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    • 专利摘要:
    een verband tussen de temperatuursverdeling en het Fia6 aandeel van de korrelfractie en/of de niet-graanfractie in het graan- & niet-graanmengsel. De uitvinding heeft ook betrekking op een toestel voor het analyseren van de samenstelling van een mengsel van graan en materiaal dat geen graan is dat een korrelfractie bevat en een fractie materiaal dat geen graan is. The invention relates to a method for analyzing the composition of a grain and non-grain mixture (1) containing a grain fraction and a non-grain fraction, the method comprising the steps of: - receiving a grain & non-grain mixture, - subjecting at a thermal excitation site a sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture to a thermal excitation using a thermal excitation device, - generating a thermographic image at an imaging site with at least a surface area of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture subjected to thermal excitation, - processing of the thermographic image and thereby obtaining data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image, - laying of a relationship between the temperature distribution and the Fia6 proportion of the grain fraction and / or the non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture. The invention also relates to an apparatus for analyzing the composition of a mixture of grain and material that is not a grain containing a grain fraction and a fraction of material that is not a grain.
    公开号:BE1022897B1
    申请号:E2015/5517
    申请日:2015-08-19
    公开日:2016-10-07
    发明作者:Karlien D'huys；Bart M.A MISSOTTEN；Bart Lenaerts
    申请人:Cnh Industrial Belgium Nv；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Device for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture
    The invention relates to a method for determining the composition of a mixture of grain and material that is not grain. The invention also relates to an apparatus for analyzing the composition of a mixture of grain and material that is not grain (1) containing a grain fraction and a fraction of material that is not grain.
    In the sector, the English abbreviation MOG (for Material Otherthan Grain) is used to refer to material that is not grain. To make the Dutch text lighter, we shorten "non-grain material" to "non-grain".
    Harvesting machines for use in agriculture, hereinafter referred to simply as "harvesting machines", contain a processing device comprising a threshing unit. Harvested crop is supplied to the processing device in a raw form, whereby stems may still be present and grain may still be present in the ears. The threshing unit separates cereal grains from other parts of the plant, such as stems, ears, skins and the like. The threshed grain leaves the processing device to be transported to a storage facility, such as a grain tank. The separated non-grain is discharged from the harvesting machine. In addition, the processor often includes one or more sieves to improve the separation between cereal grains and non-grain, with the aim of transporting a small amount of chaff and other unwanted material to the grain tank together with the threshed grain.
    The effectiveness and efficiency of threshing are not easy to ascertain as they depend on many variables and are difficult to measure.
    Patent US2009 / 0297040 discloses a method and a device for distinguishing between crop particles. This device and this method can be used to determine how much chaff is present in the grain & non-grain mixture that moves from the processing device to the grain tank. If too much chaff is present, some processing parameters of the processing device will probably have to be reset.
    Patent US2009 / 0297040 proposes an optical method to distinguish the grain from chaff. The method is based on the difference in reflectivity of cereal grains and chaff.
    It is the object of the invention to provide a method for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture, in particular for the proportion of the grain fraction in a grain & determine the non-grain mixture.
    This object is achieved by a method for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture consisting of a grain fraction and a non-grain fraction, the method comprising the steps of: - receiving a grain & non-grain mixture, - subjecting a sampled volume of the grain & at a thermal excitation site. non-grain mixture to a thermal excitation using a thermal excitation device, - generating a thermographic image at an imaging site with at least a surface area of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture that has been subjected to the thermal excitation, - processing of the thermographic image and thereby obtaining data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image, - establishing a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the grain fraction and / or the non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture.
    The grain & non-grain mixture contains grains and other material. Other material in the grain & non-grain mixture is, for example, chaff. Other plant materials such as spikes and fragments of stems or leaves may also occur, but generally speaking, the grain & non-grain mixture mainly consist of cereal grains and chaff.
    A special component that can be present in the grain & non-grain mixture, are the "whitecaps". A "whitecap" is a piece of chaff that still contains a grain. This is because in the threshing process the grain is separated from the ear, but the separation between grain and chaff did not take place.
    With many well-known techniques for separating grain and non-grain such as chaff, whitecaps cannot be properly detected. For example, with the method disclosed in patent US2009 / 0297040, whitecaps will be seen as chaff, because of the reflectivity of the chaff portion that still sits around the core of the whitecap.
    In accordance with the invention, a sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture analyzed to determine the proportion of grains in the mixture.
    Grains and materials other than cereal grains, for example chaff, have a different heat capacity. With a certain supply of thermal energy, the temperature change of a grain is different from the temperature change of, for example, a chaff particle. Generally speaking, a chaff particle will heat up faster than a grain.
    This principle is used to distinguish between grains and non-grain in the grain & non-grain mixture.
    In accordance with the invention, after receiving a grain & non-grain mixture, a sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture is subjected to a thermal excitation, the sampled volume is, for example, heated or cooled. Since, for example, heat is always to a certain extent in the grain & non-grain mixture will penetrate, a volume of the grain & non-grain mixture must be subjected to thermal excitation. The sampled volume can be a part of the grain & non-grain mixture, or the complete mixture of grain and non-grain.
    The thermal excitation takes place at a thermal excitation site.
    The thermal excitation takes place with the aid of a thermal excitation device, which can for instance also be a heating device, or a cooling device or a combined heating and cooling device. Alternatively, other types of heat sources are used, such as induction or microwaves. The thermal excitation device optionally includes a heat energy source, which is, for example, in the form of a point, a line or an area.
    By thermal excitation of the grain & non-grain mix, temperature differences are created between grains and non-grain.
    As a subsequent step in the method according to the invention, a thermographic image is generated of at least one surface of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture that has been subjected to thermal excitation. This thermographic image is generated at an imaging site. The imaging site may differ from the thermal excitation site or may be the same as the thermal excitation site. The temperature difference between the grains and the non-grain resulting from the thermal excitation will be recorded on the thermographic image that is generated.
    A subsequent step in the method according to the invention is the processing of the thermographic image and, as a result thereof, the acquisition of data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image. In this step, data indicating the relationship between the local temperature differences in the sampled volume from which an image was made becomes available.
    A relationship is then made between the temperature distribution in the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture and the fraction of the grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture. This is achieved, for example, by obtaining the percentage of the total surface area of the thermographic image that has a temperature that generally corresponds to the temperature that can be expected for the granules in view of the amount of thermal energy transferred during thermal excitation.
    Optionally, between the temperature distribution in the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture in addition or alternatively made a link with the share of the non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture. This is achieved, for example, by obtaining the percentage of the total area of the thermographic image that has a temperature that generally corresponds to the temperature that can be expected for the granules in view of the amount of transferred thermal energy in the thermal excitation.
    The method according to the invention provides an elegant and efficient way to reduce the proportion of grains and / or non-grain in a grain & determine the non-grain mixture.
    In a possible embodiment, multiple consecutive thermographic images are generated from at least one surface of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture that has been subjected to thermal excitation. This makes it possible to take into account the temperature profile of the grain fraction and / or of the non-grain fraction in response to the thermal excitation when a distinction is made between the grains and the non-grain. This increases the accuracy and reliability of the analysis, since grains and non-grains exhibit a different temperature profile in response to thermal excitation.
    As already mentioned, in a possible embodiment, the imaging site and the thermal excitation site coincide, i.e., the imaging site is the same as the thermal excitation site. Optionally, the thermal excitation and the thermographic imaging in such an embodiment take place simultaneously.
    In a possible embodiment, the grain & non-grain mixture along a grain & non-grain mixture. In this embodiment, the thermal excitation site and the imaging site along the grain & non-grain mixture. They can be in the same place or in different places. If the thermal excitation site and the imaging site are different, the imaging site can be directly downstream of the thermal excitation site (viewed in the direction of the grain & non-grain mix transport along the grain & non-grain mix path) or the thermal excitation site and the imaging site may be spaced a certain distance apart.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation is carried out in a modulated manner, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave, or in the form of a step.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermographic image is obtained by (taking continuous measurements e.g. by scanning along a line, e.g. in a transverse direction to the path of the grain & non-grain mixture in embodiments in which the grain & amp non-grain mixture is moved along a path of the grain & non-grain mixture or by taking a thermographic image of an area of the grain & non-grain mixture.
    In a possible embodiment, multiple thermographic images are recorded, e.g., at intervals.
    Scanning along a line in a transverse direction relative to the grain & non-grain mixture can alternatively optionally be done at intervals.
    In a possible embodiment, an ambient temperature is present in the vicinity of the grain & non-grain mixture, and is due to the thermal excitation in the sampled volume that it obtains a surface temperature that differs from the ambient temperature. In this embodiment, the surface temperature of the sampled volume changes or may change to the ambient temperature during the time between the thermal excitation and the generation of the thermographic image, e.g., during the transfer from the thermal excitation site to the imaging site.
    For example, in an example of this embodiment, the sampled volume is heated during the thermal excitation, and then allowed to cool slightly before taking the thermographic image. Because of the mutual difference in heat capacity of grains and non-grain, they not only heat up at a mutually different speed, but they also cool down at a mutually different speed. Depending on the exact curves of the temperature changes over time with a certain heat supply and difference with the ambient temperature, it is possible that at a certain point in time the difference between the expected temperature of the pellets and that of the non grain, in particular from the chaff, is larger during the cooling period than during the heating period. It is advantageous to generate the thermographic image when the expected temperature difference between the grains and the non-grain is greatest, because then the best distinction can be made between the two.
    Of course, a similar situation can occur if the sampled volume is cooled during the thermal excitation and allowed to warm up a little before taking the thermographic image.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation is accompanied by heating the sampled volume, and uses at least one of the following heat sources: air with an elevated temperature, a halogen heat source, an infrared heating source, an inductive heat source, an electrical resistance heat source , microwaves, or frictional heat eg induced by vibrations to which the sampled volume is subjected.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation is accompanied by cooling of the sampled volume, by using at least one of the following cold sources: air at a lower temperature or a Peltier element.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation is accompanied by both cooling and heating of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermographic image is generated by using reflection. In an alternative embodiment, the thermographic image is generated by making use of transmission. In an alternative embodiment, the thermographic image is made by using reflection and transmission.
    In a possible embodiment, the grain & non-grain mixture further comprises a kaffraction, and the method further comprises the step of establishing a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the kaffraction in the grain & non-grain mixture.
    In this embodiment, this is done, for example, by obtaining the percentage of the total area of the thermographic image that has a temperature that generally corresponds to the temperature that - given the amount of transferred thermal energy in the thermal excitation - can be expected for the chaff . Thus, in this embodiment, the proportion of the grain fraction and the proportion of the kaffration in the total sample of the grain & non-grain mix obtained independently of each other.
    In a possible embodiment, the grain fraction contains a clean grain subfraction and a wMecaps subfraction, and the proportion of the wMecaps subfraction is determined based on a combination of thermal and optical imaging.
    The heat capacity of clean grains that are no longer encapsulated in chaff and the heat capacity of whitecaps are very similar, which makes them difficult to distinguish by, for example, using a thermal method such as that of the invention; on a thermographic image, clean grains and whitecaps will generally look the same.
    On the other hand, whitecaps, with optical methods such as those described in patent US2009 / 0297040, will generally also look like chaff, since a whitecap has chaff material on its outside.
    By combining the method according to the invention and an optical method, e.g. the optical method of patent US2009 / 0297040, the proportion of the whitecaps in the grain & non-grain mixture. In the thermal method according to the invention, the proportion of the whitecaps subtraction will be included in the result for the proportion of the complete grain fraction. In the result of the optical method, the proportion of the wft / fecaps subfraction will be included in the proportion of the kaff fraction.
    For example, if the thermal method gives a result of 97% grain fraction and 3% kaff fraction, and the optical method gives a result of 95% grain fraction and 5% kaff fraction, the wb / fecaps subfraction will be 2%.
    In a variant, the thermal method in this embodiment further comprises the step of establishing a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the kaff fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture, so that the proportion of the grain fraction and the proportion of the kaff fraction in the total sample of the grain & non-grain mix can be obtained independently of each other by thermographic imaging.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal energy is transferred in a modulated manner during the thermal excitation by the thermal excitation device to the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave, or in the form of a step.
    The invention further relates to an apparatus for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture. The device according to the invention comprises a sensor for detecting the composition of the grain & determine the non-grain mixture. The sensor for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture of the harvesting machine according to the invention consists of: - a thermal excitation device, which is arranged at a thermal excitation site and is capable of a sampled volume of the grain & subjecting a non-grain mixture to a thermal excitation, - a thermographic imaging device capable of generating a thermographic image of at least one surface of the sampled volume of the grain & at an imaging site. non-grain mixture subjected to the thermal excitation, - an image processing device capable of processing the thermographic image obtained by the thermographic imaging device to obtain data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image, and to establish a relationship lay between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the grain fraction and / or a non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermographic imaging device is capable of generating a plurality of subsequent thermographic images from at least one surface of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture that has been subjected to thermal excitation.
    In a possible embodiment, the sensor for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mix multiple thermographic imaging devices.
    In a possible embodiment, the imaging site and the thermal excitation site coincide.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation device is capable of transferring the thermal energy during the thermal excitation of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture in a modular manner, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave, or in the form of a step.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermographic imaging device is able to obtain the thermographic image by continuous measurements, e.g., by scanning along a line, e.g., in a transverse direction relative to a grain & non-grain mixture, or by taking a thermographic image of an area of the grain & non-grain mix that passes through.
    The thermographic imaging device is, for example, a thermal line scanner or a thermographic camera.
    In a possible embodiment, multiple thermographic images are made, e.g. periodically.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation device and the thermographic imaging device are arranged along a path of a grain & non-grain mixture.
    Optionally, the thermographic imaging device is disposed at a certain distance and downstream of the thermal excitation device, viewed in the conveying direction of the grain & non-grain mixture along a grain & non-grain mixture.
    In a possible embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises an optical imaging device. Optionally, the optical imaging device is an optical imaging device in accordance with patent US2009 / 0297040.
    Optionally, the image processing apparatus is able to process data from the thermographic imaging apparatus and from the optical imaging apparatus and to process this data in a combined manner to determine the proportion of a whitecaps subfraction in the grain fraction.
    In a possible embodiment, the thermal excitation device comprises at least one source, ie at least one halogen heat source, an infrared heating source, an inductive heat source, an electrical resistance heat source, a microwave source, a friction heat generator, a Peltier element or a source with air at a lower temperature .
    In a possible embodiment the device according to the invention is arranged on a grain storage facility.
    The invention further relates to a harvesting machine, consisting of - a crop inlet, - a processing device capable of receiving the harvested crop from the crop inlet, said processing device comprising a threshing unit, an outlet for the grain & non-grain mixture and a waste outlet where the processing device is able to thresh the harvested crop to obtain a mixture of grain and non-grain containing a grain fraction, - a grain tank capable of accommodating the grain & non-grain mixture, the grain tank having a grain tank inlet, - a grain conveyor assembly extending between the grain & non-grain mixture and the grain tank inlet along a path followed by the grain & non-grain mixture, which is capable of mixing the grain & to transport non-grain mixture from the outlet for the grain & non-grain mixture to the grain tank inlet along the grain & non-grain mixture, - a device for analyzing the composition of grain & non-grain mixture according to the invention.
    The harvesting machine is optionally a combine harvester.
    Optionally the harvesting machine is a thirst device, either mobile or stationary.
    The method according to the invention can advantageously be applied in a harvesting machine which comprises a threshing unit and optionally a sieve provision and / or another separation device that is capable of separating grains from loose chaff. By the grain & to check non-grain mixture leaving the threshing unit and / or sieve using the method of the invention, the threshing performance and / or sieve performance can be measured and / or checked. Optionally, the results of the measurements and / or controls obtained by the method according to the invention can be used to control threshing and / or screening.
    In a possible embodiment, the grain transport assembly includes a grain elevator, optionally including a grain elevator bypass, and the thermal excitation device and thermographic imaging device are mounted on the grain elevator, optionally on the grain elevator bypass.
    Optional are a thermal excitation device and a thermographic imaging device of the sensor for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture in accordance with the invention and the optical imaging device disposed on the grain elevator, optionally on a grain elevator bypass of the harvesting machine.
    In a possible embodiment, the harvesting machine comprises an engine, the thermal excitation device comprises a duct capable of transporting air that has been heated by the engine. The heated air can then be used as a heat source by the thermal excitation device.
    The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the Figures, in which non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be shown.
    In the Figures, illustrate or illustrate:
    Figures 1A-1C an embodiment of the method according to the invention,
    Figures 2A-2B a second embodiment of the method according to the invention,
    Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the method according to the invention,
    Figures 4A-4C show the combination of thermal and optical imaging,
    Figure 5 shows a combine harvester in which the method according to the invention can be applied,
    Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a harvesting machine in accordance with the invention.
    Figures 1A-1C illustrate an embodiment of the method according to the invention.
    Figure 1A shows a grain & non-grain mixture 1 containing a sampled volume 2. In this embodiment, the sampled volume 2 is a part of the total volume of the mixture 1 of grain and non-grain.
    Figure 1B shows a next step of the method according to the invention. At a thermal excitation site 5, the sampled volume 2 of the grain & non-grain mixture 1 subjected to a thermal excitation, e.g. heating or cooling. A thermal excitation device 10 is provided to perform the thermal excitation.
    Figure 1C shows a further step of the method according to the invention. A thermographic image 14 is generated at an imaging location 6. The thermal excitation site 5 and the thermographic imaging site 6 can coincide. The thermographic image 14 is generated at least on a surface of the sampled volume 2 of the grain & non-grain mixture 1 that was subjected to the thermal excitation. The thermographic image 14 is generated by a thermal imaging device 11. The thermographic image 14 is processed by an image processing processor 12 that receives data from the thermographic imaging device 11 via data connection 13. The data connection 13 may be a wire connection or a wireless connection.
    The thermographic image 14 is processed, and therefore data is obtained which represents the temperature distribution over the thermographic image 14. In the example of Figure 1C, this results in a thermographic image 14 that generally shows a uniform background color 15, and some spots 16 with a different temperature. Optionally, multiple thermographic images are generated, e.g., alternately to monitor the temperature change over time within the sampled volume 2.
    The next step of the method according to the invention is to establish a relationship between the temperature distribution and the part of the grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture. In the example of Figure 1C, the background temperature 15 generally corresponds to the temperature that - in view of the amount of transferred thermal energy in the thermal excitation - can be expected for the grains. The temperature difference 16 generally corresponds to the temperature that - given the amount of transferred thermal energy through the thermal excitation - can be expected for chaff. By calculating the percentage of the area of the thermographic image 14 that has the background temperature 15, the proportion of the grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture 1 can be determined. By calculating the percentage of the area of the thermographic image 14 that has the different temperature 16, the proportion of the kaffraction in the grain & non-grain mixture 1 can be determined.
    Figures 2A-2B illustrate a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.
    Figure 2A shows a grain & non-grain mixture 1 containing a sampled volume 2. The grain & non-grain mixture is dumped loose (in bulk form) transported along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4, in a transport direction 3. The grain & non-grain mixture 1 can be moved continuously or alternately along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4.
    The thermal excitation site 5 and the imaging site 6 lie along the grain & non-grain mix path 4 The imaging site 6 is downstream of the thermal excitation site 5, viewed in the direction of movement 3 of the grain & non-grain mixture 1 along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4.
    At a thermal excitation site 5, the sampled volume 2 of the grain & non-grain mixture 1 subjected to a thermal excitation, e.g. heating or cooling. A thermal excitation device 10 is provided to perform the thermal excitation.
    Optionally, the thermal energy is transferred in a modular manner during the thermal excitation by the thermal excitation device 10 to the sampled volume 2 of the grain & non-grain mixture, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave, in the form of a square pulse or in the form of a step.
    In Figure 2A, the sampled volume 2 is a separately expanded volume, so that upstream and downstream of the sampled volume 2 a grain & is non-grain mix that is not subjected to thermal excitation. This can be achieved, for example, by intermittent activation of the thermal excitation device 10. However, as an alternative, the grain & non-grain mix does not contain individual samples.
    Figure 2B shows that the sampled volume 2 was moved along the grain & non-grain mix path 4 and now has reached the imaging site 6. In the meantime, a next sampled volume 2 * has arrived at the thermal excitation site 5.
    A thermographic image is generated at the imaging site 6. The thermographic image 2 is generated at least on a surface of the sampled volume 2 of the grain & non-grain mixture 1 that was subjected to the thermal excitation. The thermographic image is generated by a thermal imaging device 11. The thermographic image is processed by an image processing processor 12 that receives data from the thermographic imaging device 11 via data connection 13. The data connection 13 may be a wire connection or a wireless connection. The thermographic image can be obtained by using reflection, transmission or a combination of reflection and transmission.
    The thermographic image is processed and at the same time the data representing the temperature distribution is obtained via the thermographic image.
    The next step of the method according to the invention is to establish a relationship between the temperature distribution and the part of the grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture. This can be done in the same way as described with regard to the embodiment of Figures 1A-1C.
    In the embodiment of Figures 2A-2B, the thermal excitation location 5 is a certain distance from the imaging location 6.
    If the thermal excitation causes the sampled volume 2 to attain a surface temperature that differs from the ambient temperature near the grain & non-grain mix path 4, if no measures have been taken to prevent this, the surface temperature of the sampled volume 2 will assume the ambient temperature during the time between the thermal excitation and the generation of the thermographic image.
    This can be beneficial. Because of their mutual difference in heat capacity, the grains and the non-grain not only heat up at a mutually different speed, but they also cool at a mutually different speed. Depending on the exact curves of the temperature changes over time with a certain heat supply and difference with the ambient temperature, it is possible that at a certain point in time the difference between the expected temperature of the pellets and that of the non grain, in particular from the chaff, is larger during the cooling period than during the heating period. It is advantageous to generate the thermographic image when the expected temperature difference between the grains and the non-grain is greatest, because then the best distinction can be made between the two.
    In a variant of the embodiment of Figures 2A-2B, the grain & non-grain mix not past a grain & non-grain mix path moved. Instead, the grain & non-grain mixture during the stationary analysis. In this variant, the thermal excitation site 5 and the thermographic imaging site 6 coincide.
    Preferably, several thermographic images of the sampled volume are generated in the course of time, so that the reaction of the grain fraction and / or the non-grain fraction can be obtained in the course of time from the thermal excitation. This increases the accuracy and reliability of the analysis, since the grains and the non-grain exhibit a different temperature profile in response to the thermal excitation.
    Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the method according to the invention.
    The embodiment of Figure 3 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 2A-2B. The difference is that an optical imaging device 17 is disposed adjacent to the thermal excitation device 10 and the thermographic imaging device 11. The optical imaging device 17 is connected to the image processing unit via data connection 18. Data connection 18 can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.
    In the embodiment of Figure 3, a sampled volume 2 is subjected to a thermal excitation followed by the generation of a thermographic image in the same manner as described with respect to the embodiments of Figures 1A-1C and Figures 2A-2B. In addition, an optical analysis has been performed on the sampled volume 2, e.g. in accordance with patent US2009 / 0297040. The optical analysis can be performed before the thermal excitation, after the thermographic imaging or between the thermal excitation and the thermographic imaging or simultaneously with the thermographic imaging.
    The results of the thermographic imaging and the optical analysis have been combined to detect whitecaps.
    The heat capacity of clean grains that are no longer encapsulated in the chaff and the heat capacity of the whitecaps are very similar to each other, which makes them difficult to distinguish from each other eg by using a thermal method as in accordance with the invention; on a thermographic image, clean grains and whitecaps will generally look the same.
    On the other hand, whitecaps, with optical methods such as those described in patent US2009 / 0297040, will generally also look like chaff, since a whitecap has chaff material on its outside.
    By combining the method according to the invention and an optical method, e.g. the optical method of patent US2009 / 0297040, the proportion of the whitecaps in the grain & non-grain mixture. In the thermal process according to the invention, the proportion of the wMecaps subfraction will be included in the result for the proportion of the complete grain fraction. In the result of the optical method, the share of the w / 7 / fecaps subfraction will be included in the share of the kaffraction.
    Figures 4A-4C illustrates the combination of thermal and optical imaging for the detection of whitecaps.
    Figure 4A shows an example of an image of a sampled volume 2 obtained by means of optical imaging, e.g. using the method of patent US2009 / 0297040. The white background zone 20 was recognized as being the grain fraction of the grain & non-grain mixture, while the gray circles 21 schematically indicate the zones that were recognized as chaff.
    Figure 4B shows an example of an image of a sampled volume 2 obtained by using thermographic imaging in accordance with the invention. The white background zone 20 is recognized as being the grain fraction of the grain & non-grain mixture, while the gray circles 21 schematically indicate the zones that were recognized as chaff.
    By comparing the images of Figure 4A and Figure 4B, it is clear that there is a zone at the top right of the image indicating the optical imaging method as chaff and the thermographic imaging method as pellets. As explained above, this is an indication that whitecaps are very likely to be present there.
    Figure 4C shows the results of the combined analysis: the white background zone 20 represents the grain fraction, the gray circles 21 represent the chaff and the black circle 22 the whitecaps.
    Of course, Figures 4A-4C are very schematic representations, since the images are actually much more detailed, possibly even down to the level of the representation of individual grains.
    Figure 5 illustrates a combine harvester 50 in which the method according to the invention can be applied.
    The combine harvester 50 includes a mower 51 for harvesting crops, e.g. by cutting the field loose. The harvested crop is collected and transported internally via a crop inlet 56 to a processing device 52 within the combine harvester 50.
    The processing device 52 is capable and arranged to receive harvested crop from the crop inlet 56. The processing device 52 comprises a threshing unit, a spout for the grain & non-grain mixture and a waste outlet (see Figure 6). The processing device 52 is capable of threshing the harvested crop for a grain & obtain a non-grain mixture containing a grain fraction. In addition, the processing unit may comprise a separation unit and / or a cleaning unit.
    The combine further comprises a grain tank 55 capable of accommodating the grain & non-grain mixture.
    The combine further comprises a grain transport assembly 57 extending between the grain & non-grain mixture and the grain tank inlet along a grain & non-grain mix path 4, The grain transport assembly 57 is capable of handling the grain & non-grain mixture from the grain & transport non-grain mixture to the grain tank inlet along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4.
    In the example of Figure 5, the grain conveyor assembly 57 includes a grain elevator 53 and a grain elevator bypass 54. The grain & non-grain mixture is withdrawn from the grain elevator and falls via the grain elevator bypass 54 to a lower level than the level from which it was withdrawn from the grain elevator 53, and then reintroduced into the grain elevator 53. The grain & non-grain mix in the grain elevator bypass 54 can be used, for example, to change the parameters of the grain & determine or control non-grain mix exiting processing device 52. The grain & non-grain mix path 4 has a branch that extends through the grain elevator bypass 53.
    The combine harvester 50 as shown in Figure 5 further comprises a sensor 70 for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture capable of the proportion of the grain fraction in the grain & determine non-grain mixture in accordance with the method according to the invention.
    Figure 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a harvesting machine in accordance with the invention. The elements shown in Figure 6 can for instance be arranged in the combine harvester of Figure 5.
    The combine of Figure 6 contains a crop inlet 60. A processing device 52 is provided that is capable and arranged to receive the harvested crop from the crop inlet 60. The processing device 52 comprises a threshing unit 61, optionally combined with a separation unit and / or a cleaning unit 62, a spout for the grain & non-grain mixture 64 and a waste outlet 63. The processing device 52 is capable of threshing the harvested crop to obtain a mixture of grain and non-grain consisting of a grain fraction and a non-grain fraction.
    The harvesting machine further comprises a grain tank 55 capable of accommodating the grain & non-grain mixture. The grain tank 55 contains a grain tank inlet 65.
    The harvesting machine according to the example of Fig. 6 further comprises a grain transport assembly 57, which extends between the outlet for the grain & non-grain mixture 64 and the inlet of the grain tank 65 along a grain & non-grain mix path 4. The grain conveyor assembly 57 is capable of handling the grain & non-grain mixture from the grain & transport non-grain mixture 64 to the grain tank inlet 65 along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4.
    In the example of Figure 6, the grain conveyor assembly 57 includes a grain elevator 53 and a grain elevator bypass 54. The grain & non-grain mixture is withdrawn from the grain elevator and falls via the grain elevator bypass 54 to a lower level than the level from which it comes out of the grain elevator 53 and is then introduced back into the grain elevator 53. The grain & non-grain mix in the grain elevator bypass 54 can be used, for example, to change the parameters of the grain & determine or control a non-grain mixture exiting processing device 52. The grain & non-grain mix path 4 has a branch that extends through the grain elevator bypass 53.
    The harvesting machine according to the example of Figure 6 further comprises a sensor 70 for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture adapted to determine the proportion of the grain fraction and / or of the non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture in accordance with the method according to the invention.
    In the example of Figure 6, the sensor 70 for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture a thermal excitation device 10, a thermographic imaging device 11 and an image processing device 12. The thermal excitation device 10 is arranged at a thermal excitation site 5 and is capable of taking a sampled volume of the grain & subjecting the non-grain mixture to a thermal excitation.
    The thermal excitation device 10 may be able to transfer the thermal energy during the thermal excitation of the sampled volume of the grain & transfer non-grain mixture in a modulated manner, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave or in the form of a step.
    The thermographic imaging device 11 is capable of generating a thermographic image at an imaging location 6 of at least one surface of the sampled volume of the grain & non-grain mixture that has been subjected to thermal excitation. The thermographic imaging device 11 may be, for example, a thermal line scanner or a thermographic camera.
    The thermographic imaging device 11 may be able to obtain the thermographic image by scanning the grain & along a line in a transverse direction. non-grain mix path 4, or by taking a thermographic image of a grain & non-grain mixture that is on the grain & non-grain mixture path 4 moves, e.g. by taking multiple thermographic images intermittently.
    The image processing device 12 is capable of processing the thermographic image obtained by the thermographic image forming device 11 to obtain data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image and to establish a relationship between the temperature distribution and the fraction of the grain fraction in the grain - & non-grain mixture.
    In the example of Figure 6, the thermographic imaging device 11 is disposed at a certain distance and downstream of the thermal excitation device 10, viewed in the conveying direction of the grain & non-grain mixture along the grain & non-grain mixture path 4.
    In the embodiment of Figure 6, the thermal excitation 10 and the thermographic imaging device 11 are mounted on the grain elevator bypass 54 of the grain elevator 53.
    In the embodiment of Figure 6, an optical imaging device 17 is provided.
    It is connected to the image processing device 12 by the data connection 18, which can be a wired or wireless connection. The image processing apparatus 12 is capable of processing data from the thermographic imaging apparatus 11 and of the optical imaging apparatus 17, and to process this data in a combined manner to determine the proportion of a whitecaps subfraction in the grain fraction.
    In Figure 6, the optical imaging device 17 is shown to be located downstream of the thermographic imaging device 11. Optionally, the optical imaging device 17 is arranged such that the thermographic imaging device 11 and the optical imaging device 11 simultaneously generate an image of the sampled volume. This increases the accuracy and reliability of the analysis.
    In the embodiment of Figure 6, the harvesting machine comprises an engine 80, e.g. a combustion engine. The engine generates heat while running. This generated heat can be used in the thermal excitation to evaluate the grain & sample to be evaluated. heat up the non-grain mixture.
    In the example of Figure 6, a collector 81 is mounted on a heated surface of the engine. The collector 81 contains air that is heated by the heat generated by the motor. A conduit 82 contains the heated air and conducts the heated air from the collector 81 to the thermal excitation device 10. A fan or the like can be provided to realize this flow of heated air from the collector 81 to the thermal excitation device 10.
    Alternatively or additionally, the thermal excitation device 10 comprises at least one source, namely a halogen heat source, an inductive heat source, an infrared heating source, an electrical resistance heat source, a microwave source, a friction heat generator, a Peltier element or a source with air on a lower temperature.
    In a variant of the embodiment of Figure 6, the grain & non-grain mix held stationary in the grain elevator during analysis by the sensor for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [1]
    CONCLUSIONS:
    A method for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture consisting of a grain fraction and a non-grain fraction, the method comprising the steps of: - receiving a grain & non-grain mixture (1), - subjecting to a thermal excitation at a thermal excitation site (5) a sampled volume (2) of the grain & non-grain mixture (1) using a thermal excitation device (10), - generating a thermographic image at an imaging site (6) with at least a surface area of the sampled volume (2) of the grain & non-grain mixture (1) subjected to the thermal excitation, - processing of the thermographic image and thereby obtaining data representing the temperature distribution over the thermographic image, - establishing a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the grain fraction and / or the non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture (1).
    [2]
    Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of consecutive thermographic images are generated from at least one surface of the sampled volume (2) of the grain & non-grain mixture (1) subjected to the thermal excitation.
    [3]
    Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the imaging site (6) and the thermal excitation site (5) coincide, wherein the thermal excitation and the thermographic imaging take place simultaneously.
    [4]
    Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an ambient temperature is present in the vicinity of the grain & non-cereal mixture (1), and and because the sampled volume (2) as a result of the thermal excitation obtains a surface temperature that differs from the ambient temperature, and the surface temperature of the sampled volume (2) changes to the room temperature during the time between the thermal excitation and generating the thermographic image.
    [5]
    Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal excitation is accompanied by heating up of the sampled volume (2), and in that use is made of at least one of the following heat sources: air with a higher temperature, a halogen heat source, an infrared heating source, an inductive heat source, an electrical resistance heat source, microwaves, or frictional heat, or because the thermal excitation is accompanied by cooling of the sampled volume (2), by using at least one of the following cold sources: air at a lower temperature or a Peltier element.
    [6]
    Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grain & non-grain mixture (1) further comprises a kaffraction, and in that the method further comprises the step of establishing a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the kaffraction in the grain & non-grain mixture (1).
    [7]
    Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the grain fraction contains a clean grain subfraction and a whitecaps subfraction, and in that the proportion of the whitecaps subfraction is determined on the basis of a combination of the thermal and the optical imaging.
    [8]
    Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal excitation is carried out in a modulated manner, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse, in the form of a sinusoidal wave, or in the shape of a step.
    [9]
    9. Apparatus for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture (1), which contains a sensor to determine the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture to be determined (70), characterized in that the sensor for determining the composition of the grain and non-grain mixture consists of: - a thermal excitation device (10) which is arranged at a thermal excitation site (5) and is capable of a sampled volume of the grain & subjecting a non-grain mixture to a thermal excitation, - a thermographic imaging device (11) capable of generating a thermographic image at at least one surface of the sampled volume (2) of the grain & non-grain mixture (1) subjected to the thermal excitation, - an image processing device (12) capable of processing the thermographic image obtained by the thermographic imaging device (11) to obtain data that the temperature distribution over the thermographic image, and to establish a relationship between the temperature distribution and the proportion of the grain fraction and / or a non-grain fraction in the grain & non-grain mixture (1).
    [10]
    Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermographic imaging device (11) is capable of generating a plurality of subsequent thermographic images from at least one surface of the sampled volume (2) of the grain & non-grain mixture (1) subjected to the thermal excitation.
    [11]
    Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-10, characterized in that the sensor for determining the composition of the grain & non-grain mixture contains several thermographic imaging devices (11).
    [12]
    Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-11, characterized in that the imaging site (6) and the thermal excitation site (5) coincide.
    [13]
    Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-12, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises an optical imaging apparatus (17).
    [14]
    Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the image processing device (12) is able to process data from the thermographic imaging device (11) and from the optical imaging device (17), and to process this data in a combined manner to reduce the proportion of determine a whitecaps subfraction in the grain fraction.
    [15]
    Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-14, characterized in that the thermal excitation device (10) comprises at least one source, namely a halogen heat source, an infrared heating source, an inductive heat source, an electrical resistance heat source, a microwave source, a frictional heat generator, a Peltier element or a source of air at a lower temperature.
    [16]
    Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-15, characterized in that the thermal excitation (10) is suitable for carrying out the excitation in a modular manner, in the form of a pulse, in the form of a square pulse , in the form of a sinusoidal wave, or in the form of a step.
    [17]
    Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 9-16, characterized in that the thermographic imaging device (11) is capable of obtaining the thermographic image by scanning along a line, or by taking a thermographic image of an area of the grain & non-grain mixture (1).
    [18]
    A harvesting machine comprising - a crop inlet (63), - a processing device (52) capable of receiving the harvested crop from the crop inlet (63), said processing device (52) including a threshing unit (61) , a spout for the grain & non-grain mixture (64) and a waste outlet (63), the processing device (52) being capable of threshing the harvested crop to obtain a grain and non-grain mixture (1) containing a grain fraction, - a grain tank (55 ) capable of accommodating the grain & non-grain mixture (1), wherein the grain tank (55) has a grain tank inlet (65), - a grain conveyor assembly (57) extending between the grain & non-grain mixture (64) and the inlet (65) of the grain tank along a path (4) followed by the grain & non-grain mixture, which is capable of mixing the grain & to transport non-grain mixture (1) from the outlet (64) for the grain & non-grain mixture to the grain tank inlet (65) along the grain & non-grain mix path (4), - a device for analyzing the composition of a grain & non-grain mixture according to any of claims 9-17.
    [19]
    Harvesting machine (18) according to claim 18, characterized in that the grain transport unit comprises a grain elevator (53), which optionally comprises a grain elevator bypass (54), and wherein the thermal excitation device (10) and the thermographic imaging device (11) on the grain elevator (53), optionally on the grain elevator bypass (54).
    [20]
    Harvesting machine according to one or more of the preceding claims 18-19, characterized in that the harvesting machine comprises a motor (80), and the thermal excitation device (10) comprises a tube (82) capable of transporting air which the engine was heated (80).
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