Measurement pendulum for stored grains

• US 8,677,845 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otalicio Pacheco Da Cunha
• Original Assignee: Otalicio Pacheco Da Cunha
• Inventors: Pacheco Da Cunha, Otalicio
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank, Rodney T
• Application Number:
  US13/122,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20110174072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: 738/66
• US Class Current: 73/866
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 Food
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/10 Starch-containing substances, e.g. dough

Abstract

A measurement pendulum for stored grains mass in which a pendulum type measurer (1) formed by a protection structure (2), holds sensors (3) in its inside that have the direct interface with the outside through one or more transversal passages (4), provided of a porous protection (5) in order to measure the desired variables from the interstitial air that crosses the porous protection (5), and represents the grains characteristics in the outside.

Claims

1. A pendulum type measurer for measuring parameters of stored grains within a grain storage device, comprising:

a protection structure having an outside surface that forms an outer housing of the pendulum type measurer;

a sensor positioned within and held by the protection structure;

a transversal passage in the protection structure;

wherein the sensor is positioned to interface with the transversal passage in the protection structure such that the sensor measures air variables outside the protection structure which represent characteristics of the stored grains.

2. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 further comprising a porous member placed over the transversal passage.

3. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1, wherein the sensor is enclosed a combination of the protection structure and a tubular porous protection positioned over the transversal passage.

4. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the transversal passage has one or openings dimensions that do not allow the grains passage there through so as to keep the sensor separated from the grain.

5. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the transversal passage extends through a forward side and a rearward side of the protection structure.

6. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the transversal passage extends laterally through a forward side and a rearward side of the protection structure, and a first porous member covers the transversal passage in the forward side, and a second porous member covers the transversal passage in the rearward side.

7. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure provides resistance to forces within the stored grains and thereby protects the sensor positioned within the protection structure from damage by the grains.

8. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure is formed of a tubular form around the sensor.

9. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure is supported by at least one cable.

10. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure is supported by a pair of cables.

11. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure is supported by at least one cable that extends through the protection structure.

12. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the protection structure is supported by a pair of cables that extends through the protection structure and connect to the grain storage device.

13. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the sensor measures temperature of the stored grains.

14. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the sensor measures humidity of the stored grains.

15. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the sensor measures dew point of the stored grains.

16. The pendulum type measurer of claim 1 wherein the sensor measures temperature and humidity of the stored grains.

17. The pendulum type measurer of claim 5 wherein the pendulum type measurer remains stationary within the stored grains by supporting cables.

18. A pendulum type measurer for measuring parameters of stored grains within a grain storage device, comprising:

a grain storage device;

a mass of grains stored within the grain storage device;

at least one cable hung from the grain storage device;

the pendulum type measurer connected to the at least one cable and immersed in the mass of grains;

the pendulum type measurer comprising;

a protection structure having an outside surface that forms an outer housing of the pendulum type measurer;

a sensor positioned within and held by the protection structure;

a transversal passage in the protection structure;

wherein the sensor is positioned to interface with the transversal passage in the protection structure such that the sensor measures variables outside the protection structure which represent characteristics of the stored grains including temperature and humidity.

19. The pendulum type measurer of claim 18 further comprising a porous member placed over the transversal passage.