AU2008202412A1

AU2008202412A1 - Seed Distributor Flow Sensor

Info

Publication number: AU2008202412A1
Application number: AU2008202412A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Reginald Brian Yeo
Original assignee: YEO REGINALD
Current assignee: YEO REGINALD
Priority date: 2006-12-11
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-11
Also published as: AU2007240225A1; AU2008202412B2

Description

2008 18:13 WALLINGTO-DUMMER No. 4664 F. ^j P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

FOR

A DIVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION Invention Title: SEED DISTRIBUTOR FLOW SENSOR The invention is described in the following statement, including the best manner of performing the invention known to us: Our Ref: 072059 COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 ThY May. 2008 18:13 WL NT~DME o 64 P

WALLINGTON-DUMMER

No. 4664 P. 4 00 SEEiD DISTRIBUTOR FLOW SENSOR (N The present invention relates to seeding equipment for agricultural crops and, more particularly, to control o systems for pneumatic seeders.

BACKGROUND

With crops being grown on broad acreage, specialised (N seeding equipment for towing behind a tractor which seeks 00 o to minimise labour input, has seen the development of multi-outlet, pneumatically driven seeders. Typically, seed is initially gravity fed from a hopper to a chamber from which it is conveyed into a main delivery duct. An air flow is introduced into the duct from a fan powered from the tractor's power take off or hydraulic system.

Depending on the size of the equipment, the main delivery duct miay first urge the seed (now entrained in the air f low) to a primary distribution head from where it is conducted via hoses to a number of secondary distribution heads arranged at intervals along the width of the seeder array. These secondary distribution heads are typically arranged at the top of a vertical delivery tube. Each secondary seed distribution head in turn has a number of outlets for connection of conduits leading to the individual seed shoes.

A particular problem with such multi distribution head seeders is that if any of these feed hoses or riser tubes COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 2008 18:13 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 3 00oO 0 0 ci 0 en become blocked for any reason, a whole swathe of a seeded field may remain unproductive. Electronic monitoring systems are known but where these are in close contact with the flow of seeds or other entrained material, false signals due to the static electricity associated with these flows can render such in-line electronic sensing systems unreliable.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided a seed flow sensor for monitoring seed flow of seed and other particulate material through a delivery conduit; said sensor including a pivotable element mounted within a riser tube of said delivery conduit; said COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May, 2008 18:13 WALLINGTO-DUMMER No, 4664 P. 6 4 00 0 pivotable element pivoting between a non-flow indicating

C

N position and a flow indicating position.

In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided Cc a seed delivery flow sensor for monitoring flow of seed and other particulate material through a delivery conduit; said ci seed and other material entrained in an airflow passing ci Sthrough said conduit; said sensor comprising a chamber in ci 00 communication with said conduit and a paddle wheel Ci rotationally mounted within said chamber; said paddle wheel connected to an external indicator disc via a shaft extending through a wall of said chamber.

Preferably, said conduit is a riser tube of a multi-port seed or other material distribution header.

Preferably, said chamber comprises opposing spaced apart side walls; said side connected by upper, end and lower walls so as to form an enclosure with one open end; said open end affixed to and coincident with an opening in the side of a length of tubing.

Preferably, sealed roller bearings are mounted to said opposing sides; said roller bearings supporting said shaft.

Preferably, at least portions of vanes of said paddle wheel project from said chamber into said opening so as to expose COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18:13 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 7 00 0 said portions to said seed and other material entrained in (C said airflow.

Preferably, said vanes of said paddle wheel and said CC) projection into said opening is such that rotation of said paddle wheel is dependent on impacts of said seed and other material entrained in said airflow.

C<i Preferably, said indicator disc is provided with at least 00 -one contrasting colour section; said contrasting colour section adapted to indicating rotation of said indicator disc to an observer, when said paddle wheel is rotating due to impact of said seed and other material entrained in said airflow.

Preferably, an electronic sensor is mounted adjacent to said disc; said electronic sensor adapted to transmission of an electronic signal when said indicator disc is rotating.

Preferably, said disc is provided with at least one magnetic portion proximate the periphery of said disc; said magnetic portion adapted to induce a response current in said electronic sensor mounted adjacent to said disc.

Preferably, a photo-electric sensor is mounted adjacent to said disc; said photo-electric sensor adapted to COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18:13 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 8 6 00 o transmission of a signal when said contrasting coloured (1 section passes said photo-electric sensor.

Preferably, said electronic signal is monitored by an Soperator of seeder equipment incorporating said flow sensor; said signal generating an output on a display ci device remote from said flow sensor.

Ci Preferably, said sensor is interposed in each riser tube of 00 a plurality of multi-port seed distribution headers.

In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring flow of seeds or other material entrained in an airflow passing through a conduit; said method comprising provision of a visual indicator rotationally reactive to said flow of seeds or other material.

In yet another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for alerting an observer to a lack of flow of seeds or other material entrained in an airflow passing through a delivery conduit of a seeder; said method including the steps of: mounting a paddle wheel in a chamber in communication with said conduit, COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 8Q. Ma-y. 2008 18:14 WALL1NGTON-DUMMEP No. 4664 P. 9 -7 00 o providing said paddle wheel with an indicator disc mounted to said paddle wheel via a shaft extending through a wall of said chamber.

Preferably, said indicator disc is adapted to transmit a signal to said observer.

Preferably, said signal comprises a visual indication of ci rotation of said indicator disc by means of a visible 00 o contrasting colour section provided on said disc.

Preferably, said signal comprises ane electromagnetic signal generated by a sensor mounted proximate said indicator disc.

Preferably, said method includes the further steps of: arranging said paddle wheel so that vanes of said paddle wheel project sufficiently far into said conduit so as to be impacted upon -by said flow of seeds or other entrained material, further arranging said paddle wheel such that rotation of said paddle -wheel and said indicator disc occurs only when so impacted upon by said seeds or other entrained material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 2008 18:14 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 8 00 o Embodiments of the present invention will now be Sdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: SFigure 1 is a side view of a typical central seeder unit and seed applicator array for towing behind a tractor

C

N (not shown), Ci| Figure 1A is a view from above of a similar seeder 00 unit and applicator as shown in Figure 1, 00 SFigure 2 is a detailed view of a typical seed distribution head atop a riser delivery tube with multiple individual conduits for delivery of seeds to seed shoes (not shown), with a flow sensor assembly according to the invention in situ, Figures 3 and 4 are side views and end views respectively of the flow sensor assembly of Figure 2, Figure 5 is an end sectioned view of the flow sensor assembly of Figures 3 and 4, Figure 6 is an end view of the flow sensor assembly of Figures 3 and 4 fitted with an electronic monitoring sensor, Figure 7 is a section of a riser tube and flow sensor indicator according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 is a sectioned view of the riser tube of Figure 7 with a flow indicator element in a non-flow indicating position, COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 3').May, 2008 18:14 WALLINGTON-DLMMER No.4664 F. 11 -9 00 o Figure 9 is a sectioned view of the riser tube of Figure 8 showing the flow indicator element in a flow indicating position.

0 Fis rferdnmbdmn eeec oFgrs n A edrrg1 adpe o oigbeidatatr1, opie eta ohFirtli P pefer Embodimentytetatr)t rva Witndheere(nce thoFgrsn)n.Aaseerrg1 aApte fosre oigbehnertd ay trctor in copries a0 cenrale metering seedefro 12lo and ahcltiatr 14, hioited to th seede-rt 2iar anhuprede on. multpble astor28wheelsc15.

entral etepringseee 12 isiar halso2 suped ton scastory wheaes 10 any isadped o acicep rotatsiolpe inpiut1 located atinteanlhousing .Mterwingh of seedivafr hope.2 COMS 0 No: ARCS-i 92668 Received by P1 Australia: Time (1-tm) 18:19 Date 2006-05-30 3rJMay. 2008 13:14 WALL INGTON-DUMMER N.46 .1 No. 4664 P. 12 10 00 o Secondary headers 30 are also multi-port headers with flexible hoses $2 connected to each port leading to seed boots 34 (only one of which is visible in Figure 1).

o The primary header 26 and each of the secondary headers 30 comprise a generally circular chamber 34 (as CA best seen in Figure mounted to a riser tube 36.

ci Typically, it is these feed hoses 28 or riser tubes $6, N0 where the seed is driven vertically upwards, that blockages 0 o tend to occur. The result of such a blockage is shown in Figure IA where secondary header 30A is deprived of seed through the blockage 29 in feed hose 28A leaving a swathe of un-seeded ground 31.

With reference now to Figures 2 to 5, the seed distribution flow sensor 40 of the present invention comprises a short tubular section 41, which may be interposed between a riser tube 36 and a distribution header chamber '34. Mounted to the side of tubular section is a paddle wheel chamber 42 comprising opposing spaced apart side walls 44 and 45 and enclosed on three sides by upper wall 46, end wall 47 and lower wall 48, leaving the open end affixed to and coincident with an opening in the side of tubular section 41.

Opposing side walls 44 and 45 are provided with sealed roller bearings 50 and 51, supporting a shaft 52 and projecting outwardly froma paddle wheel chamber 42. Mounted to the outer end 54 of shaft 52, is a lightweight indicator COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 3'3.Ma-y. 2001I8 18:14 LLIINDMMRN.46 P.1

WALLINGTON-DUMMER

No, 4664 P. 13 11 o0 disc 56. Mounted to shaft 52 within paddle wheel housing 42 (N is a multi-vanied paddle wheel The location of shaft 52 relative to the axis of o tubular section 40, and the outer diameter of the multivaned paddle wheel 60, is such that the tips of vanes 62 of (N paddle wheel 60 project at least some way into tubular c-i section 41. Thus entrained seed and other particulate (N material (not shown) driven by air flowing under pressure 00 o through tubular section 40 will impact on the tips of vanes 62 of paddle wheel 60 causing it, and consequently disc 56, to rotate- Preferably, the arrangement of paddle wheel 60 is such that rotation only occurs if tips of vanes 62 are impacted upon by seed or other material flowing upward in tubular sect-ion 41.

Lightweight disc 56 -is provided with a contrasting colour segment 64. By this means an observer may readily ascertain if the discs 56 of each riser 36 to which a flow sensor 40 is fitted, are rotating, indicating proper flows of seed to the headers In one preferred form of a paddle wheel chamber 42, the chamber has end wall 47 shaped as a semicircle approximately centred. on the axis of shaft 52. In this arrangement moreover, end wall 47 is provided with an openable section or hatch (not shown) through which access may be obtained to paddle wheel COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18: 14 WALLINGTO-DUMMER No. 4664 F. 14 12 00 0 Second Preferred Embodiment (1 With reference now to Figure 6, a seed flow sensor again comprises a paddle wheel housing 42 with a paddle Swheel mounted in bearings 50/51 and provided with shaft 52 and indicator disc 56 as described for the First Preferred (CN Embodiment above. However in this embodiment the flow C- sensor 40 is provided with a non-contact electronic sensor (C 70 mounted proximate to the periphery of indicator disc 56.

00 SElectronic sensor 70 may take any one of a number of

(N

non-contact sensors, such as a proximity sensor responsive to small magnetic plates mounted to a non-ferrous indicator disc. Alternatively, electronic sensor 70 could be a photoelectric sensor responsive to the contrasting colour segment of the indicator disc for example.

In each case electronic sensor 70 is effectively isolated from static electric charges which may build up in risers 36 and the mechanical components of seed flow sensor When indicator disc 56 is rotating, each rotation generates an electric pulse in the sensor 70 (two pulses if two magnetic plates for balance are used on disc 56) and these may be monitored by a remote electronic module, for example mounted in the cabin of the towing tractor.

Such a system of mechanical seed flow sensors and electronic sensors communicating with a remote module, may be calibrated so that, if the rate of rotation for a given seeding or fertilising operation falls below a COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18:14 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 13 00 o predetermined minimum, the operator is immediately alerted 0C and corrective measures are able to be taken.

Third Preferred Embodiment In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, tubular CA section 141 of a riser tube 136 is in this embodiment C- provided with a pivotable element 162. Pivotable element is CA mounted within tubular section 141 on a shaft 152 passing 00 o through the wall of tubular section 141. The axis of shaft 152 is normal to the axis of tubular section 141 and offset to one side as can best be seen in Figure 8. Pivotable element 162 comprises a baffle 164 which is biased, either by suitable distribution of mass or by a spring (not shown), into a non-flow indicating position as shown in Figure 8. In this position the pivotable element is disposed substantially normal to the flow of seed passing through riser tube 136.

Attached to at least one end of shaft 152 is an indicator arm 168, preferably an arrow shape in line with baffle 164, so that in the non-flow indicating position of Figure 8, the arrow indicator arm 168 is normal to the axis of tubular section 141.

The baffle 164 of pivotable element 162 is rotationally reactive to the impact of a flow of seed entrained in the air flow within riser tube 136, so that when a maximum entrained volume of seed is flowing through COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May, 2008 18:14 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 16 14 00 o the tube, pivotable element assumes the position indicated 0 C in Figure 9. It will be understood that, with appropriate bias of baffle 164, the arrow indicator arm 168 may assume Sany position between the non-indicating position of Figure 8 and the maximum flow indicating position of Figure 9, C thus giving a clear indication of the status of seed flow Cq through riser tube 136.

0 (C The above describes only some embodiments of the 00 o present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30

Claims

1. A seed delivery flow sensor for monitoring flow of seed and other particulate material through a delivery en conduit; said seed and other material entrained in an airflow passing through said conduit; said sensor comprising a chamber in communication with said o conduit and a paddle wheel rotationally mounted within 00 said chamber; said paddle wheel connected to an ci external indicator disc via a shaft extending through a wall of said chamber.

2. The f low sensor of claim 1 wherein said conduit is a riser tube of a multi-port seed or other material distribution header.

3. The f low sensor of claim 1 or 2 wherein said chamber is comprises opposing spaced apart side walls; said side connected by upper, end and lower walls so as to form an enclosure with one open end; said open end affixed to and coincident with an opening in the side of a length of tubing.

4. The flow sensor of claim 3 wherein sealed roller bearings are mounted to said opposing sides; said roller bearings supporting said shaft. COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May, 2008 18:15 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 18 16 00 o

5. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at 0 C least portions of vanes of said paddle wheel project from said chamber into said opening so as to expose Ssaid portions to said seed and other material entrained in said airflow.

6. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein Ssaid vanes of said paddle wheel and said projection 00 into said opening is such that rotation of said paddle 0 Ci wheel is dependent on impacts of said seed and other material entrained in said airflow.

7. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said indicator disc is provided with at least one contrasting colour section; said contrasting colour section adapted to indicating rotation of said indicator disc to an observer, when said paddle wheel is rotating due to impact of said seed and other material entrained in said airflow.

8. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein an electronic sensor is mounted adjacent to said disc; said electronic sensor adapted to transmission of an electronic signal when said indicator disc is rotating.

9. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said disc is provided with at least one magnetic COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18:15 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 19 17 00 o portion proximate the periphery of said disc; said magnetic portion adapted to induce a response current in said electronic sensor mounted adjacent to said Sdisc.

10. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a ci photo-electric sensor is mounted adjacent to said ci Sdisc; said photo-electric sensor adapted to ci 00 transmission of a signal when said contrasting C coloured section passes said photo-electric sensor.

11. The flow sensor of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said electronic signal is monitored by an operator of seeder equipment incorporating said flow sensor; said signal generating an output on a display device remote from said flow sensor.

12. The flow sensor of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said sensor is interposed in each riser tube of a plurality of multi-port seed distribution headers.

13. A method of monitoring flow of seeds or other material entrained in an airflow passing through a conduit; said method comprising provision of a visual indicator rotationally reactive to said flow of seeds or other material. COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 3G.May. 2008 18:15) WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 1 o0

14. A method for alerting an observer to a lack of flow of (N seeds or other material entrained in an airflow passing through a delivery conduit of a seeder; said o method including the steps of: mounting a paddle wheel in a chamber in communication with said conduit, (b rvdn ai adewelwiha niao 0 o disc mounted to said paddle wheel via a shaft extending through a wall of said chamber-

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said indicator disc is adapted to transmit a signal to said observer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said signal comprises a visual indication of rotation of said indicator disc by means of a visible contrasting colour section provided on said disc.

17. The method of claimn 16 wherein said signal comprises ane electromagnetic signal generated by a sensor mounted proximate said indicator disc.

18. The method of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said method includes the further steps of: arranging said paddle wheel so that vanes of said paddle wheel project sufficiently far into COMS ID No: ARCS-i 92668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30 May. 2008 18:15 WALLINGTON-DUMMER No. 4664 P. 21 S19 00 o said conduit so as to be impacted upon by said C flow of seeds or other entrained material, further arranging said paddle wheel such that Cc rotation of said paddle wheel and said indicator disc occurs only when so impacted ci upon by said seeds or other entrained material. ci Ci

19. A seed flow sensor for monitoring seed flow of seed 00 and other particulate material through a delivery conduit; said sensor including .a pivotable element mounted within a riser tube of said delivery conduit; said pivotable element pivoting between a non-flow indicating position and a flow indicating position.

A seed flow sensor as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A seed flow sensor as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9. COMS ID No: ARCS-192668 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:19 Date 2008-05-30