Air Seeder Acoustic Sensing for Blockage and Material Ratio Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural systems struggle to accurately detect and differentiate between multiple materials being delivered by air seeders, as existing blockage sensors cannot identify blockages in individual tanks or maintain proper material ratios, and fail to account for furrow, soil, or machine characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The system employs acoustic or vibration sensors combined with advanced data processing, including Fast Fourier Transforms and artificial intelligence, to analyze acoustic signatures and vibration patterns, identifying blockages, material types, and machine conditions in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic or vibration sensors are used to detect material delivery characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical blockage detection systems with acoustic and vibration sensors that electronically detect material flow characteristics. This substitution maintains high measurement precision while reducing mechanical complexity through non-contact sensing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves and vibration signals as intermediary carriers to detect material delivery characteristics. These intermediaries enable precise measurement of blockages and material ratios without direct mechanical interaction, simplifying the overall detection system.
2Measurement precision
If advanced data processing including Fast Fourier Transforms and artificial intelligence is employed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs Fast Fourier Transforms and artificial intelligence processing on acoustic and vibration signals in real-time as they are captured by sensors. This preliminary action approach ensures that material identification and blockage detection are completed immediately, maintaining both high precision and real-time operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous real-time processing of acoustic and vibration signals throughout material delivery operations. This continuous action ensures uninterrupted detection of blockages and material characteristics, eliminating processing delays while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to detect various characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs acoustic and vibration sensors that serve multiple detection functions simultaneously - identifying blockages, determining material types, measuring material ratios, and detecting machine characteristics. This multi-functionality approach achieves comprehensive detection precision while reducing the number of separate sensor systems required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines acoustic sensing and vibration sensing capabilities into an integrated detection system that processes multiple characteristics through unified data processing. This merging of sensing modalities achieves comprehensive measurement precision while simplifying system architecture compared to separate dedicated sensors for each parameter.
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
Enables precise detection of blockages and material ratios, as well as soil and machine conditions, improving the efficiency and accuracy of material delivery in agricultural machinery.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
The system employs acoustic or vibration sensors combined with advanced data processing, including Fast Fourier Transforms and artificial intelligence, to analyze acoustic signatures and vibration patterns
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural system (100) is disclosed. The agricultural system (100) comprising: an agricultural machine (102) including a seeding tool (104) and a material delivery system configured to deliver material to a field; an acoustic/vibration sensor (150, 152, 154) configured to sense a parameter responsive to operation of the agricultural machine (102) and to generate a sensor signal responsive to the sensed parameter; a signal processing system (204) configured to identify a machine operation characteristic based on the sensor signal; and a control signal generator (206) configured to generate a control signal (218) to control the agricultural machine (102) based on the identified characteristic. Furthermore, a method for such an agricultural system (100) is disclosed.