METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF PROCESS OF SORTING POTATO TUBERS, VEGETABLE ROOTS AND VEGETABLES Russian patent published in 2021 - IPC A01D33/08 B07C5/04 

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: method consists in piece-by-piece supply of tuberous roots by a conveyor to the control area, irradiation with a diffused light flow, scanning followed by registration and conversion of the characteristics of the reflected light flow into electrical signals. The shape index of each object is then calculated in the control unit, considering the section parameters, by the value of the signal calculated based on the obtained characteristics. The main size characteristics of each tuberous root are determined using the values of the two main maximum linear parameters - the maximum length and width. The obtained numerical values are then transmitted to the control unit of the sorting apparatus, wherein the received data is processed by multiplying the values thereof with each other and the size characteristics of each of the objects are obtained. Depending on the obtained values, the control unit generates and transmits the corresponding electrical signal to the actuating mechanisms made in form of viscoelastic working members directing the tuberous root into containers corresponding with the size fractions thereof.

EFFECT: reduced damage and labour capacity of the technological process, increased accuracy of dividing potato tubers into fractions by size are ensured.

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