Method for controlling the flow rate of an air seeder
US6296425A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P60/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism. The controller automatically effects an adjustment of the flow rate in the bank of tubes by receiving the sensor output signals, normalizing the values corresponding to the sensor output signals, and automatically effecting an adjustment of the damper mechanism as a function of the normalized values and a target value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.