Crosswind compensation in residual material processing

Abstract

Mobile machine (102) comprising the following: a material processing system that takes in material to be processed when the mobile machine (102) travels in a direction of travel; a wind sensor (120) connected to a structural frame of the mobile machine (102), which generates a wind sensor signal indicating the wind speed and direction of the airflow impinging on the wind sensor (120); and an action signal generator designed to receive the wind sensor signal and generate an action signal based on the wind sensor signal; characterized in that the wind sensor (120) comprises a vane wheel (174), an extended fairing (168) arranged around the vane wheel (174) with a fixed longitudinal axis (170) oriented transversely to the direction of travel of the mobile machine (102), and a receiver component (180) which detects a speed and direction of rotation of the vane wheel (174) and generates the wind sensor signal which indicates the detected speed and direction of rotation, wherein the fairing (168) blocks a plurality of wind components acting on the machine (102), except for crosswinds running parallel to the longitudinal axis (170) of the fairing (168).

Description

[0001] This description relates to the processing of residual materials using a mobile machine. In particular, this description relates to compensating for crosswinds during residual material discharge processing. General state of the art

[0002] There are many different types of mobile machinery that process various forms of residual materials. These include, among others, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and machinery used in forestry and lawn care.

[0003] An example of such a machine is a harvesting machine, such as a combine harvester. The combine harvester travels across a field and takes in the crop to be processed. The crop is then processed, and residues are produced. These residues are eventually ejected from the combine harvester. They can be shredded, dropped in a windrow, or ejected in some other way.

[0004] Some combine harvesters allow the operator to control the spread of the residue ejected from the combine. In one example, the operator can do this by individually controlling the speed of a left and right chaff spreader mechanism. In other examples, directional shrouds or deflectors are provided, and the operator can control the direction of residue ejection by controlling the shrouds or deflectors, or other orientation mechanisms, that align the chaff spreaders in different directions.

[0005] EP 1 985 170 A1 describes a combine harvester with a sensor, not disclosed in detail, for detecting wind speed and wind direction, the output signal of which serves to automatically control a crop residue distributor. Brief description of the invention

[0006] The present invention is defined by the claims. A wind sensor comprises a casing extending along a longitudinal axis. This axis is generally transverse to the direction of travel of a mobile machine on which it is mounted. The wind sensor detects the magnitude of a crosswind component. An action signal is generated based on the crosswind component detected by the wind sensor. This action signal can be used to control the direction of waste discharge from the mobile machine. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example architecture for a mobile machine that can be used to compensate for residual material discharge based on detected crosswinds. Fig. Figure 2 is a pictorial illustration of a top view of an example of a mobile machine on which a crosswind sensor is mounted. Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of an example of a crosswind sensor. Fig. Figure 4 is an isometric view of an example of a crosswind sensor. Fig. Figure 5 is a more detailed block diagram of an example of an action signal generator. Fig. 6 is a flowchart that provides an example of the operation of the in Fig. The architecture shown in Figure 1 demonstrates the generation of an action signal based on the detected crosswind. Fig. 7 is an example of a user interface display that can be shown. Fig. 8 is an example of how the in Fig. The architecture shown in Figure 1 can be used in a remote server environment. Fig. Figures 9-11 show examples of mobile facilities that can be used in the architecture of the previous figures. Fig. Figure 12 is a block diagram of an example of a computer environment that can be used in the architectures shown in the previous figures. Detailed description

[0007] As discussed above, there is a wide variety of different types of machines that process material and generate and discharge residues. The discharge of residues can be affected by crosswinds. For example, when a combine harvester is moving across a field in one direction, the crosswinds can generally act in a direction perpendicular to the combine's direction of travel (or at least have a component in that direction).

[0008] When the combine harvester moves across the field, it ejects residue. If the distribution of this residue is even and uniform, it evenly replenishes nutrients from the material (excluding the grain) that is ejected onto the ground. However, if crosswinds are present, causing the residue to be ejected unevenly, this can be detrimental. It can lead to an uneven or non-uniform distribution of nutrients back onto the field. Furthermore, crosswinds can cause material other than the grain to be ejected from the combine and blown into the remaining crop on the stalk next to the combine. This can cause the combine to waste energy that would otherwise be used to reprocess this material in a later pass.

[0009] Some combine harvesters allow operators to control the spread of residue discharge from the machine by adjusting the rotational speed of the left and right chaff spreaders on the combine or by controlling directional panels or deflectors that guide the discharge. Even when these types of combines allow the operator to adjust the setpoint used to control the discharge mechanism (and thus change the direction of residue discharge), it can be quite difficult. For an operator to control the distribution of residue discharged from the combine based on a crosswind, they may essentially have to continuously monitor the wind speed and adjust the rotational speed of the chaff spreaders (or the position(s) of the panels) to compensate for the crosswind. This can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example of an architecture 100 for a mobile machine that detects crosswinds and compensates for waste processing operations based on the detected crosswind. In the Fig. In the example shown, the architecture 100 of the mobile machine includes the mobile machine 102, which is operated by an operator 104. The operator 104 can interact with a variety of different user interface components 106 to control and influence the mobile machine 102.

[0011] For illustration, the mobile machine 102 in the example shown contains one or more servers or processors 108, the control system 110, the residual material direction control system 112, the controllable residual material ejection system 114, the communication component 116, and it can contain a large variety of other machine functionalities 118. Fig. Figure 1 also shows that the control system 110 receives inputs from the crosswind sensor 120 in one example, and it can also receive inputs from a variety of other sensors. For example, it can receive inputs from the humidity sensor 122, the orientation sensor 124, the machine speed sensor 126, the position sensor 128, the feed rate sensor 129, and inputs from a wide variety of other sensors 130 are also possible. For example, the sensors can detect other physical characteristics of the residues, such as their size, volume, ejection rate, etc. For illustration, the control system 110 itself includes the sensor signal conditioning system 132, the action signal generator component 134, and it can include other elements 136. Fig. Figure 1 also shows that the communication component 116 in the mobile machine 102 can communicate with external systems 138 in one example. This can be done directly, via a network, or in a variety of other ways, some of which are described in more detail below.

[0012] A brief overview of the operation of the mobile machine 102 and some of its components will now be described. For illustration, the control system 110 receives a sensor signal from the crosswind sensor 120. This sensor signal can be provided to the sensor signal conditioning system 132. For further illustration, the system 132 can perform various types of signal conditioning on the sensor signal, such as amplification, linearization, compensation, normalization, etc. The action signal generator component 134 will be described in more detail below. Fig. 5 described. To illustrate, however, it receives, in short, the crosswind sensor signal and generates an action signal based on the detected crosswind. It can provide the action signal to the residual material direction control system 112 to control the direction of residual material discharge from the machine 102 based on the crosswind. It can also provide the action signal (or another action signal) to the user interface component 106 so that the information can be displayed to the operator 104. An example of this is described in more detail below with regard to Fig. 7 described. For illustration, the residual material direction control system 112 generates a control signal based on the crosswind detected by the sensor 120 and provides it to the controllable residual material discharge system 114 to control the direction of discharge of the residual materials produced by the machine 102.

[0013] It should also be noted that, in one example, the control system 110 receives other sensor signals from the other sensors. These sensors detect variables that can influence the direction of the discharge of the waste. For example, the humidity sensor 122 can detect the moisture content of the waste. If the waste has a higher moisture content, it may be heavier and therefore less affected by crosswinds. Thus, the control system 110 can also take into account the waste moisture level indicated by the humidity sensor 122.

[0014] Additionally, the mobile machine 102 may be operating on a lateral slope, which could cause the residual materials to tend to be ejected preferentially in one direction based on the orientation of the machine 102. Therefore, the system 110 can receive an orientation sensor signal from sensor 124 and thus take the orientation of the mobile machine 102 into account when controlling the direction of residual material ejection.

[0015] Furthermore, the discharge of residual material can be influenced by the travel speed of the mobile machine 102, its position, the quantity of residual material being discharged, or other variables. In this case, the system 110 can receive a machine speed sensor signal from sensor 126, a position sensor signal from sensor 128, a feed rate sensor signal (which can indicate the quantity of residual material being discharged) from sensor 129, and a variety of other sensor signals from other sensors 130, and also take these detected variables into account when controlling the direction of the discharge of residual material.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 is a top-down view of an example where the mobile machine 102 is a combine harvester. For illustration, it can be seen that the mobile machine 102 has a header 150, a feeder housing 152, a driver's cab 154, a crop processing area 156, and a residue discharge system 158. For illustration, the combine harvester 102 travels in a direction generally indicated by the arrow 160. The header 150 takes in the crop to be processed, and the feeder housing 152 returns it to the processing area 156 in the combine harvester 102. For illustration, the combine harvester 102 is moved by a drive system that powers a set of wheels 162 that grip the ground.

[0017] The residue discharge system 158 can be of a wide variety of different types. For illustration, it includes the directional mechanisms 159 and 161, which can be controlled to direct the residue discharge preferably in one direction or another. The directional mechanisms 159 and 161 can, for example, include one or more controllable panels or guide plates that direct the residue in a given, selected direction. In the example discussed here, the directional mechanisms include, for illustration, a first chaff spreader 159 and a second chaff spreader 161. Each of the chaff spreaders 159 and 161 is, for illustration, individually controllable. They can, for example, have individually controllable rotational speeds of the chaff spreaders, which can be controlled to distribute residue preferably to one side or the other with respect to the direction of travel of the combine harvester 102.If, for example, the chaff spreader 159 is controlled in such a way that it has a higher rotational speed than the chaff spreader 161, then residual materials are preferably distributed on the left side, as in . Fig. 2 can be seen. Alternatively, if the chaff spreader 161 is controlled to operate at a higher speed than the chaff spreader 159, then residual materials are preferably distributed to the right, as shown in Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0018] The in Fig. Example 2 also illustrates that the crosswind sensor 120 is arranged on the combine harvester 102 for illustrative purposes. In the Fig. In the example shown, it is arranged on a rear section of the combine harvester 102, so that it is located relatively close to the residual material discharge system 158. It is designed to counteract crosswinds in the direction indicated by arrows 166 in Fig. to detect the direction specified in 2. In one example, the sensor 120 includes a fairing 168 that extends in a direction specified by the longitudinal axis 170. The fairing 168 blocks a large majority of wind components acting on the machine 102, except for crosswinds, which generally run parallel to the longitudinal axis 170 of the fairing 168.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 is a pictorial illustration of an example of a front view of the 120 crosswind sensor. Fig. Figure 4 is an isometric view of an example of the 120 crosswind sensor. In the Fig. 3 and Fig. In the example shown, sensor 120 includes, for illustrative purposes, a vane 174 mounted for rotation in the direction generally indicated by arrow 176. It can be seen that the fairing 168 extends along the longitudinal axis 170 with respect to the vane 174. In one example, it extends over a distance sufficient to block at least some, and up to the majority, of the wind components except the crosswind component, which flows in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 170. Thus, the fairing 168 can extend along the axis 170 over a distance at least as large as the thickness of the vane 174 along the axis 170. It can extend further, for example, over a distance several times greater than the thickness of the vane 174.The length of the panel 168 can also be specified based on a diameter of the opening defined by the panel 168; it can be specified empirically or in another way.

[0020] For illustrative purposes, the sensor 120 is rigidly mounted on a structural frame of the combine harvester 102, so that the axis 170 of the fairing 168 is fixed in a direction that is generally transverse (or perpendicular) to the direction of travel of the machine 102. It is mounted in such a way that the ratio of the axis 170 with respect to the machine's direction of travel does not change with the wind direction.

[0021] Accordingly, the crosswind component, which generally blows in a direction parallel to the axis 170, will impinge on the impeller 174 in the fairing 168. In an example, the impeller 174 is connected to a DC brushed motor / generator for illustrative purposes. If the crosswind component, blowing in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 170, changes its speed and direction, this causes the impeller 174 to rotate in one of two directions at a speed corresponding to the magnitude of the crosswind component. To illustrate: The rotation of the impeller 174 generates a positive or negative voltage of varying magnitude based on its direction of rotation. This voltage can be used by the action signal generator component 134 to generate an action signal based on the detected crosswind.

[0022] It should be noted that in some examples the crosswind sensor may be a differential pressure sensor (such as a pitot tube sensor) or another type of sensor that essentially only detects crosswind components of the wind, which generally flows parallel to the longitudinal axis 170. The one in the Fig. 3 and Fig. The sensor shown in section 4 is shown only as an example.

[0023] Fig. Figure 5 is a more detailed block diagram of an example for the crosswind sensor 120 and the action signal generator component 134. In the Fig. In the example shown, the crosswind sensor 120 is depicted as containing a shrouded turbine impeller (or vane) 174. In this illustrated example, it also includes the sensor component 180. For illustrative purposes, the sensor component 180 is a magnetic sensor that generates a crosswind sensor output signal 182 indicating the rotational speed of the vane 174 and its direction of rotation. The signal 182 can, for example, be an oscillating signal with an oscillation frequency corresponding to the rotational frequency of the vane 174. The oscillation phase can correspond to the direction of rotation of the vane 174. Of course, the signal 182 can also represent the rotational speed and direction of rotation of the vane 174 in other ways.

[0024] For illustration: The action signal generator component 134 contains the crosswind identifier component 184, the crosswind-to-distributor speed offset generator 186, the humidity-to-distributor speed offset generator 188, the orientation-to-distributor speed offset generator 190, the machine speed-to-offset generator 192, the position-to-offset generator 193, the feed rate-to-offset generator 195, other offset generators 194, the offset generator 196 for the left / right total distributor speed, and the crosswind compensator 198. For illustration: In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 5, the action signal generator component 134 generates the action signal as left and right chaff spreader speed control signals (or left and right guide vane control signals or both) compensated for the crosswind as specified by blocks 200 and 201.

[0025] The crosswind identifier component 184 identifies a value indicating the crosswind, represented by signal 182. This value can specify the wind direction and speed (or strength). It provides the value for the crosswind-to-chaff spreader speed offset generator 186, which generates an offset value that can be used to control the chaff spreader speed of the left and right chaff spreaders based on the crosswind (or the direction of the left and right fairings or guide vanes, or both), so that residues are preferably ejected in one direction or the other.

[0026] In the Fig. In the example shown, the residual material moisture sensor 122 also generates a moisture sensor signal 202, which indicates the detected moisture in the residual material. The moisture-to-chaff spreader speed offset generator 188 also generates an offset value that can be used to influence the speed of the left and right chaff spreaders (or the direction of the panels or guide plates) based on the moisture content of the residual material. The machine orientation sensor 124 generates an orientation sensor signal 204, which is provided to the orientation-to-chaff spreader speed offset generator 190. The generator 190 can generate an offset that can be used to control the speed of the chaff spreaders (or the direction of the panels or guide plates) based on the machine orientation.The machine speed sensor 126 generates the sensor signal 206 and provides it to the speed-to-offset generator 190, which can generate an offset based on the machine speed. The position sensor 128 generates a position signal 207, which is provided to the position-to-offset generator 193. The generator 193 can generate an offset based on the machine position. The feed rate sensor 129 generates a feed rate signal 209, which can indicate the amount of residue being ejected. The generator 195 can generate an offset based on this. The other sensors 130 can generate a variety of other sensor signals 208, which can be provided to the corresponding offset generator 194. The generator 194 can generate offsets for the rotational speed signals of the chaff spreaders (or the direction of the shrouds or guide vanes) based on the other detected variables.

[0027] The offset generator 196 for the left / right overall direction control signal can receive the offset values ​​generated by the various generators 186, 188, 190, 192, and / or 194. It can then generate an overall offset that can be used to compensate for the operating speed of the various chaff spreaders (or the position of the discharge deflectors) so that, based on the crosswind and other detected variables, more residue is preferably distributed in one direction or the other. It provides the overall offset value to the crosswind compensator 198. The crosswind compensator 198 can also receive an input indicating a current value of the speed setpoints of the left and right chaff spreaders (or a current value 211 of the position signals that control the direction of the left and right discharge deflectors), as specified by block 210.It can compensate these setpoints based on the total offset value generated by offset generator 196 and generate an action signal indicating the chaff spreader speed setpoint signals (or the guide vane position signals) compensated for crosswind (and any other detected variables), as specified by block 200.

[0028] Once again: The in Fig. The block diagram shown in Figure 5 is merely an example. Others could also be used. Instead of controlling (or in addition to) the operating speed of the left and right chaff spreaders, for example, a guide vane system could be used to control the direction of residue discharge, and the guide vane direction could be compensated based on the detected crosswind (or other variables). Likewise, a wide variety of other directional mechanisms could be used to control the direction of residue discharge from the mobile machine, and these could also be controlled based on the detected crosswind or other detected variables.

[0029] Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the mobile machine 102 and the action signal generator component 134 when generating the action signal based on the detected crosswind (and other detected variables). In one example, the control system 110 first detects a crosswind sensor signal 182 from the crosswind sensor 120. This is processed by block 250 in Fig. The crosswind value identifier component 184 then generates a crosswind value that specifies the direction and magnitude of the crosswind component, which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 170 of the fairing 168. This is specified by block 252. The offset generator 186 then generates a residual discharge control value based on the crosswind direction and magnitude. This is specified by block 254. In an example, this can be a dynamic calculation performed on-the-fly. This is specified by block 256. It can also be generated using one or more lookup tables or calculations combined with lookup tables. Performing a lookup operation is specified by block 258. It can also be generated using a dynamic model or a static model, or in some other way. This is specified by block 260.

[0030] In an example where the action signal generator component 134 considers other detected variables in addition to crosswind, it detects other sensor signals related to the waste discharge direction. This is specified by block 262. As mentioned in the examples discussed above, these sensor signals can represent waste moisture 264, machine orientation 266, machine speed 268, feed rate 269, machine position 271, and / or a large variety of other variables 270. The action signal generator component 134 then generates other waste discharge direction control values ​​based on the other variable parameters considered and for which sensor signals have been received in block 262. The generation of these other direction control values ​​is specified by block 272 in Fig. 6. To reiterate: These can be generated by performing a calculation 274, by performing a lookup operation 276, or in a variety of other ways 278.

[0031] The action signal generator component 174 then detects all current directional control settings. This is specified by block 280. For example, in the case where the residual material discharge direction is controlled based on the rotational speed of the left and right chaff spreaders, it can detect the current setpoints for controlling the rotational speed of these chaff spreaders. If it is controlled by another directional control mechanism, it can detect a current setting that controls the direction of such mechanisms.

[0032] Component 134 then generates a compensated directional control value that is compensated for crosswind (and any other detected variables). This is specified by block 282. In one example, it does this by combining all previously calculated waste discharge directional control values ​​with the current setpoints or settings. This is specified by block 284. It can also generate the compensated directional control value in other ways, as specified by block 286.

[0033] The action signal generator component 134 then generates an action signal based on the compensated direction control value. This is specified by block 288. As discussed above, the action signal can be provided in the form of left and right spreader speed control signals. This is specified by block 290. It can be provided as a guide vane direction control signal, as specified by block 292. It can be provided as a visualization signal 294, which generates a visualization displayed to the operator 104. It can also take a wide variety of other forms, and this is specified by block 296.

[0034] Fig. Figure 7 shows an example of a visualization 300 that can be displayed to the operator 104 on a suitable user interface mechanism. For illustration: The visualization 300 includes a graphic section 302 that shows a representation 304 of the mobile machine. For illustration, it also includes a crosswind direction signaling element 306 and a wind intensity signaling element 308. For illustration, it can also include a discharge signaling element 310, which can be used to illustrate whether residual materials are preferably discharged in one direction or the other with respect to the machine 304. Furthermore, an enable / disable user input mechanism 312 is provided in an example, which allows the operator 104 to easily enable and disable the crosswind compensation mechanisms described here.

[0035] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 7, visualization 300 can also include a set of control signaling elements, generally shown with Figure 314. These control signaling elements can, for example, show an offset for the left and right chaff spreaders based on the detected crosswind. They can show actual sensor signal outputs and a variety of other things. In the example shown in Figure 300, the control signaling elements can be shown in Figure 314. Fig. In the example shown, the chaff spreader offsets are displayed in rpm, while the sensor signal outputs are displayed in millivolts. These are merely examples.

[0036] It should also be noted that Visualization 300 can take a wide variety of forms. The visualization can be color-coded, or it can include animations. If displayed on a touchscreen, it can allow for touch interaction with the user. All of this is considered here.

[0037] Processors and servers have been mentioned in this discussion. In one embodiment, processors and servers include computer processors with associated memory and timing circuits, which are not shown separately. They are functional parts of the systems or devices to which they belong and by which they are activated, and enable the functionality of the other components or elements in these systems.

[0038] A variety of user interface displays have also been discussed. They can take a wide variety of forms and incorporate a wide variety of user-operated input mechanisms. For example, these user-operated input mechanisms can be input fields, checkboxes, icons, links, drop-down menus, search fields, and so on. They can also be operated in a wide variety of ways. For example, they can be operated using a point-and-click device (such as a trackball or mouse). They can be operated using hardware buttons, switches, a joystick or keyboard, push buttons, or thumb pads, etc. They can also be operated using a virtual keyboard or other virtual actuators.If the screen on which they are displayed is a touchscreen, they can also be operated using touch gestures. If the device displaying them has voice recognition components, they can also be operated using voice commands.

[0039] Several data stores have also been discussed. It should be noted that each can be decomposed into multiple data stores. They can all reside locally on the systems accessing them, all be external, or some can be local while others are external. All these configurations are considered here.

[0040] The figures also show a series of blocks, each with its assigned functionality. It should be noted that fewer blocks can be used, in which case the functionality is performed by fewer components. Conversely, more blocks can be used, distributing the functionality across more components.

[0041] It should be noted that the information on card 107 can be output to the cloud.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the in Fig. The harvesting vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1 is different, except that it communicates with elements in a remote server architecture 500. In one embodiment, the remote server architecture 500 can provide computing, software, data access, and storage services that do not require end-user knowledge of the physical location or configuration of the system providing the services. In various embodiments, remote servers can provide the services over a wide area network, such as the internet, using appropriate protocols. For example, remote servers can provide applications over a wide area network, and these applications can be accessed by a web browser or any other computer component. Software or components shown in previous figures, as well as corresponding data, can be stored on servers at an external location.Computing resources in a remote server environment can be concentrated at a single location in an external data center, or they can be distributed. Remote server infrastructures can deliver services across shared data centers, even though they appear to the user as a single access point. Thus, the components and functions described here can be provided by a remote server at an external location using a remote server architecture. Alternatively, they can be provided by a conventional server, or they can be installed directly on customer premises or in other ways.

[0043] In the Fig. In example 8, some elements resemble those in Fig. 1 shown, and they are similarly numbered. Fig. Figure 8 shows in particular that the control system 110 and the external systems 138 can be located at a remote server location 502. Therefore, the harvesting vehicle 102 accesses these systems via the remote server location 502.

[0044] Fig. Figure 8 also shows another example of a remote server architecture. Fig. Figure 8 shows that it is also being considered that some elements from Fig. Some systems may be located at remote server location 502, while others may not. For example, external storage 504 may be used to store information provided by harvester 102. Similarly, external system 138 may be located at a site separate from location 502 and accessible via the remote server at location 502. Regardless of their location, they may be accessed directly from harvester 100 over a network (either a wide area network or a local area network), hosted by a service at a remote location, provided as a service, or accessed through a connectivity service located at a remote location.The data can also be stored in essentially any location and can be accessed intermittently by interested parties, or forwarded to them. For example, physical carriers can be used instead of, or in addition to, carriers of electromagnetic waves. In such an embodiment, where cell coverage is poor or nonexistent, another mobile machine (such as a tanker truck) can have an automatic information collection system. When the harvester approaches the tanker truck for refueling, the system automatically collects information from the harvester truck using some type of ad-hoc wireless connection. The collected information can then be forwarded to the main network when the tanker truck reaches a location with cellular (or other wireless) coverage.For example, the tanker truck can enter a covered area when refueling other machines or when it is at a main fuel depot. All these architectures are considered here. Furthermore, the information can be stored in the harvester until it enters a covered area. The harvester itself can then send the information to the main network.

[0045] It should also be noted that the elements from Fig. One or sections thereof may be arranged in a wide variety of different facilities. Some of these facilities include servers, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or other mobile devices such as palmtops, mobile phones, smartphones, multimedia devices, personal digital assistants, etc.

[0046] Fig. Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a portable or mobile computing device that can be used as a portable device 16 by the user or customer in which the present system (or parts thereof) can be used. For example, a mobile device can be used in the driver's cab of the harvesting vehicle 102 for use in generating, processing, or displaying the data from the crosswind compensator or other data. Fig. 10-11 are examples of portable or mobile facilities.

[0047] Fig. Figure 9 provides a general block diagram of the components of a customer facility 16, some of which are in Fig. The device 16 can operate components shown, interact with them, or both. A communication link 13 is provided in the device 16, which allows the portable device to communicate with other computer devices and, in certain embodiments, provides a channel for automatically receiving information, such as by scanning. Examples of the communication link 13 include allowing communication via one or more communication protocols, such as wireless services used to provide cellular access to a network, as well as protocols that provide local wireless connections to networks.

[0048] In other examples, applications can be received on a removable SD (Secure Digital) card connected to an interface 15. The interface 15 and the communication link 13 communicate with a processor 17 (which may also be a processor or server). Fig. 1 can execute) on a bus 19, which is also connected to the memory 21 and the input / output (I / O) components 23, as well as to the clock generator 25 and the location system 27.

[0049] The I / O components 23 are provided in one embodiment to enable input and output operations. For various embodiments of the device 16, the I / O components 23 can include input components, such as pushbuttons, touch sensors, optical sensors, microphones, touchscreens, proximity sensors, accelerometers, and orientation sensors, and output components, such as a display device, a speaker, or a printer interface. Other I / O components 23 can also be used.

[0050] For illustrative purposes, the clock generator 25 includes a real-time clock component that outputs a time and date. It can also provide time control functions for the processor 17.

[0051] For illustrative purposes, location system 27 includes a component that outputs the current geographic location of facility 16. This component could be, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a long-range navigation (LORAN) system, a dead reckoning system, a cellular triangulation system, or another positioning system. It could also include, for example, mapping software or navigation software that generates desired maps, navigation routes, and other geographic functions.

[0052] Memory 21 stores the operating system 29, the network settings 31, the applications 33, the application configuration settings 35, the data storage 37, the communication drivers 39, and the communication configuration settings 41. Memory 21 can include all types of tangible, volatile, and non-volatile, computer-readable storage devices. It can also include computer storage media (described below). Memory 21 stores computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor 17, cause the processor to perform computer-implemented steps or functions according to the instructions. The processor 17 can be activated by other components to enable their functionality as well.

[0053] Fig. Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the device 16 is a Tablet 600. Fig. Figure 10 shows the Computer 600 with the User Interface Screen 602. The Screen 602 can be a touchscreen or a pen-activated interface that accepts input from a pen or stylus. It can also use a virtual keyboard on the screen. Naturally, it can also be connected to a keyboard or other user input device via a suitable connection mechanism, such as a wireless connection or a USB port. For demonstration purposes, the Computer 600 can also receive voice input.

[0054] Fig. Figure 11 shows that the device can be a smartphone 71. The smartphone 71 has a touch-sensitive display 73 that shows icons or tiles or other user input mechanisms 75. These mechanisms 75 can be used by a user to run applications, make calls, perform data transfer operations, etc. In general, the smartphone 71 is built on a mobile operating system and offers more advanced computing capabilities and connectivity than a feature phone.

[0055] It should be noted that other forms of establishment are possible.

[0056] Fig. 12 is an example of a computer environment in which elements from Fig. 1 or parts thereof (for example) can be used. With reference to Fig. 12: An exemplary system for implementing some embodiments includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer 810. The components of the computer 810 may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 820 (which may include processors or servers from other figures), a system memory 830, and a system bus 821, which couples various system components, including the system memory, to the processing unit 820. The system bus 821 may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus, using any of a variety of bus architectures. With respect to Fig. 1. The described storage media and programs can be found in the corresponding sections of Fig. 12 will be used.

[0057] The Computer 810 typically contains a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media accessible to the Computer 810, including both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not as a limitation, computer-readable media can include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media are distinct from, and are not included in, a modulated data signal or carrier wave. They include hardware storage media, including both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media, implemented by any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or any other storage technology, CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the Computer 810. Communication media can contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data on a transport mechanism, and include any information transmission media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal in which more than one of its parameters is set or modified in such a way as to encode information in the signal.

[0058] System memory 830 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) 831 and random-access memory (RAM) 832. A basic input / output system (BIOS) 833, which includes the basic routines that support the transfer of information between elements within the computer 810, such as during startup, is typically stored in ROM 831. RAM 832 typically contains data and / or program modules that can be accessed immediately by the processing unit 820 and / or that are currently being processed by it. This is an example and not intended to be exhaustive. Fig. 12 the operating system 834, the application programs 835, other program modules 836 and program data 837.

[0059] The Computer 810 may also contain other removable or non-removable volatile / non-volatile computer storage media. This is for illustrative purposes only. Fig. 12. A hard disk drive 841, which reads or writes non-removable non-volatile magnetic media, the non-volatile magnetic disk 852, an optical disk drive 855, and the non-volatile optical disk 856. The hard disk drive 841 is typically connected to the system bus 821 via a non-removable storage interface, such as the interface 840, and the optical disk drive 855 is typically connected to the system bus 821 via a removable storage interface, such as the interface 850.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the functionality described here can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. Examples of hardware logic components that can be used include, but are not limited to, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-Chip (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0061] The above discussed and in Fig. The 12 illustrated drivers and their associated computer storage media provide storage for computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the Computer 810. Fig. For example, Figure 12 illustrates the hard disk drive 841 as storing the operating system 844, the application programs 845, other program modules 846, and program data 847. It should be noted that these components may be either the same as the operating system 834, the application programs 835, other program modules 836, and program data 837, or they may differ from them.

[0062] A user can input commands and information into the computer 810 via input devices such as a keyboard 862, a microphone 863, and a pointing device 861, such as a mouse, trackball, or touchpad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a lever, steering wheel, foot pedal, push button, switch, joystick, gamepad, satellite dish, scanning device, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 820 via a user input interface 860, which is coupled to the system bus, but they may also be connected through other interface and bus structures. An optical display 891 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 821 via an interface, such as a video interface 890.In addition to the monitor, computers can also include other peripheral output devices, such as the speakers 897 and the printer 896, which can be connected via a peripheral output interface 895.

[0063] The Computer 810 operates in a network environment using logical connections (such as a Local Area Network, LAN, or a Wide Area Network, WAN) with one or more external computers, such as an external Computer 880.

[0064] When used in a LAN network environment, the computer 810 is connected to the LAN 871 via a network interface or network adapter 870. When used in a WAN network environment, the computer 810 typically includes a modem 872 or other means of establishing communication over the WAN 873, such as the Internet. In a networked environment, program modules can be stored in an external storage device. Fig. Figure 10 illustrates, for example, that external application programs 885 can reside on the external computer 880.

[0065] It should also be noted that the different embodiments described here can be combined in different ways. That is to say, parts of one or more embodiments can be combined with parts of one or more other embodiments.

Claims

[1] Mobile machine (102) comprising the following: a material processing system that takes in material to be processed when the mobile machine (102) travels in a direction of travel; a wind sensor (120) connected to a structural frame of the mobile machine (102), which generates a wind sensor signal indicating the wind speed and direction of the airflow impinging on the wind sensor (120); and an action signal generator designed to receive the wind sensor signal and generate an action signal based on the wind sensor signal; characterized by, that the wind sensor (120) comprises a vane wheel (174), an extended fairing (168) arranged around the vane wheel (174) with a fixed longitudinal axis (170) oriented transversely to the direction of travel of the mobile machine (102), and a sensor component (180) which detects a speed and direction of rotation of the vane wheel (174) and generates the wind sensor signal which indicates the detected speed and direction of rotation, wherein the fairing (168) blocks a plurality of wind components acting on the machine (102), except for crosswinds running parallel to the longitudinal axis (170) of the fairing (168). [2] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 1, further comprising: a waste discharge system (114, 158) that discharges waste materials from the mobile machine (102); and a waste discharge control system (112) designed to receive the action signal and to control the waste discharge system (114, 158) based on the action signal. [3] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 2, wherein the waste ejection system (114, 158) includes an ejection direction mechanism that controls a direction in which the waste ejection system (114, 158) ejects the waste. [4] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 3, wherein the waste discharge control system (112) controls the waste discharge system (114, 158) so that the waste materials are preferably discharged in a predetermined direction based on the action signal. [5] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, wherein the mobile machine (102) comprises a combine harvester and wherein the residual material discharge system (114, 158) comprises: a first chaff spreader (159) rotatably mounted on a first side of the combine harvester, which rotates to distribute the residues; and a second chaff spreader (161) rotatably mounted on a second side of the combine harvester, which rotates to distribute the residues. [6] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 5, wherein the residual material ejection control system (112) controls a rotational speed of the first and second chaff distributor (159, 161) based on the action signal. [7] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, wherein the ejection direction mechanism comprises a guide plate system which is aligned in a direction on the basis of a direction setting, wherein the residual material ejection control system (112) controls the direction setting to control the direction in which the residual materials are ejected. [8] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, further comprising: a residual material moisture sensor (122) that generates a moisture signal (202) indicating the moisture content of the residual materials, wherein the action signal generator generates the action signal based on the moisture signal (202). [9] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, further comprising: a machine orientation sensor (124) that generates an orientation signal (204) which indicates an orientation of the mobile machine (102), wherein the action signal generator generates the action signal based on the orientation signal (204). [10] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, further comprising: a machine speed sensor (126) that generates a speed signal (206) which indicates a travel speed of the mobile machine (102), wherein the action signal generator generates the action signal based on the speed signal (206). [11] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 4, further comprising: a feed rate sensor (129) that generates a feed rate signal (209) which indicates a residual material ejection rate. [12] Mobile machine (102) according to claim 2, further comprising: a user interface component that displays indicators indicating the operation of the waste discharge control system (112) based on the action signal and indicating the wind speed and wind direction. [13] Mobile machine (102) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: an additional sensor that generates an additional sensor signal that indicates a variable that influences a direction in which the residues are ejected from the mobile machine (102); an action signal generator designed to receive the wind sensor signal and the additional sensor signal and to generate an action signal based on the wind sensor signal and the additional sensor signal; and a directional control system which, based on the action signal, controls a direction in which the waste discharge system (114, 158) discharges the waste materials from the mobile machine (102).

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