BACKGROUND

[0001] Live or real-time yield monitoring during crop harvesting is known in the art. One type of commercially available yield monitor uses an impact-type mass flow sensor such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,343,761, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Although such monitors are generally capable of indicating the relative rate of mass flow in the combine during harvesting, they are known to be substantially inaccurate. As the interest and market investment in site-specific farming practices (e.g., variable rate planting and crop input applications) has increased, the need for accurate yield measurements (e.g., to generate accurate spatial yield maps by associating yield measurements with GPS-tracked locations) has become more significant.

[0002] As such, there is a need for apparatus, systems and methods of accurately measuring mass flow rate of grain while harvesting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a combine harvester.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a side elevation cutaway view of a clean grain elevator incorporating an embodiment of a yield sensor assembly and an embodiment of a paddle assembly.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a template.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the template of FIG. 3 engaging the clean grain elevator of FIG. 2.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a shim gauge.

[0008] FIG. 6 is another side elevation view of the shim gauge of FIG. 5.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a side elevation cutaway view of the shim gauge of FIG. 5 engaging the clean grain elevator of FIG. 2. [0010] FIG. 8 is a side elevation cutaway view of the clean grain elevator of FIG. 2 with the yield sensor assembly of FIG.2 installed using shims.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a side elevation cutaway view of the clean grain elevator of FIG. 2 with the yield sensor assembly of FIG. 2 installed using shims, with a paddle advanced to an uppermost position to illustrate a paddle clearance.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the yield sensor assembly of FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a process for creating an opening in a clean grain elevator.

[0014] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a process for installing a yield sensor assembly in an opening in a clean grain elevator.

DESCRIPTION

Combine and Yield Sensor

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a combine 300. As the operator in cab 312 drives the combine 300 through the field, the crop being harvested is drawn through the head 315 into the feeder house 316 where the grain is separated from the other harvested plant material. The separated grain is lifted by a clean grain elevator 40 housed within a clean grain elevator housing 30. The grain is then thrown into a collection area 318. Grain is then lifted from the collection area 318 by a fountain auger 350 and is discharged into a storage container incorporated in the combine such as a grain tank 320. The grain is subsequently conveyed by a cross-auger 322 to an unloading auger 330, which discharges the grain into a grain cart, wagon, truck or other vehicle for transporting for further processing or storage.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a grain elevator 40 housed within an elevator housing 30 of the combine 300. The elevator 40 comprises an elevator chain 42 driven about an upper sprocket 45 and a lower sprocket (not shown). A series of grain paddle assemblies 100 mounted to the chain 42 collect grain from a lower portion of the elevator 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the paddle assemblies 100 are mounted to the chain 42 by upper and lower brackets 46, 48. However, as described further below, in a preferred embodiment the brackets 46, 48 are preferably omitted such that the paddle assemblies are mounted directly to the chain. The paddle assemblies 100 each include a paddle 150 (FIG. 3) mounted to the paddle assembly via mounting holes 157 (FIG. 5). The paddles 150 carry the grain up the height of the elevator 40 and throw it toward the collection area 318 for transfer by the fountain auger 350 as discussed above. The center C of the upper sprocket 45 and the center of the lower sprocket (not shown) of the elevator 40 define an elevator plane Pe.

[0017] A yield sensor assembly 500 is preferably mounted to an upper portion of the elevator housing 30 as described herein. The yield sensor assembly 500 preferably comprises one of the embodiments disclosed in Applicant's co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522153, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/644367, U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/754948 ("the '948 application"), and/or International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/050341, all of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. The elevator 40 and its paddles may be as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/838130, incorporated herein by reference. As each paddle 150 travels around the top of the upper sprocket, grain is impelled by centrifugal force from the surface of the paddle and contacts a lower surface of the yield sensor assembly 500. The yield sensor assembly 500 is preferably configured to generate a signal related to the resulting force on the lower portion of the yield sensor assembly.

[0018] The lower surface of the yield sensor assembly 500 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The lower surface of the yield sensor assembly 500 preferably includes a pre-sensor portion 512 and a post- sensor portion 532, both of which comprise surfaces of a housing 510 of the yield sensor assembly 500. The lower surface of the yield sensor assembly 500 further includes a sensor surface 522 mounted for resilient upward displacement; upward displacement of the sensor surface 522 (resulting from forces imposed by grain released from each paddle 150) causes a change in the signal generated by the yield sensor assembly 500.

Yield Sensor Installation

[0019] With reference to FIG. 2, the yield sensor assembly 500 is illustrated installed in an opening in the housing 30. It should be appreciated that the accuracy of the yield sensor assembly 500 is related to the precise positioning of the opening. Referring to FIGs. 2 and 10, the position of the hole defines the longitudinal position (i.e., the position along the direction L) of the sensor surface 522 with respect to the elevator plane Pe; the leading edge of the sensor surface 522 is preferably adjacent to the elevator plane Pe and preferably substantially parallel to the elevator plane Pe. Thus a process 1 100 for creating a precisely positioned opening in the elevator housing 30 for installing the yield sensor assembly 500 is illustrated in FIG. 1 1. At step 1 105, the user preferably places a template on the top of the elevator housing 30. At step 1 1 10, the user preferably aligns the template with the elevator plane Pe.

[0020] Turning to FIGs. 3 and 4, an exemplary template 100 is illustrated. The template 100 preferably includes a guide block 1 10 having a notch 1 16 configured to engage an upper end of a side plate 32 of the elevator housing 30. An alignment fork 120 is preferably pivotally coupled to the guide block 1 10 at a pivot 1 18. The alignment fork 120 preferably includes rearward and forward tines 122-1 , 122-2 spaced to engage a portion of the upper sprocket 45 extending from the elevator housing 30. In carrying out step 1 1 10 of the process 1 100, the user preferably engages the notch 1 16 to the side plate 32, engages the alignment fork 120 to the upper sprocket 45, and adjusts the longitudinal position of the guide block 1 10 until an upper alignment tip 124 of the alignment fork is aligned with a feature (e.g., an alignment rib 1 14) of the guide block. Once the rib 1 14 and the tip 124 are aligned, the rib 1 14 is positioned along the elevator plane Pe. With the guide block 1 10 in the aligned position, the user preferably secures the guide block in position, e.g., using a set screw (not shown). It should be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, the elevator plane Pe is vertical and the pivot 1 18 is located vertically below the rib 1 14. In embodiments in which the elevator plane Pe is not vertical, the pivot 1 18 is preferably located below the rib 1 14 and longitudinally offset from the pivot.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1 1 , at step 1 1 15 the user preferably places cutting guide markings in the housing using the guide block 1 10 in the position established at step 1 1 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the user preferably sequentially inserts a punch in alignment holes 1 12-1 through 1 12-5 and places an indentation in the housing 30 at each hole 1 12. The user preferably taps threaded holes through the housing 30 the locations corresponding to alignment holes 1 12-1 , 1 12-2, 1 12-3. Returning to FIG. 1 1 , at step 1 120, the user preferably cuts an opening in the housing 30 referenced to the cutting guide markings. For example, in some embodiments the user places an adhesive decal (not shown) having holes corresponding to the locations of alignment holes 112 onto the elevator housing 30. The decal preferably includes a cutting pattern used to guide the user in cutting an opening in the elevator housing.

[0022] Turning to FIG. 12, a process 1200 for installing the yield sensor assembly 500 in the elevator housing is illustrated. At step 1205, the user preferably advances the elevator 40 such that a paddle 150 is positioned beneath the elevator housing opening created in process 1100. At step 1210, the user preferably places a shim gauge in contact with the paddle 150 and the housing 30. Turning to FIGs. 5-7, an exemplary shim guide 400 is illustrated. The shim guide 400 preferably includes a tab 475 sized to be inserted in the hole drilled in the process 1100 and corresponding to the hole 112-3 in the guide block 110. When inserted in the opening in the elevator housing 30, a rear portion 467 preferably contacts a portion of the housing 30 rearward of the opening and a lower arc 490 preferably contacts the paddle 150. The user preferably adjusts the vertical position of the gauge 400 until the paddle 150 remains in contact with the arc 490 as the paddle is advanced around the elevator path. Once the gauge 400 is in the desired position, the user preferably rotates guide arms 410, 420 until their extremities 412, 422, respectively, contact the housing 30. The user then secures the guide arms 410, 420 in place using wing nuts 417, 427, respectively.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 12, at step 1215 the user preferably uses the shim gauge 400 to determine a desired number of shims to place forward and rearward of the opening in the housing 30. Referring to FIGs. 5-7, the shim gauge 400 is preferably configured such that the desired number of shims may be fit in gaps 473, 463 between the extremities 412, 422, respectively, and tabs 470, 460, respectively, of the guide arms 410, 420 after step 1210 is carried out as described above.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 12, at step 1220 the user preferably places the desired number of shims forward and rearward of the housing opening and installs the yield sensor assembly 500d.

Referring to FIGs. 8 and 10, the user has placed the desired stack of shims 80 and used holes 562 (corresponding to holes 112 in the template block and the holes drilled in the housing therewith) to secure (e.g., screw) a forward lip 550 of a housing 510 of the yield sensor assembly to the elevator housing 30. Additional holes are preferably tapped in the elevator housing 30 corresponding to holes 542 in a rearward lip 540 of the yield sensor housing 510; the holes 542 are preferably used to secure (e.g., screw) the rearward lip 540 to the elevator housing 530.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 9, the shim gauge 400 is preferably configured such that when the paddle 150 is at its uppermost position a clearance D between the paddle 150 and the sensor surface 522 is preferably approximately 1 inch, e.g., between .925 and 1.0125 inches.

[0026] As used herein, the term "user" may refer to any individual installing a yield sensor assembly to the elevator housing or creating corresponding openings in the elevator housing. Thus "user" may refer to, without limitation, an end user, a dealer, an on-site installation technician, or a manufacturing or assembly technician.

[0027] The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.