System and method for indicating to a remote location operation of an auger or the like

The systems and methods of the present invention employ either a sensor in communication with the auger or a sensor in the form of a switch operated by the user of the auger. When the sensor detects that the auger is operating or the switch is operated by the auger operator, an indication of auger operation is published to a remote location. The indication may be in the form of an aural or visual indication or in the form of a wireless transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing an indication to a remote location regarding operation of an auger, such as an auger used in a harvest combine or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A common method for moving grain, soil, liquids, etc. from one container to another is an auger. An auger comprises a helical shaft located in a tube or housing. As the shaft is rotated, material, such as grain, is transported by the shaft along the wall of the housing and distributed into a container at an opening in the housing of the auger.

In many instances, it is important to provide indications of auger operation to a remote user. For example, where an auger is used to redistribute material from one container to another, the auger should be monitored to ensure it does not overfill the receiving container. Further, in some instances, it is important to not completely empty the container from which material is being drawn. Where an auger is used to fill several smaller containers from a larger container, it is important to monitor when the auger is not in operation for switching out receiving containers so that material meted out by auger is not wasted.

FIG. 1illustrates one example of the importance of providing a remote indication of auger operation. A harvest combine10is in operation separating grain from plants and depositing the grain in a container12associated with the combine10. The combine10further includes an auger14for removing grain from the container12into a truck, buggy, boxcar, or other similar hauler. As illustrated, the combine is emptying the grain into a buggy16being pulled by a tractor18. In the present example, a driver positions the buggy near the combine and grain is dispensed into the buggy as the combine and buggy are driven. In this manner, the combine can continue to harvest grain while also transferring grain to the buggy.

As is readily apparent, knowledge of when the auger is in operation is important for operation of the tractor and buggy. The operator should maintain the buggy under the outlet of the auger when the auger is dispensing grain, so that the grain does not fall to the ground. When the auger is not in operation, the operator can safely remove the buggy from under the auger to haul the grain away.FIG. 1is just one example of the many instances where remote indication of auger operation is important.

In conventional systems, communications concerning auger operation have been rudimentary at best. In the example ofFIG. 1, information concerning auger operation is typically in the form of visual or oral communication between the operator of the combine and the operator of the tractor. This is a highly disadvantageous form of communication, as it requires eye contact between the operators, which is difficult given that both the combine and tractor are typically moving and constantly altering course, dust and glare, and predawn and/or after dark operation of the vehicles. As such, systems and methods are needed to provide a more reliable indication of auger operation to a remote location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides systems and methods that overcome the above, as well as other disadvantages noted with prior art auger systems. Specifically, systems and methods of the present invention provide an indication to a remote location of auger operation.

The systems and methods of the present invention employ either a sensor in communication with the auger or a sensor in the form of a switch operated by the user of the auger. When the sensor detects that the auger is operating or the switch is operated by the auger operator, an indication of auger operation is published to a remote location. The indication may be in the form of an aural or visual indication or in the form of a wireless transmission.

For example, in one embodiment, the systems and methods of the present invention employ a switch connected to the drive mechanism of the auger. The switch is transitioned between the “on” and “off” position by operation of the drive mechanism. When the drive mechanism is engaged to operate the auger, the switch is transitioned between states. In this embodiment, the switch controls operation of a light located in conspicuous location. By studying the light from a remote location, one can determine operation of the auger. Alternatively, the switch could be associated with a speaker, display, or a wireless communication system for indicating to a remote location operation of the auger.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor of the present invention is associated with the controls of the auger. When the auger is controlled to operate, this is detected by the sensor, which in turn, provides an indication to a remote location. In still further embodiments, the sensor may be a switch that is operated by the auger operator. The sensor could be a flow meter located in the auger or a sensor for sensing rotation of the helical shaft of the auger, or any other type of system that detects operation of the auger.

The indicator for providing a remote indication of auger operation may also take many forms. In some embodiments, the indicator is a light, display, and/or speaker for providing either visual and/or aural indications. Alternatively, the indicator could be a wireless transmitter or transceiver for transmitting wireless communications, such as radio frequency RF or infrared IR. In the embodiments where a wireless transmitter or transceiver is employed at the auger, the remote location will include a receiver or transceiver for receiving the wireless communications and providing an indication to the remote operator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare illustrations of the systems and methods of the present invention employed in the auger system depicted inFIG. 1. Similar toFIG. 1,FIG. 2Aillustrates the harvest combine10dispensing grain into the buggy16. However,FIG. 2further illustrates an indicator20according to one embodiment of the present invention providing an indication to a remote location that the auger is in operation. As can be appreciated, using the systems and methods of the present invention a remote operator can more easily determine the operation of the auger and ensure that the buggy, grain truck, box car, or other type of receiving container is positioned under the auger during its operation.

FIG. 3Ais a simplified block diagram illustrating the various components of a system22according one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system includes a sensor24in communication with an auger26. The sensor is connected in series with a power source28and a light30. The sensor24is either a switch or associated with a switch for controlling flow of current from the power source to the light. The light is mounted in a conspicuous location to provide a remote indication of the auger operation. When the sensor senses that the auger is in operation, it closes the switch allowing current flow to the light, which is then illuminated. When the sensor senses that the auger is not in operation, it opens the switch cutting off current flow to the light so that the light is not illuminated.

FIG. 3Bis a simplified block diagram illustrating the various components of a system32according another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system includes a sensor24in communication with an auger26. Connected to the sensor is a controller34, which is, in turn, connected to a speaker36. When the sensor senses that the auger is in operation, a signal is sent to the controller. The controller then operates the speaker to provide either a constant or periodic audible sound. When the sensor senses that the auger is not in operation, the controller does not sound the speaker. Alternatively, the controller could be connected to a display for providing visual indication of auger operations to a user.

FIG. 3Cis a simplified block diagram illustrating the various components of a system42according another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system includes a sensor24in communication with an auger26. Connected to the sensor is a controller34, which is, in turn, connected to a transmitter or transceiver46, such as an RF or infrared transceiver. When the sensor senses that the auger is in operation, a signal is sent to the controller. The controller then operates the transceiver to transmit a wireless signal.

In this embodiment, the remote location48comprises a receiver or transceiver49connected to a controller50, which, in turn, is connected to an indicator52. The indicator52can be a light, speaker, display, etc. When the signal transmitted by the system42is received at the remote location, the controller50operates the indicator52to provide an indication to a remote user that the auger is in operation. While not shown, in embodiments where the indicator is a light, the system of the present invention may include a blinker device for intermittently providing a signal to the indicator to thereby cause the indicator to blink. Use of a blinking indicator may be advantageous to draw the user's attention, especially where various other lights may be operating on the auger or combine.

FIG. 4discloses a unique location for a sensor for sensing auger operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4illustrates an auger drive mechanism in the form of a belt60and pulley62used to rotate the shaft of the auger, not shown. The pulley is connected to a stationary pivot point64via a pivot arm66. Connected to the pivot arm is a hydraulic piston68. The hydraulic arm is operated to selectively engage and disengage the auger. In an extended position, the hydraulic piston68rotates the pulley62into contact with the belt60. In this position, the belt drives the shaft of the auger. In a retracted position, the hydraulic piston68rotates the pulley62away from contact with the belt60. In this position, the auger is not in operation.

As illustrated, in this embodiment of the invention, a sensor in the form of a contact switch70is located relative to the pivot arm66. A first portion72aof the switch is connected to a stationary arm74, while a second portion72bof the switch is connected to the pivot arm66. The switch is configured such that the contacts are separated from each other when the switch is in a non-extended state, but are brought into contact with each other when the first and second portions of the switch are extended relative to each other. An example would be a toggle switch which is spring loaded to the off position. When the pivot arm is extended, the switch contacts are closed. When the pivot arm is retracted, the spring loaded switch return to the off position. With reference toFIGS. 3A-3C, the switch70of this embodiment may be connected in any of the configurations disclosed in these figures for providing a remote indication of auger operation.

Returning toFIG. 4, location of the switch70relative to the auger drive mechanism provides an accurate method of detecting auger operation. When ever the auger is engaged, the switch is activated. Thus, automatic detection of auger operation is achieved without requiring input from the auger operator.

FIG. 5illustrates another sensor that may be used in the various embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3C. In this embodiment, the sensor comprises a reflector76acoupled to the shaft78of the auger26. Spaced away from the reflector is an optical transceiver76b. The optical transceiver emits an optical beam directed at the shaft. When the shaft is rotating, the reflector76awill periodically come in to contact and reflect the optical beam back to the transceiver, thereby indicating that the shaft is rotating. This embodiment of the sensor may be further used to indicate the rotational speed of the shaft. As the shaft rotates faster, the transceiver will receive more frequent instances of the reflected optical beam. If the sensor is connected to a light (such as inFIG. 3A) or a speaker (such as inFIG. 3B), the higher frequency of the “on” and “off” times of the visual or audible signal will indicate to a remote user the rotation speed of the shaft. In the instance that such a sensor is used in conjunction with the system ofFIG. 3C, the speed of the shaft could be displayed to the user using known speed conversion techniques.

It is to be understood that the above disclosed embodiments of the sensor and the systems used for providing indications of auger operation described above should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention. Any form of sensor or switch capable of being configured to sense auger operation is considered part of the invention. The sensor could be a manual switch operated by the auger operator, associated with switches used to operate the auger, associated with the drive system to determine when the shaft is in operation, rotational sensors, flow meters, voltage or currents sensors, etc. Systems for notifying a remote user of auger operation are also not limited to those described above. The indicator may take any form, including but not limited to, visual, aural, wireless transmissions. In the case of wireless transmissions, the system may use infrared, RF, BlueTooth, WI-FI, satellite, or other forms of wireless communication.