Apparatus for detecting insect-induced vibrations in particulate matter
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
- (a) a vibration receiving structure;
(b) a piezoelectric transducer means physically contacted by the vibration receiving structure at an off-center location on the transducer means for directly detecting the vibrations in the particulate matter via the vibration receiving structure and generating electrical signals in response to the detected vibrations;
(c) means for selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and
(d) means for analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Grain-destroying insects, and those which may infect other types of particulate matter, when feeding and moving about, induce vibrations in the grain or particulate material affected which is modified and amplified to an audible level. The detection is performed using a crystal with piezoelectric properties directly and physically connected to a vibratory receiving structure such as an elongated probe, a thin, flat diaphragm or the like which mechanically amplifies the vibrations to the crystal. The vibratory sounds are then analyzed, such as by comparison with other records of known destructive insects to determine the probable species of insect and its location.
41 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
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(a) a vibration receiving structure; (b) a piezoelectric transducer means physically contacted by the vibration receiving structure at an off-center location on the transducer means for directly detecting the vibrations in the particulate matter via the vibration receiving structure and generating electrical signals in response to the detected vibrations; (c) means for selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and (d) means for analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
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(a) a flat diaphragm forming at least one interior surface of a container for the particulate matter; (b) piezoelectric transducer means physically contacted by said diaphragm at an off-center location on the transducer means for directly detecting the vibrations in the particulate matter via the flat diaphragm and generating electrical signals in response to the detected vibrations; (c) means for selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and (d) means for analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. An apparatus for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
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(a) a housing defining an exterior space from an interior space comprising; (1) a vibration receiving structure exposed to the exterior space; (2) a piezoelectric transducer means for (i) physically contacting the vibration receiving structure in an off-center location; (ii) directly detecting vibrations in the particulate matter via the vibration receiving structure; and (iii) generating electrical signals in response to the detected vibrations; and (3) mounting means for flexibly mounting the piezoelectric transducer means inside the housing; (b) means for selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and (c) means for analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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8. An apparatus for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
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(a) a housing defining an exterior space from an interior space comprising; (1) a flat diaphragm forming at least one interior surface of a container for the particulate matter exposed to the exterior space; (2) a piezoelectric transducer means for (i) physically contacting the vibration receiving structure in an off-center location; (ii) directly detecting vibrations in the particulate matter via the flat diaphragm; and (iii) generating electrical signals in response to the detected vibrations; and (3) mounting means for flexibly mounting the piezoelectric transducer means inside the housing; (b) means for selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and (c) means for analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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18. A method for detecting the presence of insects in particulate matter comprising:
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(a) directly sensing vibrations caused by insects in particulate matter by means of a vibration receiving structure in physical contact with the particulate matter; (b) transducing the vibrations into electrical signals in response to the sensed vibrations by means of a piezolectric transducer means in off-center physical contact with the vibration receiving structure; (c) selectively amplifying the portion of the electrical signals representative of the frequency range of vibrations generated by insects which may be present in the particulate matter; and (d) analyzing the electrical signals representative of the vibrations to identify the species within the particulate matter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification