Case Corporation

Brian T Adams

William L Schubert

George H Hale

Thomas Karlmann

Geoffrey W Schmitz

Keith W Wendte

An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of material and generating multiple frequency signals having frequencies selectable by control signals, combining the multiple frequency signals into a combined frequency signal having multiple frequency components, and applying the combined frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element. The frequency response of the material is determined at each of the multiple frequencies using output signals from the sensing element, and a frequency analysis is performed to determine the parameters of the material. The sensing element may include a capaciflector sensor located non-intrusively along the surface of a conveyor. However, other sensing elements such as capacitive, resistive and inductive elements may be used. The parameters being measured may include mass flow rate and moisture content. The apparatus includes a frequency generating circuit for generating a frequency signal having multiple frequency components, a sensing circuit which applies the frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element, a signal conditioning circuit which determines the frequency response of the material at the multiple frequencies based upon output signals from the sensing element, and a signal processing circuit for performing a frequency analysis. The apparatus may be used to measure parameters of material being moved by a vehicle-mounted conveyor. A pink or white noise generator may be used for the frequency generating circuit.

Apparatus for measuring parameters of material

A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of material are disclosed herein. The method includes generating multiple frequency signals having frequencies selectable by control signals, combining the multiple frequency signals into a combined frequency signal having multiple frequency components, and applying the combined frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element. The frequency response of the material is determined at each of the multiple frequencies using output signals from the sensing element, and a frequency analysis is performed to determine the parameters of the material. The sensing element may include a capaciflector sensor located non-intrusively along the surface of a conveyor. However, other sensing elements such as capacitive, resistive and inductive elements may be used. The parameters being measured may include mass flow rate and moisture content. The apparatus includes a frequency generating circuit for generating a frequency signal having multiple frequency components, a sensing circuit which applies the frequency signal as an excitation signal to a sensing element, a signal conditioning circuit which determines the frequency response of the material at the multiple frequencies based upon output signals from the sensing element, and a signal processing circuit for performing a frequency analysis. The apparatus may be used to measure parameters of material being moved by a vehicle-mounted conveyor. A pink or white noise generator may be used for the frequency generating circuit.

Method and apparatus for measuring parameters of material

Method and apparatus measuring parameters of material

A central tire inflation system for a work vehicle is presented. The central tire inflation system controls the inflation pressure in the tires of a work vehicle. The central tire inflation system may be placed in an automatic or manual mode. In the automatic mode, the system makes changes to the tire pressures according to the tire parameters, terrain conditions, and the operating loads placed on the tires.

Automatic central tire inflation system

A method and apparatus for measuring at least one parameter including mass flow rate or moisture content of material moved by a conveyor are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of applying an electric field to the material using a non-intrusive sensor assembly, generating signals related to the dielectric value of the material, and processing the signals to determine the parameter. The apparatus includes a capaciflector sensor assembly located along a surface of the conveyor to generate an electric field applied to the material and a processing circuit to determine the parameter based upon the signals output from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first conductor spaced between a stationary member of the conveyor and the material, and a second conductor spaced between the first conductor and the stationary member to act as a shield for reducing parasitic capacitance between the first conductor and a reference plane. The first conductor forms a first electrode of a sensor capacitor and the material forms a second electrode, and the capacitance depends on the parameters of the material. A cover may be located between the sensor assembly and material. The processing circuit performs a frequency analysis over any number of frequencies to determine the mass flow rate, moisture content or type of material, and the conveyor's speed.

Method for measuring yield and moisture

A multi-dimensional strain sensor for measuring the strain forces on a drawbar or other load bearing member. The strain sensor is used in conjunction with a load bearing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a left surface and a right surface. The strain sensor has a four strain gauge pairs, each located on the top, bottom, right and left surfaces. The gauges are configured to output voltage relative to strain placed on them. The outputs from the four gauges are amplified. The outputs from the top and bottom gauges are then input to a differential amplifier in order to determine vertical load. The outputs from the right and left gauges are input to a differential amplifier to determine side load. The sum of the top and bottom gauges and the sum of the left and right gauges are input to a differential amplifier to determine draft load. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the gain amplifiers in order to zero the gauges.

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Pleasant Hill, IL, United States of America

Brian T Adams