Instrument for providing automatic measurement of test weight
First Claim
1. An instrument for automatically and accurately determining the test weight per bushel of grain, comprising:
- (a) a confined column having a constant cross sectional area for containing grain to be tested for weight per bushel,(b) means for sequentially dumping a plurality of batches of grain to be tested from the bottom of the column,(c) means for automatically determining the height of the grain in the column prior to and after the dumping of each batch of grain from the column,(d) weighing means for weighing each batch of grain dumped from the column,(e) microprocessor means receiving information from the weighing means and the height of the grain column detecting means and calculating the weight per bushel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for automatically and accurately determining the "test weight" of grain, utilizes a confined column having a constant cross sectional area with means for sequentially dumping a plurality of batches of grain from the column and weighing the batches as dumped, combined with means for detecting the height of the grain in the column before or after each dump and feeding the information as to the height and weight to a microprocessor to determine the weight per unit volume utilizing linear regression equations. The instrument also includes an infrared spectroscopic detection device for determining moisture, protein, and oil content.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. An instrument for automatically and accurately determining the test weight per bushel of grain, comprising:
-
(a) a confined column having a constant cross sectional area for containing grain to be tested for weight per bushel, (b) means for sequentially dumping a plurality of batches of grain to be tested from the bottom of the column, (c) means for automatically determining the height of the grain in the column prior to and after the dumping of each batch of grain from the column, (d) weighing means for weighing each batch of grain dumped from the column, (e) microprocessor means receiving information from the weighing means and the height of the grain column detecting means and calculating the weight per bushel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
-
-
9. An instrument for automatically and accurately determining the weight per unit volume of grain, the instrument comprising:
-
(a) a confined column having a constant cross-sectional area for containing grain to be tested for weight per bushel, (b) means for sequentially dumping a plurality of batches of grain to be tested from the bottom of the column, (c) means for automatically determining the height of the grain in the column prior to and after the dumping of each batch of grain from the bottom column, (d) weighing means for weighing each batch of grain dumped from the column, (e) data processing means connected to receive signals from the weighing means and signals from the height of the grain column detecting means, the data processing means calculating the weight per unit volume utilizing linear regression equations after the first two batches are dumped.
-
-
11. A method of automatically determining the weight per unit volume of grain comprising;
-
(a) pouring grain into a columnar zone of a constant cross-sectional area so that the height of grain in the column is readily translatable to volume, (b) dumping small batches of grain from the bottom of the columnar zone so that each batch dumped decreases the height of the grain in the columnar zone, (c) weighing accurately the weight of each batch dumped, (d) measuring accurately the height of the grain in the columnar zone after each batch is dumped, (e) automatically calculating the test weight per unit volume using the change in weight and change in height measurements as applied to linear regression equations after excluding the first several batches.
-
Specification