Biomass Cleaner with Pressure Sensor Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomass cleaners in combine harvesters face challenges in achieving optimal grain cleaning due to the complex interplay between sieve louvre settings and fan speed, often resulting in unclean grain samples, sieve plugging, and inefficient harvesting operations, which are exacerbated by operator inexperience and lack of real-time adjustments to changing field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A biomass cleaner system that incorporates pressure sensors to estimate sieve losses and MOG content, utilizing two control loops to adjust fan speed and sieve aperture settings dynamically, optimizing the cleaning process through real-time feedback and calibration data to minimize grain losses and MOG content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sieve louvre settings and fan speed are adjusted manually, then cleaning effectiveness can be improved, but operator inexperience and lack of real-time adjustments result in unclean grain samples and inefficient operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through automated control loops that continuously monitor cleaning effectiveness and modify fan speed and sieve aperture settings without operator intervention, enabling the system to maintain optimal performance autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors provide real-time feedback on air flow and biomass conditions to the control system, which automatically adjusts fan speed and sieve aperture settings to maintain optimal cleaning effectiveness under varying field conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If fan speed and sieve aperture are adjusted to optimize cleaning, then grain quality improves, but complex interplay between parameters makes optimal settings difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses pressure sensor feedback to continuously monitor the actual effect of parameter combinations on cleaning effectiveness, automatically adjusting both fan speed and sieve aperture in coordination to achieve optimal grain quality while managing parameter interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts fan speed and sieve aperture settings in real-time based on changing biomass conditions, allowing optimal cleaning quality to be maintained despite complex parameter interactions by adapting to current operating conditions
3Reliability
If manual adjustments are made to sieve settings and fan speed, then cleaning can be optimized, but lack of real-time adjustments to changing field conditions results in grain losses and MOG content issues
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors provide continuous real-time feedback on air flow and biomass load conditions, enabling the control system to immediately adjust fan speed and sieve aperture settings in response to changing field conditions without delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically responds to changing field conditions by continuously adjusting operational parameters in real-time, maintaining optimal cleaning performance despite variations in biomass type, moisture content, and flow rates
4Productivity
If pressure sensors and control loops are added to the biomass cleaner, then real-time control and grain losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors provide feedback on air flow conditions to the control system, enabling automated real-time adjustment of fan speed and sieve aperture to minimize grain losses and maximize harvesting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages its own operation by using sensor feedback to adjust parameters without external intervention, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms while improving productivity
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 approach significantly improves the efficiency of the biomass cleaning process by providing a fast and accurate control arrangement, reducing grain losses and MOG content, thereby enhancing the overall harvesting efficiency and economic viability.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pressure sensors for generating one or more signals that are related to the pressure of air in the vicinity of the biomass
Implementation Method 2
A fan typically is provided to create air pressure in the cleaning section
Implementation Method 3
lighter MOG pieces (predominantly constituted by chaff and by lengths of straw) remaining afloat above or resting on the upper sieve are blown by the fan off the sieve
Implementation Method 4
The sieves are mounted to pivot arms for back-and-forth oscillation in order to convey the material resting thereon rearwardly
Implementation Method 5
The fan also provides a constant air stream through this lower sieve. As a result the heavier grains pass through the lower sieve, but the lighter MOG particles are blown off the sieve
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A biomass cleaner (10) of a harvesting machine, comprises at least a first sieve (11) for sieving biomass and having one or more first sieve apertures (13) that arc openable and closeable in dependence on control commands; an air fan (16) the speed of which is adjustable in dependence on control commands; and one or more control devices that generate the said control commands, the first sieve (16) defining a support for biomass that is sieveable via the sieve; and the biomass cleaner including one or more pressure sensors (17) for generating one or more signals that are related to the pressure of air in the vicinity of the biomass. The or each pressure sensor is operatively connected to supply the said signals to a control device that derives therefrom further estimates of the sieve losses and/or the MOG content of the biomass, as defined herein, during operation thereof. The control device defines two control loops (41, 42) a first of which is a relatively fast control loop (41) that controls the adjustment of the speed of the air fan (16); and the second of which is a relatively slow control loop (42) that controls the degree of opening of at least the apertures of the first sieve (11).