IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,520,351
Granted Patent B2
US 10,520,351 · App. 15/290,540 · Granted Dec 31, 2019

Method and apparatus for peak weight detection

Inventors: Steven L. Johansen (Whitewater, WI); Jerome A. Bump (Fort Atkinson, WI)
Assignee: DIGI-STAR, LLC
G01G19/022A01B76/00G01G19/08G01G23/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,520,351
App. No.
15/290,540
Granted
Dec 31, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for determining a peak weight associated with an agricultural machine includes the step of determining a weight associated with the agricultural machine. Operational parameters are stored in response to determining that the weight is above a threshold. The threshold can be based on a maximum weight associated with the agricultural machine and set via user input to a machine control indicator. In one embodiment, a new weight associated with the agricultural machine is determined. The new weight is compared to a previous peak weight associated with the agricultural machine. The new weight is stored as a peak weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight. Operational parameters associated with the new weight can also be stored in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

Claims (50)

1. A method comprising:

receiving a value for a threshold, the value based on:

a mass of material located in an agricultural machine,

a vertical acceleration of the mass of material as the agricultural machine moves, and

the agricultural machine;

determining a speed of the agricultural machine;

periodically determining a weight associated with the agricultural machine based on data from a weight sensor located on the agricultural machine, wherein a frequency at which the weight is determined is based on the speed of the agricultural machine and a responsiveness of the weight sensor;

determining if the weight is above the threshold; and

storing operational parameters in response to determining that the weight is above the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying a new weight associated with the agricultural machine;

comparing the new weight to a previous peak weight associated with the agricultural machine; and

storing the new weight as a peak weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

storing operational parameters associated with the new weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight further comprises:

determining that the new weight is a specific percentage higher than the previous peak weight.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value is further based on a previous peak weight.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a weight sensor; and

a machine control indicator in communication with the weight sensor, the machine control indicator performing operations comprising:

receiving a value for a threshold, the value based on a mass of material located in an agricultural machine, a vertical acceleration of the mass of material as the agricultural machine moves, and the agricultural machine;

determining a speed of the agricultural machine;

periodically determining a weight associated with the agricultural machine based on data from the weight sensor, wherein a frequency at which the weight is determined is based on the speed of the agricultural machine and a responsiveness of the weight sensor;

determining if the weight is above the threshold; and

storing operational parameters in response to determining that the weight is above the threshold.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , the operations further comprising:

identifying a new weight associated with the agricultural machine;

comparing the new weight to a previous peak weight associated with the agricultural machine; and

storing the new weight as a peak weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , the operations further comprising:

storing operational parameters associated with the new weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight further comprises:

determining that the new weight is a specific percentage higher than the previous peak weight.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the value is further based on a previous peak weight.

11. A method comprising:

receiving a value for a first threshold, the value based on a mass of material located in an agricultural machine, a vertical acceleration of the mass of material as the agricultural machine moves, and the agricultural machine;

determining a speed of the agricultural machine;

periodically determining a weight of material associated with the agricultural machine based on data from a weight sensor located on the agricultural machine, wherein a frequency at which the weight is determined is based on the speed of the agricultural machine and a responsiveness of the weight sensor;

storing a plurality of operational parameters in response to determining that the weight of material is above the first threshold; and

updating the first threshold to generate a second threshold in response to determining that the weight of material is above the first threshold.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

identifying a new weight associated with the agricultural machine;

comparing the new weight to the second threshold; and

storing a second plurality of operational parameters in response to determining that the new weight is above the second threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

updating the second threshold to generate a third threshold in response to determining that the new weight is above the second threshold.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining that the new weight is above the second threshold further comprises:

determining that the new weight is a specific percentage above the second threshold.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first threshold is further based on a previous peak weight.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: JOHANSEN, STEVEN L.; BUMP, JEROME A.
To: DIGI-STAR, LLC
Reel/Frame 040314/0462 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180100759A1 · Apr 12, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,239,047