US 11,991,956 B2
System and method for preparing nir sample on baler
Kevin J. Hamilton, Newton, KS (US); and Patrick Kendrick, Hesston, KS (US)
Assigned to AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed by AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/138,614.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/119,611, filed on Nov. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/954,776, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0204482 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01F 15/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/02 (2006.01); G01N 1/04 (2006.01); A01F 15/10 (2006.01)
CPC A01F 15/00 (2013.01) [G01N 1/04 (2013.01); A01F 2015/108 (2013.01); G01N 2001/027 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
5. A method for sampling agricultural crop material formed into a bale comprising:
calibrating a near-infrared testing system using a calibration sample having a calibration sample temperature;
receiving, aggregating, shaping, and securing plant material into a bale with a baler machine;
separating a crop sample of the plant material from the bale with a sample preparation mechanism, wherein separating the crop sample from the bale with the sample preparation mechanism comprises cutting a portion of the plant material from the bale into similarly-sized particles of the plant material with a cutter mechanism;
measuring the temperature of the crop sample with a temperature sensor;
comparing the temperature of the crop sample with the calibration sample temperature at which the near-infrared testing system was calibrated;
adjusting the temperature of crop sample with a temperature alteration mechanism so that the temperature of the crop sample matches the calibration temperature;
receiving and analyzing with the near-infrared testing system near-infrared radiation reflected by the plant material in the crop sample of the bale, and generating evaluation data reflecting one or more properties of the plant material in the bale;
receiving and combining with a computer the evaluation data of the plant material in the bale to produce overall evaluation data reflecting one or more overall property values for the bale; and
assigning with the computer the overall evaluation data to the bale.