Wireless Sensor System for Predictive Grain Storage Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grain storage monitoring technologies lack predictive insights and require significant labor, leading to late detection of spoilage and inefficiencies in managing grain quality and quantity, resulting in financial losses and food waste.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising sensor units with a processor, memory, and wireless communication capabilities that detect environmental variables like temperature, humidity, and gas levels, transmitting data to a cloud computing system for predictive analytics and automated responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature cables and probing methods are used to monitor grain storage, then detection capability is limited to temperature and moisture content, but the system lacks predictive insight and requires significant labor resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual probing and mechanical temperature cable systems with wireless sensor units that automatically detect multiple parameters (temperature, humidity, gas composition) and transmit data remotely, eliminating the need for physical grain probing and reducing labor requirements while enhancing detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless sensor units as intermediaries between the grain storage environment and the monitoring system, enabling automated data collection and transmission without direct human intervention, thus reducing labor while improving measurement precision
2Reliability
If temperature sensors are placed in storage structures, then temperature can be monitored, but spoilage is detected too late because moisture and heat do not diffuse outward readily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deploys multiple wireless sensor units throughout the grain storage to detect early signs of spoilage (changes in temperature, humidity, gas composition) before significant spoilage occurs, enabling preliminary detection and intervention before quality degradation becomes severe
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the grain storage into multiple monitoring zones with distributed sensor units, allowing localized detection of spoilage conditions in specific areas rather than relying on a single centralized sensor that may not detect localized issues timely
3Productivity
If manual monitoring methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but predictive insight is lacking and efficiency gains cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor units are self-contained with internal power sources, processing capabilities, and wireless transmission functions, enabling autonomous operation without complex external infrastructure, thus improving productivity while keeping the system relatively simple to deploy
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units perform multiple functions (environmental sensing, data processing, wireless transmission, predictive analysis) within a single integrated device, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function and reducing overall system complexity while enhancing productivity
4Reliability
If extensive sensor deployment is implemented for early detection, then predictive capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor units are designed as relatively simple, low-cost devices that can be deployed extensively throughout the grain storage without requiring complex infrastructure or maintenance, enabling comprehensive monitoring coverage while keeping individual unit complexity and cost low
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for remote sensing with data science. The methods and apparatus have many applications including monitoring the quality of grain during storage and/or transport. The present disclosure describes a way to collect temperature and other environmental data to describe and predict quality of stored grains, current and future, based on a myriad factors including fumigation, external temperature and humidity, in storage grain temperature and humidity.