Patents by Inventor Randall J. Ediger

Randall J. Ediger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5189812
    Abstract: The grain moisture sensor of the present invention includes a plurality of conductors for communicating a variable voltage between two points. The conductors are mounted on the continuous flow dryer wall between the exterior and interior walls, in the heat plenum and oriented such that the grain flows between the conductors in response to the action of the variable discharge means. The sensor further includes electrical circuitry for measuring the capacitance of the conductor, calculating the percent moisture content of the grain and controlling the speed of a discharge means so as to control the discharge of grain from the dryer in response to the moisture content of the grain being lowered to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Optek, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J. Ediger
  • Patent number: 4896795
    Abstract: A grain moisture sensor includes a capacitor having at least a pair of capacitor plates positioned within a grain drying bin adjacent the bottom wall and in spaced relation from the peripheral side walls so that grain in the bin fills the space between the plates and passes downwardly between the plates in response to operation of the discharge auger for the bin. The sensor further includes electrical circuitry for measuring the capacitance of the capacitor, calculating the percentage moisture content of the grain and controlling the activation of the discharge auger for removing a uniform layer of grain from the bottom of the bin in response to the percentage moisture content being lowered to a selected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventors: Randall J. Ediger, Richard Boelts