Deere + Company

Dickey-john Corporation

Bunn-o-matic Corporation

Agmed Inc.

Perten Instruments North America, Inc.

Perten Instruments Inc.

Conductivity Diagnostics Research

Robert C Funk

James Joseph Phelan

Gerald Eric Rains

Andrzej Kozicki

Zachary W Slavens

Wesley J Bachman

Kevin G Lowe

Jan Perten

David S Reed

Bo Allvin

Kenneth A Sudduth

John W Hummel

A method of measuring viscous and elastic properties of a gluten-containing substance includes: bringing the gluten-containing substance into a powder, adding a predetermined amount of aqueous liquid to a predetermined amount of the powder, kneading the powder and liquid to a dough to develop the viscoelastic character of the gluten in the dough- and extracting viscoelastic gluten from the dough by rinsing with the liquid. The method further includes:

Method of and apparatus for measuring viscous and elastic properties of a gluten-containing substance

A grain moisture sensing system having an excitation signal source for producing an excitation signal. A sensor cell having a driven plate and a sense plate that applies to the excitation signal for captive measurement between the driven plate and the sense plate to produce a current at the sense plate. Connected to the excitation source is a first synchronous detector and connected to the sense plate is a second synchronous detector.

Multiple frequency grain moisture sensor for combines

A grain moisture sensor having a sensor cell that includes a driven plate, a sense plate proximate to and substantially parallel with the driven plate for capacitive measurement across a spacing between the driven plate and the sense plate, and a fill plate adjacent the sense plate and substantially parallel with the driven plate for sensing whether the spacing is filled with grain. The grain moisture sensor provides for measuring real and imaginary components of an excitation voltage applied to the driven plate, measuring real and imaginary components of a sense current sensed at the sense plate, calculating a complex admittance of the cell, calculating a complex admittance of a reference admittance, and calculating a grain complex permittivity.

A grain moisture sensor is disclosed having a sensor cell that includes a driven plate, a sense plate proximate to and substantially parallel with the driven plate for capacitive measurement across a spacing between the driven plate and the sense plate, and a fill plate adjacent the sense plate and substantially parallel with the driven plate for sensing whether the spacing is filled with grain. Optionally, the sensor cell includes a guard proximate to the parallel to the sense plate such that the sense plate is between the driven plate and the guard. The grain moisture sensor provides for measuring real and imaginary components of an excitation voltage applied to the driven plate, measuring real and imaginary components of a sense current sensed at the sense plate, calculating a complex admittance of the cell, calculating a complex admittance of a reference admittance, and calculating a grain complex permittivity.

A peristaltic pump for pumping a liquid, such as a juice concentrate, includes a rotor assembly attached to a housing, a band attached to the housing and surrounding at least a portion of the rotor assembly A tube is positionable between the band and the rotor assembly. The position of the band can be adjusted relative to the rotor assembly to adjust the pressure applied to the tube by the band and the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes rollers therein for pumping concentrate from a reservoir by drawing a vacuum.

Pump

The present invention relates to the system, apparatus, and method for controllably mixing a concentrate with a dilution substance using closed-loop feedback in order to improve the resultant substance. The present invention discloses a system, apparatus and method for sensing the conductivity of a diluted substance to provide feedback information for adjusting dispensing of a concentrate used to produce the resultant or diluted substance. The present invention also includes a system for dispensing beverages using the conductivity sensor such that the system controllably adjusts the dispensing of concentrate to maintain the resultant beverage within a desired concentration range based on conductivity sensing. The present invention also includes the method for sensing the conductivity of the resultant beverage and adjusting the dispensing of concentrate in response to the conductivity of the resultant beverage. The invention includes a conductivity sensor coupled to a dispensing portion downstream of the introduction of concentrate into the dilution liquid. The conductivity of the resultant mixed beverage is measured and the dispensing of the coffee concentrate is adjusted to maintain the resultant beverage within a desired conductivity range.

Conductance based control system and method

A sample holding apparatus (20) and method for use with an optical analyzing assembly (10) for irradiating a sample (33) with light energy. The sample holder apparatus (20) comprises a sample container (30) having a downwardly facing container opening (44), and a partition (32) movably positioned over the opening (44). A container support (24) is positioned adjacent the partition (32) and includes a surface (26) having an analyzing window (28) for transmitting the light energy therethrough. The container (30) is movably mounted to a transport mechanism (36) which permits the partition (32) to slidably retract from a closed position, across the opening (44), to an open position as the container (30) is urged onto the support surface (26). Consequently, the sample (33) contained in the container (30) is exposed and drawn into direct contact with the analyzing window (28). The wall members (38) of the container (30) retain the particulates of the sample (33) in substantially a same position during the relative movement.

Sample holding and positioning mechanism and method for optical analysis

A soil test apparatus for field use comprises structure adapting the apparatus for transport over a field for testing the soil thereof; an infrared radiation generator for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, an elongate light carrying member coupled to the infrared radiation generator and extending therefrom for directing infrared radiation onto the soil; and a light detector for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the soil and for producing corresponding electrical signals.

Soil test apparatus

A test apparatus for determining a given property, by weight, such as moisture content, of a material such as a grain or the like, comprises a chamber for receiving a sample of material to be tested, having an open top portion through which the material may be introduced therein for testing. An electrical circuit is operatively coupled with the chamber for producing an electrical measurement signal corresponding to the property to be determined and an indicator provides an observable indication of the given property of material in accordance with the corresponding electrical measurement signals. A measurement initiating control in responsive to the accumulation of a predetermined measurement weight of material in the chamber for initiating the operation of the circuit. A further warning control is responsive to the weight of material in the chamber reaching a second, predetermined warning weight slightly less than the predetermined measurement weight for producing a warning signal. The indicator is responsive to the warning signal for producing a warning indication for alerting the operator to introduce material into the chamber more slowly to thereby reduce the inertia of material entering the chamber as the measurement weight is approached, to facilitate accuracy of the determination of the given property of material, by weight.

Weight responsive moisture tester

Apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity of a subject comprises a coil for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within a predetermined volume and a transport assembly for causing relative movement between the subject and the predetermined volume so as to move at least portions of the subject into and out of the volume. A measuring circuit is coupled with the coil for measuring the electrical conductivity thereacross and a control circuit causes the measuring circuit to measure the electrical conductivity across the coil a plurality of times during movement of the subject relative to the volume so as to obtain a plurality of measurements of the electrical conductivity across the coil with different portions of the subject within the volume. A method for measuring the electrical conductivity of a subject comprises producing a substantially uniform magnetic field within a predetermined volume; causing relative movement between said subject and said predetermined volume so as to move at least portions of said subject into and out of said volume; measuring the electrical conductivity across said magnetic field a plurality of times during movement of said subject relative to said volume so as to obtain a plurality of measurements of the electrical conductivity across said magnetic field with different portions of said subject within said volume.

Method and apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity of a

A monitoring apparatus for a vehicle such as a tractor comprises a console including controls and a control circuit for calculating wheel slippage of at least one drive wheel of the vehicle and responsive to engine RPM of the vehicle and to the rotational speed of the drive wheel for calculating a predetermined relationship therebetween. The control circuit is also responsive to actuation of the controls for setting the calculated relationship equal to a predetermined reference value when there is substantially no load on the vehicle, and hence minimum slippage of the drive wheel, in each of a plurality of ranges of gear ratios of the vehicle, thereby calibrating the control circuit to calculate wheel slippage for each of these ranges of gear ratios. The console also mounts an observable indicator and the control circuit also calculates other variables such as vehicle speed and engine RPM and actuates the observable indicator when the calculated values deviate from preselected values.

Tractor data center

An automatic control system for a vehicular liquid sprayer includes a control circuit for receiving a liquid pressure signal and a vehicle ground speed signal and operator accessible controls for delivering to the control circuit signals corresponding to a desired application rate, to the number of nozzles associated with the vehicular liquid sprayer and to the nozzle spacing. The operator may vary the input signal corresponding to desired application rate plus or minus a given percentage to compensate for tolerances in the liquid sprayer system. The control circuit calculates the liquid pressure necessary to achieve the desire application rate and the difference between this desire liquid pressure and the measured liquid pressure and produces control signals corresponding to this difference. A duty cycle control circuit converts these control signals to a cyclical control signal for driving a motor-driven flow control valve. The duty cycle of this cyclical control signal varies in proportion to the magnitude of the pressure difference. This duty cycle controlled signal is automatically modified to overcome inertia and motor lag time in a motor driven flow control valve, and to shut off the valve at a given minimum operating pressure.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, IL, United States of America

Robert C Funk