Method Of Calibrating The Meter Of A Product Distribution Apparatus And Monitoring Method

• US 20120036914A1
• Filed: 08/12/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Landphair, Donald K., Liu, James Z., Phelan, James J., Santiago, Samuel, Green, Lawrence D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/1.16
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/006 Hoppers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/107 Calibration of the seed rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/00 Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries

Abstract

A product distribution apparatus, shown in the form of an agricultural air seeder is disclosed having sensors to measure the mass flow through the distribution system, sensors to weigh the tank and the product therein, and sensors to measure the quantity of product in the tank. The sensors are used to measure the change in the quantity of product in the tank during a calibration process where the apparatus is operated over an area and the number of rotations of the meter are recorded. The data is then used to determine a mass flow rate per revolution of the meter. A monitoring method is also disclosed in which an ‘area to empty’ and ‘product needed’ to complete a field or task is displayed to the operator.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a meter in a distribution apparatus, the apparatus having a frame supported at least in part on wheels for movement over a surface, a tank for holding a product to be distributed, a meter at a lower end of the tank for controlling a rate of discharge of product from the tank, a distribution system receiving product from the meter, the method comprising:

setting the meter to a nominal calibration setting for the product in the tank;

operating the apparatus over an area at the nominal calibration setting;

capturing the number of revolutions of the meter while operating the apparatus;

determining the change in the quantity of product in the tank during the operation of the apparatus over the area;

using the change in the quantity of product in the tank and the number of meter revolutions, calculating a meter flow quantity per revolution of the meter; and

setting the meter to a desired calibration setting based on the calculated meter flow quantity per revolution of the meter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the quantity of product in the tank is determined by measuring the flow of product through the distribution system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the quantity of product in the tank is determined by:

determining an initial quantity of product in the tank before operation of the apparatus;

determining a final quantity of product in the tank after operation of the apparatus; and

calculating a difference between the initial and final quantities of product in the tank.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the determination of the initial and final quantities of product in the tank includes weighing the tank and the product therein.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the determination of the initial and final quantities of product in the tank includes sensing the volume of product in the tank.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination of the initial and final quantities of product in the tank includes sensing of the attitude of the apparatus.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein the determination of the initial and final quantities of product in the tank includes both sensing the volume of material in the tank and weighing the tank and the product therein.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the quantity of product in the tank is determined by both measuring the flow of product through the distribution system and sensing the volume of material in the tank.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the quantity of product in the tank is determined by both measuring the flow of product through the distribution system and weighing the tank and the product therein.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the change in the quantity of product in the tank is determined by measuring the flow of product through the distribution system, sensing the volume of material in the tank and weighing the tank and the product therein.

11. A method of monitoring a distribution apparatus having product in a tank to be distributed, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a product distribution rate;

determining a quantity of product in the tank;

determining an ‘

area to empty’

representing the area capable of being covered with the product remaining in the tank; and

displaying to an operator the determined ‘

area to empty’

.

12. A method of monitoring a distribution apparatus having a tank of product to be distributed while performing the task of distributing the product over a predetermined area, the method comprising the steps of:

continuously monitoring the area covered by the apparatus and determining an area yet to be covered;

determining a product distribution rate;

determining a quantity of product in the tank;

determining an ‘

area to empty’

representing the area capable of being covered with the product remaining in the tank;

if the ‘

area to empty’

is less than the area remaining to be covered, determine the difference between the area remaining to be covered and the ‘

area to empty’ and

calculate a quantity of ‘

product needed’

to complete the area; and

displaying to an operator the ‘

product needed’

.