Pneumatic Silage Density Sensor for Compaction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting the density of silage during the compaction process are complex, costly, and unsuitable for online measurement, posing occupational safety risks and failing to penetrate depth effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement using a pressurized gaseous medium flowing through an opening along the silage surface to measure flow resistance, which varies with silage density, providing an output signal for density determination through an evaluation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional density measurement methods (radiometric, radar, height measurement) are used, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases and/or occupational safety risks arise and/or online measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using a pressurized gaseous medium (air) that flows through the silage material. A sensor measures the flow resistance of the gas as it penetrates the silage, and this flow resistance correlates with silage density. This pneumatic approach replaces complex radiometric or radar systems with a simpler pressure-driven flow measurement system that enables online density monitoring during compaction operations.
2Measurement precision
If radiometric density measurements are used, then density detection is enabled, but occupational safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces radiometric measurement methods with a pneumatic flow resistance measurement system. Compressed air is forced through the silage and the resulting flow characteristics are measured to determine density. This eliminates the use of ionizing radiation entirely, providing an inherently safer measurement method that maintains density detection accuracy without exposing operators or equipment to radiometric hazards.
3Measurement precision
If laser measurement or ultrasonic distance sensors are used, then surface measurement is possible, but depth penetration capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressurized gas flow to penetrate into the silage material, allowing measurement of density at depth rather than only at the surface. The gas is forced through the compaction layer and flow resistance is measured, providing information about the density profile within the silage. This pneumatic penetration method overcomes the limitation of optical and ultrasonic sensors that can only measure surface characteristics.
4Measurement precision
If flow measurement of silage samples is used, then density verification is possible, but online measurement capability during compaction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous online density monitoring during the compaction process by integrating the pneumatic flow measurement sensor directly into the compaction vehicle. Compressed air flows through the silage as the vehicle moves, and the sensor continuously measures flow resistance, providing real-time density feedback without interrupting the compaction operation. This eliminates the need for separate offline sampling and laboratory analysis.
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
The sensor arrangement offers a simple and accurate method for real-time density measurement, enabling effective compaction control and reducing oxygen penetration, thus improving silage quality and reducing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor for detecting a variable influenced by the flow resistance which the silage applies against the medium flowing out through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor arrangement for detecting a density of harvested crops deposited as silage in a silo includes a source of a pressurized gaseous medium and an opening connected by a line to the source and which is movable along a surface of the silage. The gaseous medium is guided out of the opening from the source into the silage. The arrangement further includes a sensor for detecting a property of the medium flowing through the line, and an evaluation device connected to the sensor for providing an output signal containing information based on the signal of the sensor regarding the density of the silage.