Harvester control

Abstract

A control system for a grain harvester. The control system monitors the output of a grain sensor and uses the monitored value to actuate one or more relays having different energization levels. As each relay is actuated it completes a circuit, which is used to modify power that is fed into a control mechanism and which is used to control an operational parameter of the harvester. Depending upon the monitored value of the sensor, the control system will modify the power that supplies a control mechanism that is used to control an operational parameter of the harvester, such as the groundspeed. If the output from the sensor is less that a predetermined threshold, the harvester will operate normally. If the output of the sensor is above a first threshold, the control system will modify the supply voltage. If the output of the sensor is greater than a second threshold, the control system will modify the supply voltage accordingly, and so forth. If the output of the sensor is greater than a maximum upper threshold, the control system will actuate an alarm so that the operator of the harvester may take corrective action.

1 . A control system suitable for use with a grain harvester of the type having a sensor for detecting an operational parameter of the grain harvester, the controller comprising: 
 a relay, the relay configured to be actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the relay, when actuated, configured to allow a voltage to be communicated to a control mechanism of the harvester;    whereby the control system is able to adjust the operating parameter of the harvester in response to the signal from the sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating parameter is the speed of the harvester relative to the ground.  
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a transducer.  
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second relay, the second relay configured to be actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the second relay, when actuated, configured to allow a voltage to be communicated to a control mechanism of the harvester; 
 whereby the control system is able to adjust the operating parameter of the harvester by a second predetermined amount in response to the signal from the sensor.    
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second relays are connected to each other in parallel.  
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the operating parameter is the speed of the harvester relative to the ground.  
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm arrangement, the alarm arrangement configured to be actuated when the signal of the sensor exceeds an upper threshold.  
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 7 , wherein the alarm arrangement comprises an audible indicator.  
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 7 , wherein the alarm arrangement comprises a visual indicator.  
     
     
         10 . A control system suitable for use with a grain harvester of the type having a sensor for detecting an operational parameter of the grain harvester, the controller comprising: 
 a relay arrangement, the relay arrangement configured to be actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the relay arrangement, when actuated, configured to allow a voltage to be communicated to a control mechanism of the harvester; whereby the control system is able to adjust the operating parameter of the harvester in response to the signal from the sensor.    
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 10 , wherein the relay arrangement is capable of forming a circuit, the circuit communicating the voltage to the control mechanism of the harvester.  
     
     
         12 . The control system of  claim 10 , wherein the relay arrangement is capable of forming at least two circuit, with the two circuits communicating different voltages to the control mechanism of the harvester.  
     
     
         13 . The control system of  claim 12 , wherein the two circuits are connected to each other in parallel.  
     
     
         14 . The control system of  claim 10 , further comprising an alarm arrangement, the alarm arrangement configured to be actuated when the signal of the sensor exceeds an upper threshold.  
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling a grain harvester of the type having a sensor that detects an operational parameter of the harvester, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) monitoring the output of the sensor;    b) actuating a relay when the sensor output reaches a threshold level to communicate a control signal to a control mechanism; and,    c) modifying the control signal before it reaches the control mechanism,    whereby the operating parameter of the harvester may be adjusted by the sensor output.    
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a grain harvester of the type having a sensor that detects an operational parameter of the harvester, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) monitoring the output of the sensor;    b) actuating a first relay when the sensor output reaches a threshold level;    c) actuating a second relay when the sensor output reaches a second threshold level, the first and second relays forming a circuit; and,    c) using the circuit to communicate a voltage to the control mechanism, whereby an operating parameter of the harvester may be adjusted by the sensor output.    
     
     
         17 . A harvester control system comprising: 
 a sensor configured and arranged to monitor a first operational parameter of a grain harvester;    a relay, configured to be actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensor, the relay, when actuated, configured to allow a voltage to be communicated to a control mechanism, with the control system configured and arranged to be able to adjust a second operational parameter of the harvester;    whereby the second operational parameter of the harvester may be adjusted by the first operational parameter.    
     
     
         18 . The harvester control system of  claim 17  whereby the first operational parameter is the motion of grain past the sensor.  
     
     
         19 . The harvester control system of  claim 17  where the second operational parameter is the ground speed of the harvester.