CA1307945C - Grain moisture tester - Google Patents
Grain moisture testerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1307945C CA1307945C CA000538974A CA538974A CA1307945C CA 1307945 C CA1307945 C CA 1307945C CA 000538974 A CA000538974 A CA 000538974A CA 538974 A CA538974 A CA 538974A CA 1307945 C CA1307945 C CA 1307945C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- grain
- wheat
- cylindrical casing
- casing
- cone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N19/00—Investigating materials by mechanical methods
- G01N19/10—Measuring moisture content, e.g. by measuring change in length of hygroscopic filament; Hygrometers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N3/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
- G01N3/40—Investigating hardness or rebound hardness
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/02—Food
- G01N33/10—Starch-containing substances, e.g. dough
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel method and apparatus is provided for testing the moisture content of grain. The invention is predicated on the discovery that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a function of the moisture content of the grain. Thus the method is now provided for determining the moisture content of grain comprising the steps of: a) sub-stantially filling a cylindrical cup with the grain; (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollow cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the wheat.
A novel method and apparatus is provided for testing the moisture content of grain. The invention is predicated on the discovery that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a function of the moisture content of the grain. Thus the method is now provided for determining the moisture content of grain comprising the steps of: a) sub-stantially filling a cylindrical cup with the grain; (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollow cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the wheat.
Description
~L3~79fl~5 The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining the moisture content of particulate materials, more particularly for determining the moisture content of grain, e.g.
wheat.
Most commercially available grain moisture testers are not suitable for use by the average farmer. Those -that have, in the past, provided satisfactory resul-ts generally required electric power, were not portable to the extent that they could be transported into the field, and were expensive. Other such grain moisture testers were based on complicated structure combined with electronic circuitry and were generally bulky and expensive.
To overcome the difficulties of this prior art, attempts have been made to determine the moisture content of grain by measuring other properties which were a function of the moisture content of grain. One such property was that it was known that the hardness of grain and many other compressible materials varies substantially in inverse proportion to the moisture content of the material. Thus, by measuring the hardness or compressibility, one could obtain a measure of the moisture content. The apparatus used heretofore for determining the compressibility usually consisted of s-traight cylinders provided with a compressing piston. With such an arrangement, the grain was not, however, uniformly compressed in that the grain adjacent the piston was overly compressed, whereas the grain further from the piston was hardly compressed at all. This resulted from the ! ., ' , , j,~r ' ~ ~4 ,~ ,.. . .
13~9gL~ii large frictional forces exer-ted on the grain by the cylinder wall. Additionally, the previous appara-tus of this kind were oE
a type wherein a predetermined force was exerted on the grain by the piston and the resulting deflection of the pis-ton, i.e. the reduc-tion in volume of the cylinder, was taken as an indication of the compressibility and -therefore of the moisture content of the grain. With such an arrangement the deflection of the piston with respect to the cylinder was usually read directly from a mechanical scale arrangement so that the accuracy of the reading was limited by the accuracy and readability of the scale arrangement. The accuracy of any reading with such a device depended on the magnitude of the indicated value when compared with the possible error in reading the scale. Thus, the accuracy was inherently poor when the grain was very dry and hard such that -thfef amount of deflection of the piston was small.
Additionally, the calibration of any such tes-ter was extremely difficult since it was difficult to ensure that the cylinder was filled with grain to precisely the same desired level prior to each test. Thus, the scale would rarely and randomly be at "zero" at the beginning of any given test.
That problem was solved by G.J. Dyck in Canadian Patent 981,054 patented January 6, 1976 which took advantage of the use of a closed variable volume compression chamber having a hollow piston slidable therein, the interior of the piston having a concave face. The piston was made up of a plurali-ty of :L ~ . f f 13~7g~
telescopically interengable hollow piston elements relatively movable with respect to one another so that the interior of the hollow piston provided a frusto-conical compression chamber. As the piston elements were moved to vary the volume of the frusto-conical chamber, the pressure generated in the compression chamber was measured, using a transducer. While this structure provided great accuracy, the cost of providing -the plurality of telescopically-interengageable piston elements was such tha-t the cost of the grain mois-ture tester was high.
It is an object, then, of one aspect of the presen-t invention to provide improved and simple method for determining the compressibility, and the moisture content of particulate material, namely grain, e.g. wheat.
It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a simple apparatus for determining the moisture content of particulate material, namely grain, e.g. wheat.
It has now been found that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a function of the moisture content of the grain. Thus, by a broad aspect of this invention, a method is provided for determining the moisture content of grain comprising the steps of: (a) substan-tially filling a cylindrical cup with the grain; (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollow cone to a maximum predetermined ~3~7~
amount, to urge -the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height of the grain within the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the wheat.
The cone preferably is a truncated hollow cone which is open at both its ends.
In one embodiment, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured mechanically.
The maximum force is limited by a spring resistance. I-t is preferred that applying such force automatically releases a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with grain which has risen within the interior of the hollow truncated cone.
III another embodiment, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured electronically.
By another aspect of this invention, a grain moisture tester is provided comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain; (b) a hollow cone adap-ted to fit within the hollow cup; (c) means for applying a predetermined force to the apex of the cone; and (d) means for measuring the height of the grain which has entered into the hollow cone when the predetermined force has been applied; the height of the grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the grain.
The measuring means may be a mechanical means, preferably where such mechanical means comprises a vertically-movable - . . .
~3~7~9~5 plunger. The vertically-movable plunger is slidably mounted within a casing so that a rod connected to the plunger is subjected to frictional resistance which is greater than the gravi-ta-tional force tending to allow the rod to drop. The frictiollal resistance may be provided by a brake shoe whose pressure on the rod is selectively releasable.
The means for applying a predetermined force comprises a pair of concen-tric vertically-connected casings vertically separated by a spring means, whereby the predetermined force is limited by the resistance of the spring means. The spring means preferably comprises a coi] spring.
The cone preferably is provided with a plurality of guiding but-tresses.
By another aspect of this invention a gauge is provided for use with the above described grain moisture tester, the gauge comprising a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around the lower cylindrical casing, the upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to the upper cylindrical casing, the movement of the upper cylindrical casing towards the lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed spring means; a vertically movable plunger slidably movably mounted within the lower cylindrical casing, the plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively releasable means frictionally engaging the upper shaft.
~3~ S
The lower cylindrical casing is secured -to the upper cylindrical casing by means oE a nut engaging the threaded end of the hollow cylindrical projection. F'referably the selectively-releasable means comprises a button having a transverse bore accommodating the upper sha~t, the button being disposed in a blind bore within the lower cylindrical casing and being urged against the upper shaf-t by a spring means. Still more preferably the button is released by downward movement of the upper cylindrical casing with respect to the lower cylindrical casing.
One embodiment of this invention is shown in the single figure of drawings which is a central longitudinal cross-section, in slightly exploded form of that embodiment of grain moisture tester.
This embodimen-t includes a grain cup 10, a hollow grain cone 20 and a gauge 30.
The grain cup 10 is in the form of an open-ended right circular cylinder 11 including a rigid base 12.
The grain cone 20 is in -the form of a double open-ended truncated cone 21 provided with an open base 22, truncated open apex 23 and four guiding buttresses 24.
The gauge 30 is merely one embodiment of a means for measuring the height to ~hich the grain has ~isen in the cone following -the application oE a standard force to the top of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the grain. While this embodiment has been shown and will be described in detail ' ~ .
~3Q79~;
hereinafter, it is to be understood that any equivalen-t gauge may be used provided it includes some means to apply a standard dowrlward force to the top of the truncated cone and provided it also includes some means to measure the heigh-t to which the grai.n has entered the cone.
Gauge 30 includes a lower cylindrical member 31 and an upper outer concentric cylindrical member 32. Lower cylindrical member 3l includes an upwardly-extending, concentrically cylindrical bore 33 which terminates in a ceiling 34. The lower edge of the member 31 includes a downwardly projecting force-applying ring 35. Lower member 31 is also provided with an upstanding hollow cylindrical projection 36 having a central bore 37, and terminating in an end having threads 38. One rounded wall of the lower member 31 is provided with a dead-end bore 39, for a purpose to the described later.
The upper member 32 includes a roof 40 concentrically countersunk and bored at 41, and provided with an outer shround 42 and an inner guiding shroud 43. The bottom of the countersunk area is provided with an upper roof 44 providing an upper surface against which coil spring 45 abuts. Coil spring 45 also abuts a floor defined by the upper surface 46 of the lower member 31.
The lower member 31 and upper member 32 are secured together with spring 45 therebetween by means of projection 36 extending through countersunk aperture 41 and being secured in place by means of nut 48 engaging threads 38.
'~
~L3~ 5 Slidably mounted within lower member 31 is a meter comprising a rod 50 to which is secured a plunger 51, provided with spaced apart gradations 52 and terminating in a frusto-conical base 53. Rod 50 is provided with an upper retaining screw 54.
Constrained vertical movement of rod 50 with respect to lower member 31 is provided by means of a button 55. ~utton 55 is provided with transverse bore 55 and is placed in blind bore 39, with spring 57 abutting the end 58 of blind bore 39. The rod 50 is assembled so that it extends longitudinally through bore 56. The end face of the button 55 thus provides a brake shoe against the rod 50 by means of a pressure by spring 57.
A protective cap 47 is provided atop the upper member 32.
In use, grain, e.g. wheat, whose moisture is to be tested is placed in cup 10. Cone 20 is then placed atop the grain. The gauge 30 is then placed atop the frustrum of the cone and downward pressure is exerted. The maximum downward pressure is governed by the strength of the spring 45, and so a uniform force is always applied to the top of the frustrum of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the wheat. The cone 21 is guided downwardly by means of buttresses 24 sliding along the inner wall of cup 10.
At the same time as the upper member 3~ moves downwardly with respect to the lower member 31, the lower bevelled edge of outer shroud 42 engages the front, exposed face of thebutton 55 , , ~ : .. . . .
~L3~7,~L5 and releases the engagement of spring 57. This releases the brake shoe from shaft 50. This permits the base 53 to drop down until it engages the top of the wheat which has entered the cone 20.
Since the friction between the wheat and -the inner face of the cone is proportioned to the moisture content of the wheat, the more moist the wheat, the less it rises up into the cone.
Since the brake shoe frictionally contacts -the rod 50, the extent of upward movement of the rod 50 is locked in place.
Accordingly once the gauge is removed from atop the frustrum of cone 20, the moisture content of the wheat can then be read directly by means of the gradation marks.
The grain moisture tester is preferably fabricated, e.g. by injection molding, from a dimensionally-stable, thermoplastic synthetic plastic material. Examples of such materials include high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, polycarbona-te, nylon, etc.
., .
.....
:,', : , ;;
~L3C~7~45 - S~ 10 -Supr,lQmelltary l~i.sclosiure The Principal Disclosure provicled a novel method fQr testing the moisture content of grain, predicated on the discovery that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a fl~nction of the moi~ture content of the grain. Thu.s the method provided in the Principal ~isclosure for determining the moi.citure content of grain comprised the steps of: (a) sub-stantially filling Q cylindrical GUp with the grain;~ (h) placing a hollQw cone whose ]argerst diameter ls subætantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollQw cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height to which the grain ha.~ risen within!the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone keing related to the moisture content of the grain.
The Principal Disclosure also provided a grain moisture tester comprising: (a) a hollQw cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain; (h) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within that ho]low cup; (~) meansi for applying a predetermined force to the apex of the cone; and (d~
means for measuring the height to which the grain has risen into the hollow cone, when the predetermined force has heen applied;
that height heing related to the moii~iture content of the grain.
The principal ohject of the present Supplementary Di~clo~iure is to provide a descriptiQn of a preferred such grain moisture tester and method.
13079~
Thus, by a kroad aspe~t of this inventi~n, as now provided hy the present Supplementary Disclosure, a method is provided for determining th~ moisture content of grain (e.g. wheat) comprising the steps of: (a) .substantially filling A cylindri~al cup with the grain (e.g., wheat); (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain (e.g., wheat); (c) applying a given force on the apex of the hollQw CQne to a maximum predetermined amount, to urge the cone into the grain (e.g., wheat); and (d) measuring the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) within the hollow cone at that predetermined force; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the grain (e.g., wheat).
This invention also provides a grain (e.g., wheat) moisture tester comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain (e.g., wheat); (b) a hollow cQne adapted to fit within the hollQw cup; (c) means for applying a predetermined given force to the apex of the ~one; and (d) means for measuring the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) which has entered into the hollow ~one when the predetermined force has been applied; the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) within the hollow con2 being related to tha moisture content of the grain (e.g., wheat).
In carrying out the method of a broad aspect of this invention as now provided by the present Supplementary Disclosure, it is prçferred to u.se a truncated hollow cone which ' `"
;
~3~)7~4~i is open at both its ends. The ma~imum given Eorce iæ limited by a spring resistance. It is preferred that applying suçh force automatically releases a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with grain (e.g., wheat) which ha~ ri~en within the intçrior oE the hollow truncated cone.
In one embodiment, in the carrying out of the method of a hroad aspect of thi.s invention a~ now provided by the pre~ent SupplementaIy ~isclosure, the height to which the grain has ri~en within the hollow cone is measured me~hanically. In another ~embodiment, in thQ carrying out of the method of thi~ invention, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured electronically.
In the grain moi~ture tester of a hroad a~pect of thi~
invention as now provided by the pre~ent Supplementary ~isclosure, the mechanical means measuring mean~ preferably comprisers a vertically-movable plunger.` The vertically-movable plunger i.s slida~ly mounted within a casirlg so that a rod connected to the plunger i.s suhjected to selectively relea~able frictional resi.stance which is greater than thç gravitational force tending to ~llow the rod to drop. The fri~tional resistance may he provided by a brake .shoe whose pre.ssure on the rod is selectively releasable. Vpon such release, the rod falls until it abuts the top of the grain, and then the frictional resi.ctance is reapplied.
l3n7s~s The means for applying a predetermined given force preferably CQmpriSeS a pair of concentric, v~rtically-connected casings vertically separated by a spriny means, whereby the predetermined given force is limited by the resistance of the spring means. The spring means preferably comprises a coil spring.
In a preferred embodiment, the con~~entric, vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play. The predet~rmined given pressure is controlled by the threaded interengagement. The predetRrmined given pressure is applied by pushing downwardly, movement being within the play of the buttress threads. The downward movement pushes the outer concentrical casing downwardly where a sloping cam surface engages a cooperating cam surface on a brake button which urges the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, which falls until it ahut~ the grain. Release of the cap re-engages the brake shoe and fixes the position of the rod, which gives an indication of the grain moisture contRnt.
The cone preferably is provided with a plurality of guiding buttresses.
In a preferred embodiment, a broad aspect Qf this invention as now provided by the present Supplementary Disclosure, provides a gauge comprising a lower Gylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical 13~794S
_ S~ 14 -upstanding projection; and an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposied around the lower cylindrical casing, the upper ca.sing heing vertically-movably-fixed wit.h respect to the upper cylindrical casing, the movement of the upper cylindrical casing towards the lower cyllndrical ca.qing heing limited hy interposed spring means, the concent:ric vertically-connected casings being interconne~ted hy a cap engaging the inner ca.sing by means of huttresis threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play. A verti.cally-movable plunger :isi slidably-movakly-mounted within the lower cylindrical casing, the plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermo.st hase.
Selectively-releasable means frictionally engaging the upper shaft, the selectively releasable means heing actuated by predetermined given pressure controlled by the threaded interengagement, the predetermined given pressure being applied by pushing downwardly, movement being within the play of the : buttre.s.s threads. A sloping ci3im surface on the outer conGentrical casing engages a cooperating cam .surface on a brake button, which is integral with a brake .shoe, that engagement urging the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, which fall.s until it abuts the grain. The br~ke shoe is re-engaged by releasie of the downward force, the fixed position of the rod, giving an indication of the grain moii~ture content.
~ 3U7~4~ii In ~he drawing~ accompanying thi~ Supplementary ~isclosllre, Figure 2 is a central longit-ldinal cross-.section, in slightly exploded form, of A preferred embodi.ment of grain moi.sture tester; and Figure 3 is a cros.~-section along the line III-TII of Figllre 2.
The embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes ~ grain cup 11Q, a hollow grain cone 120 and a gauge 130.
The grain cup 110 is in the form.of an open-ended right lO circular cylinder 111 including a rigid base 112.
The grain cone 120 i.s in the form of a doublQ open-ended truncated cone 121 provided with an opçn base 122, a truncated open apex 123 and four guiding buttresses i24.
The gauge 130 is one preferred emhodiment of a means for measuring the height to which the grain (e.g., wheat) has risen in t~he cone following the application o`f a standard force to the top of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the grain.
Whi].e this emhodiment has been shown and will be de.scrihed in detail hereinafter, it. is ~Q ke understood that any equivalent 20 gauge may he used provided it includes some means to apply a standard given downward force to the top of the truncated cone and provided it also includes some means to m~asure the height to which the grain (e.g., wheat) has entered the cone.
' ' . .
13(~799L5 - ,~D 16 -A preferred embodiment of the gauge is ~hown in Figures 2 and 3. ~auge 130 include.s a lower cylindrical mçm~er 131 and an upper outer concentric ~leeve 132. Lower cylindrical membçr 131 include.~ an upwardly-extending, concentrically cylindri~al bore 133 which terminate~ in a ~eiling 1~4. The lower edgQ of the memher 131 include.~ a downwardly-projecting, force-applying ring 135, which fits against the top of, ~nd loQSely in~ide of, the ~mall end 123 of cone 121. Lower member 131 i~ al.so provided with an up~tanding hollow cylindrical.projection 136 having a 10 central hore 137, whi~h tçrminate.~ in an end having male buttress thread~ 138. ~ne rounded wall of the lower member 131 at the mid-region between bore~133 and projection 136 i~ provided with Q
dead-end bore 139. Th~s mid-region i~ al~o provided with a concentric, ring-lik.e wçll 160 within which a bra~e ring 161 .i.5 anchored under tension. The degree of tension can be determined by the thickne~ of the hrake ring 161. ~rake ring 161 i~
provided with a radial brake ~hoe 162, provided with an integral up.~tanding relea.~e hutton 155 having a hevelled upper edge 163.
~rake .~hoe 162 i~ thu~ normally in contact with ~haft 150 (to be de~criked later) hut i~ radially extendible within well 160 to be out of contact with ~haft 150.
The concentric sleeve 132 include~ a roof 14Q bored at 141, and provided with an outçr ~kirt 142 and an inner guiding shroud 143 having a bevelled lower edge 14~a. The upper roof 140 i~
provided with a concentric ceiling 144 providing an upper .~urfa~e . ., ", ~3(~9~;
- .SP 17 -against whiçh çoil spring 145 abutrs. Coil ~pring 14.5 als~ rests on floor 146 asso~iated with proje~tion 136, inboard of well 160 of the lower memher 131.
It will be obrserved that upper member 132 i.s ~lidably-çoncentrisally-di.spo.sed relative to lower member 131 guided by outer .skirt 142.
Slidably mounted within lower cylindrical memher 131 is a prohe 149 çompri.sing a shaft 150 to whi~h is seçured a plungQr 151, provided with .spaced-apart gradations 152 and terminating in a tapped well 153 fitted with a sçrew 1S3a. .Sçrew 153a i.s verti~ally movable within well 153 for final calibratiQn of the probe 149.
Constrained vertiçal movement of shaft 150 with respe~t to lower mçmber 131 is provided by means of a brakQ shoe 1~2.
ownward movement of ~leeve 132 çauses the kevelled edgQ 143a of .shroud 143 to engage bevelled edge 163 of relea.se button 155.
This urges brake .shoe 1~2 away from frictional çonta~t with shaft 15n, and so enables the vertical mOVemQnt of ~haft 150.
The final portion of the moi~ture te~tQr is a hold down ~ap 17Q. Thi.s ~ap inçludes a çentral bore 171 to aççommodate the upper end of the probe rshaft 150, and an inner, çonçentriç skirt 172 provided with female buttrQ.ss threads 173. The lower edge 174 of the cap 170 i~s provided with a detent 175 whiçh is adapted to engage with one of ten radially-~paced-apart so~kets 148 in the upper edge 149 Qf .sleeve 132 to determine, and to loçk the predetermined spring pres.sure.
''' ~'' ~ ' : .
~3(~7~5 - .sr? l ~ -Tn use, the grain ~e.g., wheat) moisture tester is a~sçmhled by screwing the hold-down cap 17Q to the projection 13~ of the lower member 131 hy means of the buttress thread.c 173, 13~, with the sleeve 132 in-terpo~ed he-tween the cap 170 and the lower member 131. When the huttrçss threads are engaged there is A
clearance of 1/32 inch. In other words there i~ a vertical "play" of 1~2 in~h.
Grain, e.g. wheat, whose moi~tuire i.s to be te.sted is placed in cup 10. ~one 2n is -thçn placed at.op the grain le.g., wheat).
The moisture tester 30 is then placed atop the frustrum of the cone an-1, for the first time a test is to be con-lucted, the cap is then rotated. The detçnt of the cap i~ received in one o the ten ~ocket~ in the sleeve so that it will!lock and prevent ~pring tension change when in use. The predetermined given spring pressure is achieved when the two cooperating bevelled sllrfaces are 0.010 inches apart. Now, when the`hold-down cap is pressed vertically downwardly, it will act a~ one unit with the sleeve.
The female buttres~ thread will move down into the clearance provided in the male thread. The two bevelled surface~ will then engage and cau~e the brake shoe to release the probe shaft. As soon a~ downward pre~sure is released, the ~rake shoe re-engages the probe ~haft and locks it in position for moi~ture reading.
The maximum downward pressure is governed hy the .strength o the spring 145, and so a uniform given force is always applied to the top of the fru.~trllm of the cone -to urge the cone downwardly into ~3n7~
- SI~
the srain, e.g. wheat. The cone 121 is guidçd downwardly by mean~ Qf ~uttre~ses 124 ~liding along the inner wall of cup 110.
Since the friotion hetween thç grain, e.g. wheat kçrnel~ and hetween the grain, e.g. whçat and thR inner fa~e of thç cone i.s proportionçd to the moi~t~lrç contçnt of the grain, ç.g. wheat, the morç moist the grain, e.g. whçat, the less it rises up into the cone.
Since the brake ~hoe frictionally contacts the rod 150, the extent of downward ~ovement of the rod 150 is loclced in place.
lO Accordingly oncç the prohe is removed from atop the frustrum of cone 12Q, the moisture contçnt of the grain, e.g. whçat can then be read directly by mean~ of the gradation mark~.
The grain moisture tester is preferahly fahricated, e.g. ~y injection molding, from a dimensionally-stahle, thermoplasti~
~ynthetic plastic material. Examples of such materials include that known hy the trade mark ~ELRIN high density polypropylçne, poly~arhonate, nylon, etc.
, . .
. .
wheat.
Most commercially available grain moisture testers are not suitable for use by the average farmer. Those -that have, in the past, provided satisfactory resul-ts generally required electric power, were not portable to the extent that they could be transported into the field, and were expensive. Other such grain moisture testers were based on complicated structure combined with electronic circuitry and were generally bulky and expensive.
To overcome the difficulties of this prior art, attempts have been made to determine the moisture content of grain by measuring other properties which were a function of the moisture content of grain. One such property was that it was known that the hardness of grain and many other compressible materials varies substantially in inverse proportion to the moisture content of the material. Thus, by measuring the hardness or compressibility, one could obtain a measure of the moisture content. The apparatus used heretofore for determining the compressibility usually consisted of s-traight cylinders provided with a compressing piston. With such an arrangement, the grain was not, however, uniformly compressed in that the grain adjacent the piston was overly compressed, whereas the grain further from the piston was hardly compressed at all. This resulted from the ! ., ' , , j,~r ' ~ ~4 ,~ ,.. . .
13~9gL~ii large frictional forces exer-ted on the grain by the cylinder wall. Additionally, the previous appara-tus of this kind were oE
a type wherein a predetermined force was exerted on the grain by the piston and the resulting deflection of the pis-ton, i.e. the reduc-tion in volume of the cylinder, was taken as an indication of the compressibility and -therefore of the moisture content of the grain. With such an arrangement the deflection of the piston with respect to the cylinder was usually read directly from a mechanical scale arrangement so that the accuracy of the reading was limited by the accuracy and readability of the scale arrangement. The accuracy of any reading with such a device depended on the magnitude of the indicated value when compared with the possible error in reading the scale. Thus, the accuracy was inherently poor when the grain was very dry and hard such that -thfef amount of deflection of the piston was small.
Additionally, the calibration of any such tes-ter was extremely difficult since it was difficult to ensure that the cylinder was filled with grain to precisely the same desired level prior to each test. Thus, the scale would rarely and randomly be at "zero" at the beginning of any given test.
That problem was solved by G.J. Dyck in Canadian Patent 981,054 patented January 6, 1976 which took advantage of the use of a closed variable volume compression chamber having a hollow piston slidable therein, the interior of the piston having a concave face. The piston was made up of a plurali-ty of :L ~ . f f 13~7g~
telescopically interengable hollow piston elements relatively movable with respect to one another so that the interior of the hollow piston provided a frusto-conical compression chamber. As the piston elements were moved to vary the volume of the frusto-conical chamber, the pressure generated in the compression chamber was measured, using a transducer. While this structure provided great accuracy, the cost of providing -the plurality of telescopically-interengageable piston elements was such tha-t the cost of the grain mois-ture tester was high.
It is an object, then, of one aspect of the presen-t invention to provide improved and simple method for determining the compressibility, and the moisture content of particulate material, namely grain, e.g. wheat.
It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a simple apparatus for determining the moisture content of particulate material, namely grain, e.g. wheat.
It has now been found that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a function of the moisture content of the grain. Thus, by a broad aspect of this invention, a method is provided for determining the moisture content of grain comprising the steps of: (a) substan-tially filling a cylindrical cup with the grain; (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollow cone to a maximum predetermined ~3~7~
amount, to urge -the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height of the grain within the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the wheat.
The cone preferably is a truncated hollow cone which is open at both its ends.
In one embodiment, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured mechanically.
The maximum force is limited by a spring resistance. I-t is preferred that applying such force automatically releases a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with grain which has risen within the interior of the hollow truncated cone.
III another embodiment, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured electronically.
By another aspect of this invention, a grain moisture tester is provided comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain; (b) a hollow cone adap-ted to fit within the hollow cup; (c) means for applying a predetermined force to the apex of the cone; and (d) means for measuring the height of the grain which has entered into the hollow cone when the predetermined force has been applied; the height of the grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the grain.
The measuring means may be a mechanical means, preferably where such mechanical means comprises a vertically-movable - . . .
~3~7~9~5 plunger. The vertically-movable plunger is slidably mounted within a casing so that a rod connected to the plunger is subjected to frictional resistance which is greater than the gravi-ta-tional force tending to allow the rod to drop. The frictiollal resistance may be provided by a brake shoe whose pressure on the rod is selectively releasable.
The means for applying a predetermined force comprises a pair of concen-tric vertically-connected casings vertically separated by a spring means, whereby the predetermined force is limited by the resistance of the spring means. The spring means preferably comprises a coi] spring.
The cone preferably is provided with a plurality of guiding but-tresses.
By another aspect of this invention a gauge is provided for use with the above described grain moisture tester, the gauge comprising a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around the lower cylindrical casing, the upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to the upper cylindrical casing, the movement of the upper cylindrical casing towards the lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed spring means; a vertically movable plunger slidably movably mounted within the lower cylindrical casing, the plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively releasable means frictionally engaging the upper shaft.
~3~ S
The lower cylindrical casing is secured -to the upper cylindrical casing by means oE a nut engaging the threaded end of the hollow cylindrical projection. F'referably the selectively-releasable means comprises a button having a transverse bore accommodating the upper sha~t, the button being disposed in a blind bore within the lower cylindrical casing and being urged against the upper shaf-t by a spring means. Still more preferably the button is released by downward movement of the upper cylindrical casing with respect to the lower cylindrical casing.
One embodiment of this invention is shown in the single figure of drawings which is a central longitudinal cross-section, in slightly exploded form of that embodiment of grain moisture tester.
This embodimen-t includes a grain cup 10, a hollow grain cone 20 and a gauge 30.
The grain cup 10 is in the form of an open-ended right circular cylinder 11 including a rigid base 12.
The grain cone 20 is in -the form of a double open-ended truncated cone 21 provided with an open base 22, truncated open apex 23 and four guiding buttresses 24.
The gauge 30 is merely one embodiment of a means for measuring the height to ~hich the grain has ~isen in the cone following -the application oE a standard force to the top of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the grain. While this embodiment has been shown and will be described in detail ' ~ .
~3Q79~;
hereinafter, it is to be understood that any equivalen-t gauge may be used provided it includes some means to apply a standard dowrlward force to the top of the truncated cone and provided it also includes some means to measure the heigh-t to which the grai.n has entered the cone.
Gauge 30 includes a lower cylindrical member 31 and an upper outer concentric cylindrical member 32. Lower cylindrical member 3l includes an upwardly-extending, concentrically cylindrical bore 33 which terminates in a ceiling 34. The lower edge of the member 31 includes a downwardly projecting force-applying ring 35. Lower member 31 is also provided with an upstanding hollow cylindrical projection 36 having a central bore 37, and terminating in an end having threads 38. One rounded wall of the lower member 31 is provided with a dead-end bore 39, for a purpose to the described later.
The upper member 32 includes a roof 40 concentrically countersunk and bored at 41, and provided with an outer shround 42 and an inner guiding shroud 43. The bottom of the countersunk area is provided with an upper roof 44 providing an upper surface against which coil spring 45 abuts. Coil spring 45 also abuts a floor defined by the upper surface 46 of the lower member 31.
The lower member 31 and upper member 32 are secured together with spring 45 therebetween by means of projection 36 extending through countersunk aperture 41 and being secured in place by means of nut 48 engaging threads 38.
'~
~L3~ 5 Slidably mounted within lower member 31 is a meter comprising a rod 50 to which is secured a plunger 51, provided with spaced apart gradations 52 and terminating in a frusto-conical base 53. Rod 50 is provided with an upper retaining screw 54.
Constrained vertical movement of rod 50 with respect to lower member 31 is provided by means of a button 55. ~utton 55 is provided with transverse bore 55 and is placed in blind bore 39, with spring 57 abutting the end 58 of blind bore 39. The rod 50 is assembled so that it extends longitudinally through bore 56. The end face of the button 55 thus provides a brake shoe against the rod 50 by means of a pressure by spring 57.
A protective cap 47 is provided atop the upper member 32.
In use, grain, e.g. wheat, whose moisture is to be tested is placed in cup 10. Cone 20 is then placed atop the grain. The gauge 30 is then placed atop the frustrum of the cone and downward pressure is exerted. The maximum downward pressure is governed by the strength of the spring 45, and so a uniform force is always applied to the top of the frustrum of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the wheat. The cone 21 is guided downwardly by means of buttresses 24 sliding along the inner wall of cup 10.
At the same time as the upper member 3~ moves downwardly with respect to the lower member 31, the lower bevelled edge of outer shroud 42 engages the front, exposed face of thebutton 55 , , ~ : .. . . .
~L3~7,~L5 and releases the engagement of spring 57. This releases the brake shoe from shaft 50. This permits the base 53 to drop down until it engages the top of the wheat which has entered the cone 20.
Since the friction between the wheat and -the inner face of the cone is proportioned to the moisture content of the wheat, the more moist the wheat, the less it rises up into the cone.
Since the brake shoe frictionally contacts -the rod 50, the extent of upward movement of the rod 50 is locked in place.
Accordingly once the gauge is removed from atop the frustrum of cone 20, the moisture content of the wheat can then be read directly by means of the gradation marks.
The grain moisture tester is preferably fabricated, e.g. by injection molding, from a dimensionally-stable, thermoplastic synthetic plastic material. Examples of such materials include high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, polycarbona-te, nylon, etc.
., .
.....
:,', : , ;;
~L3C~7~45 - S~ 10 -Supr,lQmelltary l~i.sclosiure The Principal Disclosure provicled a novel method fQr testing the moisture content of grain, predicated on the discovery that the friction between one grain and another grain and/or a solid surface is a fl~nction of the moi~ture content of the grain. Thu.s the method provided in the Principal ~isclosure for determining the moi.citure content of grain comprised the steps of: (a) sub-stantially filling Q cylindrical GUp with the grain;~ (h) placing a hollQw cone whose ]argerst diameter ls subætantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain; (c) applying a force on the apex of the hollQw cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge the cone into the grain; and (d) measuring the height to which the grain ha.~ risen within!the hollow cone; the height of grain within the hollow cone keing related to the moisture content of the grain.
The Principal Disclosure also provided a grain moisture tester comprising: (a) a hollQw cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain; (h) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within that ho]low cup; (~) meansi for applying a predetermined force to the apex of the cone; and (d~
means for measuring the height to which the grain has risen into the hollow cone, when the predetermined force has heen applied;
that height heing related to the moii~iture content of the grain.
The principal ohject of the present Supplementary Di~clo~iure is to provide a descriptiQn of a preferred such grain moisture tester and method.
13079~
Thus, by a kroad aspe~t of this inventi~n, as now provided hy the present Supplementary Disclosure, a method is provided for determining th~ moisture content of grain (e.g. wheat) comprising the steps of: (a) .substantially filling A cylindri~al cup with the grain (e.g., wheat); (b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical cup, atop the grain (e.g., wheat); (c) applying a given force on the apex of the hollQw CQne to a maximum predetermined amount, to urge the cone into the grain (e.g., wheat); and (d) measuring the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) within the hollow cone at that predetermined force; the height of grain within the hollow cone being related to the moisture content of the grain (e.g., wheat).
This invention also provides a grain (e.g., wheat) moisture tester comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain (e.g., wheat); (b) a hollow cQne adapted to fit within the hollQw cup; (c) means for applying a predetermined given force to the apex of the ~one; and (d) means for measuring the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) which has entered into the hollow ~one when the predetermined force has been applied; the height of the grain (e.g., wheat) within the hollow con2 being related to tha moisture content of the grain (e.g., wheat).
In carrying out the method of a broad aspect of this invention as now provided by the present Supplementary Disclosure, it is prçferred to u.se a truncated hollow cone which ' `"
;
~3~)7~4~i is open at both its ends. The ma~imum given Eorce iæ limited by a spring resistance. It is preferred that applying suçh force automatically releases a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with grain (e.g., wheat) which ha~ ri~en within the intçrior oE the hollow truncated cone.
In one embodiment, in the carrying out of the method of a hroad aspect of thi.s invention a~ now provided by the pre~ent SupplementaIy ~isclosure, the height to which the grain has ri~en within the hollow cone is measured me~hanically. In another ~embodiment, in thQ carrying out of the method of thi~ invention, the height to which the grain has risen within the hollow cone is measured electronically.
In the grain moi~ture tester of a hroad a~pect of thi~
invention as now provided by the pre~ent Supplementary ~isclosure, the mechanical means measuring mean~ preferably comprisers a vertically-movable plunger.` The vertically-movable plunger i.s slida~ly mounted within a casirlg so that a rod connected to the plunger i.s suhjected to selectively relea~able frictional resi.stance which is greater than thç gravitational force tending to ~llow the rod to drop. The fri~tional resistance may he provided by a brake .shoe whose pre.ssure on the rod is selectively releasable. Vpon such release, the rod falls until it abuts the top of the grain, and then the frictional resi.ctance is reapplied.
l3n7s~s The means for applying a predetermined given force preferably CQmpriSeS a pair of concentric, v~rtically-connected casings vertically separated by a spriny means, whereby the predetermined given force is limited by the resistance of the spring means. The spring means preferably comprises a coil spring.
In a preferred embodiment, the con~~entric, vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play. The predet~rmined given pressure is controlled by the threaded interengagement. The predetRrmined given pressure is applied by pushing downwardly, movement being within the play of the buttress threads. The downward movement pushes the outer concentrical casing downwardly where a sloping cam surface engages a cooperating cam surface on a brake button which urges the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, which falls until it ahut~ the grain. Release of the cap re-engages the brake shoe and fixes the position of the rod, which gives an indication of the grain moisture contRnt.
The cone preferably is provided with a plurality of guiding buttresses.
In a preferred embodiment, a broad aspect Qf this invention as now provided by the present Supplementary Disclosure, provides a gauge comprising a lower Gylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical 13~794S
_ S~ 14 -upstanding projection; and an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposied around the lower cylindrical casing, the upper ca.sing heing vertically-movably-fixed wit.h respect to the upper cylindrical casing, the movement of the upper cylindrical casing towards the lower cyllndrical ca.qing heing limited hy interposed spring means, the concent:ric vertically-connected casings being interconne~ted hy a cap engaging the inner ca.sing by means of huttresis threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play. A verti.cally-movable plunger :isi slidably-movakly-mounted within the lower cylindrical casing, the plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermo.st hase.
Selectively-releasable means frictionally engaging the upper shaft, the selectively releasable means heing actuated by predetermined given pressure controlled by the threaded interengagement, the predetermined given pressure being applied by pushing downwardly, movement being within the play of the : buttre.s.s threads. A sloping ci3im surface on the outer conGentrical casing engages a cooperating cam .surface on a brake button, which is integral with a brake .shoe, that engagement urging the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, which fall.s until it abuts the grain. The br~ke shoe is re-engaged by releasie of the downward force, the fixed position of the rod, giving an indication of the grain moii~ture content.
~ 3U7~4~ii In ~he drawing~ accompanying thi~ Supplementary ~isclosllre, Figure 2 is a central longit-ldinal cross-.section, in slightly exploded form, of A preferred embodi.ment of grain moi.sture tester; and Figure 3 is a cros.~-section along the line III-TII of Figllre 2.
The embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 includes ~ grain cup 11Q, a hollow grain cone 120 and a gauge 130.
The grain cup 110 is in the form.of an open-ended right lO circular cylinder 111 including a rigid base 112.
The grain cone 120 i.s in the form of a doublQ open-ended truncated cone 121 provided with an opçn base 122, a truncated open apex 123 and four guiding buttresses i24.
The gauge 130 is one preferred emhodiment of a means for measuring the height to which the grain (e.g., wheat) has risen in t~he cone following the application o`f a standard force to the top of the cone to urge the cone downwardly into the grain.
Whi].e this emhodiment has been shown and will be de.scrihed in detail hereinafter, it. is ~Q ke understood that any equivalent 20 gauge may he used provided it includes some means to apply a standard given downward force to the top of the truncated cone and provided it also includes some means to m~asure the height to which the grain (e.g., wheat) has entered the cone.
' ' . .
13(~799L5 - ,~D 16 -A preferred embodiment of the gauge is ~hown in Figures 2 and 3. ~auge 130 include.s a lower cylindrical mçm~er 131 and an upper outer concentric ~leeve 132. Lower cylindrical membçr 131 include.~ an upwardly-extending, concentrically cylindri~al bore 133 which terminate~ in a ~eiling 1~4. The lower edgQ of the memher 131 include.~ a downwardly-projecting, force-applying ring 135, which fits against the top of, ~nd loQSely in~ide of, the ~mall end 123 of cone 121. Lower member 131 i~ al.so provided with an up~tanding hollow cylindrical.projection 136 having a 10 central hore 137, whi~h tçrminate.~ in an end having male buttress thread~ 138. ~ne rounded wall of the lower member 131 at the mid-region between bore~133 and projection 136 i~ provided with Q
dead-end bore 139. Th~s mid-region i~ al~o provided with a concentric, ring-lik.e wçll 160 within which a bra~e ring 161 .i.5 anchored under tension. The degree of tension can be determined by the thickne~ of the hrake ring 161. ~rake ring 161 i~
provided with a radial brake ~hoe 162, provided with an integral up.~tanding relea.~e hutton 155 having a hevelled upper edge 163.
~rake .~hoe 162 i~ thu~ normally in contact with ~haft 150 (to be de~criked later) hut i~ radially extendible within well 160 to be out of contact with ~haft 150.
The concentric sleeve 132 include~ a roof 14Q bored at 141, and provided with an outçr ~kirt 142 and an inner guiding shroud 143 having a bevelled lower edge 14~a. The upper roof 140 i~
provided with a concentric ceiling 144 providing an upper .~urfa~e . ., ", ~3(~9~;
- .SP 17 -against whiçh çoil spring 145 abutrs. Coil ~pring 14.5 als~ rests on floor 146 asso~iated with proje~tion 136, inboard of well 160 of the lower memher 131.
It will be obrserved that upper member 132 i.s ~lidably-çoncentrisally-di.spo.sed relative to lower member 131 guided by outer .skirt 142.
Slidably mounted within lower cylindrical memher 131 is a prohe 149 çompri.sing a shaft 150 to whi~h is seçured a plungQr 151, provided with .spaced-apart gradations 152 and terminating in a tapped well 153 fitted with a sçrew 1S3a. .Sçrew 153a i.s verti~ally movable within well 153 for final calibratiQn of the probe 149.
Constrained vertiçal movement of shaft 150 with respe~t to lower mçmber 131 is provided by means of a brakQ shoe 1~2.
ownward movement of ~leeve 132 çauses the kevelled edgQ 143a of .shroud 143 to engage bevelled edge 163 of relea.se button 155.
This urges brake .shoe 1~2 away from frictional çonta~t with shaft 15n, and so enables the vertical mOVemQnt of ~haft 150.
The final portion of the moi~ture te~tQr is a hold down ~ap 17Q. Thi.s ~ap inçludes a çentral bore 171 to aççommodate the upper end of the probe rshaft 150, and an inner, çonçentriç skirt 172 provided with female buttrQ.ss threads 173. The lower edge 174 of the cap 170 i~s provided with a detent 175 whiçh is adapted to engage with one of ten radially-~paced-apart so~kets 148 in the upper edge 149 Qf .sleeve 132 to determine, and to loçk the predetermined spring pres.sure.
''' ~'' ~ ' : .
~3(~7~5 - .sr? l ~ -Tn use, the grain ~e.g., wheat) moisture tester is a~sçmhled by screwing the hold-down cap 17Q to the projection 13~ of the lower member 131 hy means of the buttress thread.c 173, 13~, with the sleeve 132 in-terpo~ed he-tween the cap 170 and the lower member 131. When the huttrçss threads are engaged there is A
clearance of 1/32 inch. In other words there i~ a vertical "play" of 1~2 in~h.
Grain, e.g. wheat, whose moi~tuire i.s to be te.sted is placed in cup 10. ~one 2n is -thçn placed at.op the grain le.g., wheat).
The moisture tester 30 is then placed atop the frustrum of the cone an-1, for the first time a test is to be con-lucted, the cap is then rotated. The detçnt of the cap i~ received in one o the ten ~ocket~ in the sleeve so that it will!lock and prevent ~pring tension change when in use. The predetermined given spring pressure is achieved when the two cooperating bevelled sllrfaces are 0.010 inches apart. Now, when the`hold-down cap is pressed vertically downwardly, it will act a~ one unit with the sleeve.
The female buttres~ thread will move down into the clearance provided in the male thread. The two bevelled surface~ will then engage and cau~e the brake shoe to release the probe shaft. As soon a~ downward pre~sure is released, the ~rake shoe re-engages the probe ~haft and locks it in position for moi~ture reading.
The maximum downward pressure is governed hy the .strength o the spring 145, and so a uniform given force is always applied to the top of the fru.~trllm of the cone -to urge the cone downwardly into ~3n7~
- SI~
the srain, e.g. wheat. The cone 121 is guidçd downwardly by mean~ Qf ~uttre~ses 124 ~liding along the inner wall of cup 110.
Since the friotion hetween thç grain, e.g. wheat kçrnel~ and hetween the grain, e.g. whçat and thR inner fa~e of thç cone i.s proportionçd to the moi~t~lrç contçnt of the grain, ç.g. wheat, the morç moist the grain, e.g. whçat, the less it rises up into the cone.
Since the brake ~hoe frictionally contacts the rod 150, the extent of downward ~ovement of the rod 150 is loclced in place.
lO Accordingly oncç the prohe is removed from atop the frustrum of cone 12Q, the moisture contçnt of the grain, e.g. whçat can then be read directly by mean~ of the gradation mark~.
The grain moisture tester is preferahly fahricated, e.g. ~y injection molding, from a dimensionally-stahle, thermoplasti~
~ynthetic plastic material. Examples of such materials include that known hy the trade mark ~ELRIN high density polypropylçne, poly~arhonate, nylon, etc.
, . .
. .
Claims (19)
1. A method for determining the moisture content of grain comprising the steps of:
(a) substantially filling a cylindrical cup with said grain;
(b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical cup, atop said grain;
(c) applying a force on the apex of said hollow cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge said cone into said grain;
and (d) measuring the height to which said grain has risen within said hollow cone;
said height of grain within said hollow cone being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
(a) substantially filling a cylindrical cup with said grain;
(b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical cup, atop said grain;
(c) applying a force on the apex of said hollow cone to a maximum predetermined amount to urge said cone into said grain;
and (d) measuring the height to which said grain has risen within said hollow cone;
said height of grain within said hollow cone being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said hollow cone is a truncated hollow cone which is open at both its ends.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the height to which said grain has risen within said hollow cone is measured mechanically.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein a maximum predetermined force applied to the apex of said truncated hollow cone is limited by a spring resistance.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the applying of said force automatically releases a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with grain which has risen within the interior of the hollow truncated cone.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the height to which said grain has risen within said hollow cone is measured electronically.
7. A grain moisture tester comprising:
(a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain;
(b) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within said hollow cup;
(c) means for applying a predetermined force to the apex of said cone;
and (d) means for measuring the height to which said grain has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined force has been applied;
said height being related to the moisture content of said grain.
(a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with grain;
(b) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within said hollow cup;
(c) means for applying a predetermined force to the apex of said cone;
and (d) means for measuring the height to which said grain has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined force has been applied;
said height being related to the moisture content of said grain.
8. The grain moisture tester of claim 7 wherein said measuring means is a mechanical means.
9. The grain moisture tester of claim 8 wherein said mechanical means comprises a vertically-movable plunger.
10. The grain moisture tester of claim 9 wherein said vertically-movable plunger is slidably mounted within a casing so that a rod connected to said plunger is subjected to frictional resistance which is greater than the gravitational force tending to allow said rod to drop.
11. The grain moisture tester of claim 10 wherein said frictional resistance is provided by a brake shoe whose pressure on said rod is selectively releasable.
12. The grain moisture tester of claim 8 wherein said means for applying a predetermined force comprises a pair of concentric vertically-connected casings vertically separated by a spring means, whereby said predetermined force is limited by the resistance of said spring means.
13. The grain moisture tester of claim 12 wherein said spring means comprises a coil spring.
14. The grain moisture tester of claim 13 wherein said cone is provided with a plurality of guiding buttresses.
15. A gauge for use with the grain moisture tester of claim 7, said gauge comprising: a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around said lower cylindrical casing, said upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to said upper cylindrical casing, the movement of said upper cylindrical casing towards said lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed spring means; a vertically movable plunger slidably movably mounted within said lower cylindrical casing, said plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively releasable means frictionally engaging said upper shaft.
16. The gauge of claim 15 wherein said lower cylindrical casing is secured to said upper cylindrical casing by means of a nut engaging the threaded end of said hollow cylindrical projection.
17. The gauge of claim 15 wherein said selectively-releasable means comprises a button having a transverse bore accommodating said upper shaft, said button being disposed in a blind bore within said lower cylindrical casing and being urged against said upper shaft by a spring means.
18. The gauge of claim 17 wherein said button is released by downward movement of said upper cylindrical casing with respect to said lower cylindrical casing.
19. The grain moisture tester of claim 7 wherein said means for measuring the height to which said grain has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined force has been applied comprises: a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around said lower cylindrical casing, said upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to said upper cylindrical casing, the movement of said upper cylindrical casing towards said lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed-spring means, said lower cylindrical casing being secured to said upper cylindrical casing by means of a nut engaging the threaded end of said hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; a vertically movable plunger slidably movably mounted within said lower cylindrical casing said plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively-releasable means frictionally engaging said upper shaft; said selectively releasable means comprising a button having a transverse bore accommodating said upper shaft, disposed in a blind bore within said lower cylindrical casing and being urged against said upper shaft by a spring means, said button being releasable by downward movement of said upper cylindrical casing with respect to said lower cylindrical casing.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
SD 20. A method for determining the moisture content of wheat comprising the steps of:
(a) substantially filling a cylindrical cup with said wheat;
(b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical cup, atop said wheat;
(c) applying a given force on the apex of said hollow cone to a maximum given predetermined amount to urge said cone into said grain;
and (d) measuring the height to which said wheat has risen within said hollow cone at said predetermined given force;
said height of wheat within said hollow cone being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
SD 21. The method of claim SD 20 which comprises limiting a maximum given predetermined force applied to the apex of said truncated hollow cone by a spring resistance in conjunction with a pair of members joined together by buttress threads.
SD 22. The method of claim SD 21 which comprises automatically releasing a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with wheat which has risen within the interior of the hollow truncated cone by the applying of said maximum given predetermined force.
SD 23. A wheat moisture tester comprising:
(a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with wheat;
(b) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within said hollow cup;
(c) means for applying a predetermined given force to the apex of said cone;
and (d) means for measuring the height to which said wheat has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined force has been applied;
said height being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
SD 24. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein said means for applying! A predetermined given force comprises a pair of concentric vertically-connected casings vertically separated by a spring means and joined together by buttress threads, whereby said predetermined given force is limited by the resistance of said spring means in conjunction with said buttress threads.
SD 25. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein:
said concentric vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play, said predetermined given force being controlled by said threaded interengagement; said force is applied by downward movement within the play of said buttress threads, said downward movement pushing said outer concentrical casing downwardly, a sloping cam surface on said casing thereby engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button, which urges a brake shoe out of frictional contact with a rod, allowing said rod to fall until it abuts said wheat;
release of the downward force on the cap causes re-engagement of said brake shoe; and the fixed position of said rod gives an indication of the wheat moisture content.
SD 26. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein said means for measuring the height to which said wheat has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined given force has been applied comprises: a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around said lower cylindrical casing, said upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to said upper cylindrical casing, the movement of said upper cylindrical casing towards said lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed-spring means, said lower cylindrical casing being connected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play; a vertically-movable plunger slidably-movably-mounted within said lower cylindrical casing, said plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively-releasable means frictionally engaging said upper shaft; said selectively releasable means being actuated by a predetermined force controlled by said threaded interengagement, said force being applied by pushing downwardly within said play of said buttress threads; said downward movement pushing the outer concentric casing downwardly; a sloping cam surface on said outer concentric casing engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button which urges said brake shoe out of frictional contact with said rod, to allow said rod to fall until it abuts the wheat; re-engagement of said brake shoe being effected by releasing said downward force on said cap; the fixed position of said rod giving an indication of the wheat moisture content of the wheat.
SD 27. The gauge of claim 16 wherein: said concentric vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32"
or more vertical play; said predetermined force is controlled by said threaded interengagement; the force is applied by downward movement within the play of said buttress threads, said downward movement pushing said outer concentrical casing downwardly, a sloping cam surface on said casing thereby engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button, which urges the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, allowing said rod to fall until it abuts the grain; release of the downward force on the cap causes re-engagement of said brake shoe; and the fixed position of the rod giving an indication of the moisture content of the wheat.
CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
SD 20. A method for determining the moisture content of wheat comprising the steps of:
(a) substantially filling a cylindrical cup with said wheat;
(b) placing a hollow cone whose largest diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of said cylindrical cup, atop said wheat;
(c) applying a given force on the apex of said hollow cone to a maximum given predetermined amount to urge said cone into said grain;
and (d) measuring the height to which said wheat has risen within said hollow cone at said predetermined given force;
said height of wheat within said hollow cone being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
SD 21. The method of claim SD 20 which comprises limiting a maximum given predetermined force applied to the apex of said truncated hollow cone by a spring resistance in conjunction with a pair of members joined together by buttress threads.
SD 22. The method of claim SD 21 which comprises automatically releasing a vertically-movable meter rod downwardly into contact with wheat which has risen within the interior of the hollow truncated cone by the applying of said maximum given predetermined force.
SD 23. A wheat moisture tester comprising:
(a) a hollow cylindrical cup, adapted to be filled with wheat;
(b) a hollow cone having its largest end adapted slidingly to fit within said hollow cup;
(c) means for applying a predetermined given force to the apex of said cone;
and (d) means for measuring the height to which said wheat has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined force has been applied;
said height being related to the moisture content of said wheat.
SD 24. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein said means for applying! A predetermined given force comprises a pair of concentric vertically-connected casings vertically separated by a spring means and joined together by buttress threads, whereby said predetermined given force is limited by the resistance of said spring means in conjunction with said buttress threads.
SD 25. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein:
said concentric vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play, said predetermined given force being controlled by said threaded interengagement; said force is applied by downward movement within the play of said buttress threads, said downward movement pushing said outer concentrical casing downwardly, a sloping cam surface on said casing thereby engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button, which urges a brake shoe out of frictional contact with a rod, allowing said rod to fall until it abuts said wheat;
release of the downward force on the cap causes re-engagement of said brake shoe; and the fixed position of said rod gives an indication of the wheat moisture content.
SD 26. The wheat moisture tester of claim SD 23 wherein said means for measuring the height to which said wheat has risen into said hollow cone, when said predetermined given force has been applied comprises: a lower cylindrical casing including an upper dead end bore and a hollow cylindrical upstanding projection; an upper cylindrical casing concentrically disposed around said lower cylindrical casing, said upper casing being vertically-movably-fixed with respect to said upper cylindrical casing, the movement of said upper cylindrical casing towards said lower cylindrical casing being limited by interposed-spring means, said lower cylindrical casing being connected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32" or more vertical play; a vertically-movable plunger slidably-movably-mounted within said lower cylindrical casing, said plunger including an upper shaft, a lower graduated member and a lowermost base; and selectively-releasable means frictionally engaging said upper shaft; said selectively releasable means being actuated by a predetermined force controlled by said threaded interengagement, said force being applied by pushing downwardly within said play of said buttress threads; said downward movement pushing the outer concentric casing downwardly; a sloping cam surface on said outer concentric casing engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button which urges said brake shoe out of frictional contact with said rod, to allow said rod to fall until it abuts the wheat; re-engagement of said brake shoe being effected by releasing said downward force on said cap; the fixed position of said rod giving an indication of the wheat moisture content of the wheat.
SD 27. The gauge of claim 16 wherein: said concentric vertically-connected casings are interconnected by a cap engaging the inner casing by means of buttress threads which allow 1/32"
or more vertical play; said predetermined force is controlled by said threaded interengagement; the force is applied by downward movement within the play of said buttress threads, said downward movement pushing said outer concentrical casing downwardly, a sloping cam surface on said casing thereby engaging a cooperating cam surface on a brake button, which urges the brake shoe out of frictional contact with the rod, allowing said rod to fall until it abuts the grain; release of the downward force on the cap causes re-engagement of said brake shoe; and the fixed position of the rod giving an indication of the moisture content of the wheat.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538974A CA1307945C (en) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-06-05 | Grain moisture tester |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538974A CA1307945C (en) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-06-05 | Grain moisture tester |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1307945C true CA1307945C (en) | 1992-09-29 |
Family
ID=4135834
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000538974A Expired - Fee Related CA1307945C (en) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-06-05 | Grain moisture tester |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1307945C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022028631A1 (en) * | 2020-08-06 | 2022-02-10 | Roa Mejia Gonzalo | Method for determining bean moisture and associated device |
-
1987
- 1987-06-05 CA CA000538974A patent/CA1307945C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022028631A1 (en) * | 2020-08-06 | 2022-02-10 | Roa Mejia Gonzalo | Method for determining bean moisture and associated device |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Agnew et al. | A modified air pycnometer for compost air volume and density determination | |
| US8371154B2 (en) | Compression measurement device | |
| US5832774A (en) | Spring tester | |
| US5760312A (en) | Device and method for determining internal pressure in a pressurized ball | |
| AU666145B2 (en) | Improved flow-no-flow tester | |
| US20060032679A1 (en) | Trailer tongue scale | |
| CA1307945C (en) | Grain moisture tester | |
| US3890830A (en) | Grain moisture tester | |
| Edens et al. | Changes in microstructure of snow under large deformations | |
| US2907203A (en) | Method of and means for testing the moisture content of grain and other compressible materials | |
| US6988416B1 (en) | Shoe testing apparatus and method of operation | |
| KR100856721B1 (en) | Compressibility testing machine for break pad | |
| US9645063B2 (en) | Apparatus and process for measuring viscoelastic foam compression recovery | |
| Parrish et al. | Turgor Changes with Accelerated Aging of Soybeans 1 | |
| US5471868A (en) | Instrument for measuring the relative resiliency of golf greens | |
| WO2007039191A1 (en) | Method for determining the suitability of a material as infill material in artificial turf systems | |
| US6360613B1 (en) | Container and testing device for sport balls | |
| CN116593338B (en) | Multifunctional tester for testing hardness and rebound rate of high-rebound sponge | |
| RU2791146C1 (en) | Device for measuring soil hardness | |
| Tarantino et al. | Tensiocone: A cone penetrometer with the facility to measure negative pore-water pressure | |
| Kobata et al. | Accurate determination of differential pressure between two pressure balances using a pressure transducer | |
| CN215296103U (en) | Motor bucket inner chamber conical surface detection device | |
| Chayaprasert et al. | Porosity measurement of granular materials by comparisons of air pressure decay rates | |
| Holtz | Volume change | |
| RU2066054C1 (en) | Method testing compression of explosive in cartridges and device for its implementation |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |