GB2039052A - Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain - Google Patents
Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2039052A GB2039052A GB7936947A GB7936947A GB2039052A GB 2039052 A GB2039052 A GB 2039052A GB 7936947 A GB7936947 A GB 7936947A GB 7936947 A GB7936947 A GB 7936947A GB 2039052 A GB2039052 A GB 2039052A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- grain
- moisture content
- measuring chamber
- measuring apparatus
- particles
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 178
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 243
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 241000209094 Oryza Species 0.000 description 4
- 235000007164 Oryza sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 235000009566 rice Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005496 tempering Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001651 emery Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- 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
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
ln a grain moisture content measuring apparatus 11 including a moisture content measuring chamber 12 having grain particles introduced thereinto, a sensor 21 arranged in the moisture content measuring chamber having an anode 19 and a cathode 21, and a moisture gauge of the electrostatic capacity type connected to the sensor, there are provided means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles in the moisture content measuring chamber. The means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles in the moisture content measuring chamber includes mechanical means e.g. screw conveyors 14, 23 for controlling the amount of the grain particles supplied to and leaving the measuring chamber, a vibrator installed on a wall of the measuring chamber, or means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain particles installed on the supply side of the measuring chamber. Automatic control means may be provided which includes photoelectric means for detecting the density of the grain particles in the measuring chamber, and moisture content value correcting means connected to the photoelectric means for either correcting the measured value or for controlling the means to keep the density constant. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Apparatus for measuring moisture content of
grain
This invention relates to improvements in or
relating to apparatus for measuring moisture
content of grain of the electrostatic capacity type.
In apparatus of the prior art for measuring
moisture content of grain particles, such as
unhulled rice, having fur, beard and twig on the
covering by introducing such grain particles into a
moisture content measuring chamber and
detecting the electrostatic capacity thereof to
determine their moisture content, there have
hitherto been variations in the value of moisture
content determined by the apparatus of the prior
art owing to the fact that the density of the grain
particles introduced into the moisture content
measuring chamber varies from one batch to
another.The variations in the density of grain
particles have been accounted for by the facts that
even if the same kind of grain particles are
introduced into the moisture measuring chamber,
the amount of fur, beard and twig varies from one
grain to another, that a variation in the amount of
fur, beard and twig is caused to occur by the type
and performance of the machines used for
harvesting the grain particles, and that the amount
of fur, beard and twig shows a variation
depending on the step of circulation when the
apparatus is used with a grain dryer system of the
circulation type.
The present invention has been developed for
the purpose of determining the moisture content
of grain particles in a stable manner without
making errors, by keeping constant the density of
grain particles introduced into the moisture
content measuring chamber by using various
mechanisms.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to
provide an apparatus for measuring moisture
content of grain particles, such as unhulled rice
particles, having fur, beard and twig on the
covering by measuring the electrostatic capacity
thereof, the apparatus being capable of keeping
constant the density of grain particles introduced
into the moisture measuring chamber so as to
obtain moisture content values free from
variations and errors at all times.
Another object is to provide an apparatus of the
type described which enables a grain moisture
content regulating system to automatically
operate with high accuracy when the apparatus
according to the invention is incorporated therein,
for effecting regulation of moisture content of the
grain particles while detecting their moisture
content during moisture content regulating
operation.
According to the present invention, there is
provided a grain moisture content measuring
apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type
comprising a measuring chamber having an inlet
and an outlet, a sensor provided in the measuring
chamber having an anode and a cathode, a moisture gauge of the electrostatic capacity type connected to the sensor, means disposed in the inlet of the measuring chamber for supplying grain particles to the measuring chamber, and means disposed in the outlet for discharging the grain particles from the measuring chamber, wherein the improvement comprises means forkeeping constant the density of the grain particles having their moisture content measured by the sensor in the measuring chamber.
According to the invention, there is also provided a grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type as described hereinabove. wherein the means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises resistor means operative to increase the grain supply capability of the grain supply means above the grain discharge capability of the grain discharge means.
According to the invention, there is also provided a grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type as described hereinabove, wherein the means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises a vibrator installed on a wall of the measuring chamber.
According to the invention, there is also provided a grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type as described hereinabove, wherein the means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding installed on the supply side of the measuring chamber.
According to the invention, there is also provided, in a grain moisture content measuring apparatus comprising a grain moisture measuring chamber having grain particles introduced thereinto, a sensor provided in the measuring chamber having an anode and a cathode, and a moisture gauge of the electrostatic capacity type electrically connected to the sensor, automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus comprising a light source for throwing light onto the grain particles in the measuring chamber, a light receiving element for detecting light reflected by the grain particles, and moisture content value correcting means electrically connected to the light receiving element.
Additional and other objects, as well as advantageous features of the invention will become clearer from the following description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a grain dryer system of the circulation type having the present invention incorporated therein:
Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the grain moisture content measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the planar sensor of the grain moisture content measuring apparatus;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the cylindrical sensor of the grain moisture measuring apparatus;
Fig. 5 a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the grain dryer of the circulation type having still another embodiment of the invention incorporated therein;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of moisture content measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 7;;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus having brush rollers supported on a shaft;
Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus shown in
Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus having a grinder roller supported on a shaft;
Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus shown in
Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus having an agitation roller supported on a shaft;
Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus shown in
Fig. 13;
Fig. 1 5 is a sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus provided with automatic control means;
Fig. 1 6 is a diagram of a control electric circuit of the automatic control means shown in Fig. 15;;
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the moisture content measuring apparatus provided with a modification of the automatic control means; and
Figs. 1 8 and 1 9 are diagrams of different control electric circuits of the automatic control .
means shown in Fig. 1 7.
Referring to Fig. 1, a grain dryer system generally designated by the numeral 1 incorporating therein the present invention includes a main body 2 formed in the interior with a blast chamber 4 provided with heat generating means 3. The blast chamber 4 has provided on either side thereof, a flow-down type moisture content regulating chamber, not shown, and an air discharging chamber, not shown, is provided at the outside of each flowdown type moisture content regulating chamber, so that a hot blast of a predetermined temperature is caused to pass transversely of the streams of grain particles suppledfrom a grain tank 5 and flowing down through the moisture content regulating chambers, to dry the grain particles.The grain particles flowing down through each of said chambers is discharged downwardly through a rotary valve 6 provided at the lower end of said chamber and supplied to a screw conveyor 7 mounted in the lower central portions of the two moisture content regulating chambers. The screw conveyor 7 transports the grain particles to the lower end of an elevator 8 which is located on one side of the main body 2 and has a bucket conveyor, not shown, installed therein. The grain particles lifted by the elevator 8 are conveyed horizontally to the center of the top of the main body 2 by conveyor means 9 connected to the upper portion of the elevator 8 and including a screw conveyor mounted therein. From the top of the main body 2, the grain particles flow downwardly into the grain tank 5.At this time, the grain particles are distributed evenly into the grain tank 5 by means of a scattering plate 10 rotated by a bevel gear, not shown, in meshing engagement with another bevel gear, not shown, connected to one end of the screw conveyor. It will be understood that the grain particles are caused to flow in circulation and regulated their moisture contents by the aforesaid arrangement.
A moisture content measuring apparatus 11 is installed on one side wall of the grain tank 5. The moisture content measuring apparatus 11 shown in Fig. 2 includes box-shaped measuring chamber 12, and a screw conveyor 14 for supplying grain particles mounted in a cylindrical housing 1 3 on the measuring chamber 12 and disposed transversely. One end portion of the cylindrical housing 13 extends through an opening 1 5 formed in the side wall of the grain tank 5 into the latter and is formed at its upper portion with a grain particle supply port 16, and the other end portion thereof is formed with an overflow opening 1 7 opening through a side wall of the measuring chamber 12 to allow the grain particles to overflow therethrough.The cylindrical housing 13 has a plurality of discharge ports 1 8a, 1 8b and 1 8c formed at its bottom. The measuring chamber 12 has a sensor 21 including an anode 19 and a cathode 21 of planar form, the sensor 21 being connected to a moisture gauge, not shown, for the electrostatic capacity type. The measuring chamber 12 has in its lower portion a partially cylindrical grain discharge passage 22 in which a grain discharging screw conveyor 23 is mounted. The grain discharge passage 22 is formed at the bottom of its terminal portion with a grain discharge port 24 having installed therein a resistor means 25b, such as an on-off valve, for effecting fine adjustments of the amount of grain particles discharged therethrough.A pulley 26 of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 and a pulley 27 of the grain discharge screw conveyor 23 are distinct from each other in diameter, so that the arrangement will serve as a resistor means 25a for increasing the grain transporting power of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 over the grain transporting power of the grain discharge screw conveyor 23. The grain supply screw conveyor 14.
is drivingly connected to an electric motor 28, and a belt 29 is trained over the two pulleys 26 and 27. The measuring chamber 12 is formed along its side wall with a flow-down passage 30 communicating with the overflow opening 17, and a return passage 31 in the form of a flow down trough is located below the lower end of the grain discharge port 24 of the measuring chamber 12 and the flow-down passage 30 and connected at its lower end to the lower end of the elevator 8.
Fig. 3 shows the sensor 21 of the planar form having its electrodes 1 9 and 20 embedded in planar form, and Fig. 4 shows a sensor 32 of a cylindrical shape.
In operation, grain particles thrown into the grain tank 5 flows down through a flow-down moisture content regulating chambers located on both sides of the blast chamber 4 beneath the tank 5 as soon as the grain dryer system 1 of the circulation type is actuated. The grain particles flowing down said chambers are formed into grain particle streams subjected to a hot blast of a predetermined temperature blown from the blast chamber 4 across the grain particles streams transversely thereof to be dried thereby, and then transferred to the lower end of the elevator 8 by the action of the rotary valves 6 and screw conveyor 7. The grain particles are moved vertically upwardly by the elevator 8 and then conveyed transversely by the conveyor means 9, to be returned at the end of the conveyor means 9 to the tank 5 to be subjected to tempering in the tank 5.This cycle of drying and tempering is repeated several times until the grain particles in the tank have their moisturecontent adjusted to a predetermined level.
The electric motor 28 of the moisture content measuring apparatus 11 mounted in the grain tank 5 is actuated at a suitable time during the aforesaid drying and tempering cycle. Actuation of the motor 28 rotates the grain supply screw conveyor 14 to continuously transport grain particles from the tank 5 through the grain supply port 16 and cause the grain particles to flow down through the discharge ports 18a, 18b and 1 8c into the measuring chamber 12 having the sensor 21 therein. When the measuring chamber 1 2 is filled with grain particles, excess grain particles are allowed to overflow through the overflow opening 1 7 to keep the volume of the grain particles within the measuring chamber 12 constant.The grain particles within the measuring chamber 12 are discharge through the grain discharge port 24 at the lower end thereof by rotation of the grain particle discharge screw conveyor 23 located in the lower portion of the measuring chamber 12.
Since the transporting power of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 is higher than the transporting power of the grain discharge screw conveyor 23 as described hereinabove, the grain particles are piled in grain particle layers of a suitably excessive density. Fine adjustments of the density of the grain particles are effected by the resistor means 25b which may be suitably opened and closed.
The grain particle layers formed in the moisture content measuring chamber 1 2 can have the density of the grain particles suitably corrected and kept constant. This increases the accuracy of the value determined by the sensor 21 as compared with the corresponding values obtained in apparatus of the prior art wherein the grain particles are merely caused to flow downwardly.
Also, the grain particle layers are suitably compressed, thereby eliminating variations in the values obtained by the sensor and minimizing error due to fluctations in the grain particle layers. Thus the apparatus according to the invention enables moisture content regulated grain to be positively and smoothly obtained on a mass production basis.
The grain particles discharged through the grain discharged through the grain discharge port 24 at the bottom of the measuring chamber 12 flow down through the return passage 31 provided at the lower end of the port 24 and are returned to the grain tank 5 in the upper portion of the grain dryer system 1 through the elevator 8 and the conveyor means 9. In this embodiment, the moisture content measuring apparatus 11 is installed on the grain tank 5 of the grain dryer system 1.
However, the moisture measuring apparatus 11 may be installed on a grain tank provided with humidifier means or other moisture content regulating means of various types or in a passage for transporting the grain particles. It is to be understood that the resistor means 25a and 25b may be modified in any way so long as they include means for increasing the transportation power (as by varying the pitch, number of revolutions, shape and the like of the screw conveyors) of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 over that of the grain discharge screw conveyor 23 and means for effecting fine adjustments of the density of the grain particles (as by an on-off valve or variable resistor).The grain moisture content measuring apparatus according to the invention may be installed on a flow-down tank and may include automatic stop means including a stop means connected to the sensor by way of an electric circuit so that drying or humidifying of the grain particles will be automatically stopped when their moisture content has reached the marginal value.
Figs. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the invention wherein the moisture content measuring apparatus 11 is installed on one side wall of the grain tank 5. The measuring chamber 12 has at its upper portion of the cylindrical housing 1 3 mounted therein the grain supply screw conveyor 14 disposed transversely and having one end portion extending into the tank 5 so as to thereby supply grain particles from the grain tank to the measuring chamber. The aforesaid construction is similar to the construction of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2.In this embodiment, a grain discharge rotary valve 33 having a transportation power lower than that of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 is installed in the lower portion of the measuring chamber 12 in such a manner that the grain particles delivered through the rotary valve 33 are directly returned to the grain tank 5 through a return passage 34. In this embodiment, the grain particles in the vicinity of the sensor 21 are compressed to a substantially uniform density by the aforesaid difference in transportation power between the rotary valve 33 and the screw conveyor 14, thereby increasing the accuracy of the values determined by the sensor 21.
Figs. 7 and 8 show still another embodiment of the invention wherein the moisture content measuring apparatus 11 including the grain supply screw conveyor 14 extending through the opening 15 formed in the side wall of the grain tank 5 of the grain dryer system 1 of the circulation type is installed on the side wall of the tank 5. The moisture content measuring chamber 12 is provided with the sensor 21 including the anode 19 and the cathode 20 and has mounted in its lower portion the grain discharge screw conveyor 23 of lower transportation power than the grain supply screw conveyor 14 to provide a resistance which suitably increases the density of the grain particles in the moisture content measuring chamber 12.The grain discharge port 24 at the bottom of the measuring chamber 24 is provided with the on-off valve 25b constituting another resistance, and the return passage 31 is provided below the grain discharge port 24. The aforesaid construction is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a moisture gauge 35 of the electrostatic type connected to the sensor 21 is connected in such a manner that it controls a circuit switch 37 connected to an electric motor 36 for driving the grain dryer system 1, so that the grain dryer system 1 can be shut down when the moisture content value of the grain particles ih the grain tank 5 reaches a predetermined value.In the moisture content measuring apparatus 11 constructed as aforesaid, there is provided a vibrator 38 installed on a side wall of the measuring chamber 12 to vibrate the latter by means of an oscillator element. Alternatively, the vibrator 38 may be of the type which utilizes the vibration of an electromagnet.
The grain particles introduced.into the moisture content measuring chamber 12 by the supply screw conveyor 14 flow in a compact condition around the sensor 21 and flow downwardly while maintaining the density thereof at a suitable level by the resistance offered by the grain discharge screw conveyor 23. At this time, vibration of the vibrator 38 has the effect of rendering the density of the grain particles more uniform. Formation of cavities in the grain particle layers which has hitherto occured in the prior art due to the presence of low grade unhulled rice particles in the grain particles handled can be eliminated by the provision of the vibration 38 and moisture content of the grain particles can be measured with a high degree of accuracy.
In the embodiment shown and described hereinabove, a screw conveyor is used for supplying grain particles to the moisture content measuring chamber 12. However, the invention is not limited to the use of a screw conveyor for the purpose of supplying grain particles to the measuring chamber 12, and grain particles may be introduced directly into the measuring chamber 12 provided with the vibrator 38. Also, the vibrator 38 may be intermittently actuated so that the moisture content of the grain particles can be measured while the vibrator 38 is inoperative.
Figs. 9-14 show embodiments of the invention wherein the grain moisture content measuring apparatus is provided, on the supply side thereof, with means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding, to keep constant the density of the grain particles supplied to the moisture content measuring chamber 12.
When grain particles have their moisture content measured by a grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type, great variations occur in the density of grain particles in the vicinity of the sensor in the measuring chamber due to the conditions of the surfaces of the grain particles described hereinabove, such as the depth of vertical grooves on the surface of each grain particle, and the length and number of fur, beard and twig on the covering of each grain particle, even if grain particles handled are of the same type or same kind, such as unhulled rice particles. Thus there has hithereto been a tendency that large errors occur in the values of the moisture content measured by-a grain moisture content measuring apparatus, on account of the variations in the density of the grain particles.The particle surface adjusting means presently to be described performs the function of removing by agitation and grinding, contaminates from the surfaces of the grain particles which adheres to the grain particles and interferes with the uniform distribution of grain particles, to thereby decontaminate the particle surface of the grain.
The particle surface decontaminating means may comprise various types of rotary members, such as brushes, an emery cloth, sponge-like material, spirals, and agitating ribs on the cylindrical rotary member.
By supplying raw material grain particles to the means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding and then supplying the grain particles to the moisture content measuring chamber after having their particle surface decontaminated, it is possible to render compact the layers of grain particles in the measuring chamber and to render uniform the density of the grain particles, thereby increasing the accuracy of the moisture content values determined by measuring apparatus
Figs. 9 and 10 show means 39a for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprising a brush roller 42 having nylon brushes 41 spaced apart from one another attached to the outer periphery of the roller. The brush roller 42 serving as a rotary member is rotatably supported by two side walls of the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39a and located concentrically in a perforated, cylindrical wall member 40 provided transversely in the interior of the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39a, which has a grain supply port 43 and a grain discharge port 44 both communicating with the interior of the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40. The grain supply port 43 communicates with a grain discharge port 46 of screw conveyor means 45
mounted transversely across one side wall of the grain tank 5, and the grain discharge port 44 communicates with a grain supply port 47 of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 of the grain moisture content measuring apparatus 11.The grain particle surface decontaminating means 39a is formed at its bottom with a hopper 48 for discharging to outside contaminates that has passed through perforations in the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40.
Figs. 11 and 12 show means 39b for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprising a grinder roller 50 having a number of grinding elements 49 formed of piastics mounted as a rotary member in the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40 concentrically therewith. Except for the aforesaid construction, the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39b is similar to the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39a shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in other respects.
Figs. 13 and 14 show means 39c for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprising an agitating roller 53 formed at one end portion thereof with a grain particle feeding spiral element 51 and at the cylindrical main body thereof with axially extending agitating ribs 52 mounted as a rotary member in the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40 concentrically therewith. A resistor cover 55 having a weight 54 is provided to the grain discharge port 44. Except for the aforesaid construction, the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39c is similar to the grain particle surface decontaminating means 39a and 39b in other respects.
The grain particles in the grain tak 5 are supplied to the interior of the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40 through the grain discharge port 46 of the screw conveyor means 45 and the grain supply port 43 of the agitation and grinding means 39a, 39b and 39c for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain.
In the agitation and grinding means 39a, 39b and 39c, the grain particles are subjected to the agitating and grinding actions of the brush roller 42, grinder roller 50 and agitating roller 53 to have contaminates removed from their surfaces and to have their particle surface decontaminated.
Then the grain particles are delivered to the grain supply port 47 of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 of the grain moisture content measuring apparatus 11. In the measuring chamber 12 of the apparatus 11, the grain particles are subjected to the actions of the screw conveyors 14 and 23 acting as resistor means and the vibrator 38 as is the case with the embodiments described hereinabove, so that the grain particles are formed into layers of grain particles of uniform density and pass through the sensor 21. Thus the moisture content of the grain particles can be measured with high accuracy. Moreover, since the grain particles introduced into the measuring chamber 12 have already had their particle surface decontaminated, measuring of moisture content
can be effected with increased accuracy.The
contaminates discharged through the perforations
in the perforated, cylindrical wall member 40 is
discharged to outside through the hopper 48, and
the grain particles discharged by the grain discharging screw conveyor 23 in the lower portion of the measuring chamber 1 2 after having their moisture content determined are returned to the grain tank 5 through the return passage 34.
Automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus 11 which is
operative to throw light from a light source onto the grain particle layers in the measuring chamber and receive reflected light by a light receiving element to measure the density of the grain particle layers so as to correct either by electrical correcting means the value determined by a moisture gauge or to control by the signal of the
light receiving element the means described hereinabove for mechanically rendering the density of the grain particle layers constant will now be described by referring to Figs. 1 5-19.
Such automatic control means enables the grain moisture measuring apparatus to determine the value of the moisture content of the grain particles with high accuracy at all times without regard to changes in the density of the grain particle layers.
Figs. 1 5 and 1 6 show a first embodiment of the automatic control means, wherein the moisture content measuring chamber 12 located below a grain hopper 56 has mounted therein the anode 1 9 and cathode 20 constituting the moisture content measuring sensor 21 surrounded by grain particles for detecting the electrostatic capacity of the grain particles. The automatic control means comprises a light source 58 and a light receiving element 59 mounted on a transparent window 57 formed on the outer wall surface of the measuring chamber 12, the light source 58 being operative to throw light through the transparent window 57 onto the grain particle layers in the measuring chamber 12 and the light receiving element 59 being operative to receive light reflected by the grain particle layers.The light receiving element 59 includes a circuit which is connected to a correcting circuit 60 and also to the moisture gauge 35 to which the sensor 21 is connected. By the aforesaid arrangement, the value of the moisture content of the grain particles can be corrected in accordance with changes in the density of the grain particles even if an error is made in the value of the moisture content of the grain particles indicated by the moisture gauge according to changes in density strikingly varying from one type of grain particles to another, thereby enabling a correct value to be determined for the moisture content of the grain particles.
Fig. 1 6 shows one example of the electrical circuit of the automatic control means shown in Fig.15, wherein the sensor 21 is connected to the moisture gauge 35 through a moisture detection circuit 61 and a differential amplifier 62, and the light receiving element 59 is connected to the differential amplifier 62 through an amplifier 69 in the form of a correcting circuit having an integrator 63. By means of the electrical circuit shown and described hereinabove, it is possible to obtain a correct value at all times for the moisture content of the grain particle layers disposed around the sensor 21 in the measuring chamber 12 as if measuring were effected at a reference density even if variation occurred in the density of the grain particle layers.
Figs. 17 and 18 show a second embodiment and a third embodiment of the automatic control means. In the second embodiment, the electric motor 28 for driving the grain supply screw conveyor 14 in the moisture content measuring chamber 12 is connected to a speed control circuit 67 of the light receiving element 59 including motor controller 65 for varying the speed of rotation of the motor 28 and a differential amplifier 66.In the event of a variation occurring in the density of the grain particles in the measuring chamber 12, the speed of rotation of the grain supply screw conveyor 14 disposed in the upper portion of the chamber 12 driven conjointly with the grain discharge screw conveyor 23 disposed in the lower portion of the chamber 12 differing in the speed of rotation and the pitch of the screw blades from the grain supply screw conveyor 14 is varied either to increase speed or to reduce speed, to thereby effect suitable adjustments of the density of the grain particle layers in the measuring chamber 1 2.
In the third embodiment, the vibrator 38 installed on the side wall of the moisture content measuring chamber 12 is connected to an amplitude control electrical circuit 68 of the light receiving element 59 having the differential amplifier 66. In the event of the grain particles in the measuring chamber 12 being subjected to irregularities in density, the vibrator 38 is actuated to mechanically render the density of the grain particle layers uniform, so that a correct value can be obtained for the moisture content of the grain particles.
A fourth embodiment of the automatic control means is shown in Figs. 17 and 19, wherein a pulse motor 69 for adjusting the opening of the on-off valve 25b in the grain discharge port 24 of the moisture content measuring chamber 1 2 is connected to an electrical circuit 70 of the light receiving element 59 having relayes R1 and R2 for rotating the pulse motor 69 in the normal and reverse directions. In the event of a variation occurring in the density of the grain particle layers in the measuring chamber 12, the opening of the on-off valve 25b in the grain discharge port 24 of the measuring chamber 12 is adjusted to render the density of the grain particle layers in the measuring chamber 12 equal to a reference value, to enable the moisture gauge to indicate a correct moisture content value.
The embodiment of the automatic control means shown and described hereinabove may be used singly or in a suitable combination.
A grain moisture content measuring apparatus provided with such automatic control means may be installed in a dryer system for grain particles or a moisture control system for grain particles, to enable automatic measurements of moisture content regulated grain particles to be obtained with accuracy.
Claims (20)
1. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type comprising:
a measuring chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a sensor provided in said measuring chamber having an anode and a cathode;
a moisture gauge of the electrostatic capacity type connected to said sensor;
means disposed in said inlet of said measuring chamber for supplying grain particles to said measuring chamber; and
means disposed in said outlet of said measuring chamber for discharging the grain particles from said measuring chamber; wherein the improvement comprises:
means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles having their moisture content measured by said sensor in said measuring chamber.
2. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises resistor means operative to increase the grain supply capability of said grain supply means above the grain discharge capability of said grain discharge means.
3. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises a vibrator installed on a wall of said measuring chamber.
4. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding installed on the supply side of said measuring chamber.
5. In a grain moisture content measuring apparatus of the electrostatic capacity type comprising a moisture content measuring chamber having grain particles introduced thereinto, a sensor provided in said measuring chamber having an anode and a cathode, and a moisture gauge of the electrostatic capacity type electrically connected to said sensor, automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus comprising a light source for throwing light onto the grain particles in said measuring chamber, a light receiving element for detecting light reflected by the grain particles, and moisture content value correcting means electrically connected to said light receiving element.
6. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for keeping constant the density of the grain particles comprises means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding installed on the supply side of said measuring chamber.
7. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that the said grain particle supply means and said grain particle discharge means each comprise a screw conveyor.
8. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that said grain particle supply means comprises a screw conveyor and said grain particle discharge means comprises a rotary valve.
9. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that said grain particle supply means comprises means for overflowing the grain particles.
10. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further resides in that said grain particle supply means is in communication with a grain tank, and a return passage for the grain particles discharged by said grain particle discharge means is connected to a flow passage communicating with said grain tank.
11. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement further comprises resistor means for controlling the opening and closing of said outlet of said measuring chamber.
12. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the improvement further resides in that said moisture gauge connected to said sensor is connected to a switch for an electrical circuit for stopping the moisture content regulating action of a grain moisture content regulating system, such as a dryer system or a humidifier system.
1 3. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprises a brush roller arranged in a perforated, cylindrical wall member.
14. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprises a grind roller arranged in a peforated, cylindrical wall member.
1 5. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the improvement further resides in that said means for decontaminating the particle surface of the grain by agitation and grinding comprises an agitation roller arranged in a perforated, cylindrical wall member.
16. Automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the improvement further resides in that said moisture content value correcting means comprises a correcting circuit for said moisture gauge.
1 7. Automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the improvement further resides in that said moisture content value correcting means comprises mechanical adjusting means for effecting adjustments of the flow rate of the grain particles introduced into said measuring chamber, and a drive control circuit for said mechanical adjusting means connected to said light receiving element.
1 8. Automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the improvement further resides in that said moisture content value correcting means comprises a vibrator installed on a wall of said measuring chamber, and an amplitude control circuit for said vibrator connected to said light receiving element.
19. Automatic control means for the grain moisture content measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the improvement further resides in that said moisture content value correcting means comprises means for adjusting the opening of said outlet of said measuring chamber for discharging the grain particles therethrough and an operation control circuit for said adjusting means connected to said light receiving element.
20. A grain moisture content measuring apparatus, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 and 6, or
Figures 7 and 8, or as modified according to
Figures 9 and 10, or Figures 11 and 12, or Figures 13 and 14, or Figures 15 and 6, or any of Figures 17 to 19, of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13922478A JPS5565148A (en) | 1978-11-10 | 1978-11-10 | Grain density stabilizing unit for grain moisture meter |
| JP15290478A JPS5578237A (en) | 1978-12-09 | 1978-12-09 | Measuring unit for grain water content |
| JP15397578A JPS5578239A (en) | 1978-12-11 | 1978-12-11 | Measuring unit for grain water content |
| JP16052578A JPS5585245A (en) | 1978-12-23 | 1978-12-23 | Automatic controller for grain moisture gauge |
| JP114179A JPS5593050A (en) | 1979-01-08 | 1979-01-08 | Moisture measuring device for grain |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2039052A true GB2039052A (en) | 1980-07-30 |
Family
ID=27518063
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7936947A Withdrawn GB2039052A (en) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-10-24 | Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5228079A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7906983A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2942767A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2039052A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT7969134A0 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101498679B (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2012-12-19 | 黑龙江大学 | Interdigital capacitor sensor for cereal moisture percentage |
| CN106070418A (en) * | 2016-08-15 | 2016-11-09 | 广东圣托智能设备有限公司 | Dough-making powder extrusion device |
| CN110568136A (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2019-12-13 | 安徽大洋自动化科技有限公司 | Method and instrument for quickly measuring grain moisture by buoyancy method |
| CN117368428A (en) * | 2023-12-07 | 2024-01-09 | 潍坊市计量测试所 | Cereal moisture detection device |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1183586A (en) * | 1980-09-10 | 1985-03-05 | Vertec Industries Ltd. | Apparatus for sensing and controlling moisture content of granular materials |
| ATA212386A (en) * | 1986-08-06 | 1991-03-15 | Heid Ag Maschf | DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF HARVESTED PRODUCTS IN A DRYING CONTAINER |
| FR2644244A1 (en) * | 1989-03-07 | 1990-09-14 | Renault | Measurement probe for moisture meter (hygrometer) |
-
1979
- 1979-10-23 DE DE19792942767 patent/DE2942767A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1979-10-24 GB GB7936947A patent/GB2039052A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-10-29 BR BR7906983A patent/BR7906983A/en unknown
- 1979-10-29 AU AU52280/79A patent/AU5228079A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1979-10-31 IT IT7969134A patent/IT7969134A0/en unknown
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101498679B (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2012-12-19 | 黑龙江大学 | Interdigital capacitor sensor for cereal moisture percentage |
| CN106070418A (en) * | 2016-08-15 | 2016-11-09 | 广东圣托智能设备有限公司 | Dough-making powder extrusion device |
| CN110568136A (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2019-12-13 | 安徽大洋自动化科技有限公司 | Method and instrument for quickly measuring grain moisture by buoyancy method |
| CN110568136B (en) * | 2019-10-08 | 2023-10-24 | 安徽大洋自动化科技有限公司 | Method and instrument for rapidly measuring grain moisture by buoyancy method |
| CN117368428A (en) * | 2023-12-07 | 2024-01-09 | 潍坊市计量测试所 | Cereal moisture detection device |
| CN117368428B (en) * | 2023-12-07 | 2024-03-22 | 潍坊市计量测试所 | Cereal moisture detection device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT7969134A0 (en) | 1979-10-31 |
| DE2942767A1 (en) | 1980-05-14 |
| BR7906983A (en) | 1980-07-15 |
| AU5228079A (en) | 1980-05-15 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0437267B1 (en) | Plastic drying apparatus | |
| US4616786A (en) | Plant for processing surplus concrete | |
| GB2039052A (en) | Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain | |
| HU216727B (en) | Process and equipment for moistening of fusible foods and fodder, especially for moistening of grain and graingrist | |
| JPH04338300A (en) | Method for drying pasty material by rotary drying machine | |
| US2745193A (en) | Drier | |
| WO2016101835A1 (en) | Distributor for ore sorting | |
| JPH0578494B2 (en) | ||
| US3315589A (en) | Pellet forming apparatus | |
| US1854209A (en) | Separator | |
| JPH11173754A (en) | Method for drying grain and grain drying facility | |
| JP2512230Y2 (en) | Grain dryer with moisture measuring device in grain dryer | |
| JP2878067B2 (en) | Dispersion equipment for grain storage facilities | |
| JP4320881B2 (en) | Grain moisture measuring device | |
| JPH06167429A (en) | Grain sampling device for lift | |
| JPS6148657B2 (en) | ||
| JP3943290B2 (en) | Moisture value control device in sample grain dryer | |
| JP2613190B2 (en) | Dryer for self-inspection | |
| JPH11211348A (en) | Moisture measuring instrument for grain drying machine | |
| CS245068B1 (en) | Loose materials dosing device | |
| SU735709A1 (en) | Loose material slinger | |
| JPH0233907Y2 (en) | ||
| JP3274629B2 (en) | Circulating grain dryer | |
| JPS6337896B2 (en) | ||
| US1648538A (en) | Machine for treating seed grain |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |