the first pair of electrodes and the at least one additional electrode while the electrodes are in contact with the bale of hay;
the controller having circuitry to determine a moisture content as a function of the first and second measurements and to output a signal indicative of the moisture content of the bale of hay; and
the controller having at least one of a display for displaying the moisture content and circuitry for communicating the signal indicative of the moisture content to a receiver located on a tractor or the hay baler.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for measuring the moisture content in a bale of hay is provided. An embodiment of the system includes a first pair of electrodes configured to mount in a first position in a bale chamber and at least one additional electrode configured to mount in a second position in the bale chamber. The system also includes a controller having circuitry to obtain a first measurement between the first pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with a bale of hay, and a second measurement between at least one of the first pair of electrodes and the at least one additional electrode while the electrodes are in contact with the bale of hay. The controller includes circuitry to output a signal indicative of the moisture content of the bale of hay as a function of the first and second measurements.
20 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for measuring the moisture content in a bale of hay comprising:
-
a first pair of electrodes configured to mount in a first position in a bale chamber; at least one additional electrode configured to mount in a second position in the bale chamber; a controller having circuitry to obtain a first measurement between the first pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with a bale of hay; the controller having circuitry to obtain a second measurement between at least one of the first pair of electrodes and the at least one additional electrode while the electrodes are in contact with the bale of hay; the controller having circuitry to determine a moisture content as a function of the first and second measurements and to output a signal indicative of the moisture content of the bale of hay; and the controller having at least one of a display for displaying the moisture content and circuitry for communicating the signal indicative of the moisture content to a receiver located on a tractor or the hay baler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. The system of 1 wherein the controller further comprises an input for selecting a density of a hay bale to be bailed by the bailer.
-
12. A method for determining the moisture content of a bale of hay comprising:
-
taking a first measurement between a first pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with a side of a bale of hay; taking a second measurement between at least one of the first pair of electrodes and at least one additional electrode, wherein the first pair of electrodes and the at least one additional electrode are positioned so that a signal passing between them travels through at least substantially the width of the bale of hay; determining the moisture content of the bale of hay as a function of the first measurement and the second measurement; and providing a moisture content output to a display. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for using a moisture testing device for a bale of hay comprising:
-
providing a moisture testing device having an input for selecting a type of hay baler to be used; providing a display to display the available types of hay balers; providing a data set or moisture curve formula for each type of hay baler that may be selected; and providing an option for selecting a type of hay baler to be used that cause the data set or moisture curve formula for the selected type of hay baler to be used in determining the moisture content of a bale of hay. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for measuring the moisture content in a bale of hay comprising:
-
a first pair of electrodes configured to mount in a bale chamber; a second pair of electrodes configured to mount in the bale chamber; a controller having circuitry to obtain a first measurement between the first pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with a bale of hay; the controller having circuitry to obtain a second measurement between the second pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with the bale of hay; the controller having circuitry to determine a moisture content as a function of the first and second measurements and to output a signal indicative of the moisture content of the bale of hay; and the controller having at least one of a display for displaying the moisture content and circuitry for communicating the signal indicative of the moisture content to a receiver located on a tractor or the hay baler.
-
Specification