Patent Description:
A harvester may be used to harvest crops, such as barley, beans, beets, carrots, corn, cotton, flax, oats, potatoes, rye, soybeans, wheat, canola, or other plant crops. The harvester may include a header. The header may have a set of sensor(s) for sensing harvester location, crop properties, or the like. The sensors may be attached to the harvester frame, the header, one or more structures attached thereto, or a combination thereof. <CIT> discloses a sensor arrangement wherein the sensor is installed such that it is directed in front of the cutter of the harvester and configured to emit and receive sound and/or radio waves and produce a plurality of output signals. Certain headers do not include a stationary structure (e.g., structure that does not move relative to a frame of the header) in the middle of the header. Accordingly, mounting locations for the sensors may be limited.

The present invention provides a header as defined by appended claim <NUM>. Preferred aspects are defined by the dependent claims.

According to the invention, there is provided a header for an agricultural system , the header comprising a sensor mounting apparatus including a first arched member configured to be coupled to opposite lateral ends of the header, such that the first arched member extends laterally across the header. The sensor mounting apparatus also includes a second arched member configured to be coupled to opposite lateral ends of the header, such that the second arched member extends laterally across the header. The first arched member and the second arched member are configured to couple to one another at respective central portions of the first and second arched members. The first and second arched members are configured to support one or more sensors.

Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

The process of farming typically begins with planting seeds within a field. Over time, the seeds grow and eventually become harvestable crops. Typically, only a portion of each crop is commercially valuable, so each crop is harvested to separate the usable material from the remainder of the crop. For example, a harvester may cut crops within a field via a header. The harvester may be at least partially automated so as to harvest crops at least partially independent of human control. The harvester and the header may be outfitted with a variety of sensors for gathering data pertaining to harvester position, header position, crop properties, or the like. The sensors may be affixed to the header through a variety of mounts and/or supports. Often the structures used to affix sensors to a header are sufficiently rigid to substantially block movement of the sensors relative to a frame of the header. Additionally, the structures often weigh significantly more than the sensors themselves, and may be adjusted with the use of tools.

The present disclosure is directed to a header comprising a sensor mounting apparatus including a pair of arched members connected at their respective center points. One or more sensors may be attached to the arched members along the length of the arched members. Additionally, the arched members may have telescoping portions configured to be manipulated by actuators to adjust the position of the sensors relative to the header. The apparatus may allow the sensors to affix to the header using a structure that is rigid, light, and capable of tool-less adjustment.

With the foregoing in mind, <FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural system <NUM>, which may be a harvester. The agricultural system <NUM> includes a chassis <NUM> configured to support a header <NUM> and an agricultural crop processing system <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, the header <NUM> is configured to cut crops and to transport the cut crops toward an inlet <NUM> of the agricultural crop processing system <NUM> for further processing of the cut crops. The agricultural crop processing system <NUM> receives the cut crops from the header <NUM> and separates desired crop material from crop residue. For example, the agricultural crop processing system <NUM> may include a thresher <NUM> having a cylindrical threshing rotor that transports the crops in a helical flow path through the agricultural system <NUM>. In addition to transporting the crops, the thresher <NUM> may separate certain desired crop material (e.g., grain) from the crop residue, such as husks and pods, and may enable the desired crop material to flow into a cleaning system <NUM> (such as sieves) located beneath the thresher <NUM>. The cleaning system <NUM> may remove debris from the desired crop material and transport the desired crop material upward via an elevator to a storage tank <NUM> within the agricultural system <NUM>. When the storage tank <NUM> is full, a tractor towing a trailer may pull alongside the agricultural system <NUM>. The desired crop material collected in the storage tank <NUM> may be carried and expelled from an unloader <NUM> into the trailer. The crop residue may be transported from the thresher <NUM> to a crop residue handling system <NUM>, which may process (e.g., chop/shred) and remove the crop residue from the agricultural system <NUM> via a crop residue spreading system <NUM> positioned at an aft end of the agricultural system <NUM>. To facilitate discussion, the agricultural system <NUM> and/or components of the agricultural system may be described with reference to a lateral axis or direction <NUM>, a longitudinal axis or direction <NUM>, and a vertical axis or direction <NUM>. The agricultural system <NUM> and/or components of the agricultural system may also be described with reference to a direction of travel <NUM>.

As discussed in detail below, the header <NUM> includes a cutter bar assembly <NUM> configured to cut the crops within the field. The header <NUM> also includes a reel assembly <NUM> configured to engage the crops to prepare the crops to be cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> and/or to urge crops cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> onto a conveyor system that directs the cut crops toward the inlet <NUM> of the agricultural crop processing system <NUM>. The reel assembly <NUM> includes a reel having multiple fingers extending from a central framework. The central framework is driven to rotate such that the fingers engage the crops and urge the crops toward the cutter bar assembly <NUM> and the conveyor system. Additionally, the reel may be supported by multiple arms (e.g., reel arms) that are coupled to a frame <NUM> of the header <NUM>. Each of the arms may be coupled to the frame <NUM> via a respective pivot joint. For example, one pivot joint is configured to enable a first arm of the multiple arms to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis <NUM>) relative to the frame <NUM>, and another pivot joint is configured to enable a second arm of the multiple arms to pivot (e.g., about the lateral axis <NUM>) relative to the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a header <NUM> that may be employed within the agricultural system <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the header <NUM> includes the cutter bar assembly <NUM> configured to cut a portion of each crop (e.g., a stalk), thereby separating the crop from the soil. The cutter bar assembly <NUM> is positioned at a forward end of the header <NUM> relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the header <NUM>. As illustrated, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> extends along a substantial portion of the width of the header <NUM> (e.g., along the lateral axis <NUM>). The cutter bar assembly <NUM> includes a blade support, a stationary guard assembly, and a moving blade assembly. The moving blade assembly is fixed to the blade support (e.g., above the blade support along the vertical axis <NUM> of the header <NUM>), and the blade support/moving blade assembly is driven to oscillate relative to the stationary guard assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade support/moving blade assembly is driven to oscillate by a driving mechanism <NUM> positioned at a center of the header <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the blade support/moving blade assembly may be driven by another suitable mechanism (e.g., located at any suitable position on the header <NUM>). As the agricultural system <NUM> is driven through the field, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> engages crops within the field, and the moving blade assembly cuts the crops (e.g., the stalks of the crops) in response to engagement of the cutter bar assembly <NUM> with the crops.

In the illustrated embodiment, the header <NUM> includes a first conveyor section <NUM> on a first lateral side of the header <NUM> and a second conveyor section <NUM> on a second lateral side of the header <NUM> opposite the first lateral side. The conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> may be separate from one another. For instance, the first conveyor section <NUM> may extend along a portion of a width of the header <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> may extend along another portion of the width of the header <NUM>. Each conveyor section <NUM>, <NUM> is driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The first conveyor section <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> are driven such that a top surface of each conveyor section <NUM>, <NUM> moves laterally inward to a center conveyor section <NUM> positioned between the first conveyor section <NUM> and the second conveyor section <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM>. The center conveyor section <NUM> may also be driven to rotate by a suitable drive mechanism, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. The center conveyor section <NUM> is driven such that the top surface of the center conveyor section <NUM> moves rearwardly relative to the direction of travel <NUM> toward the inlet. As a result, the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> transport the cut crops through the inlet to the agricultural crop processing system for further processing of the cut crops. Although the illustrated header <NUM> includes two conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> configured to direct crops toward the center conveyor section <NUM>, there may be any suitable number of conveyor sections in additional or alternative embodiments directing the crops toward the center conveyor section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crops cut by the cutter bar assembly <NUM> are directed toward the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> at least in part by the reel assembly <NUM>, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of the cut crops falling onto the surface of the field. The reel assembly <NUM> includes a reel <NUM> having multiple fingers or tines <NUM> extending from a central framework <NUM>. The central framework <NUM> is driven to rotate such that the fingers <NUM> move (e.g., in a circular pattern). The fingers <NUM> are configured to engage the crops and to urge the cut crops toward the conveyor sections <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate transportation of the cut crops to the agricultural crop processing system.

As illustrated herein, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> is flexible along the width of the header <NUM>. The cutter bar assembly <NUM> is supported by multiple arm assemblies distributed along the width of the header <NUM>. In some embodiments, the frame <NUM> of the header <NUM> may be movably coupled to the chassis of the agricultural system. Each arm assembly is mounted to the frame <NUM> and includes an arm coupled to the cutter bar assembly <NUM>. The arm may rotate and/or move the cutter bar assembly <NUM> along the vertical axis <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM>, thereby enabling the cutter bar assembly <NUM> to flex during operation of the agricultural system. Thus, the cutter bar assembly <NUM> may follow the contours of the field, thereby enabling the cutting height (e.g., the height at which each crop is cut) to be substantially constant along the width of the header <NUM>. Moreover, certain parts of the header <NUM> may move (e.g., rotate) relative to one another. For example, the header <NUM> includes a first section (e.g., center section) <NUM>, a second section <NUM> extending from a side of the first section <NUM>, and a third section <NUM> extending from another side of the first section <NUM>. The sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to one another, such as to raise and/or lower the second section <NUM> and/or the third section <NUM> relative to the first section <NUM> in order to enable the cutter bar assembly <NUM> to follow the contour of the field more accurately. In certain embodiments, the header <NUM> may include one section.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sensor mounting apparatus <NUM> that may be employed within the header <NUM> of <FIG>. The sensor mounting apparatus <NUM> includes a first arched member <NUM> and a second arched member <NUM>. The first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> are extended members (i.e., members whose length is significantly greater than their width) affixed to the header <NUM> and extend laterally across the header <NUM> in an arched configuration. Each arched member may have any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular, polygonal, etc.) and may be solid or hollow. In certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> and/or the second arched member <NUM> may be manufactured to hold a permanent arched geometry. In such embodiments, the curvature of at least one permanently arched member may be substantially equal to the illustrated mounted curvature, the curvature of at least one permanently arched member may be greater than the illustrated mounted curvature (e.g., such that the permanently arched member is stretched laterally outward for mounting), the curvature of at least one permanently arched member may be less than the illustrated mounted curvature (e.g., such that the permanently arched member is compressed laterally inward for mounting), or a combination thereof. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> and/or the second arched member <NUM> may be formed in a straight geometry and deformed (e.g., compressed laterally inward) to establish the illustrated mounted curvature. The deformation may be plastic deformation (i.e., the arched members maintain their deformed shape when uninstalled) or elastic deformation (i.e., the arched members revert to their original undeformed shape when uninstalled). Whether the deformation is plastic deformation or elastic deformation may depend on the material of the arched members in addition to the degree to which the materials are strained. Additionally, the first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material(s). For example, in certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> and/or the second arched member <NUM> may be formed from metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> and/or the second arched member <NUM> may be formed from a composite material (e.g., including fiber glass, graphite, carbon fiber, etc.). For example, at least one of the first and second arched members may be formed from a carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP). In certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> may have substantially identical dimensions (e.g., length, thickness, etc.). However, in other embodiments, the dimensions of the arched members may vary to facilitate attachment to the header <NUM>.

The first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> may affix (e.g., couple) to the header <NUM> at each end of the respective member. The ends of each arched member may attach to opposing lateral sides of the header. In certain embodiments, each arched member may attach to a first lateral end <NUM> and a second lateral end <NUM>. The first lateral end <NUM> may be a portion (e.g., <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, etc.) of the header's total lateral length on an extreme end along the lateral direction <NUM>. The second lateral end <NUM> may be a portion (e.g., <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, etc.) of the header's total lateral length on an extreme end opposite of the first lateral end <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, each arched member is attached to a pair of reel arms positioned on opposite lateral sides of the header. However, in other embodiments, at least one arched member may be attach to the frame <NUM> of the header, to other reel arm(s), to vertical knives apparatus, to another suitable portion of the header by way of a connection, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the arched members may affix to a multi section header. The arched members may affix to the two ends of the sections farthest from the center of the header. The arched members may elastically deform when the position of angle of each header is adjusted. In certain other embodiments, a plurality of sensor mounting apparatus may individually affix to the sections of a header with multiple sections. In certain other embodiments, at least one connection between an arched member and the header may include a structure that enables rotation and/or translation of the arched member end relative to the header, such as a Heim joint, a bearing coupler, other suitable type(s) of connection structure(s), or a combination thereof. Furthermore in certain embodiments, at least one connection may be a weld, a set of bolts configured to affix each arched member securely to the header, or another type of connection that disallows motion at the connection. The first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> may be centrally connected to one another at respective central portions by a joint. Each central portion may be a middle length (e.g. <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, etc.) of each arched member extending from a central point equidistant from each end.

The sensor mounting apparatus <NUM> may include one or more sensors affixed (e.g., coupled) to the first arched member <NUM> and/or the second arched member <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a first sensor <NUM> is coupled to the first arched member <NUM>, and a second sensor <NUM> is coupled to the second arched member <NUM>. Each sensor may include light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor(s), radio detection and ranging (radar) sensor(s), optical sensor(s) (e.g., camera(s), etc.) other suitable type(s) of sensor(s), or a combination thereof. The first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> may be oriented to point generally toward the ground ahead of the header <NUM>. For example, the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> may be oriented to point <NUM> degrees below the longitudinal direction <NUM> within a horizontal plane created by the longitudinal axis <NUM> and the vertical axis <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> may be oriented to point in different directions. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, at least one sensor may be affixed (e.g., coupled) to the joint connecting the first and second arched members. The placement of the sensors may vary depending on the agricultural application and the configuration of the arched members. In certain embodiments, there may be more than two sensors included in the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>. In other embodiments, there could be fewer than two sensors.

<FIG> is a top view of the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> are pivotally connected by a pin joint <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the arched members are attached to the header so as to cross one another (e.g., at the lateral center of each arched member). For example, a first end of the first arched member <NUM> may attach to a front (e.g., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the first arched member <NUM> may attach to a rear portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. A first end of the second arched member <NUM> may attach to a rear (e.g., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the second arched member <NUM> may attach to a front portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. In this configuration, the arched members may cross one another. Furthermore, <FIG> includes a cross-sectional view of the pin joint <NUM>. The pin joint <NUM> may connect the first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM>, which in the illustrated installed configuration, crosses over the first arched member <NUM>. In certain other embodiments, the first arched member <NUM> may cross over the second arched member <NUM>. Additionally, the pin joint <NUM> may be cylindrically formed of metal or another suitable material. The pin joint <NUM> may extend through a first opening <NUM> in the first arched member <NUM> and through a second opening <NUM> in the second arched member <NUM>. Additionally, the pin joint <NUM> may be housed by any suitable structure (e.g., a bearing, a bushing, etc.). In certain embodiments, the opening in at least one of the arched members may extend along the length of the arched member in order to facilitate movement of the arched members relative to the pin joint <NUM>. In another example, the arched members may be fixedly coupled to one another (e.g., welded, fixed with fasteners, held in place by a pin, etc.). Additionally, the pin joint <NUM> includes a radial extension at each end to block separation of the arched members. The pin joint <NUM> may be cylindrical to enable the first arched member <NUM> and the second arched member <NUM> to rotate about a pin axis <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> is pivotally affixed (e.g., coupled) to the first arched member <NUM>, and the second sensor <NUM> is pivotally affixed (e.g., coupled) to the second arched member <NUM>. In some embodiments, both sensors may be attached to the same arched member.

<FIG> is a top view of an embodiment of a sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>' that may be employed within the header of <FIG>, in which the pair of arched members are connected by a sleeve joint <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the arched members are not crossed and do not overlap. For example, a first end of the first arched member <NUM>' may attach to a front (i.e., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the first arched member <NUM>' may attach to a front portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. A first end of the second arched member <NUM>' may attach to a rear (i.e., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the second arched member <NUM>' may attach to a rear portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. Accordingly, central portions of the arched members are positioned proximate to one another or in contact with one another (e.g., without overlapping). In certain embodiments, however, the arched portions may overlap. The sleeve joint <NUM> may be formed of a metal, a composite, other suitable material(s), or a combination thereof. The sleeve joint may wrap around the central portion of the first arched member <NUM>' and the central portion of the second arched member <NUM>' to block separation of the central portions of the arched members. In certain embodiments, the arched members may be coupled to one another using another suitable joint. For example, the arched members may be coupled with a sliding joint (e.g., a pin and slot joint, etc.). In another example, the arched members may be fixedly coupled to one another (e.g., welded, fixed with fasteners, held in place by a pin, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> are affixed (e.g., coupled) to the first arched member <NUM>'. In certain other embodiments, the sensors may be affixed to the second arched member <NUM>'. In yet other embodiments, the sensors may be affixed to both arched members.

<FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of a sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>" that may be employed within the header of <FIG>, in which a telescoping portion <NUM> of the sensor mounting apparatus is retracted. The sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>" may be utilized within the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, as well as within the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>' of <FIG>. The telescoping portion <NUM> is part of the second arched member <NUM>" and configured to increase and decrease the length of the second arched member <NUM>". In certain embodiments, the first arched member <NUM>" may also include a telescoping portion to increase and decrease the length of the first arched member <NUM>" (e.g., concurrently with the telescoping portion <NUM> of the second arched member <NUM>"). In one example corresponding to the embodiment of the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>', the second arched member <NUM>' may extend while the first arched member <NUM>' may retract. In another embodiment, the first arched member <NUM>" may include a telescoping portion while the second arched member <NUM>'' may not include a telescoping portion. In certain embodiments, the telescoping portion may be extended and retracted manually (e.g., while the agricultural system is not in use). In the illustrated embodiment, the telescoping portion <NUM> may be extended and retracted by an actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may be a linear actuator configured to control the length of the telescoping portion <NUM> of the arched member. For example, the actuator <NUM> may include hydraulic actuator(s), pneumatic actuator(s), electric actuator(s), other suitable type(s) of actuator(s), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first arched member and the second arched member may each include a respective telescoping portion (e.g., in which a respective actuator is configured to control the length of each telescoping portion). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, at least one arched member may have a telescoping portion at each end. In such embodiments, one or more actuators may be configured to extend and retract the telescoping portions of each telescoping arched member (e.g., one actuator for each telescoping portion). The actuator(s), such as the illustrated actuator <NUM>, may be controlled by a controller <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>" includes a controller <NUM> configured to control operation of the actuator(s), such as the illustrated actuator <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM> (e.g., a microprocessor). The controller <NUM> may also include one or more storage devices and/or other suitable components. The processor <NUM> may be used to execute software, such as software for controlling operation of the actuator(s). Moreover, the processor <NUM> may include multiple microprocessors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor <NUM> may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) or complex instruction set (CISC) processors. The memory <NUM> may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory <NUM> may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory <NUM> may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor <NUM> to execute, such as instructions for controlling operation of the actuator(s). The memory <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM>, or an additional memory and/or processor, may be located in any suitable portion of the agricultural system. By way of example, the controller <NUM> may be located in a cab of the agricultural system and/or on the header.

<FIG> is a side view of the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>" of <FIG>, in which the telescoping portion <NUM> of the sensor mounting apparatus is extended. The controller <NUM> may operate the actuator <NUM> to extend the telescoping portion <NUM> to control the position and orientation of the sensors with respect to the header (e.g., the frame of the header). For example, the telescoping portion <NUM> may extend the second arched member <NUM>" such that the first sensor <NUM> translates forwardly along the longitudinal axis <NUM> and downwardly along the vertical axis <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> and second sensor <NUM> may also rotate clockwise within a plane created by the longitudinal axis <NUM> and the vertical axis <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the controller <NUM> may operate the actuator <NUM> to retract the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>" into a low-profile transport position.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sensor mounting apparatus <NUM>‴ that may be employed within the header of <FIG>, in which the arched members are connected at two locations, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the arched members overlap at two points. For example, a first end of the first arched member <NUM>‴ may attach to a front (i.e., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the first arched member <NUM>‴ may attach to a front portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. A first end of the second arched member <NUM>‴ may attach to a rear (i.e., with reference to the longitudinal direction <NUM>) portion of a reel arm on one lateral side of the header, and a second end of the second arched member <NUM>‴ may attach to a rear portion of a reel arm on the opposite lateral side of the header. The first arched member <NUM>‴ and the second arched member <NUM>‴ may be connected at two points on each member. The arched members may be connected with sliding joints (e.g., pin and slot joints, etc.), may be fixedly coupled to one another (e.g., welded, fixed with fasteners, held in place by a pin, etc.), or the like. The two points on each member at which the arched members couple to one another may be located at any point along the length of each arched member. In certain embodiments, the two points on each member at which the arched members couple to one another may be within a central portion of each arched ember. Each central portion may be a middle length (e.g. <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, etc.) of each arched member extending from a central point equidistant from each end.

Claim 1:
A header (<NUM>) for an agricultural system (<NUM>), the header comprising a sensor mounting apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>') characterized in that the sensor mounting apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises:
a first arched member configured to be coupled to opposite lateral ends of the header (<NUM>), such that the first arched member extends laterally across the header (<NUM>); and
a second arched member configured to be coupled to opposite lateral ends of the header (<NUM>), such that the second arched member extends laterally across the header (<NUM>), wherein the first arched member and the second arched member are configured to couple to one another at respective central portions of the first arched member and second arched member, wherein the first arched member and second arched member are configured to support one or more sensors.