Automatic mass-flow sensor calibration for a yield monitor

• US 7,073,314 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Pickett, Terrence D., Beck, Andy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PETRAVICK, MEREDITH C
• Application Number:
  US10/909,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20050003875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 56/102.R, 56/102.B, 56/102.C, 460/1, 460/4, 460/6, 460/7, 701/50
• US Class Current: 56/10.20B
• 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

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 a signal having information relating to the actual weight of the harvested grain to the wireless communication device on the combine;

determining a threshold value associated with a time increment at the wireless communication device on the combine;

determining if the signal that is transmitted to the wireless communication device is sent within the threshold value; 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.