Apparatuses for agricultural machines, and related flow detection systems and methods

Abstract

An apparatus for determining a flow condition of an agricultural machine includes an arcuate housing configured to be disposed around a flow line of the agricultural application machine, the housing defining an air cavity between the flow line and the housing when the housing is disposed around the flow line, and a sensor in fluid communication with the air cavity and configured to measure a change in air pressure within the air cavity. Related flow detection systems and methods are also disclosed.

Description

TITLE APPARATUSES FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND RELATED FLOW DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U. S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 580,214 "Apparatuses for Agricultural Machines, and Related Flow Detection Systems and Methods," filed September 1, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to working agricultural fields. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus configured for determining at least one flow condition of a flow line of an agricultural machine, and to related flow detection systems and methods.BACKGROUND

[0003] Agricultural product delivery systems utilize various mechanisms for conveying a solid material, such as seed, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide, to a field, such as to soil in the field and / or crops in the field. The product delivery systems may include mechanical or pneumatic systems to move the solid material from a supply chamber (e.g., a hopper, a tank) to the field. The solid material may be conveyed from the supply chamber to material applicators through a series of supply lines extending from the supply chamber to the material applicators. The material applicators may deliver the solid material to the field. Such agricultural product delivery systems are commonly employed in planters, air drills (e.g., air seeders), and spreaders (e.g., fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, and fungicide applicators).

[0004] Delivery of the solid material from the supply chamber to the field and / or crops presents challenges, such as blockage of flow through the supply lines connecting the supply chamber to the material applicators. Blockage of flow through the supply lines reducesor prevents the proper distribution of the material through the supply lines and the material applicators, negatively affecting the growth of the crops.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In some embodiments, an apparatus for determining a flow condition of an agricultural machine comprises a housing having an arcuate shape and configured to be disposed around a flow line of the agricultural machine, the housing defining an air cavity between the flow line and the housing when the housing is disposed around the flow line, and a sensor in fluid communication with the air cavity and configured to measure a change in an air pressure within the air cavity to detect flow of particulate material through the flow line.

[0006] The housing may define an interior shape configured to receive the flow line. In other aspects, an inner wall of the flow line proximate the air cavity is configured to be within a flow path of material within the flow line.

[0007] The housing may comprise a material exhibiting a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the flow line. In some embodiments, the flow line comprises a flexible material, such as a rubber hose. The housing may comprise a polyamide thermoplastic material.

[0008] The housing may comprise a first portion and a second portion configured to be operably coupled to the first portion to operably couple the housing to the flow line without fluidly disconnecting a storage tank from an outlet of the flow line.

[0009] The sensor may be configured to measure sound data from the air cavity. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a microphone.

[0010] A tube may operably couple the air cavity to the sensor. The tube may comprise a flexible hose, such as an air hose.

[0011] The air cavity may be defined by a conical shape, such as a truncated conical shape. In some embodiments, a portion of the air cavity comprises an annular portion between the housing and the flow line. The air cavity may be fluidly isolated from the flow line. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an O-ring between the housing and the flow line, and the O-ring configured to fluidly isolate the air cavity from a volume between the housing and the flow line.

[0012] In some embodiments, a flow detection system of an agricultural machine comprises a flow line in fluid communication with a solid material configured to flow through the flow line, and an apparatus operably coupled to the flow line. The apparatus comprises a housing having an arcuate shape and disposed around the flow line, the housing defining an air cavity between the housing and the flow line, the air cavity fluidly isolated from the flow line, and a sensor in fluid communication with the air cavity and configured to generate an audio signal indicative of a change in an air pressure within the air cavity caused by impingement of particulate material on a wall of the flow line adjacent the air cavity. The flow detection system further comprises an electronic control unit in operable communication with the sensor and configured to determine at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of the audio signal to detect flow of the particulate material through the flow line.

[0013] The electronic control unit is configured to determine the amplitude of the audio signal. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine a current amplitude of the audio signal and a historical amplitude of the audio signal. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to determine the current amplitude of the audio signal and the historical amplitude of the audio signal within a particular frequency range. The electronic control unit may be configured to compare the amplitude of the audio signal to the historical amplitude of the audio signal to determine the at least one flow condition.

[0014] The flow detection system may further comprise a sensor housing comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port configured to be in fluid communication with a different sensor. The different sensors may individually be configured to be in operable communication with a different housing configured to be operably coupled to a different flow line of the agricultural machine.

[0015] The flow detection system further comprises additional housings individually disposed around additional flow lines, and additional sensors individually in fluid communication with the additional housings.

[0016] In some embodiments, a method of determining at least one flow condition of a flow line of an agricultural machine comprises measuring a change in an air pressure of an air cavity defined between the flow line and an arcuate housing disposed around the flow line,determining an amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure, comparing the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure to a historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure, and determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line based on the comparison of the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure to the historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure.

[0017] Determining the amplitude of the measured sound pressure may comprise determining the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within a predetermined frequency range.

[0018] Determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line comprises determining a presence of a blockage within the flow line. Determining the presence of a blockage within the flow line comprises determining the presence of a blockage responsive to determining that the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure is less than the historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure.

[0019] In some embodiments, determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line comprises determining an amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within a predetermined frequency range, and comparing the amplitude of the change in the air pressure within the predetermined frequency range to a historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within the predetermined frequency range.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an agricultural application machine;

[0022] FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D are simplified perspective views of an that may be used with the agricultural application machine of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of an apparatus;

[0024] FIG. 3B is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A;

[0025] FIG. 4A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of an apparatus;

[0026] FIG. 4B is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4A;

[0027] FIG. 5A is a simplified side elevation view of a tractor towing an agricultural implement;

[0028] FIG. 5B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the agricultural implement of FIG. 5A;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method of operating an agricultural machine; and

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a computer-readable storage medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to embody one or more of the methods of determining at least one flow condition within a flow line of an agricultural machine.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any agricultural machine or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

[0032] The following description provides specific details of embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all elements to form a complete structure, assembly, spreader, or agricultural implement. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional acts and structures may be used. The drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0034] As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" so as to avoid any implication that other, compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0035] As used herein, the term "configured" refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0036] As used herein, the singular forms following "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "bottom," "above," "upper," "top," "front," "rear," "left," "right," and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0039] As used herein, the term "substantially" in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.

[0040] As used herein, the term "about" used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).

[0041] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range.

[0042] From reading the following description it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are made in relation to a machine's (e.g., agricultural implement's, agricultural application machine, vehicle, spreader) normal direction of travel. In other words, the term "longitudinal" equates to the fore-and-aft direction, whereas the term "transverse" equates to the crosswise direction, or left and right. As used herein, the terms "lateral" and "transverse" are used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terms "axial" and "radial" are made in relation to a rotating body such as a shaft, wherein axial relates to a direction along the rotation axis and radial equates to a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0043] As used herein, an "agricultural machine" means and includes any machine that may be used during an agricultural process (e.g., planting, spraying, harvesting, cutting, baling, spreading, etc.) and may include self-propelled vehicles and towed agricultural implements configured to be towed by a vehicle (e.g., a tractor). Agricultural machines may include tractors, spreaders, planters, air carts, air seeders, harvesters, combines, balers, etc.

[0044] As used herein, "sound pressure" means and includes a deviation from an ambient pressure (e.g., an atmospheric pressure) caused by a sound wave and may comprise changes in a pressure of a medium (e.g., air) as a sound wave(s) traverse(s) (e.g., travel(s) through) the medium, such as a variation in the pressure over time (e.g., such as a change in a total pressure of a medium (e.g., a change in air pressure) as a sound wave passes through the medium), and / or a difference between an instantaneous pressure at a location in a presence of a sound wave and a static pressure of the medium. A sound pressure within a medium may include changes in a pressure of the medium as sound waves travel through the medium. The term "acoustic pressure" may be used interchangeably with sound pressure herein. The sound pressure of air may be measured by a microphone.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an agricultural application machine, which may also be referred to as an applicator or as a spreader 100, such as a dry particulate(e.g., fertilizer) spreader. In some embodiments, the spreader 100 comprises a self-propelled sprayer.

[0046] The spreader 100 may include a chassis 102 and a plurality of wheels 104 (including tires) or other ground-engaging elements supporting the chassis 102 above a surface of the ground. The spreader 100 further includes an application system 106, an operator cabin 108, and an engine compartment 110. The operator cabin 108 or "cab" is supported on the chassis 102 and shown in a forward direction F relative to the application system 106, though parts of the application system 106 may alternatively be at the front of the spreader 100.

[0047] The application system 106 is supported on the chassis 102 and may include at least one storage tank 112 (e.g., a hopper, a bin) and a delivery system for applying a solid material (product) from the storage tank 112 to crops and / or a field traversed by the spreader 100. The application system 106 may be configured to deliver a solid fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, a fungicide, and / or seed to the field. As used herein, delivering a material to a field means and includes delivering (e.g., applying) the material to the field and / or to crops (e.g., row crops) in the field.

[0048] The application system 106 includes a boom 114 having a pair of boom arms 116 supporting conduits 118 configured to deliver material from the storage tank 112 to outlets 120 or product applicators to be delivered to the field. The boom arms 116 are illustrated in an extended configuration in FIG. 1, each laterally extending from the chassis 102 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the forward direction F. In some embodiments, the boom arms 116 are individually hinged ly coupled to the chassis 102 by means of bars 122.

[0049] The conduits 118 may individually define a flow line (e.g., a flow channel) through which the solid material may be transported from the storage tank 112 to the outlets 120 to be delivered to the field. The conduits 118 may individually include tubes, hoses, pipes, or other means for transporting the material from the storage tank 112 to the field and may also be referred to herein as "flow lines," "delivery tubes," "delivery hoses," or "delivery channels." In some embodiments, the conduits 118 comprise a substantially flexible material, such as a tube or a hose (e.g., a rubber hose). The outlets 120 may be laterally spaced from one another in a direction substantially transverse to the forward direction F such that the conduits118 deliver the material from the spreader 100 to different locations of the field and / or to different crops.

[0050] The conduits 118 are in fluid communication with the storage tank 112 through a manifold 126 configured to direct the solid material from the storage tank 112 through separate conduits 118. An air blower 124 may be in operable communication with the storage tank 112, and configured to provide a motive force for transporting the material from the storage tank 112, through the conduits 118 and to the outlets 120 for delivery to the field.

[0051] The spreader 100 includes a flow detection system 150 including a plurality of apparatuses 140 (also referred to as "housing assemblies"), each apparatus 140 operably coupled to a sensor housing 142 that is, in turn, operably coupled to an electronic control unit (ECU) 130. The flow detection system 150 includes the apparatuses 140 and the ECU 130. Each apparatus 140 is operably coupled to a conduit 118 and configured to determine at least one flow condition of the conduit 118 to which it is operably coupled. The at least one flow condition of the conduit 118 may include an indication of a flow discrepancy (e.g., an unexpected change in flow through the conduit 118) and / or an indication of blockage within the conduits 118.

[0052] Each apparatus 140 may include one of the housings 128 operably coupled to (e.g., disposed around, surrounding) a respective conduit 118, and a tube 132 extending from the housing 128 to a sensor (e.g., sensor 218 (FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C)). The sensor may be located within the sensor housing 142. The sensor housing 142 may be in operable communication with the ECU 130. The sensors may individually be configured to obtain sensor data 144 and output the sensor data 144 to the ECU 130. The sensor data 144 may comprise sound data (e.g., sound pressure) indicative of the sound within an air cavity (e.g., air cavity 210 (FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D)) defined between the housing 128 and the outer walls of the conduit 118. In some embodiments, the sound data comprises an audio signal. The sensor data 144 may be transmitted from the sensor housing 142 to the ECU 130 via a wired connection or wirelessly. For clarity and ease of understanding the description, FIG. 1 illustrates the tubes 132 between only some of the housings 128 and the sensor housing 142, but it will be understood that eachhousing 128 may be in fluid communication with a respective sensor of the sensor housing 142 by means of a tube 132.

[0053] The ECU 130 is configured to analyze the sensor data 144 from the sensors to determine at least one acoustic property within the air cavity. The ECU 130 may be configured to receive the sensor data 144 from each sensor and determine at least one acoustic property of the air cavity based on the sensor data 144. The at least one acoustic property may include at least one of a frequency, an amplitude (e.g., measured in decibels (d B)), and a wavelength of the sensor data 144. The at least one acoustic property of the air cavity may correspond to conditions (e.g., flow conditions) within the conduit 118.

[0054] The ECU 130 may be configured to receive the sensor data 144 (e.g., the audio signals) from each of the sensors and analyze the sensor data 144 to determine the at least one acoustic property within the respective housing 128. The ECU 130 may be configured to determine a flow condition of each of the conduits 118 based on the at least one acoustic property. The ECU 130 may comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0055] While the ECU 130 and the sensor housing 142 are illustrated as being on the manifold 126 in FIG. 1, the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the ECU 130 and the sensor housing 142 are vertically under the manifold 126 or are operably coupled to the boom 114, such as to framing of one of the boom 114. In yet other embodiments, the spreader 100 includes more than one ECU 130 and / or more than one sensor housing 142, such as one ECU 130 and one sensor housing 142 for every boom arm 116. In further embodiments, the ECU 130 is located within the operator cabin 108 or at another location of the spreader 100.

[0056] While the ECU 130 and the sensor housing 142 have been described and illustrated as comprising separate components, the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the sensors of the apparatuses 140 are located within the ECU 130. For example, in some embodiments, the sensors comprise a portion of the ECU 130 (e.g., are located within the ECU 130, such as a PCBA including the sensors).

[0057] The housings 128 may individually be located proximate the outlet 120 of the conduits 118 to which they are coupled. In some embodiments, coupling the housings 128 tothe conduits 118 proximate the outlets 120 may facilitate determining whether there is a blockage within the conduit 118 between the housing 128 and the storage tank 112 (e.g., between the housing 128 and the manifold 126). While the housings 128 are described and illustrated as being located proximate the outlets 120, the disclosure is not so limited, and the housings 128 may be coupled to the conduits 118 locations different than those illustrated.

[0058] The spreader 100 further includes an input / output (I / O) device 134 configured to display information to an operator of the spreader 100. The I / O device 134 may be in operable communication with the ECU 130 and configured to receive an indication of the flow conditions within each of the conduits 118 from the ECU 130.

[0059] While the conduits 118 are illustrated as being substantially straight in FIG. 1, the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the conduits 118 include bends, elbows, and / or curves. In some such embodiments, the housings 128 may be attached to the conduits 118 at a portion of the conduits 118 that are not substantially straight.

[0060] FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a flow detection system 250 including an ECU 230 and an apparatus 200 (also referred to as a "housing assembly") operably coupled to (e.g., disposed around and surrounding) a conduit 118. FIG. 2B is a simplified cutaway perspective view of the apparatus 200 coupled to the conduit 118. FIG. 2C is a simplified cutaway perspective view of a portion of the apparatus 200 illustrating an air cavity 210 defined by the apparatus 200. FIG. 2D is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 may correspond to the apparatuses 140 of FIG. 1.

[0061] With collective reference to FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D, the apparatus 200 may include a housing 202 (corresponding to the housing 128) including a first portion 204 and a second portion 206 configured to operably couple to the first portion 204 such that the housing 202 surrounds (e.g., circumferentially surrounds) the conduit 118 when the first portion 204 is coupled to the second portion 206. Attaching the housing 202 to the conduit 118 may include placing the first portion 204 around a portion of the conduit 118, placing the second portion 206 around another portion of the conduit 118 opposite the first portion 204, and attaching the first portion 204 to the second portion 206. When coupled to one another, the first portion 204 and the second portion 206 define inner walls 208 defining an inner diameter of the housing202. The inner diameter of the housing 202 may substantially correspond to an outer diameter of the conduit 118 such that the housing 202 does not substantially move along or around the conduit 118 when coupled to the conduit 118.

[0062] The first portion 204 may be attached to the second portion 206 by at least one of clamps (e.g., hose clamps), fasteners (e.g., screws), snap connectors, or other means for attaching the first portion 204 to the second portion 206. In some embodiments, the housing 202 may be coupled to the conduit 118 without disconnecting (e.g., fluidly disconnecting a supply tank from an outlet of the flow line), cutting, or otherwise breaking the conduit 118. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the housing 202 may be coupled to an existing conduit 118 without exposing the material within the conduit 118 to regions outside of the conduit 118. In addition, the conduit 118 may extend continuously through the conduit 118.

[0063] The housing 202 may exhibit a predetermined size and shape. In some embodiments, the housing 202 exhibits an arcuate (e.g., curved) shape. In some embodiments, an angle between a longitudinal axis a first end of the housing 202 and a longitudinal axis of a second end of the housing 202 may be within a range from about 70° to about 90°, such as from about 70° to about 80°, or from about 80° to about 90°. However, the disclosure is not so limited, and the angle may be different than those described.

[0064] The housing 202 may comprise a substantially rigid material. In some embodiments, the conduit 118 may be deformed (e.g., shaped, bent, curved) to a desired geometry, and the housing 202 may be coupled to the conduit 118 to conform the conduit 118 to the geometry defined by the housing 202. In some embodiments, the housing 202 comprises a material that is more rigid than the conduit 118 and the conduit 118 may substantially conform to the geometry defined by the housing 202. By way of non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the conduit 118 comprises an air hose (e.g., a rubber air hose) and the housing 202 comprises a material having a rigidity greater than the conduit 118. The housing 202 may comprise at least one of a polyamide thermoplastic material (e.g., glass filled nylon), a polycarbonate material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or another material. In some embodiments, the housing 202 (e.g., each of the first portion 204 and the second portion 206) is formed by injection molding.

[0065] The housing 202 may define at least a portion of an air cavity 210. The air cavity 210 may be defined between the outer diameter of the conduit 118 and inner walls 208 of the housing 202. In some embodiments, the air cavity 210 is defined within one of the first portion 204 and the second portion 206. In some embodiments, such as where the housing 202 exhibits a curved shape, the air cavity 210 is formed in the portion exhibiting a relatively greater radius of curvature.

[0066] The air cavity 210 may exhibit a truncated conical shape. In other embodiments, the air cavity 210 exhibits a different shape, such as a hemispherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a cubic shape, or a cuboid shape. However, the disclosure is not so limited and the shape of the air cavity 210 may be different than those described.

[0067] When the housing 202 is secured to the conduit 118, the air cavity 210 may be fluidly isolated from the inside (e.g., the inside diameter) of the conduit 118. In other words, the air cavity 210 is fluidly isolated from the material in the conduit 118 by the outer wall of the conduit 118 and may not be exposed to the material within the conduit 118. For example, the air cavity 210 may not be directly exposed to the material flowing through the conduit 118.

[0068] As best seen in FIG. 2C, the housing 202 may define a groove 212 proximate (e.g., around) the air cavity 210. The groove 212 may be configured to receive an O-ring 214 (FIG. 2D) or another seal. When the housing 202 is coupled to the conduit 118, the O-ring 214 may seated within the groove 212 and located between the outside wall of the conduit 118 and the inner walls 208 of the housing 202. The O-ring 214 may be configured to be compressed responsive to attachment of the first portion 204 to the second portion 206 when coupling the housing 202 to the conduit 118. Compression of the O-ring 214 may substantially fluidly seal the air cavity 210 from exterior regions, such as from a volume between the conduit 118 and the housing 202. The O-ring 214 may substantially isolate the air cavity 210 from dust, air, particles, or other material external to the air cavity 210. In some embodiments, the O-ring 214 hermetically seals the air cavity 210 from the other regions of the apparatus 200, such as from the volume between the housing 202 and the conduit 118.

[0069] The air cavity 210 may be in fluid communication with a connection 216 (e.g., a nipple) configured to fluidly connect the air cavity 210 to a sensor 218, such as by a tube 220.The sensor 218 may be located within a sensor housing 242. In some embodiments, the tube 220 is coupled to and extends between the air cavity 210 and an inlet 232 (also referred to as an "input port") of the sensor housing 242, the inlet 232 in fluid communication with (e.g., directly coupled to) one of the sensors 218. The tube 220 may be coupled to the air cavity 210 by means of the connection 216. The sensor housing 242 may include multiple sensors 218, each sensor 218 configured to be in fluid communication with a housing 202 (e.g., an air cavity 210 of a housing 202) that is disposed around a conduit 118.

[0070] The tube 220 may be configured to transmit pressure waves (e.g., sound pressure) caused by material flowing within the conduit 118 from the air cavity 210 to the sensor 218. Since the air cavity 210 is substantially sealed from an external environment (e.g., such as by the O-ring 214), substantially all of (e.g., most of) the sound to which the air cavity 210 is exposed may be caused by vibrations of the conduit 118, such as vibrations caused by impingement of the inner wall of the conduit 118 by material flowing within the conduit 118. As one example, with reference to FIG. 2B, at least some of the material flowing within the conduit 118 may impinge the inner wall of the conduit 118. A flow path 222 of at least some of the material flowing within the conduit 118 is illustrated in FIG. 2B. As the material flows within the conduit 118, and at least partially due to the shape of the conduit 118 (e.g., the curvature of the conduit 118 caused by the housing 202), at least some of the material impinges the inner wall of the conduit 118 proximate the air cavity 210, causing vibrations in the wall of the conduit 118 proximate the air cavity 210. The air cavity 210 may be directly exposed to the outer wall of the conduit 118 (e.g., the inner wall 208 of the housing 202 may not be located between the air cavity 210 and the outer wall of the conduit 118). The vibrations of the wall of the conduit 118 may be transmitted to the air cavity 210 and from the air cavity 210 to the sensor 218 through the tube 220. The vibrations may comprise sound pressure comprising a deviation in pressure from ambient pressure caused by sound waves.

[0071] The sensor 218 may be configured to receive and measure the air pressure (e.g., the sound pressure) from the air cavity 210 and generate sensor data 244 (corresponding to the sensor data 144 (FIG. 1)) based on the received sound pressure. The sensors 218 may be configured to measure the sound pressure within the cavity 210 and generate the sensor data244. In other words, the sensors 218 may be configured to measure the air pressure (e.g., the dynamic air pressure, the changes in the air pressure) in the cavity 210. In some embodiments, the sensor data 244 comprises an audio signal, which may comprise an electrical signal, such as an analog signal and / or an alternating current (AC) signal (e.g., an AC voltage). The sensor 218 may output the sensor data 244 and an ECU 230 may receive the sensor data 244. The ECU 230 may correspond to the ECU 130 of FIG. 1. As described above with reference to the sensor data 144, the sensor data 244 may be transmitted from the sensor housing 242 to the ECU 230 via a wired connection or wirelessly.

[0072] The sensor 218 may comprise, for example, a microphone. The microphone may comprise at least one of a surface acoustic wave sensor, pressure-field microphone, a free-field microphone, or a random incidence microphone. In some embodiments, the sensor 218 comprises a microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone. In other embodiments, the microphone comprises a pressure-field microphone or a free-field microphone. The sensor 218 may also be referred to herein as an "acoustic sensor."

[0073] The ECU 230 may receive the sensor data 244 from each of the sensors 218. In some embodiments, the ECU 230 includes a processor 246 configured to analyze the sensor data 244 and determine at least one acoustic property of the air cavity 210 based on the sensor data 244. The property(ies) may comprise a frequency (e.g., a pitch), an amplitude (e.g., measured in decibels (d B)), and / or a wavelength of the sensor data 244. Accordingly, the at least one acoustic property may correspond to at least one property selected from the group consisting of the frequency, the amplitude, and the wavelength of the sensor data 244 (the sound pressure within the air cavity 210). In some embodiments, the ECU 230 is configured to analyze the sensor data 244 to determine the frequency of the sensor data 244 and / or the amplitude of the sensor data 244. In some embodiments, the ECU 230 is configured to determine at least one flow condition (e.g., whether there is a blockage) in each of the conduits 118 based on the sensor data 244. For example, the ECU 230 may determine the flow conditions within the conduits 118 based on the frequency and / or the amplitude of the sensor data 244.

[0074] While FIG. 2A-FIG. 2D illustrate that the sensors 218 are physically separated from the ECU 230, in some embodiments, the sensors 218 are directly physically coupled to the ECU 230. For example, the ECU 230 may comprise a PCBA or an ASIC and the sensors 218 may be directly attached to the ECU 230. In some such embodiments, the tubes 220 are routed from the air cavity 210 to the sensors 218, which are directly coupled to the ECU 230.

[0075] Although FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C do not illustrate every sensor 218 of the sensor housing 242 in fluid communication with a tube 220 to fluidly connect the sensor 218 to an air cavity 210 of another housing 202, it will be understood that each of the sensors 218 may be in fluid communication with an air cavity 210 of different housings 202 to determine at least one flow condition of different conduits 118. In addition, although FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate the sensors 218 housed within the sensor housing 242, the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the flow detection system 250 does not include the sensor housing 242. In some such embodiments, the sensors 218 may be directly coupled to or comprise a portion of the ECU 230. In yet other embodiments, the apparatuses 200 do not include the tubes 220 and the sensors 218 are directly coupled to the connection 216.

[0076] FIG. 3A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of an apparatus 300 including a housing 302. FIG. 3B is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus 300. The apparatus 300 may include the housing 302 configured to be disposed around a flow line 318 configured to carry a solid material (e.g., a solid fertilizer). The flow line 318 may correspond to conduit 118. In some embodiments, the flow line 318 comprises a flexible tube, such as a flexible hose.

[0077] The housing 302 may exhibit a substantially linear (e.g., straight) shape, in some embodiments, an inlet 350 of the housing 302 is substantially parallel to an outlet 352 of the housing 302. For example, a longitudinal axis 354 of the housing 302 may intersect a center of each of the inlet 350 and the outlet 352. In addition, the longitudinal axis 354 of the housing 302 may longitudinally extend through a center of the flow line 318. In some such embodiments, the housing 302 may be referred to as an "in line" housing 302 and the apparatus 300 may be referred to as an "in line" apparatus 300.

[0078] The housing 302 may include a first portion 304 configured to be operably coupled to a second portion 306, as described above with reference to the housing 202 (FIG. 2A). The housing 302 may be disposed around the flow line 318 by disposing one of the first portion 304 or the second portion 306 around the flow line 318, disposing the other of the first portion 304 or the second portion 306 around the flow line 318, and fastening the first portion 304 to the second portion 306, such as with one or more fastener means (e.g., screws, clips, etc.) extending through corresponding apertures 356 in the first portion 304 and the second portion 306. Other fasteners may be part of the first portion 304 or the second portion 306, and extend through the apertures of the other portion or around a part of the other portion of the housing 302. The housing 302 may be configured to be operably coupled to the sensor housing 242, such as to an inlet 232 of the sensor housing 242 to operably couple the housing 302 to a sensor 218 of the sensor housing 242. In some embodiments, the housing 302 includes a connection 316. A tube 320 may be operably connected to the housing 302 at the connection 316 to operably couple the housing 302 to the sensor housing 242.

[0079] The housing 302 may define an air cavity 310 when disposed around the flow line 318. In some embodiments, the air cavity 310 includes a first portion 311 circumferentially around the flow line 318 and a second section 313 in operable communication with each of the first portion 311 and the connection 316. The first portion 311 may comprise an annular portion defined between the housing 302 (e.g., each of the first portion 304 and the second portion 306) and the second portion 313. The second portion 313 may comprise a substantially conically shaped (e.g., funnel shaped) portion between the first portion 311 and the connection 316. The second portion 313 may include tapered (e.g., angled) sidewalls 315.

[0080] With reference to FIG. 3B, the housing 302 may be substantially hermetically sealed from an external environment by seals 314. In some embodiments, each side (e.g., each of the inlet 350 and the outlet 352) of the housing 302 may be sealed to the flow line 318 by means of a seal 314. The seal 314 may comprise a gasket, which may comprise a rubber material, such as at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nitrile (a copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, or fluorocarbon elastomers. The seals 314 may be configured to form a seal (e.g., a hermetic seal)between the housing 302 and the flow line 318 without cutting the flow line 318 to install the housing 302 over the flow line 318. In some such embodiments, the flow line 318 extends through the housing 302 continuously. The seals 314 may be configured to compress responsive to attachment of the first portion 304 to the second portion 306. The compression of the seals 314 may form a substantially hermetic seal between the housing 302 and the flow line 318.

[0081] In some embodiments, material within the flow line 318 may contact (e.g., impinge, bounce off of) inner walls of the flow line 318. The contact between the material flowing through the flow line 318 and the flow line 318 may cause vibrations (e.g., noise) within the air cavity 310, which may be transmitted through the tube 320 to the sensor 218 in fluid communication with the air cavity 310. One or more properties (e.g., frequency, amplitude) of the vibrations may be related to the flow rate and / or the size of the material in the flow line 318. Accordingly, acoustic properties of the flow line 318 may be measured with the sensors 218 operably coupled to the air cavity 310 to determine one or more conditions within the flow line 318.

[0082] FIG. 4A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of an apparatus 400 including a sensor housing 402. FIG. 4B is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus 400. The apparatus 400 may include a housing 402 configured to be disposed around a flow line 418 configured to carry a solid material (e.g., a solid fertilizer). The flow line 418 may correspond to conduit 118. In some embodiments, the flow line 418 comprises a flexible tube, such as a flexible hose. In some embodiments, the flow line 418 is curved (e.g., exhibits an arcuate shape) and / or is configured to be curved by the housing 402.

[0083] The housing 402 may exhibit an arcuate (e.g., curved, non-linear) shape and may be configured to impose a corresponding arcuate shape on the flow line 418. In some embodiments, an inlet 450 of the housing 402 is offset from an outlet 452 of the housing 402. In some such embodiments, the housing 402 may be referred to as "curved" housing 402 and the apparatus 400 may be referred to as a "curved" apparatus 400. The housing 402 may comprise, for example, a sweep elbow. In some embodiments, the inlet 450 and the outlet 452 are disposed along an imaginary circle and are oriented along a circumference of the imaginarycircle. In some embodiments, the inlet 450 and the outlet 452 are spaced from one another at an angle, such as at an angle within a range of from about 10° to about 45°, such as from about 10° to about 15°, from about 15° to about 30°, or from about 30° to about 45°.

[0084] The housing 402 may include a first portion 404 configured to be operably coupled to a second portion 406, as described above with reference to the housing 202 (FIG. 2A) or housing 302 (FIG. 3A). In addition, elements common between the apparatus 400 and the second assembly 300 previously described with reference to the apparatus 300 are not fully described with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Rather, elements common between the sensor housing 300 and the sensor housing 400 are referenced by the same reference characters, separated by 100. For example, unless described otherwise, reference character 4XX in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B may correspond to reference character 3XX in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. As one example, the first portion 404 of the housing 402 corresponds to the first portion 304 of the housing 300.

[0085] In some embodiments, material within the flow line 418 may contact (e.g., impinge, bounce off of) inner walls of the flow line 418. The contact between the material flowing through the flow line 418 and the flow line 418 may cause vibrations (e.g., noise) within the air cavity 410, which may be transmitted through the tube 420 to the sensor 218 in fluid communication with the air cavity 410. One or more properties (e.g., frequency, amplitude) of the vibrations may be related to the flow rate and / or the size of the material in the flow line 418. Accordingly, acoustic properties of the flow line 418 may be measured with the sensors 218 operably coupled to the air cavity 410 to determine one or more conditions within the flow line 418.

[0086] FIG. 5A is a simplified side elevation view of a tractor 552 pulling an agricultural implement 550. The agricultural implement 550 may include a wheeled cart having a frame 504 and a tongue hitch 506 for attachment of the agricultural implement 550 to the tractor 552 or to another towing means. In some embodiments, the agricultural implement 550 is a fertilizer applicator for applying nutrients to row crops. The frame 504 is supported by wheels 508. The tongue hitch 506 is oriented along a longitudinal axis that is generally in-line with the direction of travel of the tractor 552. The agricultural implement 550 may carry a central hopper 510configured to transport material to be applied to a field. The agricultural implement 550 may further include a toolbar 512 to which is mounted a delivery mechanism 514 to distribute the material from the central hopper 510 to the field. The delivery mechanism 514 may include nozzles or other applicators fluidly connected to the central hopper 510 (and optionally to one or more additional hoppers) by flow lines 516 (e.g., flow channels). A pressurized air source, such as an air blower, may drive the material form the central hopper 510 through the flow lines 516.

[0087] FIG. 5B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the agricultural implement 550 of FIG. 5A. The agricultural implement 550 includes the toolbar 512 carrying a plurality of material applicators 518. The material applicators 518 form the delivery mechanism 514 (FIG. 5A).

[0088] Each of the material applicators 518 may be fluidly connected to the central hopper 510 (FIG. 5A) by flow lines 516. The flow lines 516 may individually include flexible tubes 520, elbows 522, and rigid extensions 524 to maintain the material applicators 518 a predetermined distance from the toolbar 512. The material applicators 518 and the rigid extensions 524 may collectively be referred to herein as "drop hoses" or "drop tubes." The flexible tubes 520 may be configured to move with the toolbar 512 as the toolbar 512 moves relative to the frame 504. For example, the distance between the toolbar 512 and the frame 504 may be adjusted by actuation of actuators 526. The flexible tubes 520 may laterally extend along the toolbar 512 from a manifold configured to receive material from the hopper 510.

[0089] In some embodiments, each of the flexible tubes 520 is individually operably coupled to an apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 may be substantially similar to any of the apparatuses 200, 300, 400 described above with reference to FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B. As described above, each of the apparatuses 500 may be configured to determine a flow condition within the flexible tube 520 to which it is operably coupled, such as whether there is a blockage within the flexible tube 520. Each of the apparatuses 500 may be operably coupled to an ECU 230, as described above with reference to FIG. 2A-FIG. 4B. For clarity and ease of understanding the description, FIG. 5B illustrates only some of the apparatuses 500, but it will be understoodthat a sensor housing 242 may be operably coupled to each of the flexible tubes 520 and the ECU 230.

[0090] The apparatuses 500 may be operably coupled to existing flow lines 516 and configured to facilitate determination of a flow condition within the flow lines 516 without cutting the flow lines 516 and the flow lines 516 extend continuously through the apparatuses 500. For example, since the housing 502 of the apparatuses 500 includes two portions (e.g., the respective first portion 204, 304, 404 and the second portion 206, 306, 406) attached to one another, the apparatuses 500 may be coupled to existing flow lines 516 without cutting the existing flow lines 516. In some embodiments, the apparatuses 500 are configured to determine a flow condition (e.g., whether there is a blockage) within the flow lines 516 without exposing the apparatuses 500 (e.g., the air cavity 210, 310, 410, the sensor 218) to the material within the flow lines 516. Accordingly, when the apparatuses 500 are attached to the flow lines 516, the material within the flow lines 516 may not contact portions of the apparatuses 500, such as the air cavity 210, 310, 410 or the sensor 218. By way of comparison, conventional sensors and apparatuses may be exposed to the material within the flow lines, causing fouling (e.g., accumulation of dust or other materials) that may impede the operation of the sensor and / or apparatus over time. Reducing or substantially preventing exposure of the sensor 218 and the apparatuses 500 to the material within the flow lines 516 and to dust may substantially increase the operating life of the sensor 218 and apparatuses 500. Accordingly, the apparatuses 500 may be used for determining whether there is a blockage of flow in existing flow lines of spreaders and other devices without modification of the flow lines.

[0091] Although the apparatuses 500 have been described and illustrated as being used with particular embodiments of agricultural machines (e.g., spreaders 100 and agricultural implements 550), the disclosure is not so limited. For example, although the spreader 100 of FIG. 1 has been illustrated as comprising four wheels 104, the apparatuses 140, 200, 300, 400, 500 may be used in spreaders (e.g., self-propelled spreaders) having three wheels or including tracks instead of wheels. In addition, although the apparatuses 140, 200, 300, 400, 500 have been described and illustrated as being used with spreaders (e.g., the spreader 100) and a particular agricultural implement (e.g., agricultural implement 550), the disclosure is not solimited, and the apparatuses 140, 200, 300, 400, 500 may be configured to be operably coupled to flow lines of other types of spreaders, planters, and / or agricultural implements configured for delivering a solid material (e.g., seeds, dry fertilizer, dry pesticide, dry herbicides) to a field and / or crops. For example, the apparatuses 140, 200, 300, 400, 500 may be used with self- propelled planters or with agricultural implements comprising towed planters, such as those described in U.S. Patent 10,881,044, "Planter with Full Tandem Offset Pivot," granted January 5, 2021; U.S. Patent 8,726,820, "Twin Row Planter," granted May 20, 2014; International Patent Publication WO 2021 / 205245 Al, "Agricultural Implements Having Row Unit Position Sensors and at least one Adjustable Wheel, and Related Control Systems and Methods," published October 14, 2021; and International Patent Publication WO 2023 / 007311 Al, "Planter Implement," published February 2, 2023. In some embodiments, the apparatuses 140, 200 may be operably attached to flow lines of an air cart configured for delivering dry product (e.g., seeds, fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, fungicide), such as the air cart and air seeding system described and illustrated in U.S. Patent 8,950,360, "Air Seeder Monitoring and Equalization System Using Acoustic Sensors," granted February 10, 2015.

[0092] FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method 600 of monitoring at least one flow condition of a flow line (e.g., conduit 118, flow lines 318, 414, 516) using an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 140, 200, 300, 400, 500). The method 600 includes act 602 including measuring a pressure (e.g., an air pressure of the air cavity 210, 310, 410) with at least one sensor (e.g., sensors 218) of apparatuses (e.g., apparatuses 140, 200, 300, 400, 500). The acoustic data may be received by, for example, sensors comprising microphones configured to generate sensor data (e.g., sensor data 144, 244) corresponding to the sound (e.g., sound pressure, change in air pressure) to which the sensors are exposed. The sensor data may comprise, for example, an audio signal comprising an electrical signal, indicative of the pressure waves to which the sensor is exposed. As described above with reference to FIG. 2A-FIG. 4B, at least some of the sound to which the sensors are exposed may be based on materials within the flow line impinging on the wall of the flow line proximate an air cavity (e.g., air cavity 210, 310, 410) to which the sensor is operably coupled.

[0093] Responsive to measuring the acoustic data with at least one sensor, the method 600 includes receiving the sensor data with an electronic control unit (e.g., the ECU 130), as shown in act 604. In some embodiments, the ECU may receive the sensor data (e.g., the audio signals) directly from the sensors.

[0094] The method 600 further includes analyzing the sensor data to determine an amplitude of the sensor data within at least one frequency range of the sensor data, as shown in act 606. In some embodiments, the amplitude of the sensor data comprises a power output of the sensor. The at least one frequency range may correspond to a frequency range of sound generated during flow of solid materials through the flow lines (and a frequency range of sound generated responsive to impingement of the inner walls of the flow lines with the solid material). The at least one frequency range may be selected based on at least one of a size of the solid materials, an inner diameter of the flow lines, a size of the solid materials relative to the inner diameter of the flow lines, and the flow rate of the solid material through the flow line.

[0095] The amplitude of the sensor data may be determined for the at least one frequency range. The amplitude of the sensor data may correspond to a volume of the noise to which the sensor is exposed and may be measured in decibels (d B). In some embodiments, the amplitude of the sensor data within the at least one frequency range may correspond to at least one flow condition within the flow line.

[0096] Responsive to analyzing the sensor data, the method 600 further includes comparing current sensor data to historical sensor data, as shown in act 608. The historical sensor data may include at least one of previous sensor data, such as sensor data immediately preceding the current sensor data, an average of the sensor data over a predetermined duration, or a sensor data in the form of a look-up table including an estimate value of the sensor data for a particular flow of one or more materials in the flow line.

[0097] In some embodiments, comparing the current sensor data to the historical sensor data includes applying a Kalman filter on the sensor data, such as on an amplitude of the sensor data. By way of non-limiting example, comparing the current sensor data to the historical sensor data may include using the current sensor data to a predicted output of thesensor based on the historical sensor data. In some embodiments, a deviation between the predicted sensor data (e.g., a predicted amplitude of the sensor data) based on the historical sensor data and the current sensor data may be an indication of a deviation in a flow condition with the flow line.

[0098] In some embodiments, the historical sensor data comprises a rolling average (also referred to as a "moving average") of the amplitude of the sensor data, as shown in act 608. The rolling average may comprise a rolling average of the amplitude of the sensor data over a predetermined duration (e.g., the previous ten seconds, the previous fifteen seconds, the previous minute, the previous five minutes, the previous ten minutes, or another duration) or over a predetermined number of previous sensor measurements (e.g., the previous ten sensor measurements, the previous twenty sensor measurements, the previous fifty sensor measurements, the previous one hundred sensor measurements, another number of previous sensor measurements). The rolling average may be determined by, for example, determining the current amplitude of the sensor data, and dividing the current amplitude of the sensor data by the average of the amplitude of the sensor data over the predetermine duration and / or the predetermined number of previous sensor measurements. The rolling average of the amplitude of the sensor data may be determined for the same at least one frequency range at which the amplitude of the sensor data is determined in act 606. Comparing the current amplitude of the sensor data to the historical average may include comparting the current amplitude of the sensor data within a particular frequency range may to the rolling average of the sensor data within the particular frequency range.

[0099] Responsive to comparing the current sensor data to the historical sensor data, the method 600 may include determining at least one flow condition within a flow line operably coupled to the at least one sensor, as shown in act 610. Determining the at least one flow condition may include determining whether there is a flow discrepancy within the flow line and / or whether there is a blockage within the flow line.

[0100] In some embodiments, determining the at least one flow condition comprises determining a presence of a blockage (e.g., a full blockage, a partial blockage) within the flow line responsive to determining that the predicted value of the sensor data is more than apredetermined amount (e.g., a predetermined percentage, a predetermined absolute value) different than the current sensor data. By way of non-limiting example, if the current amplitude of the sensor data is less than about 90%, less than about 80%, less than about 70%, or less than about 60% of the predicted amplitude of the sensor data, act 610 includes determining that there is reduced flow through the flow line and a partial blockage within the flow line. In other embodiments, determining the at least one flow condition comprises determining a presence of a blockage (e.g., a full blockage, a partial blockage) within the flow line responsive to determining that the amplitude of the current sensor data is less than the rolling average of the amplitude of the sensor data, which may correspond to an indication of reduced or no flow through the flow line compared to the relative flow of material during the time the rolling average was determined. By way of non-limiting example, if the current amplitude of the sensor data is less than about 90%, less than about 80%, less than about 70%, or less than about 60% of the rolling average of the amplitude of the sensor data, act 610 includes determining that there is reduced flow through the flow line and a partial blockage within the flow line. In some embodiments, if the current amplitude of the sensor data is less about 20%, or less than about 10% of the rolling average of the amplitude of the sensor data, act 610 includes determining that there is blockage (e.g., a substantially full blockage) within the flow line.

[0101] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a computer device 702, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the ECU 130, 230 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C) comprises a computer device such as the computer device 702 of FIG. 7. The computer device 702 may include a communication interface 704, at least one processor 706, a memory 708, a storage device 710, an input / output device 712, and a bus 714. The computer device 702 may be used to implement various functions, operations, acts, processes, and / or methods disclosed herein, such as the method 600.

[0102] The communication interface 704 may include hardware, software, or both. The communication interface 704 may provide one or more interfaces for communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) between the computer device 702 and one or more other computing devices or networks (e.g., a server). As an example, and not by way oflimitation, the communication interface 704 may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi.

[0103] The at least one processor 706 may include hardware for executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program. By way of non-limiting example, to execute instructions, the at least one processor 706 may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, the memory 708, or the storage device 710 and decode and execute them to execute instructions. In some embodiments, the at least one processor 706 includes one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses. The at least one processor 706 may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation look aside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in the instruction caches may be copies of instructions in the memory 708 or the storage device 710.

[0104] The memory 708 may be coupled to the at least one processor 706. The memory 708 may be used for storing data, metadata, and programs for execution by the processor(s). The memory 708 may include one or more of volatile and non-volatile memories, such as Random-Access Memory ("RAM"), Read-Only Memory ("ROM"), a solid state disk ("SSD"), Flash, Phase Change Memory ("PCM"), or other types of data storage. The memory 708 may be internal or distributed memory.

[0105] The storage device 710 may include storage for storing data or instructions. As an example, and not by way of limitation, storage device 710 may include a non-transitory storage medium described above. The storage device 710 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), Flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more of these. The storage device 710 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. The storage device 710 may be internal or external to the storage device 710. In one or more embodiments, the storage device 710 is non-volatile, solid-state memory. In other embodiments, the storage device 710 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM(EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or Flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.

[0106] The storage device 710 may include machine-executable code stored thereon. The storage device 710 may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The machine-executable code includes information describing functional elements that may be implemented by (e.g., performed by) the at least one processor 706. The at least one processor 706 is adapted to implement (e.g., perform) the functional elements described by the machine-executable code. In some embodiments the at least one processor 706 may be configured to perform the functional elements described by the machine-executable code sequentially, concurrently (e.g., on one or more different hardware platforms), or in one or more parallel process streams.

[0107] When implemented by the at least one processor 706, the machine-executable code is configured to adapt the at least one processor 706 to perform operations of embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the machine-executable code may be configured to adapt the at least one processor 706 to perform at least a portion or a totality of the method 600 of FIG. 6. As another example, the machine-executable code may be configured to adapt the at least one processor 706 to perform at least a portion or a totality of the operations discussed for the spreader 100 of FIG. 1 or the agricultural implement 550 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. As a specific, non-limiting example, the machine-executable code may be configured to adapt the at least one processor 706 to cause the I / O device 134 of the spreader 100 to display at least one flow condition of the conduits 118, the flow lines 318, 418, 516, and / or the flexible tubes 520 as described above with reference to the method 600 of FIG. 6. In another nonlimiting example, the machine-executable code may be configured to adapt the at least one processor 706 to cause an I / O device the tractor 552 of FIG. 5A to display at least one flow condition of the flexible tubes 520, as described above with reference to the method 600 of FIG. 6.

[0108] The input / output device 712 may correspond to the input / output device 134 of FIG. 1 and may allow an operator of the spreader 100 to provide input to, receive output from, the computer device 702. The input / output device 712 may include a mouse, a keypad or akeyboard, a joystick, a touch screen, a camera, an optical scanner, network interface, modem, other known I / O devices, or a combination of such I / O interfaces. The input / output device 712 may include one or more devices for the operator to toggle between various displays of the at least one flow condition of the conduits 118, the flow lines 318, 418, 516, and / or the flexible tubes 520.

[0109] In some embodiments, the bus 714 (e.g., a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, an ISOBUS (ISO 11783 Compliant Implement Control)) may include hardware, software, or both that couples components of computer device 702 to each other and to external components.

[0110] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0111] While the present disclosure has been described herein with respect to certain illustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents thereof. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope as contemplated by the inventors. Further, embodiments of the disclosure have utility with different and various machine types and configurations.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for determining a flow condition of an agricultural machine, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an arcuate shape and configured to be disposed around a flow line of the agricultural machine, the housing defining an air cavity between the flow line and the housing when the housing is disposed around the flow line; and a sensor in fluid communication with the air cavity and configured to measure changes in an air pressure within the air cavity to detect flow of particulate material through the flow line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing defines an interior shape configured to receive the flow line.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a polyamide thermoplastic material.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the housing comprises: a first portion; and a second portion configured to be operably coupled to the first portion to operably couple the housing to the flow line without fluidly disconnecting a storage tank from an outlet of the flow line.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein an inner wall of the flow line proximate the air cavity is configured to be within a flow path of material within the flow line.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 6, further comprising a tube operably coupling the air cavity to the sensor.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the air cavity exhibits a truncated conical shape.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the air cavity comprises an annular portion between the housing and the flow line.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 through 9, further comprising an O-ring between the housing and the flow line, the O-ring configured to fluidly isolate the air cavity from a volume between the housing and the flow line.

11. A flow detection system of an agricultural machine, the flow detection system comprising: a flow line in fluid communication with a solid material supply and configured to flow solid material from the solid material supply through the flow line; an apparatus operably coupled to the flow line, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an arcuate shape and disposed around the flow line, the housing defining an air cavity between the housing and the flow line, wherein the air cavity is fluidly isolated from the flow line; and a sensor in fluid communication with the air cavity and configured to generate an audio signal indicative of a change in an air pressure within the air cavity caused by impingement of particulate material on a wall of the flow line adjacent the air cavity; andan electronic control unit in operable communication with the sensor and configured to determine at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of the audio signal to detect flow of the particulate material through the flow line.

12. The flow detection system of claim 11, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine the amplitude of the audio signal.

13. The flow detection system of claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising: additional housings individually disposed around additional flow lines; and additional sensors individually in fluid communication with the additional housings.

14. The flow detection system of claim 13, further comprising a sensor housing comprising a plurality of input ports, each input port configured to be in fluid communication with a different one of the additional sensors.

15. The flow detection system of any one of claims 11 through 14, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to compare the amplitude of the audio signal to a historical amplitude of the audio signal to determine the at least one flow condition.

16. A method of determining at least one flow condition of a flow line of an agricultural machine, the method comprising: measuring a change in an air pressure of an air cavity defined between the flow line and an arcuate housing disposed around the flow line; determining an amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure; comparing the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure to a historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure; and determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line based on a comparison of the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure to the historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein determining the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure comprises determining the amplitude of the measured sound pressure within a predetermined frequency range.

18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line comprises determining a presence of a blockage within the flow line.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the presence of a blockage within the flow line comprises determining the presence of a blockage responsive to determining that the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure is less than the historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure.

20. The method of any one of claims 16 through 19, wherein determining the at least one flow condition of the flow line comprises: determining an amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within a predetermined frequency range; and comparing the amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within the predetermined frequency range to a historical amplitude of the measured change in the air pressure within the predetermined frequency range.

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