Seed sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor comprising:
- means forming an article flow path, transducer means positioned adjacent to said flow path means, said transducer including a resiliently deflectable member having fixed opposite portions and a deflectable mid-portion, article engaging and transducer actuating means secured to said transducer, said article engaging means having a portion engageable with one of said fixed portions and a second portion engageable with said mid-portion for maximizing actuation of the deflectable member and extending partially into said flow path means so that articles passing along said flow path will strike said article engaging means to deflect the same and actuate said transducer means for producing an output signal in response to said deflection.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seed sensor for sensing seeds flowing along a path is provided with an electromagnetic transducer having a movable diaphragm. An arm is secured to a generally peripheral portion of the diaphragm and extends into the seed flow path to be struck at random by the seeds. The arm has a portion operatively engageable with a mid portion of the diaphragm and functions as a mechanical amplifier to actuate the diaphragm when struck by the seeds for producing usable output signals.
20 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A sensor comprising:
- means forming an article flow path, transducer means positioned adjacent to said flow path means, said transducer including a resiliently deflectable member having fixed opposite portions and a deflectable mid-portion, article engaging and transducer actuating means secured to said transducer, said article engaging means having a portion engageable with one of said fixed portions and a second portion engageable with said mid-portion for maximizing actuation of the deflectable member and extending partially into said flow path means so that articles passing along said flow path will strike said article engaging means to deflect the same and actuate said transducer means for producing an output signal in response to said deflection.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
11. A sensor for assembly with a seed planter comprising;
- conduit means forming a segment of a seed flow path for seeds being planted, transducer means secured to said conduit means for generating signals indicative of seed flow through said conduit means, said transducer means including a peripherally fixed deflectable diaphragm, means fixed to said diaphragm and extending into said flow path for engagement by said seeds and for deflecting said diaphragm in response to such engagement to cause said transducer means to produce an output signal.
- View Dependent Claims (12)
Specification