Moisture tester
First Claim
1. An instrument for producing a digitized signal respresentative of the moisture content of a product over a range of moisture contents, comprising:
- a probe having spaced-apart electrodes for contact with said product;
converter means, electrically coupled to said electrodes of said probe, for producing a first signal at a first output having a first frequency generally proportional to the resistance across said electrodes;
clock means for producing a standard frequency signal at a second output;
a gate timer circuit electrically connected to said first and second outputs; and
digital counter circuit means, electrically coupled to said gate timer circuit, for producing a digitized output signal at a third output, said digitized output signal being a digital representation of a value proportional to the resistance across said electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture tester for measuring the total moisture content of high moisture feed products such as corn, silage and cut hay including a probe or sensor having spaced apart electrodes in contact with the product. A VCO is coupled to the electrodes for producing a variable frequency signal proportional to the resistance across the electrodes. A time base signal generator produces a relatively slow fixed frequency time base signal. A gate timer produces latch and reset signals from the time base signal for use in a BCD counter incorporating latch, multiplex and BCD counter portions. The resulting output from the BCD counter drives a display device to provide the user with a relative indication of the amount of moisture over a range of moistures in the feed product. Also disclosed are several types of probes. One flat plate type includes coaxially-mounted annular electrodes for measuring the moisture of newly cut hay. Another sensor measures the moisture of loose feed products using a conical bucket having electrodes mounted on its interior walls.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An instrument for producing a digitized signal respresentative of the moisture content of a product over a range of moisture contents, comprising:
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a probe having spaced-apart electrodes for contact with said product; converter means, electrically coupled to said electrodes of said probe, for producing a first signal at a first output having a first frequency generally proportional to the resistance across said electrodes; clock means for producing a standard frequency signal at a second output; a gate timer circuit electrically connected to said first and second outputs; and digital counter circuit means, electrically coupled to said gate timer circuit, for producing a digitized output signal at a third output, said digitized output signal being a digital representation of a value proportional to the resistance across said electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification