Diagnostic testing device for seed tube sensors
First Claim
1. A hand-held diagnostic testing device for a seed sensor on a seed planter tube, the sensor including a photo-electric cell with a light emitter, a light receiver and an electrical coupler for selectively connecting the sensor to a monitor, the testing device comprising:
- a housing;
electrical circuitry within the housing, including a power means for supplying an electrical current and signal means capable of generating first and second signals;
an electrical coupler operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and adapted to be selectively connected to the coupler of the seed sensor, such that the power means provides an electrical current to the photo-electric cell, and such that the signal means generates the first signal; and
whereby upon passing of a light-blocking means between the light emitter and light receiver, the signal means generates the second signal when the photo-electric cell is properly functioning and the signal means continues to generate the first signal when the photo-electric cell is malfunctioning.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable testing device for seed tube and combine sensors is provided for checking the operability of the sensor in situ at the time a problem arises in the agricultural implement. The testing device includes a housing in which is mounted a printed circuit board and a battery for providing an electrical current to the components on the circuit board. The circuit board includes an on/off switch and an LED. An electrical coupler allows the device to be quickly and easily attached to the coupler of the planter harness so as to check the operability of a seed tube sensor. In operation, the LED blinks on and off when the sensor is properly operating, and remains lit when the sensor is malfunctioning.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hand-held diagnostic testing device for a seed sensor on a seed planter tube, the sensor including a photo-electric cell with a light emitter, a light receiver and an electrical coupler for selectively connecting the sensor to a monitor, the testing device comprising:
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a housing; electrical circuitry within the housing, including a power means for supplying an electrical current and signal means capable of generating first and second signals; an electrical coupler operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and adapted to be selectively connected to the coupler of the seed sensor, such that the power means provides an electrical current to the photo-electric cell, and such that the signal means generates the first signal; and whereby upon passing of a light-blocking means between the light emitter and light receiver, the signal means generates the second signal when the photo-electric cell is properly functioning and the signal means continues to generate the first signal when the photo-electric cell is malfunctioning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A hand-held diagnostic testing device for a sensor on a combine, the sensor including a magnetic means for generating an electrical signal in response to rotation of a shaft on the combine, and an electrical coupler for selectively connecting the sensor to a monitor, the testing device comprising:
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a housing; electrical circuitry within the housing, including power means for supplying an electrical current and signal means capable of generating first and second signals, an electrical coupler operatively connected to the electrical circuitry and adapted to be selectively connected to the coupler of the combine sensor, such that the power means provides an electrical current to the magnetic means, and such that the signal means generates the first signal; and whereby upon rotation of the combine shaft, the signal means generates the second signal when the magnetic means is properly functioning and the signal means continues to generate the first signal when the magnetic means is malfunctioning. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of in situ testing, of a sensor, the sensor including a photoelectric cell with a light emitter and a light receiver for generating an, electrical impulse in response to the non-passage of light therebetween and an electrical coupler for selectively connecting the sensor to a harness of a monitor, the method comprising:
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disconnecting the coupler of the sensor from the harness of the monitor; connecting the coupler of the sensor to an electrical coupler of a hand-held testing device, the device having an electrical circuit including power means and signal means capable of generating first and second signals; actuating the power means so as to provide an electrical current to the sensor, and so that the signal means generates the first signal; and blocking the light between the light emitter and the light receiver whereupon the signal means generates the second signal in response to the electrical impulse if the sensor is properly functioning and whereupon the signal means continues to generate the first signal if the sensor is malfunctioning. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of in situ testing of a sensor for a rotating shaft, the sensor including magnetic means for generating an electrical impulse in response to the rotation of the shaft, and an electrical coupler for selectively connecting the sensor to a harness of a monitor, the method comprising:
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disconnecting the coupler of the sensor from the harness of a monitor; connecting the coupler of the sensor to an electrical coupler of a hand-held testing device, the device having an electrical circuit including power means and signal means capable of generating first and second signals; actuating the power means so as to provide an electrical current to the sensor, so that the signal means generates the first signal; and rotating the shaft whereupon the signal means generates the second signal in response to the electrical impulse if the sensor is properly functioning and whereupon the signal means continues to generate the first signal if the sensor is malfunctioning.
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Specification