IP Library Granted Patent US 8,981,949
Granted Patent B2
US 8,981,949 · App. 12/705,469 · Granted Mar 17, 2015

Harvester bin sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,981,949
App. No.
12/705,469
Granted
Mar 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A harvester grain bin monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that monitors the perimeter of the bin proximate to the top rim to provide a warning to an operator when the grain level reaches approaches the bin rim. The sensor may be optical or mechanical.

Claims (20)

1. A harvester, comprising:

a grain bin having an interior surface, a top surface, wherein the interior surface has a perimeter that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the top surface; and

a mechanical monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor system disposed continuously around the perimeter of the interior surface of the grain bin, wherein the sensor system is activated by a movement induced by a presence of grain at the perimeter of the grain bin; the sensor system including a flexible ribbon moveable in response to a mechanical force applied by the grain in the grain bin; the sensor system conforms to a predetermined non-linear perimeter of the inner surface for the grain bin, the predetermined perimeter in form of one of a curving or modulating perimeter of the grain bin,

a control system that provides an alarm signal to an operator when the sensor is activated, and

a positioning device that positions the sensor system on the perimeter at the predetermined distance below the top surface, to cover an entire of the perimeter, or a portion thereof, for determination of fullness of bin capacity, the positioning device enables a free movement of the flexible ribbon therein.

2. The harvester of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of positioning devices for positioning the flexible ribbon at the predetermined distance from the top surface.

3. A mechanical monitoring system for a grain bin, comprising:

a sensor system that is activated by a movement induced by grain on a flexible ribbon that conforms to a predetermined non-linear perimeter of an inner surface for the grain bin, the predetermined perimeter in form of one of a curving or undulating perimeter of the grain bin,

a control system that provides an alarm signal to an operator when the sensor is activated, and;

a plurality of positioning devices for positioning the sensor continuously around the perimeter of the grain bin and at a predetermined distance below a top surface of the grain bin; the plurality of positioning devices facilitate evaluation of fullness capacity that is determined based on: all of the perimeter at the predetermined distance of the grain bin, or alternatively a portion of the perimeter at the predetermined distance below the surface of the grain bin, each of the plurality of the positioning device enables a free movement of the flexible ribbon therein.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the flexible ribbon is in form of a wire, or a cable or a tape.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the flexible ribbon is formable from a polymer or a plastic or a metal.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the positioning devices are clips attachable to a top surface of the grain bin.

7. A method of monitoring a fill level of a harvester grain bin, comprising:

positioning a sensor continuously around a perimeter of the harvester grain bin; the sensor in form of a flexible ribbon that conforms to a predetermined non-linear perimeter of an inner surface for the grain bin, the predetermined perimeter having a form of one of a curving or modulating perimeter of the grain bin,

inducing a mechanical force on the flexible ribbon via a movement of the grain in the harvester grain bin;

determining a capacity for the grain bin at a plurality of levels, in-part via a positioning device that positions the sensor on the perimeter at a predetermined distance below a top surface of the harvester grain bin, to cover an entire of the perimeter, or a portion thereof, the positioning device enables a free movement of the flexible ribbon therein.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein an alarm signal is transmitted to a control unit when the sensor is activated.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the control unit activates a visual or audible alarm after receiving the alarm signal.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2015
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICAL LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 036238/0229 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 9, 2014
From: CNH AMERICA LLC
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 032863/0865 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2010
From: RICKETTS, JONATHAN E.; RICKETTS, BRANDON E.; KLENNERT, WADE L.
To: CNH AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 023938/0250 →