Patent Description:
In agricultural operations, balers may be used to create round or square bales. Typically, such bales are stored outdoors where they are exposed to the elements of rain and snow. As such, preservatives may be applied to the bales in order to prevent mold growth and other issues associated with storing the bales. <CIT> discloses a glue system sprays a layer of glue onto the wrapping layer. The layer of glue enables the first portion of the wrapping layer to couple to the second portion of the wrapping layer.

According to the invention, a baler arrangement is provided. The baler arrangement includes a baler configured to collect crop material and form a bale from the crop material, the baler including a preservative application subsystem with a nozzle apparatus, in particular the baler or the preservative application subsystem includes a nozzle evaluation system with a nozzle apparatus configured to spray the bale with a fluid during operation; a sensor associated with the nozzle apparatus and configured to collect vibration patterns of sound emanating from the nozzle apparatus during the spraying of the fluid upon the bale; and a controller having a processor and memory architecture. The controller is configured to: receive the vibration patterns collected by the sensor during the spraying of the fluid upon the respective bale; evaluate the vibration patterns for the at least one nozzle for a clog condition; and record, upon detecting the clog condition based on the vibration patterns, information associated with clog condition. The baler further includes an identification apparatus configured to attach an identification tag to the bale; and the controller is configured to command the recording, upon detecting the clog condition, of the information associated with the clog condition on the identification tag attached by the identification apparatus to the bale.

In the baler arrangement, the sensor is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor.

In the baler arrangement, the controller may be configured to command the recording, upon detecting the clog condition, of the information associated with the clog condition that includes a location of the bale upon discharge.

In the baler arrangement, the controller may be configured to generate, upon detecting the clog condition, an alert for an operator of the baler.

In the baler arrangement, the controller may be configured to communicate, upon detecting the clog condition, the information associated with the clog condition to a control center.

In the baler arrangement, the controller may be configured to, upon detecting the clog condition, classify the clog condition.

In the baler arrangement, the controller may be configured to classify the clog condition with a neural network.

In the baler arrangement, the sensor may be embedded within the nozzle apparatus.

The following describes one or more example embodiments of the disclosed system and method, as shown in the accompanying figures of the drawings described briefly above. Various modifications to the example embodiments may be contemplated by one of skill in the art. Discussion herein may sometimes focus on the example application, but the disclosed system and method is applicable to other types of work vehicles and/or other types of sprayer systems.

In agricultural operations, balers may be used to gather, compress, and shape crop material into a bale, including square (or parallelepiped shaped) bales and/or round (or cylindrical shaped) bales. Balers may include preservative application subsystems to spray preservatives or other liquids onto the bales in order to inhibit or prevent mold and other issues that may develop within the bales during storage. Such preservatives may be applied with nozzle apparatuses. Generally, a minimum amount of preservative should be applied to avoid crop damage while being efficient with the preservative. However, the nozzle apparatuses are subject to clogging for various reasons, particularly due to debris or particulate matter in the spaying liquid. Such clog conditions may impact both the individual bales and the overall spraying operation. For example, clog conditions may result in gaps or overlap for bales in the field, thereby degrading spraying effectiveness and complicating subsequent processing or collection of the bales. As such, it is beneficial to know when a nozzle apparatus is blocked and/or when the spray quality is inadequate.

According to the present disclosure, a baler arrangement is provided. The baler arrangement comprises a sensor and a controller, which are configured to detect clogged nozzles by processing vibration patterns of sound waves resulting from fluid being sprayed through the nozzles (or blocked within the nozzles). The vibration patterns may be collected using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors functioning as condenser microphones, which may be embedded in or proximate to the respective nozzle. In some examples, machine learning models or neural networks may be used to characterize the amount of blockage based on the sound wave vibration patterns. In response, the system may engage one or more types of actuators or functions, including providing an alert to an operator via a user interface; recording or storing location information, preservative application information, bale information and/or nozzle information; and/or a unique identifier that references such informatior According to the invention, the bale itself is tagged with such information.

Referring to <FIG>, a baler arrangement <NUM> may include a round baler <NUM> and may implement a nozzle evaluation system and method, discussed in greater detail below after a brief description of an example baler. Although the view of <FIG> depicts a round baler, the nozzle evaluation system and method may be implemented in other types of balers, including square balers. The nozzle evaluation system and method are discussed in greater detail below after an overall description of the baler arrangement <NUM> and baler <NUM>.

In general, a vehicle (not shown) such as a tractor may pull or otherwise power the baler <NUM> through a field or other work site in order to collect and form bales <NUM> prior to ejecting the formed bale <NUM> from the rear of the baler <NUM>. In some embodiments, the baler <NUM> may be self-propelled, e.g., a vehicle and baler <NUM> may be configured as a single, self-propelled vehicle.

Aspects of the nozzle evaluation system and method, as well as the baler arrangement <NUM>, may be implemented with a controller <NUM> positioned on the baler <NUM>, positioned on the vehicle (not shown), or distributed across various locations. The controller <NUM> may be a dedicated controller for implementing aspects of the nozzle evaluation system and method described below, a broader controller for the baler <NUM>, a more general controller for the overall baler arrangement <NUM>, and/or aspects of any of the above.

The controller <NUM> is implemented with processing architecture including a processor and memory. For example, the processor may implement the functions described herein based on programs, instructions, and data stored in memory. As such, the controller <NUM> may be configured as one or more computing devices with associated processor devices and memory architectures, as a hard-wired computing circuit (or circuits), as a programmable circuit, as a hydraulic, electrical or electro-hydraulic controller, or otherwise. The controller <NUM> may be configured to execute various computational and control functionality with respect to the baler <NUM> (or other machinery). In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive input signals in various formats (e.g., as hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, and so on), and to output command signals in various formats (e.g., as hydraulic signals, voltage signals, current signals, mechanical movements, and so on). For example, the controller <NUM> may be in electronic or hydraulic communication with various actuators, sensors, and other devices within (or outside of) the baler arrangement <NUM>, including any devices described below. Although not shown or described in detail herein, the controller <NUM> may include any number of additional or alternative systems, subsystems, and elements. Operation of the controller <NUM> within the context of the nozzle evaluation system and method is discussed in greater detail below.

The baler arrangement <NUM> may be considered to include or otherwise cooperate with an operator or user interface <NUM> that enables an operator to interface with the various aspects of the baler arrangement <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be located on the vehicle that powers the baler <NUM>, on the baler <NUM>, and/or remote from the baler <NUM> and/or vehicle. In one example, the user interface <NUM> may be considered to include at least one user input device and/or a display device, either as separate devices or combined. The user input device of the user interface <NUM> is any device capable of receiving user input, including, but not limited to, a keyboard, a microphone, a touchscreen layer associated with the display device, or other device to receive data and/or commands from the user. The display device of the user interface <NUM> may include any technology for displaying information, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED), organic light emitting diode (OLED), plasma, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). In some embodiments, the user interface <NUM> may include output devices in addition to the display device, including speakers and haptic actuators.

The baler arrangement <NUM> may be considered to include or otherwise cooperate with a control (or data) center <NUM> that functions to provide additional data storage and/or processing to various aspects of the nozzle evaluation system and method described below. In some instances, the control center <NUM> may operate as a "backend" system or server that facilities operation within a harvest site or a group of harvest sites. In some arrangements, the control center <NUM> may be omitted. As described below, recording of the bale information by the controller <NUM> associated with the baler <NUM> and/or the control center <NUM> enables the tracking and management of the overall preservative application process.

Broadly, aspects of the baler arrangement <NUM>, including the baler <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, and/or the control center <NUM>, may communicate in any suitable manner, including wired and/or wireless configurations. For example, a communication interface may function to enable wireless communication, including directly (e.g., via Bluetooth®, radio frequency signals, or the like) or over a network. Thus, such as communication interface may include a Bluetooth® transceiver, a radio transceiver, a cellular transceiver, an LTE transceiver, and/or a Wi-Fi transceiver. For example, such communications may utilize one or more of various communication techniques or mechanisms, including radio frequency, Wi-Fi, cellular, telematics, and/or any other suitable platforms.

Returning to the baler <NUM>, as introduced above, the baler <NUM> functions to pick up crop material <NUM> from the ground and roll it up in a continuous spiral to form the bale <NUM>. The baler <NUM> may include a main frame <NUM> supported on a pair of ground wheels <NUM>. A draft tongue <NUM> has a rear end joined to the frame <NUM> and has a forward end defined by a clevis arrangement <NUM> adapted for being coupled to the towing vehicle (not shown). A pair of upright side walls <NUM> are fixed to the main frame <NUM> and define forward regions of opposite side walls of a baling chamber <NUM>. A discharge gate <NUM> includes opposing upright side walls <NUM> defining opposite sides of a rear region of the baling chamber <NUM> and is mounted for pivoting vertically about a horizontal pivot arrangement <NUM> located at an upper rear location of the side walls <NUM>. A gate cylinder arrangement (not shown) is coupled between the main frame <NUM> and the opposite side walls <NUM> of the discharge gate <NUM> and is selectively operable for moving the discharge gate <NUM> between a lowered baling position and an opened discharge position.

In this example, the baler <NUM> has of a variable size chamber design and thus includes a plurality of longitudinally extending side-by-side belts <NUM> supported on a plurality of rollers <NUM> (only a few of which are shown). In effect, the bale forming chamber is defined by the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, the rollers <NUM>, and belts <NUM>.

During general operation, the baler <NUM> is drawn through a field by a prime mover (not shown) attached to the tongue <NUM>. Crop material <NUM> is fed into a crop inlet <NUM> of the bale forming chamber from a windrow of crop on the ground by a pickup <NUM>. Within the baler <NUM>, the incoming crop is rolled up in a spiral fashion in a nip formed between oppositely moving adjacent loops of belts <NUM>. The space between adjacent loops of belts <NUM> grows with the forming bale <NUM>. Accordingly, a belt tensioning device <NUM> is provided to take up slack in the belts <NUM> as needed. Thus, the position of the tensioning device <NUM>, at any given time, is an indication of the size of the bale <NUM> at that time. A bale diameter sensor <NUM> in the form of a potentiometer is affixed to the pivot point of the tensioning device <NUM> and thus provides an electrical signal correlating with bale diameter. Although not shown, additional sensors may be provided for sensing properties and/or characteristics of the bale <NUM>, including moisture and weight sensors. Upon completion of bale formation, the bale <NUM> is wrapped with twine or other appropriate wrapping material and is discharged by actuation of gate cylinders that open the discharge gate <NUM>, permitting the completed bale <NUM> to be discharged from the baler <NUM> onto the ground. Additional aspects of the baler <NUM> are discussed below.

As shown, the baler <NUM> further includes a preservative application subsystem <NUM> having at least one storage container such as holding tank <NUM>, a transfer device such as variable speed pump <NUM> and at least one nozzle apparatus <NUM>. Various alternative configurations and arrangements of the preservative application subsystem <NUM> may be provided. As discussed below, aspects of the preservative application subsystem <NUM> may be considered part of the baler nozzle evaluation system and method discussed below with reference to <FIG>.

Generally, the variable speed pump <NUM> of the preservative application subsystem <NUM> may be a fixed speed pump, or in place of a pump, the subsystem <NUM> may have a pressurized tank and valve system or a gravity feed and valve system. As illustrated, the holding tank <NUM> and pump <NUM> are mounted upon a subframe <NUM> above the tongue <NUM> at the front of the baler <NUM>. It will, however, be recognized that the tank and pump could be mounted at another location. The nozzle apparatus <NUM> may be in the form of one or more nozzle apparatuses mounted just ahead of and above the crop inlet <NUM> of the baler <NUM>. An example nozzle apparatus <NUM> is described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>. Briefly, each nozzle apparatus <NUM> may have one or more nozzles that function to apply fixed or adjustable spray patterns of preservative. In particular, the tank <NUM> is connected to the pump <NUM> by way of a hose <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> is, in turn, connected to the nozzle apparatus <NUM> by a hose <NUM>. Thus, when the pump <NUM> is activated, preservative is drawn from the tank <NUM> via the hose <NUM> and sent to the nozzle apparatus <NUM> via the hose <NUM>. The preservative is expelled from the nozzle apparatus <NUM> in a pattern generally designed to ensure contact with the incoming crop material.

The controller <NUM> may control the pump <NUM> by way of appropriate logic to start and stop the pump <NUM> and/or to control the speed of the pump and therefore the application rate of the preservative. Logic may be programmed in the controller <NUM> to start/stop and/or vary the speed of the pump <NUM> based upon the bale size data determined from the bale diameter sensor <NUM>.

In one example embodiment, the baler <NUM>, fitted with the preservative application subsystem <NUM>, bale diameter sensor <NUM> and controller144, is drawn through the field and a baling operation is commenced in a predetermined matter. As a bale <NUM> is being formed, the controller <NUM> maintains the pump <NUM> in an "off" state such that no preservative is being applied to the crop at all. When the bale <NUM> reaches a preselected diameter as determined by the controller <NUM> from the bale diameter sensor data, the controller <NUM> turns on the pump <NUM> and begins to apply preservative to the crop at a rate sufficient to fully treat at least the outer rind of the bale <NUM>. The rate at which the preservative is applied and the diameter at which application commences may be preselected based upon the type of preservative being applied, the kind and condition of the crop, and the determination of the depth to which water is anticipated to penetrate the bale. The data concerning desired depth of preservative application, bale size, and the like may be predetermined by the operator and programmed or entered into the controller <NUM>. It is contemplated that an operator may select from a number of combinations of crop type, density, condition, and preservative type. Additional information regarding the operation of the preservative application subsystem <NUM>, particularly within the context of a baler nozzle evaluation system and method, will be provided below.

The baler <NUM> additionally includes one or more actuators <NUM> to further interact with the bale <NUM> and/or other aspect of the baler <NUM>. According to the invention, actuator <NUM> is an identification apparatus <NUM> configured to attach an identification tag to the bale <NUM>. In one implementation, the identification tag of the identification apparatus <NUM> includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Generally, such a tag is operable to provide a respective identification code that is unique to that identification tag, and thus, to the bale <NUM>, although additional information may be stored. In particular, the identification apparatus may install a tag that includes a radio transponder, a radio receiver, and a transmitter such that, in response to an electromagnetic interrogation signal, the identification tag may transmit digital data, such as but not limited to the identification code that is unique to that specific identification tag, as well as any other type of information associated with the tag and/or subject bale. As an example, the information stored on the tag may be provided to the control center <NUM>, e.g., via the controller <NUM>, the identification apparatus <NUM>, the tag itself, and/or a combination thereof. In other words, the identification tag may be a "read-only" tag with a unique identifier with which additional information may be stored elsewhere, associated with the identifier, or a "read/write" tag on which any information may be stored, including information associated with the preservative application. In some examples, the identification apparatus <NUM> may include a location sensor, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, that enables the identification apparatus <NUM> to determine and record the location of each bale for storage with the bale information or on the identification tag, particularly when the bale is discharged from the baler <NUM>.

The identification apparatus <NUM> may include any mechanism for attaching the identification tag to the bale <NUM>. In one implementation, the identification apparatus <NUM> uses twine or other filament to couple the tag to the bale <NUM> by weaving or otherwise securing the filament to the bale <NUM> and/or to the wrap applied to the bale <NUM>. In other examples, the identification apparatus <NUM> may use a sticker or pin to secure the tag to the bale <NUM>. As described below, the tag of the identification apparatus <NUM> provides a mechanism for identifying and tracking data related to a bale of crop material and an overall baling operation. Additional information regarding information associated with the tag applied by the actuator <NUM> is provided below.

As introduced above, reference is now made to <FIG> which is a cross-sectional view of an example nozzle apparatus <NUM> that may be implemented in the preservative application subsystem <NUM>. Generally, the nozzle apparatus <NUM> includes one or more flow conduits extending through a manifold <NUM> that distributes the fluid from hose <NUM> (<FIG>) though one or more nozzles (or nozzle heads) <NUM>. Any number of nozzles <NUM> may be provided. The nozzle apparatus <NUM> further includes one or more sensors <NUM>. In one example, one sensor <NUM> is associated with each nozzle <NUM>. In other examples, a sensor <NUM> may be associated with groups of nozzles <NUM>. Moreover, in the depicted example, the sensors <NUM> are mounted to or embedded in the nozzles <NUM>. However, in other examples, the sensors <NUM> may be arranged proximate to the nozzles <NUM>. As discussed below, the sensors <NUM> are generally arranged to detect vibrations as the preservative flows through or is clogged within the nozzles <NUM>.

Reference is briefly made to <FIG>, which is a view of an example sensor <NUM> that may be incorporated into or otherwise associated with the nozzle apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. In one example, the sensor <NUM> may be a microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS) sensor or other type of transducer <NUM> that converts sound vibrations into electrical signals. The transducer <NUM> may be mounted with an integrated circuit <NUM> on a circuit board <NUM>. As is typical, the transducer <NUM> and/or integrated circuit <NUM> may be enclosed by a cover <NUM>, secured to the circuit board <NUM> with sealing material <NUM>, coupled to one another with a connector <NUM>, and encapsulated with molding <NUM>. Any sensor configuration may be provided. During operation, vibrations may be admitted into the sensor via a port <NUM> in the cover <NUM>, and the transducer <NUM> converts the vibration patterns into electrical signals that may be processed and/or transmitted by the integrated circuit <NUM> to the controller <NUM> (<FIG>) for further processing, particularly to identify and/or evaluate a clog condition within the nozzle apparatus <NUM>, as described below.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram of an example baler nozzle evaluation system <NUM>. In one example, the baler nozzle evaluation system <NUM> may be considered to include or otherwise cooperate with the controller <NUM>, the nozzle apparatus <NUM>, and one or more actuators (e.g., the identification apparatus <NUM>), as well as the user interface <NUM>. As shown, the controller <NUM>, the nozzle apparatus <NUM>, and the identification apparatus <NUM> may be communication with each other in any suitable manner, including wired or wireless communication mechanisms.

As introduced above, the nozzle apparatus <NUM> may become clogged (e.g., a partial or complete blockage) by debris and/or solids within the preservative. As will now be discussed in greater detail, the baler nozzle evaluation system <NUM> may be configured to detect such clogs, classify the clogs, and/or respond to such clogs.

With respect an example configuration of the nozzle evaluation system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> and memory <NUM> that implement one or more functional modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In particular, the memory <NUM> may store instructions that are implemented by the processor <NUM>. As one example of functional organization, the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include a detection module <NUM>, a classification module <NUM>, and a response module <NUM>.

Generally, the detection module <NUM> receives the signals from the nozzle sensor <NUM> associated with the nozzle apparatus <NUM> and determines that one or more of the nozzles of the nozzle apparatus <NUM> is subject to a clog. Such detection may involve a vibration pattern that deviates from one of an unclogged condition. As such, the detection module <NUM> may compare incoming vibration pattern to a nominal or threshold pattern representing an unclogged condition, and upon deviation from the nominal or threshold pattern, the detection module <NUM> may identify a clog condition.

Upon detection of a clog condition, the classification module <NUM> may operate to classify the clog condition. In particular, the classification module <NUM> may further evaluate the vibration pattern in order to determine the nature of the clog condition, such as the extent of the clog.

In one example, the classification module <NUM> may monitor the vibration pattern of signals using neural network or other type of machine learning. The training of the classification module <NUM> to identify and classify vibration patterns may take any form. In one example, a model associated with the classification module <NUM> may receive sample vibration patterns, including those representing known clog and unclogged conditions, as well as variations within clog conditions. Such vibration patterns may be represented with spectral signatures using recirculation networks, and backpropagation algorithms may be performed to provide further insights for training the resulting model. Upon such training, the classification module <NUM> enables the monitoring of different vibration patterns and the classification of such vibration patterns such that a clog condition may be identified. In some examples, the nature of the clog condition may also be identified by the classification module <NUM>. In particular, the amount of blockage within the clog condition may be estimated (e.g., <NUM>% blockage, <NUM>% blockage, <NUM>% blockage, and the like).

Reference is briefly made to <FIG>, which is an example chart <NUM> of a vibration pattern <NUM> of sound emanating from a nozzle during operation expressed as amplitude of the vibrations on a vertical axis <NUM> as a function of time on a horizontal axis <NUM> expressed as a fast Fourier transform (FFT). Vibration patterns <NUM> such that that depicted in <FIG> may be used by the classification module <NUM> in order to identify and characterize the clog conditions.

Returning to <FIG>, the nozzle evaluation system <NUM> further includes the response module <NUM> that, in response to identification and/or classification of the clog condition by the detection module <NUM> and the classification module <NUM>, generates one or more commands in response to the clog condition, including alerting the operator of the clog condition via the user interface <NUM>, recording information associated with the bale and/or clog condition, and/or activation of one or more actuators <NUM>. As described below, actuator <NUM> may include tagging the subject bale with a tag that includes information about the clog condition may be associated with the bale.

Reference is additionally made to <FIG>, which is a flowchart depicting one or more example steps of a process or method <NUM> for evaluating the baler nozzles, such as the nozzle apparatus <NUM> discussed above. Such a method <NUM> may be implemented with the baler nozzle evaluation system <NUM> described above, and is described below accordingly, but it should be noted that other systems and/or configurations may be provided.

In a first step <NUM>, the system <NUM> may collect vibration patterns during operation. As noted above, the nozzle apparatus <NUM> may include or otherwise be associated with one or more sensors <NUM> that collect such vibration patterns that are provided to the controller <NUM>.

In a further step <NUM>, the system <NUM> evaluates the vibration patterns in order to detect and/or classify the vibration patterns. In a step <NUM>, the system <NUM> determines if a clog condition is detected. If no clog condition is detected in step <NUM>, the method <NUM> returns to step <NUM> to monitor further vibration patterns. However, if a clog condition is detected, the method <NUM> proceeds to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the bale and/or portion of bale that failed to receive adequate preservative may be identified. Such identification may be enabled by recording the time and/or location associated with the subject vibration pattern such that, in consideration of the bale rate, the area of crop that was not sprayed may be estimated. Additionally, the bale may be assigned a unique identifier such that the bale may be later identified and/or referenced. As described below, information regarding the amount or nature of the preservative applied to the bale may be associated with the identifier.

In step <NUM>, the system <NUM> may generate an alert or message for the operator as part of a diagnostics system (e.g., an alert on an operator interface <NUM>). The alert may provide information about the clog condition of the nozzle apparatus <NUM> such that remedial steps may occur; and/or the alert may provide information about the bale that may have received inadequate preservative.

In step <NUM>, the system <NUM> may record (e.g., stored in memory <NUM>) information about the location, date, and time of the area in which the bales may not have been provided with adequate preservative. In some examples, the location, date, and time information may be provided to the control center <NUM> for further storage and/or consideration (e.g., uploaded to the cloud).

In a further step <NUM>, the system <NUM> engages and/or activates one or more actuators. According to the invention, actuator <NUM> functions to tag a bale that may not have received adequate preservative. As noted above, the tag may be an RFID tag with information about the clog condition and/or the nature of the applied preservative. At a later time, the tag may be scanned to relay the information such any deficiency in the preservative application may be remedied. As a result, the system <NUM> and method <NUM> may provide a mechanism for identifying and tracking data related to a bale of crop material and/or the overall baling operation. In some examples, the actuator may include actions within the preservative application subsystem <NUM> to address the clog condition, such as cleaning or flushing operations.

Upon completion of step <NUM>, the method <NUM> may continue monitoring, classifying, and addressing the condition of the nozzle apparatuses <NUM>.

Accordingly, the nozzle evaluation system and method described herein enable the detection of a clogged nozzle apparatus and/or inadequate spray quality. In addition to providing such information for individual nozzle apparatuses and/or bales, such information enables more effective management of baler arrangements and/or baler operations.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be embodied as a method, system (e.g., a work vehicle control or spraying system included in a work vehicle), or computer program product. Accordingly, certain embodiments may be implemented entirely as hardware, entirely as software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or as a combination of software and hardware (and other) aspects. Furthermore, certain embodiments may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

A computer readable signal medium may be non-transitory and may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that may communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and that the work vehicles and the control systems and methods described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to work vehicle and engine operation, control, and other functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists with elements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., "and") and that are also preceded by the phrase "one or more of" or "at least one of" indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially include individual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

Claim 1:
A baler arrangement (<NUM>), comprising:
a baler (<NUM>) configured to collect crop material and form a bale (<NUM>) from the crop material, the baler (<NUM>) including a preservative application subsystem with a nozzle apparatus (<NUM>) configured to spray the bale with a fluid during operation;
a sensor (<NUM>) associated with the nozzle apparatus (<NUM>) and configured to collect vibration patterns of sound emanating from the nozzle apparatus (<NUM>) during the spraying of the fluid upon the bale (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) having a processor (<NUM>) and memory (<NUM>) architecture configured to:
receive the vibration patterns collected by the sensor (<NUM>) during the spraying of the fluid upon the respective bale (<NUM>);
evaluate the vibration patterns for the at least one nozzle (<NUM>) for a clog condition; and
record, upon detecting the clog condition based on the vibration patterns, information associated with clog condition, wherein the baler (<NUM>) further includes an identification apparatus (<NUM>) configured to attach an identification tag to the bale (<NUM>); and wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to command the recording, upon detecting the clog condition, of the information associated with the clog condition on the identification tag attached by the identification apparatus (<NUM>) to the bale (<NUM>).