GRAIN DRYING CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

A grain drying control system including a grain drying device, a plurality of sensors associated with the grain drying device and a computer. The computer controls the grain drying device based on the data transmitted from the sensors related to ambient conditions, grain temperature and moisture, and unload speed to achieve a desired grain moisture.

Claims

1. A grain drying control system, comprising: a grain drying device having a column with an input and discharge port and a discharge tube; a plurality of sensors positioned at least at the inlet port, within the column, and within the discharge tube; a computer connected to the plurality of sensors and the grain drying device that controls the operation of the grain drying device to dry grain to a desired moisture based upon data transmitted from the sensors to the computer;

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein a discharge auger is disposed within the discharge tube and at least one metering roll is disposed within the column adjacent the discharge port.

3. The control system where at least one of the plurality of sensors includes a modular interface fully encapsulated circuit board.

4. The control system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors measure grain moisture and temperature in the tube, grain moisture at input, grain temperature within the column, ambient temperature and humidity, and unload speed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an end sectional view of a grain drying control system; and

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a grain drying control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring to the figures, a grain drying control system 10 is used with a grain drying device 12. The grain drying device is of any type, and by way of example only, the grain drying device 12 has at least one conduit or column 14 having an inlet port 16 and an outlet port 18. The inlet port 16 has an inlet hopper 20 and an inlet grain feeding auger 22. The discharge port 18 has a discharge hopper 24 and a discharge auger 26. The lower end of column 14 has at least one metering roll 28. The discharge auger 26 extends through a discharge tube or conduit 29.

[0012] A plurality of sensors are positioned about the grain drying device 12. A first sensor 30 is positioned within an opening of the discharge tube 29. The sensor 30 is of any type and preferably the sensor includes a modular interface fully encapsulated circuit board such as the sensor disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 14/736,492 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0013] A second sensor 32 is positioned at the inlet port 16 of dryer 12 to measure the inlet moisture of the grain as the grain enters the dryer 12. The second sensor 32 can be the same type as the first sensor 30 or different.

[0014] A third sensor 34 is positioned within the column 14 to measure grain temperature within the column 14 and a fourth sensor 36 is positioned outside the dryer 12 to measure ambient temperature and humidity. Finally, a fifth sensor 38 is connected to the discharge auger 26 and/or the metering roll 28 to measure unload speed.

[0015] All sensors 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 are connected to a computer 40 having a processor 42, memory 44, and software 46. An input device 48 such as a touch screen is associated with the computer 40. The computer 40 is also operatively connected to the discharge auger and the metering roll 28.

[0016] In operation, a person enters a desired moisture content of dried grain using the input device 48. As grain is input into the dryer 12, the second sensor 32 transmits data to the computer 40 about the input moisture of the grain. The third and fourth sensors 34 and 36 transmit data to the computer 40 about the grain temperature in the column 14 and the ambient temperature and humidity.

[0017] The first sensor 30 transmits data to the computer 40 about the moisture and temperature of the grain in the discharge tube 26. Finally, the fifth sensor 38 transmits data to the computer 40 about the rotational speed of the discharge auger 26 and/or the meeting roll 28.

[0018] Based upon some or all of the transmitted data, the computer 40 sends a signal adjusting the rotational speed of the discharge auger 26 and/or the metering roll 28 so that the desired moisture content of the dried grain is obtained. Additionally, or alternatively, the computer 40 sends a signal to a modular valve 50 to adjust the temperature supplied to column 14.

[0019] Accordingly, a grain drying system has been disclosed that at the very least meets all the stated objectives.