System and method for monitoring inefficient flow rates using magnetic sensor in a liquid-flow distribution system

• US 9,366,389 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CDS-John Blue Company
• Original Assignee: CDS-John Blue Company
• Inventors: Stewart, Jason T., Thurow, Bradley R., Batcheller, David C., Allen, Robert M., Bailey, Steven S., Giese, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Harshad R
• Application Number:
  US14/494,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20150068320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/52 by measuring the height of the fluid level due to the lifting power of the fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/30 by floats

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring inefficient flow rates in a liquid-flow distribution system, such as that which is used in agricultural liquid application equipment. This may include blockages or punctures in a liquid line. The system generally includes a plurality of gauges for monitoring the supply line flow rate in a liquid application system which are monitored by a number of sensors. Immediate feedback is presented to the operator of the vehicle inside the cab. The system alerts the operator when a blockage, loss, or increase of flow rate has occurred in one of the liquid lines. The system may merely indicate that one of the lines is blocked, or the system may be more sophisticated such that it can indicate which line is blocked and adjust the flow in that line in an attempt to clear the blockage.

Claims

1. A flow rate monitoring system for use with a liquid distribution system, the monitoring system comprising:

a flow gauge including a housing through which liquid may flow, said flow gauge connected to the liquid distribution system via a liquid feed line;

an indicator located within said housing;

a sensor assembly including a sensor and affixed to an external face of said housing, said sensor adapted for detecting a status of said flow gauge comprising either blocked or not blocked;

a mobile computing device including a processor, data storage, and a graphical user interface, said mobile computing device communicating with said sensor assembly and configured to produce a visual indication comprising either blocked or not blocked;

said sensor adapted for detecting the vertical location of said indicator within said housing;

said processor configured to send and receive signals from said sensor, thereby adjusting the settings of said sensor and reporting the signals from said sensor to said user interface;

wherein the vertical location of said indicator relative to said housing is dependent upon the flow rate of liquid through said housing;

a selectively adjustable liquid flow rate target for said flow gauge;

said user interface adapted for indicating when the measured flow rate through said flow gauge diverges from said selectively adjustable liquid flow rate target;

a flow controller adapted for receiving commands from said user interface; and

said user interface is further configured to respond to a change in said measured flow rate through said flow gauge.