Ash Sensor Mapping for Hay Contamination Assessment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing ash contamination in cut crops during harvesting are subjective and inaccurate, leading to excessive ash content in bales that can reduce nutritional value and increase costs, as well as pose health risks to livestock.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a GNSS receiver and an optical particle counter integrated with an agricultural implement to determine geolocation and measure ash contamination, correlating the data to provide an objective assessment of ash content and its geographical location, allowing for precise mapping and reduction of ash accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective qualitative assessment by operators is used to evaluate ash content, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision is low and ash content assessment is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual subjective assessment method with an optical sensing system. The ash sensor uses optical principles to detect and measure ash particles on crop material, transforming a subjective human judgment into an objective optical measurement. This substitution dramatically improves measurement precision while the integrated control system automates the process, making the complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the ash sensor and control unit to automatically measure, assess, and provide feedback on ash content without requiring operator intervention. The real-time monitoring and automated feedback mechanisms allow the system to self-regulate and provide continuous accurate measurements, improving precision while the automation handles the complexity.
2Loss of information
If no ash monitoring system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of information regarding ash contamination location and amount is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ash sensor continuously monitors ash content and the control unit receives real-time data. The system provides feedback to operators about ash contamination levels and locations, enabling informed decisions. This feedback loop captures and utilizes ash contamination information that would otherwise be lost, improving data availability while the automated feedback system manages the complexity of data collection and presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives data from the ash sensor, processes the information, determines ash content levels, and provides feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates various information handling tasks into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while comprehensively capturing and utilizing ash contamination data.
3Productivity
If excessive ash is allowed in crop bales, then the productivity is high and processing is faster, but the harmful factors increase due to reduced nutritional value and livestock health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback on ash content levels during harvesting. When the ash sensor detects excessive ash, the control unit alerts operators, allowing them to adjust harvesting parameters or avoid contaminated areas. This feedback mechanism enables maintaining high productivity by quickly identifying and responding to ash contamination, thereby preventing harmful levels of ash from entering bales and protecting livestock health.
Solution Approach 2:
The ash sensor detects ash contamination before it significantly contaminates the crop material. By providing early warning of ash presence, the system allows operators to take preliminary actions such as adjusting equipment settings or avoiding certain areas, preventing excessive ash from being incorporated into bales. This preliminary detection maintains productivity by avoiding complete harvesting stops while protecting against harmful ash levels.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method for assessing an amount of ash includes an agricultural implement and an ash assessment system. The implement includes a crop processing portion configured to move a cut organic material in a field. The ash assessment system includes an ash sensor configured to determine a measured ash contamination value, a GNSS receiver configured to determine a geolocation, and a processor programmed to perform an ash assessment process. The process includes receiving the measured ash contamination value from the ash sensor and receiving the geolocation data from the GNSS receiver. The geolocation data corresponds to a geolocation of the measured ash contamination value. The process also includes correlating the measured ash contamination value and the geolocation data to one another and storing the measured ash contamination value and the geolocation data in a memory device that is coupled in communication with said processor.