Agricultural Product Flow Control via Pressure Drop Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seeding and fertilizer delivery systems require time-consuming and potentially inaccurate manual calibration procedures to ensure precise product flow, leading to inconsistencies in seed or fertilizer deposition during agricultural operations.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes pressure sensors, air flow sensors, and a controller to automatically determine the mass flow rate of products by measuring pressure drops and air flow parameters within the fluid conduit, allowing for real-time adjustment of product delivery to agricultural implements, thereby eliminating the need for manual calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual calibration procedures are used to ensure precise product flow, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to user intervention throughout the calibration process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct flow precisionVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring pressure drop across the metering system and using this data to determine product flow rate, eliminating the need for user intervention in the calibration process while maintaining accurate product delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated electronic system that uses pressure sensors and electronic controllers to measure and adjust product flow rates, substituting human operation with automated sensing and control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual calibration procedures are used to calibrate meter rollers, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional calibration steps and user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct flow precisionVSAvoidcalibration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the calibration function from the main operating system by implementing a separate, dedicated calibration mode that automatically executes measurement and adjustment procedures, isolating the complexity of calibration from normal operation and simplifying the user interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual calibration is performed by collecting and weighing product, then measurement precision can be achieved, but loss of time increases due to the multi-step calibration procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct mass flow rate measurementVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual product collection and weighing procedures with electronic pressure sensing that directly measures pressure drop across the metering system, substituting mechanical collection and gravitational weighing with electronic pressure measurement and automated calculation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures accurate and efficient product delivery by automatically adjusting the product flow based on measured parameters, reducing the risk of over or under-deposition and allowing for seamless switching between different products without recalibration.

Implementation Method 1

determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop between an upstream portion of the fluid conduit and a downstream portion of the fluid conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop measurement: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop between an upstream portion of the fluid conduit and a downstream portion of the fluid conduit, a flow rate of the air flow, and a velocity of the air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow measurement:

Implementation Method 3

The ground engaging tool is configured to deposit the product into soil. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow transport:

Data Source

PatentUS8869718B2System and method for controlling product flow to an agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow control system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop through the fluid conduit, and to adjust product transfer into the air flow based on the determined mass flow rate of the product.