Airflow Characterizing System for Agricultural Harvester Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesters lack a dynamic airflow control system to adjust airflow profiles effectively during harvesting, leading to suboptimal cleaning system performance due to static adjustments and lack of airflow measurement data.
Innovation Solution
An airflow control system that includes a chassis, an agricultural product moving device, an airflow system, and an airflow characterizing system with a grid of thermistors arranged normal to the airflow direction, which measures and maintains constant electrical resistance to monitor and adjust airflow profiles dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static adjustments are used in the cleaning system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning system performance becomes suboptimal due to inability to adapt to varying airflow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic airflow control by replacing static adjustments with a control system that actively responds to measured airflow conditions. Sensors monitor airflow characteristics in real-time, and the control system dynamically adjusts fan speed and sieve parameters to optimize cleaning performance under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by using sensors to measure airflow conditions and feeding this information back to the control system. The controller then adjusts airflow parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that maintains optimal cleaning performance despite changes in crop material or operating conditions.
2Loss of information
If airflow measurement sensors are placed in the cleaning system, then airflow profile data becomes available for optimization, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical airflow measurement systems with electrical sensors that directly measure airflow characteristics. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while providing accurate, real-time data for control system optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes data from multiple sensors, adjusts fan speed, controls sieve openings, and optimizes overall cleaning performance. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated control unit, reducing overall complexity.
3Productivity
If dynamic airflow adjustment is implemented, then cleaning system performance is optimized, but the use of energy increases due to active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system adjusts airflow parameters dynamically, applying only the necessary amount of energy required for optimal cleaning under current conditions. Rather than maintaining maximum airflow continuously, the system modulates fan speed and sieve openings to provide precisely the airflow needed, reducing energy waste while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system allows for real-time optimization of airflow profiles, improving the separation efficiency of grain from non-grain crop material by adjusting fan speed, sieve openings, and other parameters, enhancing overall cleaning system performance.
Implementation Method 1
thermistors were used as sensors heating them well above ambient temperature. And that the resistance change caused by the cooling effect of the air was sensed by measuring the voltage drop across each thermistor
Implementation Method 2
heating them well above ambient temperature. And that the resistance change caused by the cooling effect of the air was sensed by measuring the voltage drop across each thermistor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An agricultural harvesting system (10) including a chassis (12), an agricultural product moving device (40) coupled to the chassis, an airflow system (52'), a cleaning system and an airflow characterizing system (72). The cleaning system (26) is configured to receive the agricultural product from the moving device. The cleaning system is configured to receive an airflow from the airflow system. The airflow characterizing system is at least partially positioned in the airflow, and is configured to measure an airflow profile across the cleaning system. The airflow characterizing system includes a plurality of sensors (82,82') that determine airflow by measuring a thermal transfer from the sensors to the airflow. The airflow characterizing system being configured to maintain a substantially constant electrical resistance of the sensors as the airflow varies. The airflow characteristics are measured in the cleaning system and are used to improve the cleaning capacity of the harvesting system.