Patent Description:
Some moveable vehicles may include or be coupled to a tank for a specific use. The moveable vehicle herein may be self-propelled or is dawn by another vehicle, such as a tractor. One example of the tank is a preservative tank coupled to a baler implement. The preservative is dispensed to the hay in the baling process or a finished bale through nozzle(s). The potential benefits of applying preservatives to hay either during a baling process or to the finished bale are well known and include (a) permitting the hay to be baled and stored at higher moisture contents without spoilage, thus reducing field losses and making operation less dependent on favorable weather conditions; (b) improved palatability and digestibility; and (c) higher nutrient content. However, a fluid level of the preservative may not be properly when the baler implement is operated at an uneven or slop terrain. <CIT> discloses a remote fluid level detection system. Fluid level detection is achieved by tracking the position of an embedded permanent magnet associated with a given internal fluid level within an existing float gauge mechanism. An integrated circuit capable of precisely detecting the orientation of magnetic fields senses the angular position of an existing magnet and outputs an angular field reading to an interfaced microcontroller which then translates angular reading to fluid level.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of monitoring a level of a liquid in a tank of a moveable vehicle includes sensing an orientation of the moveable vehicle relative to a horizontal plane with a vehicle orientation sensor, determining, with a controller, if the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than an allowable orientation threshold or if the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, measuring a level of the liquid in the tank of the moveable vehicle with a liquid level sensor when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than the allowable orientation threshold; defining a sensed fluid level value with the controller, and saving the sensed fluid level value in a memory of the controller. The sensed fluid level value is based on the measured level of the liquid when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than the allowable orientation threshold. The method further comprising dispensing the liquid from the tank, measuring a volume of the liquid dispensed from the tank with a flow sensor, and defining an estimated fluid level value with the controller when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, wherein the estimated fluid level value is based on the volume of the liquid dispensed from the tank.

A system for monitoring a level of a liquid in a tank of a moveable vehicle includes a vehicle orientation sensor, a controller, and a liquid level sensor. The vehicle orientation sensor is operable to sense an orientation of the moveable vehicle relative to a horizontal plane. The controller is coupled to the vehicle orientation sensor and is operable to determine if the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than an allowable orientation threshold or if the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold. The liquid level sensor is coupled to the controller and is operable to measure a level of the liquid in the tank of the moveable vehicle. The controller is operable to define a sensed fluid level value based on the measured level of the liquid when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than the allowable orientation threshold. The controller is operable to save the sensed fluid level value in a memory of the controller. The system further comprising an outlet operable to dispense the liquid from the tank, and a flow rate sensor operable to measure a flow rate of the liquid dispensed from the tank. The controller is configured to define an estimated fluid level value based on the flow rate of the liquid dispensed from the tank when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which:.

The present disclosure includes a system for monitoring a level of a liquid in a tank of a moveable vehicle and the method thereof. The moveable vehicle includes the tank and can be, for example, a baler implement, a planter, a sprayer, a tractor, and construction vehicle. The liquid in the tank can be preservative, liquid fertilizer, water, and fuel, etc. The description below uses a baler implement having a preservative for explanatory purpose.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a baler implement <NUM> is generally shown. The baler implement <NUM> in this implementation is a round baler with a variable baling chamber; in another implementation, the baler implement <NUM> can be a round baler with a fixed baling chamber. The baler implement <NUM> includes a main frame <NUM>. The main frame <NUM> extends along a central longitudinal axis <NUM> between a forward end <NUM> and a rearward end <NUM> relative to a direction of travel. One or more ground engaging elements <NUM>, such as but not limited to one or more wheels and/or tracks, are attached to and rotatably supported by the main frame <NUM>. A tongue <NUM> may be coupled to the main frame <NUM> at a forward end <NUM> of the main frame <NUM>. A hitch arrangement <NUM> may be included with the tongue <NUM>. The hitch arrangement <NUM> may be used to attach the baler implement <NUM> to a traction unit (not shown), such as but not limited to an agricultural tractor. In other embodiments, the baler implement <NUM> may be self-propelled, in which case the traction unit and the baler implement <NUM> are configured as a single, self-propelled vehicle.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a baling system <NUM> having a housing <NUM> forming a baling chamber <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is attached to and supported by the main frame <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include one or more walls or panels that at least partially enclose and/or define the baling chamber <NUM>. The baling chamber <NUM> has a first lateral side <NUM> and a second lateral side <NUM>, as parts of the inner portion of the housing <NUM>, which define the width of the baling chamber <NUM> in the lateral direction. The baler implement <NUM> further includes a gate <NUM>. The gate <NUM> is attached to and rotatably supported by the housing <NUM>. The gate <NUM> is positioned adjacent a rearward end <NUM> of the main frame <NUM> and is pivotably moveable about a gate axis <NUM>. The gate axis <NUM> is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the main frame <NUM>. The gate <NUM> is moveable between a closed position for forming a bale <NUM> within the baling chamber <NUM>, and an open position for discharging the bale <NUM> from the baling chamber <NUM>.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a pick-up <NUM> disposed proximate the forward end <NUM> of the main frame <NUM>. The pick-up <NUM> gathers crop material from a ground surface and directs the gathered crop material toward and into an inlet <NUM> of the baling chamber <NUM>. The pick-up <NUM> moves crop material along a crop path <NUM> relative to the main frame <NUM>. The pick-up <NUM> may include, but is not limited to tines, forks, augers, conveyors, baffles, etc., for gathering and moving the crop material. The baler implement <NUM> may be equipped with a pre-cutter <NUM>, disposed between the pick-up <NUM> and the inlet <NUM>. As such, the pre-cutter <NUM> is disposed downstream of the pick-up <NUM> and upstream of the inlet <NUM> relative to a direction of travel of the crop material. The pre-cutter <NUM> cuts or chops the crop material into smaller pieces. The baler implement <NUM> may include a base floor <NUM> adjacent to the pick-up <NUM> and under the pre-cutter <NUM>. The base floor <NUM> may be a concave shape and guide the crop material toward the inlet <NUM>.

The baler implement <NUM> may be configured as a variable chamber baler, or as a fixed chamber baler. The baler implement <NUM> shown in the <FIG> and <FIG> and described herein is depicted and described as a variable chamber baler. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the variable chamber baler includes a plurality of longitudinally extending side-by-side forming belts <NUM> that are supported by a plurality of rollers <NUM>. The bale <NUM> is formed by the forming belts <NUM> and one or more side walls of the housing <NUM>.

The crop material is directed through the inlet <NUM> and into the baling chamber <NUM>, whereby the forming belts <NUM> roll the crop material in a spiral fashion into the bale <NUM> having a cylindrical shape. The forming belts <NUM> apply a constant pressure to the crop material as the crop material is formed into the bale <NUM>. A belt tensioner <NUM> continuously moves the forming belts <NUM> radially outward relative to a center of the cylindrical bale <NUM> as the diameter of the bale <NUM> increases. The belt tensioner <NUM> maintains the appropriate tension in the belts <NUM> to obtain the desired density of the crop material.

The baler implement <NUM> includes a wrap system <NUM>. The wrap system <NUM> is operable to wrap the bale <NUM> with a wrap material inside the baling chamber <NUM>. Once the bale <NUM> is formed to a desired size, the wrap system <NUM> feeds the wrap material into the baling chamber <NUM> to wrap the bale <NUM> and thereby secure the crop material in a tight package and maintain the desired shape of the bale <NUM>. The wrap material may include, but is not limited to, a twine, a net mesh, or a solid plastic wrap. Movement of the gate into the open position simultaneously moves the belts clear of the formed bale <NUM> and allows the formed and wrapped bale to be discharged through the rear of the baling chamber <NUM>.

The baler implement <NUM> may include a preservative tank <NUM> and a dispensing apparatus <NUM> coupled to the preservative tank <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the preservative tank <NUM> may be mounted upon a base above the tongue <NUM> at the front of the baler implement <NUM>. In other implementations, the preservative tank <NUM> may be coupled to the rearward portion of the main frame <NUM> or coupled to the rearward portion of a tractor that tows the baler implement <NUM>. In an alternative implementation, the preservative tank <NUM> is coupled to the upper forward portion of the main frame <NUM> of the baler implement <NUM>. The location of the preservative tank <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is merely explanatory. The preservative is stored in the preservative tank <NUM>. The preservative is dispensed to the crop material via the dispensing apparatus <NUM> during the baling process or to a finished bale to permit the crop material to be baled and stored at higher moisture contents without spoilage, thus reducing field losses and making operation less dependent on favorable weather conditions, to improve palatability and digestibility of the crop material and/or to apply higher nutrient content on the crop material.

As shown in <FIG>, the dispensing apparatus <NUM> includes a manifold <NUM> having an inlet <NUM> coupled to the preservative tank <NUM> and outlets <NUM> coupled to nozzles <NUM> with multiple hoses. The nozzles <NUM> may be aligned in the lateral direction and is supported by a support structure (not shown) coupled to the main frame <NUM>. The preservative may be sprayed to the crop materials through the nozzles <NUM> before the crop material is rolled up in the spiral fashion, as shown in <FIG>. That is, the preservative is applied on the crop material when the crop material flows from the pick-up <NUM> to the inlet <NUM> of the baling chamber <NUM>. In other implementation, the nozzles <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the inlet <NUM> of the baling chamber <NUM> and spraying the preservative on the rolling bale <NUM> or finished/formed bale <NUM>.

The nozzles <NUM> may be lower than the preservative tank <NUM> so as to form a fluid pressure by gravity. Additionally, or alternatively, the dispensing apparatus <NUM> may further include a fluid pump <NUM> to draw the preservative and facilitate the spray. The fluid pump <NUM> may be a single speed pump, two speed pump, or variable speed pump that drawn the preservative from the preservative tank changes and flow rate of the preservative. The fluid pump <NUM> may also be applied to other implementations of the dispensing apparatus <NUM>.

Another implementation of the dispensing apparatus <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The dispensing apparatus <NUM> includes another manifold <NUM> in the form of a spray bar positioned laterally across the flow direction of the crop material. The manifold <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> coupled to the preservative tank <NUM> and outlets <NUM> in the form of multiple holes configured for dispensing the preservative. In alternative, the outlets <NUM> (holes) may be installed with nozzles, which is not shown.

Another implementation of the dispensing apparatus <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The dispensing apparatus <NUM> includes a hose directly connecting the preservative tank <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> in a form of an outlet without the manifold <NUM>, which is shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the present disclosure includes a liquid level monitoring system <NUM> configured to monitor the preservative level in the preservative tank <NUM>. It is noted that the liquid level monitoring system <NUM> can also be applied to different types of fluid tank, such as water tank, oil tank, nutrition tank, etc..

The liquid level monitoring system <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM>, a controller <NUM> coupled to or having a memory <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may include at least one liquid level sensor <NUM> configured to measure and/or sense data related to a level of the liquid/preservative in the preservative tank. The signals from the liquid level sensor <NUM> may later be received by the controller <NUM> to define and/or calculate a sensed fluid level value. Referring to <FIG>, the liquid level sensor <NUM> may include a float having a magnet attached thereto and moveable along a vertical tube in response to the level of the preservative (buoyancy). In another implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the liquid level sensor <NUM> may include an ultrasonic and/or light sensor coupled to the upper interior of the preservative tank <NUM>. A source (ultrasound /light) is positioned in the preservative tank <NUM> and configured to emit ultrasound or light toward the surface of the preservative. The frequency and the wavelength of the ultrasound reflection or angle of the light reflection would change in response to the level of the preservative. The liquid level sensor <NUM> receives the reflection from the surface of the preservative. Referring to <FIG>, the liquid level sensor <NUM> may include a pressure sensor at the outlet of the preservative tank <NUM> or at the bottom of the preservative tank <NUM>, and the pressure sensor is operable to measure the fluid pressure of the preservative. The fluid pressure changes in response to the level of the preservative. The measurements as shown in <FIG> are directly or indirectly related to the measurement of the liquid level. The controller <NUM> may receive the signals and use the data from the sensor <NUM> to determine the level of the liquid in the tank. The above-mentioned liquid level sensors <NUM> are described for explanatory purpose. The liquid level sensor <NUM> may include another type of sensor to measure the fluid level not described herein.

The controller <NUM> (or multiple controllers) is provided, in general, to control various aspects of operation of the baler implement <NUM>, including the preservative level monitoring. The controller <NUM> may be defined as a computing device associated with microprocessors and the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be coupled to or included by an electronic control unit (ECU). The controller <NUM> may communicate with various systems of the work vehicle <NUM> via a controller area network (CAN) bus or wireless connection, for example. The controller <NUM> is configured to receive commands from the operator control member to perform various tasks. The controller <NUM> is also configured to receive signal(s) from the sensors <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive the signals from the liquid level sensor <NUM> to define a sensed fluid level value based on the measured level of the liquid, and to save the sensed fluid level value in the memory <NUM>. The display <NUM> is coupled to the controller <NUM> and is operable to display the sensed fluid level value. The controller <NUM> is also configured to determine whether one or several conditions is met, based on the signal from the sensors <NUM>, which will be described in the next paragraph.

However, the sensed fluid level value shown on the display <NUM> may not always be accurate when the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is traveling on a hill or slope. As shown in <FIG>, the liquid level of preservative measured by the liquid level sensor <NUM> may render the actual volume of the liquid/preservative underestimated or overestimated. To mitigate the influence of the uneven or hilly terrain, the liquid level monitoring system <NUM> further includes a vehicle orientation sensor <NUM> operable to sense an orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> relative to a horizontal plane. The vehicle orientation sensor <NUM> may be a gyroscope but can be other type of sensor(s) to sense the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is coupled to the vehicle orientation sensor <NUM> and is operable to determine if the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is less than an allowable orientation threshold or if the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold. The logic of the comparison between the orientation of the moveable vehicle and the allowable orientation threshold may be saved in the memory <NUM> as part of the program. The allowable orientation threshold may be a pre-determined value saved in the memory. When the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is less than an allowable orientation threshold, the controller <NUM> defines a sensed fluid level value based on the measured level of the liquid (measured by the liquid level sensor <NUM>) and saves the sensed fluid level value in the memory <NUM>. As such, when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is less than the allowable orientation threshold, the display <NUM> may display the sensed fluid level value. On the contrary, in one implementation, when when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, the controller <NUM> may discontinue or stop measuring the level of the liquid in the preservative tank <NUM> of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> with the liquid level sensor <NUM>, stop defining a sensed fluid level value, stop saving the sensed fluid level value in the memory <NUM>, and/or stop allowing the display <NUM> to display the sensed fluid level value, which may not be accurate.

Additionally, when there is a transition that the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> relative to the horizontal plane is from equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to less than the allowable orientation threshold for less than a minimum time period, the controller <NUM> functions as if the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> relative to the horizontal plane is from equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, i.e., discontinues or stops measuring the level of the liquid in the tank of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> with the liquid level sensor, discontinues or stops defining the sensed fluid level value, discontinues or stops saving the sensed fluid level value in the memory <NUM>, and/or discontinues or stops allowing the display <NUM> to display the sensed fluid level value. As such, the display <NUM> will not display the potentially inaccurate sensed fluid level value due to the wave created during the transition. On the contrary, when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is less than the allowable orientation threshold for a period of time that is greater than the minimum time period, the sensed fluid level value may be reliable, and the liquid level sensor <NUM> may measure the level of the liquid in the preservative tank <NUM> of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM>.

Alternative to not measuring the level of the liquid in the preservative tank <NUM> of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> with the liquid level sensor, not defining the sensed fluid level value, not saving the sensed fluid level value in the memory <NUM>, and/or not allowing the display <NUM> to display the sensed fluid level value, the multiple sensors <NUM> include at least one flow rate sensor <NUM> directly measured the flow rate of the preservative dispensed from the preservative tank <NUM>, or indirectly measured the volume of the preservative dispensed from the preservative tank <NUM> together with the controller <NUM>. Based on the volume of the liquid dispensed from the preservative tank <NUM>, the controller <NUM> defines an estimated fluid level value when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold. More specifically, the controller <NUM> defines the estimated fluid level value includes determining the volume of the fluid dispensed from the preservative tank <NUM> during a time duration beginning when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> changes from being less than the allowable orientation to being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, and with the time duration ending with the next occurrence of the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> changing from being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to being less than the allowable orientation threshold. The display <NUM> displays the estimated fluid level value when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold.

Additionally, when there is a transition of the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> relative to the horizontal plane being from equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to less than the allowable orientation threshold within a minimum time period, the controller <NUM> functions as if the orientation of the moveable vehicle/ baler implement <NUM> relative to the horizontal plane is from equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, i.e., the controller <NUM> defines the estimated fluid level value, determines the volume of the fluid dispensed from the preservative tank <NUM> during a time duration beginning when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> changes from being less than the allowable orientation to being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, and with the time duration ending with the next occurrence of the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM>, changes from being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to being less than the allowable orientation threshold. As such, the display <NUM> will display the estimated fluid level value. On the contrary, when the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> is less than the allowable orientation threshold for a period of time that is greater than a minimum time period, the sensed fluid level value may be reliable, and the liquid level sensor <NUM> measures the level of the liquid in the preservative tank <NUM> of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM>.

It is noted that the flow rate sensor <NUM> is coupled to an outlet in fluid communication with the preservative tank <NUM>. The outlet herein can be any part of elements between the preservative tank <NUM> and nozzle(s) <NUM>. For example, the flow rate sensor <NUM> may be positioned on a hose between the preservative tank <NUM> and the pump <NUM>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> in another example may be positioned inside the pump <NUM> and measure movement of the internal element, such as the gear rotatory speed inside the pump <NUM>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> in another example may be positioned on the inlet <NUM> of the manifold <NUM> (or spray bar) as shown in <FIG>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> in another example may be positioned on the nozzle <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The present disclosure also include methods of monitoring a level of a liquid in a tank of a moveable vehicle. The first method, as shown in <FIG>, includes:.

The second method, as shown in <FIG>, includes:.

In other word, the time duration begins at M3 when the orientation of the moveable vehicle changes from being less than the allowable orientation to being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, and the duration ends if the next occurrence of the orientation of the moveable vehicle changing from being equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to being less than the allowable orientation threshold.

M10: saving the estimated fluid level value in the memory of the controller.

M11: displaying the estimated fluid level value of the tank when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold.

Referring to M7 and M11, M7 includes displaying only the sensed fluid level value of the tank when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than the allowable orientation threshold, and M11 includes displaying only the estimated fluid level value of the tank when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold. However, in other implementation, the display may display both of the sensed fluid level value of the tank and the estimated fluid level value of the tank when the orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than the allowable orientation threshold and/or is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation.

The third method, as shown in <FIG>, includes:.

It is noted that the decision block (Orientation of the moveable vehicle is less than an allowable orientation threshold, S2 in <FIG>, M3 in <FIG>) may add a qualification before the process proceeds to measuring the level of the liquid in the tank (S3 in <FIG>, M4 in <FIG>), if there is a transition that the orientation of the moveable vehicle/baler implement <NUM> relative to the horizontal plane is from to be equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold to less than the allowable orientation threshold within a minimum time period. The first method still stops displaying the sensed fluid level value (S7 in <FIG>), and the second method still measures a volume of the liquid dispensed from the tank (M8 in <FIG>), so as to avoid an inaccurate sensed fluid level value being read due to the wave created in the transition.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein allows an operator to avoid reading an inaccurate sensed fluid level value when the moveable vehicle travels on a slope that renders the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to provide estimated fluid level value when the moveable vehicle travels on a slope that renders the orientation of the moveable vehicle is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold.

Claim 1:
A method of monitoring a level of a liquid in a tank (<NUM>) of a moveable vehicle (<NUM>), the method comprising:
sensing an orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) relative to a horizontal plane with a vehicle orientation sensor (<NUM>);
determining, with a controller (<NUM>), if the orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) is less than an allowable orientation threshold or if the orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold;
measuring a level of the liquid in the tank (<NUM>) of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) with a liquid level sensor (<NUM>) when the orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) is less than the allowable orientation threshold;
defining a sensed fluid level value with the controller (<NUM>), wherein the sensed fluid level value is based on the measured level of the liquid when the orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) is less than the allowable orientation threshold; and
saving the sensed fluid level value in a memory (<NUM>) of the controller (<NUM>), and the method further comprising dispensing the liquid from the tank (<NUM>), and measuring a volume of the liquid dispensed from the tank (<NUM>) with a flow sensor (<NUM>), characterized in that, the method further comprising defining an estimated fluid level value with the controller (<NUM>) when the orientation of the moveable vehicle (<NUM>) is equal to or greater than the allowable orientation threshold, wherein the estimated fluid level value is based on the volume of the liquid dispensed from the tank (<NUM>).