Patent ID: 6460008
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
A yield monitoring system for a grain harvesting machine having a grain storage bin and a clean grain elevator, the clean grain elevator having an exterior and an interior and an upper discharge port, comprising,a grain flow monitor disposed adjacent the discharge port of said clean grain elevator and receiving all grain discharged from said upper discharge port, the grain flow monitor comprising a hopper and a rotatable paddlewheel disposed below said hopper, a sensor disposed upon said hopper above said paddlewheel, said sensor generating a first control signal responsive to detection of grain at a predetermined level in said hopper, said paddlewheel selectively controlled by said first control signal to rotate sufficiently rapidly to maintain grain above said paddlewheel at the predetermined level in said hopper, an angular displacement monitor responsive to rotation of said paddlewheel and generating a first data signal responsive to the rotation of said paddlewheel over unit of time, a moisture sensor member mounted within said grain harvesting machine, said moisture sensor member coupled to said clean grain elevator to receive grain moving in said clean grain elevator, the moisture sensor member including a housing having an upper end and a lower end, said housing having a moisture detector disposed therein, said moisture detector responsive to moisture content of grain in said housing to generate a second data signal proportional to said moisture content of said grain, a non-driven rotatable wheel supported below said lower end of said housing, said wheel having circumferentially disposed compartments thereon, said wheel selectively rotatable whereby rotation of said wheel allows grain to be discharged from said lower end of said housing, a computer receiving said first data signal from said angular displacement monitor and said second data signal from said moisture sensor, the computer receiving a ground speed signal dependent upon the ground speed of said grain harvesting machine, said computer generating yield output data from said first data signal, said second data signal and said ground speed signal, a display coupled to said computer for receiving and displaying said yield output data.