Zellweger Uster, Inc.

T Vaughn Blalock

Hossein M Ghorashi

Michael E Galyon

An apparatus measures moisture content of cotton based upon rates of electrical charges flowing through the cotton. The apparatus includes a moisture sensor having first electrodes, second electrodes, and ground electrodes which are interdigitated between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus also includes a moisture content determination circuit that provides first electrical charges to the first electrodes, and second electrical charges to the second electrodes. The moisture content determination circuit determines the rate of electrical charge flowing from each of the first and second electrodes through the cotton to the ground electrodes, and determines the moisture content of the cotton based upon the rates of electrical charges flowing through the cotton. By thus applying first electrical charges to the first electrodes and second electrical charges to the second electrodes, the apparatus accurately measures the moisture content of the cotton over a wide range of moisture contents. This wide range is achieved by setting the first electrical charges on the first electrodes to a level which is optimal for moisture levels at the upper end of the desired measurement range, and by setting the second electrical charges on the second electrodes to a level which is optimal for moisture levels at the lower end of the desired measurement range.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

T Vaughn Blalock