Target for grain tank level sensor integrated into the grain tank

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12279555-B2
Application number	US-202117467952-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2021
Priority date	Sep 7, 2021
Publication date	Apr 22, 2025
Grant date	Apr 22, 2025

Abstract

An embodiment includes a system for sensing harvested grain levels within an agricultural harvester. The system including a grain tank configured to receive harvested grain, a sensor configured to emit a sensor beam into the grain tank for reflection off of the top surface of the harvested grain, and a reflective target integrated into a bottom surface of the grain tank at a minimum detectable grain level within the grain tank. The bottom surface of the grain tank being angled towards the sensor, the minimum detectable grain level being defined by a minimum grain level within the grain tank at which the top surface of the harvested grain is contacted by the sensor beam, and the reflective target being configured to reflect the sensor beam when the current grain level is vertically below the minimum detectable grain level.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system for sensing harvested grain levels within an agricultural harvester, the system comprising:
a grain tank extending vertically between a top end and a bottom end, the grain tank being configured to receive harvested grain, a current grain level of the harvested grain being defined by a top surface of the harvested grain within the grain tank;
a sensor configured to emit a sensor beam into the grain tank for reflection off of the top surface of the harvested grain; and
a reflective target stamped, mechanically fixed, fastened or welded to a bottom surface of the grain tank at a minimum detectable grain level within the grain tank, the bottom surface of the grain tank being angled towards the sensor, the minimum detectable grain level being defined by a minimum grain level within the grain tank at which the top surface of the harvested grain is contacted by the sensor beam, and the reflective target being configured to reflect the sensor beam when the current grain level is vertically below the minimum detectable grain level.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reflective target has a convex shape.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reflective target is stamped into a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the panel is a floor panel or auger cover in the grain tank.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reflective target is welded or fixed with fasteners to a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the panel below the reflective target is cutout from the panel, the reflective target covering the cutout.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is part of an agricultural harvester.

8. An agricultural harvester, comprising:
a harvesting implement;
a threshing and separating assembly configured to thresh and separate the harvested grain provided by the harvesting implement;
a grain tank extending vertically between a top end and a bottom end, the grain tank being configured to receive the harvested grain from the threshing and separating assembly;
a sensor configured to emit a sensor beam into the grain tank for reflection off of a top surface of the harvested grain, a current grain level being defined by the top surface of the harvested grain within the grain tank; and
a reflective target stamped, mechanically fixed, fastened or welded to a bottom surface of the grain tank at a minimum detectable grain level within the grain tank, the bottom surface of the grain tank being angled towards the sensor, the minimum detectable grain level being defined by a minimum grain level within the grain tank at which the top surface of the harvested grain is contacted by the sensor beam, and the reflective target being configured to reflect the sensor beam when the current grain level is vertically below the minimum detectable grain level.

9. The agricultural harvester of claim 8 , wherein the reflective target has a convex shape.

10. The agricultural harvester of claim 8 , wherein the reflective target is stamped into a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

11. The agricultural harvester of claim 10 , wherein the panel is a floor panel or auger cover in the grain tank.

12. The agricultural harvester of claim 8 , wherein the reflective target is welded or fixed with fasteners to a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

13. The agricultural harvester of claim 12 , wherein a portion of the panel below the reflective target is cutout from the panel, the reflective target covering the cutout.

14. The agricultural harvester of claim 8 , wherein the grain tank extends longitudinally between a forward end and an aft end, the forward and aft ends being defined relative a forward direction of travel of the agricultural harvester, the sensor being positioned at or adjacent to the aft end of the grain tank.

15. A method for sensing harvested grain levels within an agricultural harvester having a grain tank extending vertically between a top end and a bottom end, a sensor, and a reflective target stamped, mechanically fixed, fastened or welded to a bottom surface of the grain tank at a minimum detectable grain level within the grain tank, the bottom surface of the grain tank being angled towards the sensor, the method comprising:
emitting, by the sensor, a sensor beam into the grain tank towards the reflective target;
reflecting, by the reflective target, the sensor beam when the current grain level is vertically below the minimum detectable grain level; and
receiving, by the sensor, the reflected sensor beam.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reflective target has a convex shape.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reflective target is stamped into a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the panel is a floor panel or auger cover in the grain tank.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reflective target is welded or fixed with fasteners to a panel that defines the bottom surface of the grain tank.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein a portion of the panel below the reflective target is cutout from the panel, the reflective target covering the cutout.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Becker Justin
• Dilts Mark D
• Minnich Michael
• Banks Jr Clayton E
• Yoder Denver R

Classifications

• G01F23/296

  Acoustic waves · CPC title

• G01F23/804

  containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level · CPC title

• G01F23/2962

  Measuring transit time of reflected waves · CPC title

• A01D41/1275 Primary

  for the level of grain in grain tanks · CPC title