Air seeder monitoring and equalization system using acoustic sensors
First Claim
1. A particulate flow monitor for a system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises:
- an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge;
an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by particulate matter in said flow path;
said impact surface being located in said particulate flow path;
an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact;
said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves;
a processor connected to said signal generator output;
said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact;
said acoustic transducer comprising an impact plate with said impact surface and a transducer housing mounting said impact plate and enclosing an acoustic chamber therewith;
a pneumatic impulse line comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to said acoustic chamber; and
said electrical signal generator including a microphone, wherein said microphone is connected to said second end of said impulse line.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A particulate flow monitor for a pneumatic system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path, a blower connected to the flow tube and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; said acoustic transducer being located in said particulate flow path; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by the particulate matter in said flow path; and an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; and a processor connected to said signal generator output; and said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact.
53 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A particulate flow monitor for a system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises:
-
an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by particulate matter in said flow path; said impact surface being located in said particulate flow path; an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; a processor connected to said signal generator output; said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact; said acoustic transducer comprising an impact plate with said impact surface and a transducer housing mounting said impact plate and enclosing an acoustic chamber therewith; a pneumatic impulse line comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to said acoustic chamber; and said electrical signal generator including a microphone, wherein said microphone is connected to said second end of said impulse line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A particulate flow monitor for a system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises:
-
an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; said acoustic transducer being located in said particulate flow path; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by particulate matter in said flow path; said impact surface being located in said particulate flow path; an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; a processor connected to said signal generator output; said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact; said system being pneumatic and including a blower connected to said flow tube; said processor being programmed with a flow interrupt function adapted for detecting a particulate flow interruption through said flow tube; said flow interrupt function including an output signal associated with a particulate flow interruption; a flow interrupt alarm receiving said flow interruption signal and alerting an operator to said interrupted particulate flow condition; and said flow interrupt function including;
1) a predetermined particulate flow rate threshold;
2) a falling flow rate timer including a below-threshold-while-falling maximum duration;
3) a below-threshold steady-state flow rate timer including a below-threshold steady-state maximum duration;
4) a rising flow rate timer including a below-threshold-while-rising maximum duration; and
5) said flow interrupt function actuating said flow interrupt alarm in response to one of said maximum durations being exceeded.
-
-
11. A particulate flow monitor for a system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises:
-
an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by particulate matter in said flow path; said impact surface being located in said particulate flow path; an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; a processor connected to said signal generator output; said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact; said system being pneumatic and including a blower connected to said flow tube; said processor being programmed with a flow interrupt function adapted for detecting a particulate flow interruption through said flow tube; said flow interrupt function including an output signal associated with a particulate flow interruption; a flow interrupt alarm receiving said flow interruption signal and alerting an operator to said interrupted particulate flow condition; and said flow interrupt function including;
1) a predetermined particulate flow rate threshold;
2) a falling flow rate timer including a below-threshold-while-falling maximum duration;
3) a below-threshold steady-state flow rate timer including a below-threshold steady-state maximum duration;
4) a rising flow rate timer including a below-threshold-while-rising maximum duration; and
5) said flow interrupt function actuating said flow interrupt alarm in response to one of said maximum durations being exceeded.
-
Specification