Abstract: A level sensor, associated with a bin, detects a particular reference level of an agricultural product in the bin and generates a calibration indicator. An input sensor determines an input rate of the agricultural product into the bin. A conveyer is capable of transporting the agricultural product out of the bin. An output sensor provides a status indicator that indicates whether the conveyer is in an active state or in an inactive state during one or more evaluation time windows. A data processor determines an output rate of the agricultural product based on the status indicator. The data processor comprises a level estimator for estimating an estimated bin level of the bin based on the input rate and an output rate. The data processor comprises a calibrator for calibrating the estimated bin level with reference to the particular reference level in response to the calibration indicator.

Abstract: A level sensor, associated with a bin, detects a particular reference level of an agricultural product in the bin and generates a calibration indicator. An input sensor determines an input rate of the agricultural product into the bin. A conveyer is capable of transporting the agricultural product out of the bin. An output sensor provides a status indicator that indicates whether the conveyer is in an active state or in an inactive state during one or more evaluation time windows. A data processor determines an output rate of the agricultural product based on the status indicator. The data processor comprises a level estimator for estimating an estimated bin level of the bin based on the input rate and an output rate. The data processor comprises a calibrator for calibrating the estimated bin level with reference to the particular reference level in response to the calibration indicator.

Abstract: A gripping fixture suitable for use in stent securement testing is described. The gripping fixture includes a housing having a chamber, a rigid perforated tubular member positioned within the chamber, a multiplicity of radially extending pins arranged to slide in the perforations in the tubular member, and an elastic sheath that circumscribes the outer ends of the pins and surrounds the tubular member. A pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the elastic sheath. The gripping fixture also includes a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the pressure chamber. The pressure applied in the pressure chamber acts on the elastic sheath and may be used to cause some of the pins to engage a stent during the stent securement test to hold the stent in place relative to the gripping fixture while the tensile force required to dislodge the stent from a catheter is measured.

Abstract: A gripping fixture suitable for use in stent securement testing is described. The gripping fixture includes a housing having a chamber, a rigid perforated tubular member positioned within the chamber, a multiplicity of radially extending pins arranged to slide in the perforations in the tubular member, and an elastic sheath that circumscribes the outer ends of the pins and surrounds the tubular member. A pressure chamber is formed between the housing and the elastic sheath. The gripping fixture also includes a pressure controller for controlling the pressure within the pressure chamber. The pressure applied in the pressure chamber acts on the elastic sheath and may be used to cause some of the pins to engage a stent during the stent securement test to hold the stent in place relative to the gripping fixture while the tensile force required to dislodge the stent from a catheter is measured.

Abstract: A flow sensor for use in a harvester is disclosed. The flow sensor has a microwave transceiver for transmitting a microwave signal and receiving a reflected microwave signal, an in-phase mixer electrically connected to the microwave transceiver for combining the transmitted microwave signal and the reflected microwave signal and outputting an in-phase Doppler signal, a quadrature mixer electrically connected to the microwave transceiver for combining the transmitted microwave signal and a delayed reflected microwave signal and outputting the quadrature Doppler signal, and an electronic circuit electrically connected to the in-phase mixer and the quadrature mixer and having a flow rate output.

Abstract: A grain moisture sensor is disclosed having a sensor cell that includes a driven plate, a sense plate proximate to and substantially parallel with the driven plate for capacitive measurement across a spacing between the driven plate and the sense plate, and a fill plate adjacent the sense plate and substantially parallel with the driven plate for sensing whether the spacing is filled with grain. Optionally, the sensor cell includes a guard proximate to the parallel to the sense plate such that the sense plate is between the driven plate and the guard. The grain moisture sensor provides for measuring real and imaginary components of an excitation voltage applied to the driven plate, measuring real and imaginary components of a sense current sensed at the sense plate, calculating a complex admittance of the cell, calculating a complex admittance of a reference admittance, and calculating a grain complex permittivity.

Abstract: A flow sensor for use in a harvester is disclosed. The flow sensor has a microwave transceiver for transmitting a microwave signal and receiving a reflected microwave signal, an in-phase mixer electrically connected to the microwave transceiver for combining the transmitted microwave signal and the reflected microwave signal and outputting an in-phase Doppler signal, a quadrature mixer electrically connected to the microwave transceiver for combining the transmitted microwave signal and a delayed reflected microwave signal and outputting the quadrature Doppler signal, and an electronic circuit electrically connected to the in-phase mixer and the quadrature mixer and having a flow rate output.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor for a combine is positioned in the transition housing between the paddle elevator of the clean grain elevator and the loading auger of the clean grain tank. The mass flow sensor comprises an impact plate having an arm which is axially aligned with the predominant grain flow from the paddle elevator. The arm is coupled to a force measuring assembly having a potentiometer for generating an electric signal that is proportional to impact force.