Iowa Patent of the Month – July 2024
Scale Tec, Ltd., experts in scale technology, has been granted a patent for a new scale system set to advance agricultural operations as they measure material weights during transfers between storage carriers. This advanced system integrates a precise combination of technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy in the field.
At its core, the system utilizes a sophisticated presence sensor integrated into the first storage carrier, which detects the arrival of a second storage carrier. This triggers the scale controller to initiate a tare mode, crucial for accurately measuring material expelled from the first carrier. A load cell, also part of the system, meticulously measures the weight of the material in real-time, ensuring precision throughout the transfer process.
One of the standout features of Scale-Tec’s invention is its scale controller’s capability to manage and store weight data efficiently. A gross weight memory buffer records weights at predetermined intervals, allowing the system to capture and analyze data effectively. When the presence sensor detects the second carrier, the scale controller intelligently calculates a starting weight by averaging measurements before and after detection. This data is crucial for establishing accurate records of material transfers.
The system’s ability to distinguish between the presence and absence of the second carrier is pivotal. It employs a binary signal from the presence sensor to enter and exit tare mode seamlessly, capturing precise measurements throughout the operation. The scale controller computes an ending weight upon the second carrier’s departure, facilitating the calculation of a tare weight record—the difference between starting and ending weights.
Scale-Tec’s invention doesn’t stop at operational efficiency; it incorporates safety and traceability measures as well. The scale controller can link weight measurements with geographical locations through a position subsystem, enhancing traceability across different fields or operations. Additionally, an image subsystem captures and associates identification details of the second storage carrier with weight data, providing comprehensive records for operational analysis and management.
Scale-Tec’s system redefines how agricultural material handling is managed. By automating weight measurement processes and integrating advanced sensing and data management technologies, this invention not only enhances accuracy and efficiency but also addresses critical safety and traceability concerns in modern farming operations.
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