CA2176497A1 - Neutrophil determination - Google Patents
Neutrophil determinationInfo
- Publication number
- CA2176497A1 CA2176497A1 CA 2176497 CA2176497A CA2176497A1 CA 2176497 A1 CA2176497 A1 CA 2176497A1 CA 2176497 CA2176497 CA 2176497 CA 2176497 A CA2176497 A CA 2176497A CA 2176497 A1 CA2176497 A1 CA 2176497A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- grain
- moisture
- moisture content
- apertures
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
- G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
- G01N27/043—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a granular material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
- G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
- G01N27/048—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance for determining moisture content of the material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
- G01N27/22—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
- G01N27/223—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
- G01N27/22—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
- G01N27/226—Construction of measuring vessels; Electrodes therefor
Abstract
A moisture-sensing apparatus comprises a housing (10) which contains a moisture-sensing element (15). The housing has, at its upper end, an inlet (14) for flowable material and has, at its lower end, means (16) defining an outward flow path for material within the housing. The housing incorporates means to control the packing density of flowable material within the housing. Thus the upper part of the housing is provided with a cover (13) having an upper surface (12) which prevents direct pressure being applied to material within thehousing, the inlet to the housing being defined by apertures (14) which lie in asubstantially vertical plane,
Description
2~ 76497 .
I8665WO-NF/1s~1 "lM~Kuv~L~L, IN OR R~!T.~ _ TO A MOISTURE-SENSING
APPARAT'aS"
T~E P}cESENT lNV~l~LlUN relates to a moi2,Lu,-- __.,sing apparatus and more particularly relates to à moisture-sensing apparatus adapted to sense the moisture of a flowable material, such as grzin, pulses or manufactured material of a granular or " f lowable" nature . The sensor may be used to sense the moisture content o~ almost any granular, flowable material.
It has been proposed previously to provide a moisture-sensing apparatus for sensing the moisture content of a material such zs grain, the apparatus comprising ~n elongate spear having, at one end, a reading "head". The spear may be plunged into a pile of grain or the like so that the "head" is fully embedded within the grain. The moisture content of the grain is measured using variations in temperature compensated electric f ield strength . An ~mh~ 0~ this particular type of moisture-sensor which is suitable for use with agricultural grains such as wheat, barley, oats, etc., is described in full in British Patent Specif ication No . 2, 222, 683A.
An article entitled "Valuation Sensors of Agricultural Products" published in "Sensors and Actuators B Chemical", B16 (1/3 o~ October 1993) (pages 275-278) discloses a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a flowable material, such as grain. The apparatus comprises a moisture-sensing arrangement, which is contained within a housing. The housing has, at its upper end, an inlet for the flowable material and the housing has, at its lower end, means AMENDE~ SHEFI`
2 1 7~97 -lA-defining an outward flow path for material within the housing. In the illustrated arrangement, the housing is provided with deflector plates at the upper end to prevent the direct downward flow of material into the housing, and is provided with a shutter at the lower end, to control the rate of flow of material from the housing.
GB-A-360,544 discloses a similar moisture-sensing apparatus, with- a ~housing containing a molaLu.. e_..sing element. Horizontally slidable shutters are provided at the top and at the bottom of the housing to control the flow of material through the housing.
Database WPI, week 8303 (Derwent Publications Limited, London GB) AN83-89576~C ~03) of 2nd March 1983 comprises an abstract relating to a moi~uL. ~u~ent sensor for use with bulk materials. A measuring chamber has a central spigot which co-operates with the body wall of the measuring chamber to form a capacitative sensor. An upper shutter is provided to control the flow of material into the ohamber.
This particular sensor operates well with a pile of grain or the like, but is not practicable for use when the moisture content of a f low of grain or the like is to be determined .
There are many situations when it is desirable to be able to ~ t~rmin~ the moisture content of a flow of grain or the like.
For example, when agricultural grain is being harvested using a combine harvester, it is desirable to be able to determine the moisture content of the grain as it is harvested. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in many cases a farmer is anxious to know the moisture content of the grùin, so as to be able to determine whether it is A~ ENDE~ SHEET
.
-1B- ==
economic to harvest the grain. If grain is harvested which is very moist, it is necessary to dry the grain after harvesting before the grain can be stored or sold. This drying ~ eduL 2 is time consuming and expensive. A farmer may, therefore, prefer not to harvest grain when the moisture content is too high, but instead may choose to leave the grain standing in the f ield until the sun has dried the grain to a lower moisture content Secondly, it is to be noted that many combine harvesters have a "yield per acre" meter which dc~tDrm~nDc the quantity of grain being harvested as the combine harvester advances through the crop, providing an instantaneous read-out as to the ~uantity of grain measured on a "tonnes per hectare" basis.
The combine harvester can, of course, only measure the weight of the grain and if the grain has a high moisture content, then the grain "weighs heavy" and may ~ive an over-optimistic reading in terms of tonnes per hectare.
Alternatively, if the grain has a very low moisture content it will "weigh light" and may give a pessimistic reading in tonnes per hectare. However, if it were possible to r~DtDrm;nD substantially instantaneously the moisture content of the grain, then the reading provided could be corrected for the moisture content, and could provide a "tonnes per hectare" reading corrected to a predetermined moisture level .
AMENDED SHEET
W095114228 2 1 ~ ~ ~ 9 7 ~
There are many situations when it is desirable to be able to determine the moisture content of a flow of grain or the like.
For eYample, when agricultural grain is being harvested using a combine harvester, it i8 ~ c;ri~hl~ to be able to ~at~rminp the moisture content of the grain as it is hdLv- sLed. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in many cases a farmer is anYious to know the moisture content of the grain, 80 as to be able to determine whether it is e~-- ic to harvest the grain. If grain is harvested which is very moist, it is n~r~cc:~ry to dry the grain after harvesting before the grain can be stored or sold. This drying ~o~ u~ is time rnnc~-ning and expensive. A farmer may, therefore, prefer not to harvest grain when the moisture content is too high, but instead may choose to leave the grain standing in the f ield until the sun has dried the grain to a lower moisture content. Secondly, it is to be noted that many combine harvesters have a "yield per acre" meter which ~ot~rm; n~c the quantity of grain being harvested as the combine harvester advances through the crop, providing an instantaneous read-out as to the guantity of grain measured on a "tonnes per hectare" basis.
The combine harvester can, of course, only measure the weight of the grain and if the grain has a high moisture content, then the grain "weighs heavy" and may give an ov~L-~,yLimistic reading in terms of tonnes per hectare.
Alternatively, if the grain has a very low moisture content it will "weigh light" and may give a pessimistic reading in tonnes per hectare. However, if it were pocsihle to detPrmin~ substantially instant~ o~Cly the moisture content of the grain, then the reading provided could be corrected for the moisture content, and could provide a "tonnes per hectare" reading corrected to a predetermined moisture ievel.
WO 9~114228 2 ~ 7 ~ 4 9 i7 ~ c~;
It is envisaged that further situations may well exist where it i8 desirable to be able to measure substantially instantaneously the moisture content of a flow of grain. For example, in a re-circulating agricultural grain dryer moist grain is circulated cont- i n~ A l y through a drying chamber . In order to t~min~ the moisture content of grain within a dryer it is presently n~c~Cc::~ry to withdraw a sample of grain for moisture mea:,u. L. I~ it were possible, however, to measure the moisture of the grain which is recycling within the dryer substantially instantaneously, the dryer could be operated until a predetermined moisture level is detected, and then the dryer could be automatically stopped, or an d~JL U~L iate indicator could be activated .
There are many other potential applications for a device which can measure the moisture content of a stream of material. For example, reference may be made to food products such as rice, pasta, processed cereal ~?L ~ L:., animal feed, dried vegetables and the like.
It has been f ound that whilst the spear of British Patent sp~ if ication No. 2,222,683A operates satiAf~ct~rily when plunged into a pile of agricultural grain, a spear of this type does not operate in a reliable manner when inserted into a stream of f lowing material . The spear requires substantially stationary material adjacent the operative parts of the spear in order to provide a reliable reading. It has been found also that if such a spear is located with the operative part of the spear in the lower region of the grain-storing hopper present on a combine harvester, the reading that is provided is again erratic since, as the quantity of grain within the hopper increases, the packing density of the grain adjacent the operative part of the spear increases due to the increased ; ', ' ! ' ' .,, ' ' ! ,. i ' ~ . - ,', ~.. . .
pressure within the grain. Thus a f luctuating reading is provided, the fluctuations being dependent upon the quantity of grain within the grain storage hopper.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved moisture-sensing apparatus.
. . _ , . . . _ , _ _ _ _ _ According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material, the apparatus comprising a moi,,LuL, s=l.sing element, a housing containing the moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material, the housing having, at its lower end, means de~ining an outward f low path for material within the housing, the housing forming part of a means to control the packing density of said flowable material within the housing, wherein the said means to control packing density comprise an upper element provided with means which prevent material from flowing verticAlly downwardly into the housing and which define one or more apertures, each aperture lying in a substantially vertlcal plane to permit material to flow into the housing.
Conveniently the means to control packing density additionally comprise an open topped funnel to direct a f low of said f lowable material to said inlet .
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material the apparatus comprising A moisture-sensing element, a housing containing a moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material associated with an upper element provided with means which prevent mAterial AMEND~D SHEET
W095/14228 ~ 97 P~ A?~C
from flowing vertically downwardly into the housing and which def ine one or more ~Ipe~ Lu, as, each aperture lying in a substantially vertical plane to permit material to f low into the housing, the housing having, at its lower end, means r3~f;ning an outward flow path for material within the housing .
Advantageously the upper element of the housing comprises means defining a horizontal upper wall and a ron~l; n~ side wall, there being one or more of said apertures in the side wall.
Conveniently each aperture is of elongate oval f orm .
Preferably each a.E~ L Lu~;' extendfi substantially horizontally peripherally around said side wall.
In an alternative ~mho~ i L to the invention the upper element of the housing comprises a plurality of baffles, an upper baffle being provided adapted to substantially overlap a lower baffle.
Conveniently each baffle comprises a substantially planar plate ;n~ linPd at a pr~ t~rmin~d angle to the horizontal angle, the said aperture being defined between the overlapping regions of the two baffles.
Preferably sensor means are provided adapted to sense when the housing is full of the material whose moisture content is to be sensed.
Conveniently the means defining the outward flow path comprises means to adjust the size of outlet flow path f rom the hous ing .
W095/14228 2 1 i76~ ~7 r~ ;7 Preferably the means defining the outward flow path comprises a ~ipider de~ining a plurality of apeL LuLes and a co ~eL~Iting shutter disc defining a aULL.~ n~
plurality of apeL ~uLas, means being provided to move the shutter disc relative to the spider to adjust the degree of overlap between the elpeL Lu- èS in the spider and the ~eL LuLes in the shutter disc.
Conveniently the upper part of the housing is provided with a funnel adapted to direct grain towards thê
6aid one or more i~eL LuLès formed in the upper element of the housing.
Adva1.Laueuusly the funnel is provided with a mesh or guard to prevent straw or the like entering the ~unnel.
In one ' ' i - L of the invention the means to control packing density comprise an upper shutter operable to control the f low of material into the housing .
Conveniently the housing is also provided with a lower shutter operable to control the flow of material out of the housing .
An apparatus as described above may be "LL~ ged to sense the moisture content of material flowing along a pipe or conduit.
Advanta~ol~cly means are provided to mount the housing within the grain-carrying hopper of a combine harvester .
Conveniently the said mounting means comprise a shoe, adjustable means to locate the housing relatlve to the shoe, and a plurality of magnets carried by the shoe Wo95114228 E~1~_ ~'A?C~C
~ 2~ 7~97 , adapted to mount the shoe in position on the sloping part of the grain-containing hopper of a combine harvester.
The invention also relates to a combine harvester provided with an apparatus as described above to sense the moisture content of grain or the like harvested by the combine harvester.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with ref erence to the A '' ~ ying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one I ~ho~lir of an apparatus in ac-_oI ~ nc a with the invention with parts thereof cut away for the sake of clarity of illustration, FIGI~RE 2 is a p-~LD~e. Live view with parts thereof cut away, of an alternative top part for the apparatus of Figure l, FIGllRE 3 is a perspective view with parts thereof cut away, of an alternative ` ~ of the invention, FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view o~ part of the apparatus of Figure 3, again partially cut away for the sake of clarity of illustration, FIGURE 5 is a view, partly cut away, of another '--';r L of the invention, and FIGI~RE 6 shows the ~;- L of Figure 5 incoL~uL~ltt:d in an arrangement to sense the moisture content of material flowing along a pipe or conduit.
WO 95/14228 r~ 5 l ~
2~ 7~97 Referring initially to Figure 1 of the ~ _ ~nying drawings, a moisture-sensing apparatus is illustrated adapted to be mounted within the grain hopper of a combine harvester. The illustrated apparatus includes a support shoe 1 carrying spaced apart magnets 2, 3 intended to be used to mount the support shoe on a sloping part of the grain-carrying hopper of a combine harvester. The support shoe may also be cnnn-~ct~ to a chain (not shown) which is hooked to an ~yuL ~I~L iate anchorage point above the illustrated ~ ~dLt~LUS within the harvester, to prevent the p~aLc~Lus falling into the auger of the combine haLV~LeI
if the magnets should become ~7ic~ J~g~ d from the side of the hopper. Pivotally connected to the support shoe 1 by a tightenable bolt 4 is an upright arm 5 carrying a wing nut 6 on a stud which i5 receivable in a slot 7 formed in a subs~nti~lly horizontal arm 8. The arm 8 has one end pivotally connected, by means of a pivot 9, to an upper part of the shoe 1. By appropriately adjusting the position of the stud carrying the wing nut 6 within the slot 7 and by subsequently tiqht~ninq the wing nut the arm S may be retained in a vertical position.
The arm 5 supports a vertical tubular housing 10.
The upper part of the tubular housing 10 is provided with an upper end cover 11. The upper end cover 11 has a subst~nti~lly horizontal transverse end wall 12, and a rlc.r~nrsin~ tubular side wall 13 provided with a plurality of oval inlet apeL LUL~=S 14 formed therein. The inlet LLUL~S extend CiL..UIIEc:L~..Lially and have a length which is greater than their width . Each ~IpeL LUL " may be cnnci~lP~ed to lie in a substantially vertical (but curved plane) .
Contained within the housing 10 is a spear 15 of the type described in British Patent Sp~i f ~ e.tion No.
W095/14228 P~ 7C~
~ 2~7~97 _9_ 2, 222, 683A. The spear extends vertically upwardly within the housing and is retained in position by an appropriate spider 16 shown in phantom, located adjacent the open bottom of the housing 10. The spider has radially extending arms, with open spaces between the arms.
The lower end of the spear 15 projects below the open bottom of the housing 10 and a cable 17 emerges from the lower end of the spear.
The described apparatus may be mounted in position within the grain-containing hopper of a combine harvester, preferably at a position which is not directly under the input auger, so that grain entering the hopper does not actually fall directly on to the described apparatus.
As the grain-containing hopper fills with grain, the level of grain will rise, and the level of grain will e the lower part of the housing 10, thus effectively closing the spaces def ined between the arms of the spider 16. As the level of grain cont;n~ c to rise, grain will eventually start to enter the housing through the oval CI~JC:L ~ULeS 14 . The Clp~:L LUL~:S 14 are .1 i ~ d to permit the ready ingress of grain into the housing, but to prevent the ingress of straw or other material entrained with the grain as it enters the hopper of the combine harvester.
Grain will enter the housing 10 through the a~t:L LULeSS 14 until the housing lO is full. Once the housing 10 is completely full, the housing 10 and the cover 11 having the horizontal upper wall 12 and the pPn~lin7 ci~ w~l 1 13 will serve to prevent the packinq density within the housing 10 from increasing further, even if the level of grain within the hopper rises to a conci~rable level above the top of the housing 10. Thus, W0 95/14228 2 1 7 6 ~ 9 7 r~
the housing and the upper end cover serve to control the packing density of grain within the housing adjacent the spear. The '- - d ~L~ I''' generated in the grain is effectively prevented from increasing the packing density within the hou6ing 10 by virtue of the presence of the horizontal upper wall 12 . Since the oval apeL Lu~es 14 lie in vertical (but curved) planes the downward p~ eS~uLè
generated by the weight to the grain above the described apparatus is not transferred to the grain inside the housing 10 .
A sen60r 18 may be provided on the underside of the horizontal upper wall 12 to sense when the housing 10 is full of grain. The sensor may comprise a Piezo electric tr~n~:cl~ o~ or may comprise some sonic or optical sensor means. When the sensor provides a signal confirming that the housing is full of grain a reading may be taken l~rom the moi~Lu,~ E_..sing spear 15 thus determining the moisture content of the grain in the housing 10.
The output from the spear may be supplied to a display and/or printer in the cab of the combine harvester to provide a substantially instantaneous read out of moisture content, and/or may be supplied to a yield monitor in the cab to provide a yield rate which is "corrected" for the actual moisture content. The output from the spear may also be used in other ways, and may be fed to a computer controlling various f~lnl-eionc of the combine harvester.
If no sensor 18 is provided it is poF~;hlP to monitor the output reading from the spear 15 to ~ rmin~
when the housing is full. The output will fluctuate as the housing fills, and will then s~hi 1 i ~e when the housing is ~ -t~ly ~ull.
WO 95/14228 2 J ;~ ~ ~ 9 7 r~ CtC
When the hopper of the combine harvester i5 emptied of grain, the level of grain within the hopper will fall until the level of grain i8 below the level of the bottom of the housing 10. Grain within the hou5ing 10 will then flow out of the housing through the spaces defined between the arms of the spider 16. The cycle of operation described above may then be repeated.
It is to be noted that the output of the spear will fluctuate as the housing 10 is emptied of grain. This f luctuation can be monitored to ensure that the housing 10 empties when the grain hopper of the combine harvester is emptied .
Referring now to Figure 2 of the A _ ,~nying drawings, an alternative top part 11' for the housing 10 is illustrated. This top part is not provided with a horizontal upper wall and ap~LLuL~=s in a 11~p~-n-lin7 side wall, but instead is an open topped tubular element provided with two ;nnl ;nc~d baffles. The upper baffle 19 is formed from a planar plate which is ; n~ n~ at an angle greater than the repose angle of grain or other flowable material which is to be utilised in conjunction with this ~ ; r L of the invention . The repose angle of a flowable material is the angle formed by the sides of a pile of the material generated by simply pouring the material downwards on to a horizontal surface. Because the baffle 19 is ;nnlin~l at an angle which is greater than the repose angle, none of the material will tend to Al 1 Ate on the ba~fle when a ~low is es~hl; chl~l through the housing 10. The upper baffle 19 extends more than half-way across the diameter of the upper part 11 ' of the housing 10 .
W095114228 2 1 7~ 97 -12- ~ I l The upper baf f le l9 is located above a lower baffle 20 which is also formed from an ln~-1 {n~-A planar plate. The lower baffle 20 is ;~c1 inP~A in the opposite direction to the upper baffle l9, and is again inr 11n~A at an angle which is greater than the repose angle of the material to be utilised in conjunction with this: ~'i of the invention. The lower baffle 20 extends subst~nti~11y half-way across the ~1;; of the upper part ll ' of the housing lO, so that in the region 21 there is a degree of overlap Or the baffles l9.
Effectively the baffles define an inlet ap~L~UL~
which extends between the overlapped regions of the baffle, lying in a substantially vertical plane.
The ~mhoA;~ ~ illustrated in Figure 2 will operate in a very similar manner to that of the rl~nhoA;- ~ of Flgure l. It is to be appreciated, however, that the housing lO will not begin to fill with grain until the level of grain within the hopper reaches the top of the upper part ll' of the housing lO. The grain will then fall over the top of the upper part ll' of the housing and flow down across the top of the upper baffle l9, then being directed to flow across the top of the lower baffle 20 entering the interior of the housing lO through the aperture effectively defined between the two baffles.
When the housing is full of grain, the ~ sel~ce of the baffles ~L~V~::II-S an increase in ~JL~5~U~ arising within the housing lO when the level of grain above the top of the housing lO increases. Thus the housing and the baffles again provide means for controlling the packing density of grain within the housing lO.
WO 95/14228 2 1 7 ~ 4 9 7 ~ A7~c Figure 3 and 4 illustrate a modif ied c ' ';- of the invention for use in sampling a flow of material.
The e~mhotl;~ ~ of Figures 3 and 4 comprises a housing 10 with an upper part 11 having oval i~eL LUL~S 14 generally as described with reference to Figure 1.
However, in this illustrated ~ho~l;r t the spider 16 tas can be seen more clearly in Figure 4 ), which supports the shaft of the spear 15, is provided with a plurality of op~n;nqC 22. A shutter disc 23 i8 provided located adjacent the spider 16. The shutter disc 23 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 24 which COL~ U~Id with the opC-n;n~C 22. Nhilst, in one ~ho~; L means may be provided for moving the shutter disc 23 manually, in this e~mho~;r L the shutter disc 23 has a toothed exterior 25 which engages a gear wheel 26 through an access window 27 formed in the side of the housing 10. The gear wheel 26 is driven by means of a shaft 28 and an appropriate motor (not shown). The motor and the gear wheel 26 are located within a housing 29 mounted on the exterior of the housing 10. The shutter disc 23 may be positioned relative to the spider 16 so that the openings 22 and 24 are aligned, or so that op~n; n~c are off-set, or may be moved to an in~ te position.
SuL~ ~ ul~ding the upper part of the housing 10 is a conical funnel 30 having an open top 31. The open top is provided with a substantially conical mesh or grid 32.
It is envisaged that the ~yal~.Lus of Figure 3 will be located directly under a falling stream of grain or the like. The conical mesh 32 has ap~,. LuLas therein dimensioned to permit grain to pass through the ape:. LuLe:s ;snd fall into the funnel 30, but provides the function of WO95/~4tt8 21 7~4 97 r ~ C
minimising the amount of straw or other mzterial present within the grain from entering the funnel 30.
As grain enters the funnel 30, the funnel will fill, and ir the funnel i5 completely full grain will 3pill over the upper lip def lning the open upper mouth of the f unnel 3 0 .
The grain within the funnel 3 0 will pass through the apertures 14 into the housing 10. The shutter disc 23 may be moved to such a position relative to the spider 16 that the ~IpeLLuLt:6 24 are in a predetPrminpd hit-and-mis6 relati-~n~hi~ with regard to the <lpeLLUL~S 22 in the spider 16 50 that the effective flow path through the combination of the spider 16 and the shutter disc 23 is adjusted to provide a prpd~tprm;np~ flow rate for grain.
Grain will thus leave the bottom part of the housing lO at a predetermined rate and if grain is present in the $unnel 30 grain will enter the top part of the housing 10, through the a~=LLUL~S 14, at a CUrL.~ 1;n~ PredetPrm;nPC~
rate. The amount of grain within the housing 10 will be substantially constant over a period of time, and the flow rate of grain will be so slow through the housing that the grain adjacent the operative parts of the spear 15 will be substantially stationary thus PnAhl ;n~ the spear to provide an accurate output. However, it will be appreciated that since the housing 10 is continually being emptied, and continually being re-filled from material from the funnel 31, the spear provides an almost "instantaneous"
output relating to the moisture content of grain present within the stream of grain being directed towards the open mouth 31 of the funnel 30.
It is to be appreciated that the combination of the housing and the funnel will control the packing density of Wo 9~/14228 ~ 1 7 ~ ~ 9 7 P~
grain within the housing, since only a certain predet~rminpd maximum amount of grain can be present in the combination of the funnel and the housing. It is preferred, however, for the housing to be of the design of Figure l and Figure 2 with the top element or with the ba f f les .
It is envisaged that instead of the described "hit-and-miss" shutter arr~ I_ of Figure 4 an adjustable iris could be utilised. The iris may be manually adjusted or may be motor-driven.
Means may be provided automatically to pre-select the size for the flow passage through the lower part of the housing lO in ~ r~ntl~nre upon the nature of the grain to be utilised in conjunction with the apparatus. For example, for grain of a small size, such as oil seed rape, the flow passage would be small, whereas for a more bulky grain, such as wheat, the flow passage would be larger. If the described apparatus is mounted in a combine harvester, an ~yy. ~y iate pre-s~lec~or may be provided in the cab of the combine harvester to enable the operator to select the size of the f low passage in accordance with the crop being harvested .
It is envisaged that since moist grain is more likely to "clog" than dry grain, means may be provided to control the size of the flow passage through the housing lO
in L~ ,..se to the measured moisture content of grain within the housing lO. Thus, if moist grain, having a moisture content in exce3s of a predett~rmin~-d limit, is present within the housing, the size of the flow passage through the housing may be increased, in order to minimif:e the risk clogging or hlor~kin~ of the flow path, whereas if "dry" grain having a moisture content less than a WO 95/14228 ~ 4 9 7 P l~ I ï 71~c predefPrminPd moisture content is present within the housing, the size of the flow path through the lower part of the housing may be reduced in order to prevent grain flowing through the housing too quickly.
The apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 may be associated with a grain dryer, and if the grain has been "cleaned"
before it is dried the mesh 32 may be omitted. The signal from the spear may be sllrpliPA to a central drLai.yl L
which automatically stops the dryer when a predetp7~ninp~l moisture level has been reached, or which activates an indicator, such as a flashing light or a buzzer, to indicate that the grain is "dry".
It is thus to be appreciated that the apparatus described may be inserted directly within a pipe or conduit through which a mater$;~1 is flowing, when the moisture content of that material i5 to be mea5ured- The dU~L'-L~5 may in~.U-~VLc~te the entire LVSS section of the pipe or conduit or may pref erably incu. VUL ~ Le less than the entire ~:-v:,s-seuLion of pipe or conduit. Thus if the housing of the apparatus described above becomes full of material, and further material is f lowing the through the pipe or conduit, then that further material may flow past the housing .
Figure 5 illustrates a modif ied Pmi~oA i L of the invention intended primarily for use in measuring the moisture content of a material f lowing along a pipe or conduit. Such material may comprise grain, such as agricultural grain, but may also include any other particular material such as manufactured food stuffs inrlll~lin~ rice, pasta, dried vegetables and the like, or other granular-type materials.
WO 95114228 2 1 7 ~ ~ 9 7 r~ A7~;7~
Referring to Figure 5, a vertical pipe or conduit 40 is provided through which material is intended to flow in a downward direction. An upper shutter aLL_, t 41 is provided, which is associated with the pipe 40, the shutter aLL~I J --~t 41 ;n~ ;n~ a shutter blade 42 defining a through aperture 43 and a driving ---hAn;~ 44. The driving-.r- -n;~ is adapted to move the shutter between open and closed positions. The upper shutter 41 is shown in the "closed" position. The shutter 41, when in the open position permits material within the pipe or conduit 40 to flow into a housing 45 defined beneath the shutter 41. The housing 45 contains a spear 46 of the type described above which is supported by a spider 47 located in the lower part of the housing 45.
A sensor 48 is provided adapted to sense the level of material within the housing 45. The sensor 48 may be of any a~L~I,Liate design and may thus, for example, comprise an optical sensor.
At the lower end of the housing 45 a second or lower shutter aLL_,s ~ 48 is provided which is of the same design as the upper shutter arrA, L 41. The lower shutter arrAr ~ 48 is provided with a shutter blade 49 which defines a through O.~ L-ULe, that through aperture not being visible in Figure 5, but instead being aligned with the axis of the housing 45. The shutter 48 is provided with a drive - -h~ni~-n 50. A pipe portion 51 extends from beneath the second shutter 48 so that material within the housing may flow ~ Ldly out of the housing 45 when the second shutter ~8 is in the open position.
A electric lead 52 is directed out ~rom the housing 45 carrying signals from the spear 46.
W095/14228 ~ ~ 7~ 7 E~
It is to be appreciated that in use of the arr~ illustrated in Figure 5, initially the upper shutter 41 will be in the open position and the lower shutter 48 will be in the closed position. I~aterial flowing through the pipe 40 will thus ~ te within the interior of the housing 45. When the sensor 48 senses that the housing 45 is substantially full the upper shutter 41 i8 moved to the closed po6ition. Thus the packing density of the material present within the housing 45 is limited.
p~ r~5 may then be taken from the moisture sensinq spear 46 to ~atpr~;np the moisture content of material present within the housing 45. Subsequently, the shutter 48 may be opened, permitting material within the housing 45 to flow downwardly and outwardly away from the housing through the pipe 51. The entire cycle of operation may then be repeated.
It i8 to be appreciated that the cycle of operation may be modif ied, with the lower shutter 48 always being partly open, so that there is a continuous, but relatively 810w, flow of material out of the housing 45. The upper shutter 41 may then be actuated simply to maintain an a~ riate quantity of material within the housing at all times .
Ref errlng now to Figure 6, the arrAr~ t of Figure 5 i5 illustrated in conjunction with a principal, subst~ntii-l ly vertical pipe or conduit 60. It is to be seen that the pipe 40 terminates within the main pipe or conduit 60 with an open upwardly directly mouth 61 adapted to catch material moving vertically down the main conduit 60. The conduit 51 returns material discharged from the housing 45 into the main conduit 60.
Wo 95/14228 2 ~ 7 6 ~ 9 7 F~~ c It is to be appreciated that in use of an aLL~1, as shown in Figure 6, there is no risk of the main conduit 60 be - i n~ blocked.
-In many situations, the flow of material along aconduit, such as the conduit 60, will be erratic. From time-to-time there will be very substantial f lows, but during the intervening period the f low may be very sp~l - 'ic. The described apparatus can be used to measure, subs~nti~lly instantaneously, the moisture content of material flowing through the conduit 60. The measured moisture content may be used to control a manufacturing process, or may be displayed. For example, if the moisture content is too high, then the time material being manufactured spends in a dryer may be increased.
Alternatively, if the moisture content it too low, a procedure may be activated to add moisture to the material at a subsequent point in the manufacturing plant.
Whilst the invention has been described with reference to ~mho~l;r--~s in which a spear as described in British Patent Specification No. 2,222,683A is used as the operative moisture-sensing means, alternative moisture sensing means may be used within the housing lO.
Whilst the apparatus ha6 been described with specific reference to the mea~uL --t of moisture present in grain, it is to be clearly understood that the apparatus may be used f or measuring the moisture content of other f lowable materials such as pulses, rape or even manuf actured items .
I8665WO-NF/1s~1 "lM~Kuv~L~L, IN OR R~!T.~ _ TO A MOISTURE-SENSING
APPARAT'aS"
T~E P}cESENT lNV~l~LlUN relates to a moi2,Lu,-- __.,sing apparatus and more particularly relates to à moisture-sensing apparatus adapted to sense the moisture of a flowable material, such as grzin, pulses or manufactured material of a granular or " f lowable" nature . The sensor may be used to sense the moisture content o~ almost any granular, flowable material.
It has been proposed previously to provide a moisture-sensing apparatus for sensing the moisture content of a material such zs grain, the apparatus comprising ~n elongate spear having, at one end, a reading "head". The spear may be plunged into a pile of grain or the like so that the "head" is fully embedded within the grain. The moisture content of the grain is measured using variations in temperature compensated electric f ield strength . An ~mh~ 0~ this particular type of moisture-sensor which is suitable for use with agricultural grains such as wheat, barley, oats, etc., is described in full in British Patent Specif ication No . 2, 222, 683A.
An article entitled "Valuation Sensors of Agricultural Products" published in "Sensors and Actuators B Chemical", B16 (1/3 o~ October 1993) (pages 275-278) discloses a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a flowable material, such as grain. The apparatus comprises a moisture-sensing arrangement, which is contained within a housing. The housing has, at its upper end, an inlet for the flowable material and the housing has, at its lower end, means AMENDE~ SHEFI`
2 1 7~97 -lA-defining an outward flow path for material within the housing. In the illustrated arrangement, the housing is provided with deflector plates at the upper end to prevent the direct downward flow of material into the housing, and is provided with a shutter at the lower end, to control the rate of flow of material from the housing.
GB-A-360,544 discloses a similar moisture-sensing apparatus, with- a ~housing containing a molaLu.. e_..sing element. Horizontally slidable shutters are provided at the top and at the bottom of the housing to control the flow of material through the housing.
Database WPI, week 8303 (Derwent Publications Limited, London GB) AN83-89576~C ~03) of 2nd March 1983 comprises an abstract relating to a moi~uL. ~u~ent sensor for use with bulk materials. A measuring chamber has a central spigot which co-operates with the body wall of the measuring chamber to form a capacitative sensor. An upper shutter is provided to control the flow of material into the ohamber.
This particular sensor operates well with a pile of grain or the like, but is not practicable for use when the moisture content of a f low of grain or the like is to be determined .
There are many situations when it is desirable to be able to ~ t~rmin~ the moisture content of a flow of grain or the like.
For example, when agricultural grain is being harvested using a combine harvester, it is desirable to be able to determine the moisture content of the grain as it is harvested. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in many cases a farmer is anxious to know the moisture content of the grùin, so as to be able to determine whether it is A~ ENDE~ SHEET
.
-1B- ==
economic to harvest the grain. If grain is harvested which is very moist, it is necessary to dry the grain after harvesting before the grain can be stored or sold. This drying ~ eduL 2 is time consuming and expensive. A farmer may, therefore, prefer not to harvest grain when the moisture content is too high, but instead may choose to leave the grain standing in the f ield until the sun has dried the grain to a lower moisture content Secondly, it is to be noted that many combine harvesters have a "yield per acre" meter which dc~tDrm~nDc the quantity of grain being harvested as the combine harvester advances through the crop, providing an instantaneous read-out as to the ~uantity of grain measured on a "tonnes per hectare" basis.
The combine harvester can, of course, only measure the weight of the grain and if the grain has a high moisture content, then the grain "weighs heavy" and may ~ive an over-optimistic reading in terms of tonnes per hectare.
Alternatively, if the grain has a very low moisture content it will "weigh light" and may give a pessimistic reading in tonnes per hectare. However, if it were possible to r~DtDrm;nD substantially instantaneously the moisture content of the grain, then the reading provided could be corrected for the moisture content, and could provide a "tonnes per hectare" reading corrected to a predetermined moisture level .
AMENDED SHEET
W095114228 2 1 ~ ~ ~ 9 7 ~
There are many situations when it is desirable to be able to determine the moisture content of a flow of grain or the like.
For eYample, when agricultural grain is being harvested using a combine harvester, it i8 ~ c;ri~hl~ to be able to ~at~rminp the moisture content of the grain as it is hdLv- sLed. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in many cases a farmer is anYious to know the moisture content of the grain, 80 as to be able to determine whether it is e~-- ic to harvest the grain. If grain is harvested which is very moist, it is n~r~cc:~ry to dry the grain after harvesting before the grain can be stored or sold. This drying ~o~ u~ is time rnnc~-ning and expensive. A farmer may, therefore, prefer not to harvest grain when the moisture content is too high, but instead may choose to leave the grain standing in the f ield until the sun has dried the grain to a lower moisture content. Secondly, it is to be noted that many combine harvesters have a "yield per acre" meter which ~ot~rm; n~c the quantity of grain being harvested as the combine harvester advances through the crop, providing an instantaneous read-out as to the guantity of grain measured on a "tonnes per hectare" basis.
The combine harvester can, of course, only measure the weight of the grain and if the grain has a high moisture content, then the grain "weighs heavy" and may give an ov~L-~,yLimistic reading in terms of tonnes per hectare.
Alternatively, if the grain has a very low moisture content it will "weigh light" and may give a pessimistic reading in tonnes per hectare. However, if it were pocsihle to detPrmin~ substantially instant~ o~Cly the moisture content of the grain, then the reading provided could be corrected for the moisture content, and could provide a "tonnes per hectare" reading corrected to a predetermined moisture ievel.
WO 9~114228 2 ~ 7 ~ 4 9 i7 ~ c~;
It is envisaged that further situations may well exist where it i8 desirable to be able to measure substantially instantaneously the moisture content of a flow of grain. For example, in a re-circulating agricultural grain dryer moist grain is circulated cont- i n~ A l y through a drying chamber . In order to t~min~ the moisture content of grain within a dryer it is presently n~c~Cc::~ry to withdraw a sample of grain for moisture mea:,u. L. I~ it were possible, however, to measure the moisture of the grain which is recycling within the dryer substantially instantaneously, the dryer could be operated until a predetermined moisture level is detected, and then the dryer could be automatically stopped, or an d~JL U~L iate indicator could be activated .
There are many other potential applications for a device which can measure the moisture content of a stream of material. For example, reference may be made to food products such as rice, pasta, processed cereal ~?L ~ L:., animal feed, dried vegetables and the like.
It has been f ound that whilst the spear of British Patent sp~ if ication No. 2,222,683A operates satiAf~ct~rily when plunged into a pile of agricultural grain, a spear of this type does not operate in a reliable manner when inserted into a stream of f lowing material . The spear requires substantially stationary material adjacent the operative parts of the spear in order to provide a reliable reading. It has been found also that if such a spear is located with the operative part of the spear in the lower region of the grain-storing hopper present on a combine harvester, the reading that is provided is again erratic since, as the quantity of grain within the hopper increases, the packing density of the grain adjacent the operative part of the spear increases due to the increased ; ', ' ! ' ' .,, ' ' ! ,. i ' ~ . - ,', ~.. . .
pressure within the grain. Thus a f luctuating reading is provided, the fluctuations being dependent upon the quantity of grain within the grain storage hopper.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved moisture-sensing apparatus.
. . _ , . . . _ , _ _ _ _ _ According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material, the apparatus comprising a moi,,LuL, s=l.sing element, a housing containing the moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material, the housing having, at its lower end, means de~ining an outward f low path for material within the housing, the housing forming part of a means to control the packing density of said flowable material within the housing, wherein the said means to control packing density comprise an upper element provided with means which prevent material from flowing verticAlly downwardly into the housing and which define one or more apertures, each aperture lying in a substantially vertlcal plane to permit material to flow into the housing.
Conveniently the means to control packing density additionally comprise an open topped funnel to direct a f low of said f lowable material to said inlet .
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material the apparatus comprising A moisture-sensing element, a housing containing a moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material associated with an upper element provided with means which prevent mAterial AMEND~D SHEET
W095/14228 ~ 97 P~ A?~C
from flowing vertically downwardly into the housing and which def ine one or more ~Ipe~ Lu, as, each aperture lying in a substantially vertical plane to permit material to f low into the housing, the housing having, at its lower end, means r3~f;ning an outward flow path for material within the housing .
Advantageously the upper element of the housing comprises means defining a horizontal upper wall and a ron~l; n~ side wall, there being one or more of said apertures in the side wall.
Conveniently each aperture is of elongate oval f orm .
Preferably each a.E~ L Lu~;' extendfi substantially horizontally peripherally around said side wall.
In an alternative ~mho~ i L to the invention the upper element of the housing comprises a plurality of baffles, an upper baffle being provided adapted to substantially overlap a lower baffle.
Conveniently each baffle comprises a substantially planar plate ;n~ linPd at a pr~ t~rmin~d angle to the horizontal angle, the said aperture being defined between the overlapping regions of the two baffles.
Preferably sensor means are provided adapted to sense when the housing is full of the material whose moisture content is to be sensed.
Conveniently the means defining the outward flow path comprises means to adjust the size of outlet flow path f rom the hous ing .
W095/14228 2 1 i76~ ~7 r~ ;7 Preferably the means defining the outward flow path comprises a ~ipider de~ining a plurality of apeL LuLes and a co ~eL~Iting shutter disc defining a aULL.~ n~
plurality of apeL ~uLas, means being provided to move the shutter disc relative to the spider to adjust the degree of overlap between the elpeL Lu- èS in the spider and the ~eL LuLes in the shutter disc.
Conveniently the upper part of the housing is provided with a funnel adapted to direct grain towards thê
6aid one or more i~eL LuLès formed in the upper element of the housing.
Adva1.Laueuusly the funnel is provided with a mesh or guard to prevent straw or the like entering the ~unnel.
In one ' ' i - L of the invention the means to control packing density comprise an upper shutter operable to control the f low of material into the housing .
Conveniently the housing is also provided with a lower shutter operable to control the flow of material out of the housing .
An apparatus as described above may be "LL~ ged to sense the moisture content of material flowing along a pipe or conduit.
Advanta~ol~cly means are provided to mount the housing within the grain-carrying hopper of a combine harvester .
Conveniently the said mounting means comprise a shoe, adjustable means to locate the housing relatlve to the shoe, and a plurality of magnets carried by the shoe Wo95114228 E~1~_ ~'A?C~C
~ 2~ 7~97 , adapted to mount the shoe in position on the sloping part of the grain-containing hopper of a combine harvester.
The invention also relates to a combine harvester provided with an apparatus as described above to sense the moisture content of grain or the like harvested by the combine harvester.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with ref erence to the A '' ~ ying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one I ~ho~lir of an apparatus in ac-_oI ~ nc a with the invention with parts thereof cut away for the sake of clarity of illustration, FIGI~RE 2 is a p-~LD~e. Live view with parts thereof cut away, of an alternative top part for the apparatus of Figure l, FIGllRE 3 is a perspective view with parts thereof cut away, of an alternative ` ~ of the invention, FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view o~ part of the apparatus of Figure 3, again partially cut away for the sake of clarity of illustration, FIGURE 5 is a view, partly cut away, of another '--';r L of the invention, and FIGI~RE 6 shows the ~;- L of Figure 5 incoL~uL~ltt:d in an arrangement to sense the moisture content of material flowing along a pipe or conduit.
WO 95/14228 r~ 5 l ~
2~ 7~97 Referring initially to Figure 1 of the ~ _ ~nying drawings, a moisture-sensing apparatus is illustrated adapted to be mounted within the grain hopper of a combine harvester. The illustrated apparatus includes a support shoe 1 carrying spaced apart magnets 2, 3 intended to be used to mount the support shoe on a sloping part of the grain-carrying hopper of a combine harvester. The support shoe may also be cnnn-~ct~ to a chain (not shown) which is hooked to an ~yuL ~I~L iate anchorage point above the illustrated ~ ~dLt~LUS within the harvester, to prevent the p~aLc~Lus falling into the auger of the combine haLV~LeI
if the magnets should become ~7ic~ J~g~ d from the side of the hopper. Pivotally connected to the support shoe 1 by a tightenable bolt 4 is an upright arm 5 carrying a wing nut 6 on a stud which i5 receivable in a slot 7 formed in a subs~nti~lly horizontal arm 8. The arm 8 has one end pivotally connected, by means of a pivot 9, to an upper part of the shoe 1. By appropriately adjusting the position of the stud carrying the wing nut 6 within the slot 7 and by subsequently tiqht~ninq the wing nut the arm S may be retained in a vertical position.
The arm 5 supports a vertical tubular housing 10.
The upper part of the tubular housing 10 is provided with an upper end cover 11. The upper end cover 11 has a subst~nti~lly horizontal transverse end wall 12, and a rlc.r~nrsin~ tubular side wall 13 provided with a plurality of oval inlet apeL LUL~=S 14 formed therein. The inlet LLUL~S extend CiL..UIIEc:L~..Lially and have a length which is greater than their width . Each ~IpeL LUL " may be cnnci~lP~ed to lie in a substantially vertical (but curved plane) .
Contained within the housing 10 is a spear 15 of the type described in British Patent Sp~i f ~ e.tion No.
W095/14228 P~ 7C~
~ 2~7~97 _9_ 2, 222, 683A. The spear extends vertically upwardly within the housing and is retained in position by an appropriate spider 16 shown in phantom, located adjacent the open bottom of the housing 10. The spider has radially extending arms, with open spaces between the arms.
The lower end of the spear 15 projects below the open bottom of the housing 10 and a cable 17 emerges from the lower end of the spear.
The described apparatus may be mounted in position within the grain-containing hopper of a combine harvester, preferably at a position which is not directly under the input auger, so that grain entering the hopper does not actually fall directly on to the described apparatus.
As the grain-containing hopper fills with grain, the level of grain will rise, and the level of grain will e the lower part of the housing 10, thus effectively closing the spaces def ined between the arms of the spider 16. As the level of grain cont;n~ c to rise, grain will eventually start to enter the housing through the oval CI~JC:L ~ULeS 14 . The Clp~:L LUL~:S 14 are .1 i ~ d to permit the ready ingress of grain into the housing, but to prevent the ingress of straw or other material entrained with the grain as it enters the hopper of the combine harvester.
Grain will enter the housing 10 through the a~t:L LULeSS 14 until the housing lO is full. Once the housing 10 is completely full, the housing 10 and the cover 11 having the horizontal upper wall 12 and the pPn~lin7 ci~ w~l 1 13 will serve to prevent the packinq density within the housing 10 from increasing further, even if the level of grain within the hopper rises to a conci~rable level above the top of the housing 10. Thus, W0 95/14228 2 1 7 6 ~ 9 7 r~
the housing and the upper end cover serve to control the packing density of grain within the housing adjacent the spear. The '- - d ~L~ I''' generated in the grain is effectively prevented from increasing the packing density within the hou6ing 10 by virtue of the presence of the horizontal upper wall 12 . Since the oval apeL Lu~es 14 lie in vertical (but curved) planes the downward p~ eS~uLè
generated by the weight to the grain above the described apparatus is not transferred to the grain inside the housing 10 .
A sen60r 18 may be provided on the underside of the horizontal upper wall 12 to sense when the housing 10 is full of grain. The sensor may comprise a Piezo electric tr~n~:cl~ o~ or may comprise some sonic or optical sensor means. When the sensor provides a signal confirming that the housing is full of grain a reading may be taken l~rom the moi~Lu,~ E_..sing spear 15 thus determining the moisture content of the grain in the housing 10.
The output from the spear may be supplied to a display and/or printer in the cab of the combine harvester to provide a substantially instantaneous read out of moisture content, and/or may be supplied to a yield monitor in the cab to provide a yield rate which is "corrected" for the actual moisture content. The output from the spear may also be used in other ways, and may be fed to a computer controlling various f~lnl-eionc of the combine harvester.
If no sensor 18 is provided it is poF~;hlP to monitor the output reading from the spear 15 to ~ rmin~
when the housing is full. The output will fluctuate as the housing fills, and will then s~hi 1 i ~e when the housing is ~ -t~ly ~ull.
WO 95/14228 2 J ;~ ~ ~ 9 7 r~ CtC
When the hopper of the combine harvester i5 emptied of grain, the level of grain within the hopper will fall until the level of grain i8 below the level of the bottom of the housing 10. Grain within the hou5ing 10 will then flow out of the housing through the spaces defined between the arms of the spider 16. The cycle of operation described above may then be repeated.
It is to be noted that the output of the spear will fluctuate as the housing 10 is emptied of grain. This f luctuation can be monitored to ensure that the housing 10 empties when the grain hopper of the combine harvester is emptied .
Referring now to Figure 2 of the A _ ,~nying drawings, an alternative top part 11' for the housing 10 is illustrated. This top part is not provided with a horizontal upper wall and ap~LLuL~=s in a 11~p~-n-lin7 side wall, but instead is an open topped tubular element provided with two ;nnl ;nc~d baffles. The upper baffle 19 is formed from a planar plate which is ; n~ n~ at an angle greater than the repose angle of grain or other flowable material which is to be utilised in conjunction with this ~ ; r L of the invention . The repose angle of a flowable material is the angle formed by the sides of a pile of the material generated by simply pouring the material downwards on to a horizontal surface. Because the baffle 19 is ;nnlin~l at an angle which is greater than the repose angle, none of the material will tend to Al 1 Ate on the ba~fle when a ~low is es~hl; chl~l through the housing 10. The upper baffle 19 extends more than half-way across the diameter of the upper part 11 ' of the housing 10 .
W095114228 2 1 7~ 97 -12- ~ I l The upper baf f le l9 is located above a lower baffle 20 which is also formed from an ln~-1 {n~-A planar plate. The lower baffle 20 is ;~c1 inP~A in the opposite direction to the upper baffle l9, and is again inr 11n~A at an angle which is greater than the repose angle of the material to be utilised in conjunction with this: ~'i of the invention. The lower baffle 20 extends subst~nti~11y half-way across the ~1;; of the upper part ll ' of the housing lO, so that in the region 21 there is a degree of overlap Or the baffles l9.
Effectively the baffles define an inlet ap~L~UL~
which extends between the overlapped regions of the baffle, lying in a substantially vertical plane.
The ~mhoA;~ ~ illustrated in Figure 2 will operate in a very similar manner to that of the rl~nhoA;- ~ of Flgure l. It is to be appreciated, however, that the housing lO will not begin to fill with grain until the level of grain within the hopper reaches the top of the upper part ll' of the housing lO. The grain will then fall over the top of the upper part ll' of the housing and flow down across the top of the upper baffle l9, then being directed to flow across the top of the lower baffle 20 entering the interior of the housing lO through the aperture effectively defined between the two baffles.
When the housing is full of grain, the ~ sel~ce of the baffles ~L~V~::II-S an increase in ~JL~5~U~ arising within the housing lO when the level of grain above the top of the housing lO increases. Thus the housing and the baffles again provide means for controlling the packing density of grain within the housing lO.
WO 95/14228 2 1 7 ~ 4 9 7 ~ A7~c Figure 3 and 4 illustrate a modif ied c ' ';- of the invention for use in sampling a flow of material.
The e~mhotl;~ ~ of Figures 3 and 4 comprises a housing 10 with an upper part 11 having oval i~eL LUL~S 14 generally as described with reference to Figure 1.
However, in this illustrated ~ho~l;r t the spider 16 tas can be seen more clearly in Figure 4 ), which supports the shaft of the spear 15, is provided with a plurality of op~n;nqC 22. A shutter disc 23 i8 provided located adjacent the spider 16. The shutter disc 23 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 24 which COL~ U~Id with the opC-n;n~C 22. Nhilst, in one ~ho~; L means may be provided for moving the shutter disc 23 manually, in this e~mho~;r L the shutter disc 23 has a toothed exterior 25 which engages a gear wheel 26 through an access window 27 formed in the side of the housing 10. The gear wheel 26 is driven by means of a shaft 28 and an appropriate motor (not shown). The motor and the gear wheel 26 are located within a housing 29 mounted on the exterior of the housing 10. The shutter disc 23 may be positioned relative to the spider 16 so that the openings 22 and 24 are aligned, or so that op~n; n~c are off-set, or may be moved to an in~ te position.
SuL~ ~ ul~ding the upper part of the housing 10 is a conical funnel 30 having an open top 31. The open top is provided with a substantially conical mesh or grid 32.
It is envisaged that the ~yal~.Lus of Figure 3 will be located directly under a falling stream of grain or the like. The conical mesh 32 has ap~,. LuLas therein dimensioned to permit grain to pass through the ape:. LuLe:s ;snd fall into the funnel 30, but provides the function of WO95/~4tt8 21 7~4 97 r ~ C
minimising the amount of straw or other mzterial present within the grain from entering the funnel 30.
As grain enters the funnel 30, the funnel will fill, and ir the funnel i5 completely full grain will 3pill over the upper lip def lning the open upper mouth of the f unnel 3 0 .
The grain within the funnel 3 0 will pass through the apertures 14 into the housing 10. The shutter disc 23 may be moved to such a position relative to the spider 16 that the ~IpeLLuLt:6 24 are in a predetPrminpd hit-and-mis6 relati-~n~hi~ with regard to the <lpeLLUL~S 22 in the spider 16 50 that the effective flow path through the combination of the spider 16 and the shutter disc 23 is adjusted to provide a prpd~tprm;np~ flow rate for grain.
Grain will thus leave the bottom part of the housing lO at a predetermined rate and if grain is present in the $unnel 30 grain will enter the top part of the housing 10, through the a~=LLUL~S 14, at a CUrL.~ 1;n~ PredetPrm;nPC~
rate. The amount of grain within the housing 10 will be substantially constant over a period of time, and the flow rate of grain will be so slow through the housing that the grain adjacent the operative parts of the spear 15 will be substantially stationary thus PnAhl ;n~ the spear to provide an accurate output. However, it will be appreciated that since the housing 10 is continually being emptied, and continually being re-filled from material from the funnel 31, the spear provides an almost "instantaneous"
output relating to the moisture content of grain present within the stream of grain being directed towards the open mouth 31 of the funnel 30.
It is to be appreciated that the combination of the housing and the funnel will control the packing density of Wo 9~/14228 ~ 1 7 ~ ~ 9 7 P~
grain within the housing, since only a certain predet~rminpd maximum amount of grain can be present in the combination of the funnel and the housing. It is preferred, however, for the housing to be of the design of Figure l and Figure 2 with the top element or with the ba f f les .
It is envisaged that instead of the described "hit-and-miss" shutter arr~ I_ of Figure 4 an adjustable iris could be utilised. The iris may be manually adjusted or may be motor-driven.
Means may be provided automatically to pre-select the size for the flow passage through the lower part of the housing lO in ~ r~ntl~nre upon the nature of the grain to be utilised in conjunction with the apparatus. For example, for grain of a small size, such as oil seed rape, the flow passage would be small, whereas for a more bulky grain, such as wheat, the flow passage would be larger. If the described apparatus is mounted in a combine harvester, an ~yy. ~y iate pre-s~lec~or may be provided in the cab of the combine harvester to enable the operator to select the size of the f low passage in accordance with the crop being harvested .
It is envisaged that since moist grain is more likely to "clog" than dry grain, means may be provided to control the size of the flow passage through the housing lO
in L~ ,..se to the measured moisture content of grain within the housing lO. Thus, if moist grain, having a moisture content in exce3s of a predett~rmin~-d limit, is present within the housing, the size of the flow passage through the housing may be increased, in order to minimif:e the risk clogging or hlor~kin~ of the flow path, whereas if "dry" grain having a moisture content less than a WO 95/14228 ~ 4 9 7 P l~ I ï 71~c predefPrminPd moisture content is present within the housing, the size of the flow path through the lower part of the housing may be reduced in order to prevent grain flowing through the housing too quickly.
The apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 may be associated with a grain dryer, and if the grain has been "cleaned"
before it is dried the mesh 32 may be omitted. The signal from the spear may be sllrpliPA to a central drLai.yl L
which automatically stops the dryer when a predetp7~ninp~l moisture level has been reached, or which activates an indicator, such as a flashing light or a buzzer, to indicate that the grain is "dry".
It is thus to be appreciated that the apparatus described may be inserted directly within a pipe or conduit through which a mater$;~1 is flowing, when the moisture content of that material i5 to be mea5ured- The dU~L'-L~5 may in~.U-~VLc~te the entire LVSS section of the pipe or conduit or may pref erably incu. VUL ~ Le less than the entire ~:-v:,s-seuLion of pipe or conduit. Thus if the housing of the apparatus described above becomes full of material, and further material is f lowing the through the pipe or conduit, then that further material may flow past the housing .
Figure 5 illustrates a modif ied Pmi~oA i L of the invention intended primarily for use in measuring the moisture content of a material f lowing along a pipe or conduit. Such material may comprise grain, such as agricultural grain, but may also include any other particular material such as manufactured food stuffs inrlll~lin~ rice, pasta, dried vegetables and the like, or other granular-type materials.
WO 95114228 2 1 7 ~ ~ 9 7 r~ A7~;7~
Referring to Figure 5, a vertical pipe or conduit 40 is provided through which material is intended to flow in a downward direction. An upper shutter aLL_, t 41 is provided, which is associated with the pipe 40, the shutter aLL~I J --~t 41 ;n~ ;n~ a shutter blade 42 defining a through aperture 43 and a driving ---hAn;~ 44. The driving-.r- -n;~ is adapted to move the shutter between open and closed positions. The upper shutter 41 is shown in the "closed" position. The shutter 41, when in the open position permits material within the pipe or conduit 40 to flow into a housing 45 defined beneath the shutter 41. The housing 45 contains a spear 46 of the type described above which is supported by a spider 47 located in the lower part of the housing 45.
A sensor 48 is provided adapted to sense the level of material within the housing 45. The sensor 48 may be of any a~L~I,Liate design and may thus, for example, comprise an optical sensor.
At the lower end of the housing 45 a second or lower shutter aLL_,s ~ 48 is provided which is of the same design as the upper shutter arrA, L 41. The lower shutter arrAr ~ 48 is provided with a shutter blade 49 which defines a through O.~ L-ULe, that through aperture not being visible in Figure 5, but instead being aligned with the axis of the housing 45. The shutter 48 is provided with a drive - -h~ni~-n 50. A pipe portion 51 extends from beneath the second shutter 48 so that material within the housing may flow ~ Ldly out of the housing 45 when the second shutter ~8 is in the open position.
A electric lead 52 is directed out ~rom the housing 45 carrying signals from the spear 46.
W095/14228 ~ ~ 7~ 7 E~
It is to be appreciated that in use of the arr~ illustrated in Figure 5, initially the upper shutter 41 will be in the open position and the lower shutter 48 will be in the closed position. I~aterial flowing through the pipe 40 will thus ~ te within the interior of the housing 45. When the sensor 48 senses that the housing 45 is substantially full the upper shutter 41 i8 moved to the closed po6ition. Thus the packing density of the material present within the housing 45 is limited.
p~ r~5 may then be taken from the moisture sensinq spear 46 to ~atpr~;np the moisture content of material present within the housing 45. Subsequently, the shutter 48 may be opened, permitting material within the housing 45 to flow downwardly and outwardly away from the housing through the pipe 51. The entire cycle of operation may then be repeated.
It i8 to be appreciated that the cycle of operation may be modif ied, with the lower shutter 48 always being partly open, so that there is a continuous, but relatively 810w, flow of material out of the housing 45. The upper shutter 41 may then be actuated simply to maintain an a~ riate quantity of material within the housing at all times .
Ref errlng now to Figure 6, the arrAr~ t of Figure 5 i5 illustrated in conjunction with a principal, subst~ntii-l ly vertical pipe or conduit 60. It is to be seen that the pipe 40 terminates within the main pipe or conduit 60 with an open upwardly directly mouth 61 adapted to catch material moving vertically down the main conduit 60. The conduit 51 returns material discharged from the housing 45 into the main conduit 60.
Wo 95/14228 2 ~ 7 6 ~ 9 7 F~~ c It is to be appreciated that in use of an aLL~1, as shown in Figure 6, there is no risk of the main conduit 60 be - i n~ blocked.
-In many situations, the flow of material along aconduit, such as the conduit 60, will be erratic. From time-to-time there will be very substantial f lows, but during the intervening period the f low may be very sp~l - 'ic. The described apparatus can be used to measure, subs~nti~lly instantaneously, the moisture content of material flowing through the conduit 60. The measured moisture content may be used to control a manufacturing process, or may be displayed. For example, if the moisture content is too high, then the time material being manufactured spends in a dryer may be increased.
Alternatively, if the moisture content it too low, a procedure may be activated to add moisture to the material at a subsequent point in the manufacturing plant.
Whilst the invention has been described with reference to ~mho~l;r--~s in which a spear as described in British Patent Specification No. 2,222,683A is used as the operative moisture-sensing means, alternative moisture sensing means may be used within the housing lO.
Whilst the apparatus ha6 been described with specific reference to the mea~uL --t of moisture present in grain, it is to be clearly understood that the apparatus may be used f or measuring the moisture content of other f lowable materials such as pulses, rape or even manuf actured items .
Claims (14)
1. A moisture-sensing apparatus, for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material, the apparatus comprising a moisture-sensing element, a housing containing the moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material, the housing having, at its lower end, means defining an outward flow path for material within the housing, the housing forming part of a means to control the packing density of said flowable material within the housing, wherein the said means to control packing density comprise an upper element provided with means which prevent material from flowing vertically downwardly into the housing and which define one or more apertures, each aperture lying in a substantially vertical plane to permit material to flow into the housing.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the means to control packing density additionally comprise an open topped funnel to direct a flow of said flowable material to said inlet.
3. A moisture-sensing apparatus for sensing the moisture content of a granular flowable material, the apparatus comprising a moisture-sensing element, a housing containing the moisture-sensing element, the housing having, at its upper end, an inlet for flowable material associated with an upper element provided with means which prevent material from flowing vertically downwardly into the housing and which define one or more apertures, each aperture lying in a substantially vertical plane to permit material to flow into the housing, the housing having, at its lower end, means defining an outward flow path for material within the housing.
4. An apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the upper element of the housing comprises means defining a horizontal upper wall and a depending side wall, there being one or more of said apertures in the side wall.
5. An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein each aperture is of elongate oval form.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein each aperture extends substantially horizontally peripherally around said side wall.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein sensor means are provided adapted to sense when the housing is full of the material whose moisture content is to be sensed.
8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the means defining the outward flow path comprises means to adjust the size of outlet flow path from the housing.
9. An apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the means defining the outward flow path comprises a spider defining a plurality of apertures and a co-operating shutter disc defining a corresponding plurality of apertures, means being provided to move the shutter disc relative to the spider to adjust the degree of overlap between the apertures in the spider and the apertures in the shutter disc.
10. An apparatus according to Claim 3 or any Claim dependent thereon wherein the upper part of the housing is provided with a funnel adapted to direct grain towards the said one or more apertures formed in the upper element of the housing.
11. An apparatus according to Claim 2 and any Claim dependent thereon, or Claim 10 wherein the funnel is provided with a mesh or guard to prevent straw or the like entering the funnel.
12. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein means are provided to mount the housing within the grain-carrying hopper of a combine harvester.
13. An apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the said mounting means comprise a shoe, adjustable means to locate the housing relative to the shoe, and a plurality of magnets carried by the shoe adapted to mount the shoe in position on the sloping part of the grain-containing hopper of a combine harvester.
14. A combine harvester provided with an apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 13, to sense the moisture content of grain or the like harvested by the combine harvester.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9323693.3 | 1993-11-17 | ||
| GB939323693A GB9323693D0 (en) | 1993-11-17 | 1993-11-17 | Improvements in or relating to moisture-sensing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2176497A1 true CA2176497A1 (en) | 1995-05-26 |
Family
ID=10745313
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2176497 Abandoned CA2176497A1 (en) | 1993-11-17 | 1994-11-17 | Neutrophil determination |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0729578A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2176497A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9323693D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995014228A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19947969A1 (en) * | 1999-10-05 | 2001-04-12 | Gerd H Arnold | Measuring moisture, especially absolute moisture content, in any bulk material involves placing material in transportable device, determining moisture/deviation with probe element(s) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB360544A (en) * | 1929-09-09 | 1931-11-12 | Charles Bernard Limbrick | Improvements in moisture measuring devices |
| SU913213A2 (en) * | 1980-07-01 | 1982-03-15 | Ki N Proizv Ob Analitpribor | Capacitive pickup of loose material humidity |
| JPH03500208A (en) * | 1988-04-29 | 1991-01-17 | ビユーラー・アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト | Method and apparatus for online detection of product parameters |
| GB2222683B (en) * | 1988-08-17 | 1992-04-15 | Hydramotion Ltd | Device for moisture measurement of particulate material |
| US5106339A (en) * | 1990-02-12 | 1992-04-21 | David Manufacturing Company | Moisture monitor system and method for combine harvester |
-
1993
- 1993-11-17 GB GB939323693A patent/GB9323693D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-11-17 EP EP95900866A patent/EP0729578A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-11-17 WO PCT/GB1994/002525 patent/WO1995014228A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-11-17 CA CA 2176497 patent/CA2176497A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0729578A1 (en) | 1996-09-04 |
| GB9323693D0 (en) | 1994-01-05 |
| WO1995014228A1 (en) | 1995-05-26 |
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