CN116471928A

CN116471928A - Meter calibration

Info

Publication number: CN116471928A
Application number: CN202180073582.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·弗兰克
Original assignee: Precision Planting LLC
Current assignee: Precision Planting LLC
Priority date: 2020-12-18
Filing date: 2021-11-17
Publication date: 2023-07-21
Also published as: CN116456819A

Abstract

A method of calibrating a meter module (200 a,200b,200c, 200), wherein the meter module (200 a,200b,200c, 200) comprises: an opening (158); a bottom opening (158, 208, 208); a metering mechanism (210) disposed in the meter module (200A, 200B,200C, 200); a floor (116, 264, 264) to selectively open and close the bottom opening (158, 208, 208); and a load sensor (274, 276) for measuring a mass of material in the meter module (200 a,200b,200c, 200), the method comprising: activating the metering mechanism (210) to cause material to flow through the meter module (200 a,200b,200c, 200); closing the bottom opening (158, 208, 208) with the bottom panel (116, 264, 264) at any time prior to counting; counting the number of metering units of the metering mechanism (210) during a counting time and measuring the amount of material with the load cell (274, 276); and calculating the amount of mass per metering unit.

Description

Meter calibration

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.63/127,229 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,277 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,300 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,327 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,370 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,437 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,456 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,473 submitted at 18 months 2020, no.63/127,482 submitted at 18 months 2020, and No.63/190,278 submitted at 19 months 2021, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background

Cargo air vehicles (also commonly referred to as air vehicles or simply vehicles) are used to supply seeds and fertilizer to air seed, planter, tillers and other applicator tools that are towed behind or in front of the air vehicle. The air vehicle has a wheeled frame that supports one or more large tanks or hoppers. Each tank typically contains a type of product (e.g., seed type or seed variety, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash fertilizer, etc.) that is metered into the air line by a metering system below the tank. A separate metering system is typically provided on the air vehicle below each tank so that each metering system meters one type of product from each tank. The air flow through the air duct is generated by a blower or fan that is typically supported on the air vehicle. The air flow carries the metered product through the air tube and into a dispensing line that delivers the product to the row units of the applicator implement.

The metering system of most air vehicles is constructed as one long assembly across the width of the air vehicle. Most metering mechanisms of commercially available metering systems utilize an elongated slot metering roller that extends through the metering assembly housing and rotates about an axis perpendicular to the forward travel direction of the air vehicle. Different types of seeds and fertilisers typically require different trough metering rolls, depending on the seed size or particle size and the amount of product to be dispensed. It is common for air vehicles to require four or more different trough metering rolls to accommodate all seed and particle sizes and loads. These grooved metering rolls are expensive. Furthermore, due to the corrosiveness of fertilizers, the life of most commercially available metering systems is typically around 5 years, during which 5 years of life one or more components of the metering system will need to be repaired or replaced.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a metering system that is modular such that the entire metering system need not be replaced for each tank in the event that one area of the metering system is corroded or fails. The modular metering system allows for servicing or replacement of individual modules, rather than the entire metering system of the associated tank. It would also be desirable to provide a metering system that requires only one or two metering mechanisms for metering all types of seeds and particle sizes, rather than four or more metering mechanisms. It is also desirable to employ a metering mechanism within the metering system that is relatively inexpensive to produce and therefore relatively inexpensive to maintain and replace.

There is also a need for a metering system that is easier and more efficient to calibrate. Most commercially available metering systems are slow and labor-intensive to calibrate. For example, a common method of calibrating a commercially available metering system on an air vehicle involves the steps of: (1) manually opening the gauge assembly to expose the gauge roller; (2) Physically attaching a receiving pouch beneath the opened meter assembly; (3) Manually rotating the metering roller several turns (e.g., 10-15 turns) to expel a large quantity of product (possibly in excess of 20 pounds of product) into a collection bag; (4) Physically removing the filled collection bag from the meter assembly; (5) Moving the filled collection bag to a scale provided on the air vehicle; (6) Physically lifting and attaching the collection bag to the scale; (7) manual reading; (8) Manually looking up the weight of the collected sample of pourable product on a printed chart, and then cross-referencing the desired quantity of poured and the desired ground speed to determine the appropriate meter speed setting to achieve the desired quantity of poured; (9) Climbing into the tractor cab, adjusting the controller to an appropriate meter speed setting based on the chart; (10) climbing out of the tractor; (11) Physically lifting and releasing the filled collection bag from the scale; (12) climbing the air vehicle with the filled collection bag; (13) removing the can lid; (14) Lifting the filled bag and pouring the collected product sample back into the canister; (15) closing the can lid; (16) carrying an empty collection bag down from the air vehicle; and (17) finally climbing back to the tractor to begin the field filling operation with proper calibration.

Thus, there is a need for a more efficient way of calibrating a metering system to achieve a desired dispensing amount.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle embodiment incorporating an embodiment of a modular metering system.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the air vehicle of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the air vehicle of FIG. 1, shown attached to an applicator implement towed by a tractor.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the truck of FIG. 1 with one rear wheel assembly removed and the platform and intermediate platform support structure removed for better illustration of an embodiment of the air system and modular metering system.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the air system and modular metering system of the truck of fig. 1 with all structural elements of the air vehicle removed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged front perspective view of one of the metering group and air tube group of the modular metering system of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the metering group and air tube group of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the metering group and air tube set of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation view of the metering group and air tube set of fig. 6.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the same metering group and air tube set of FIG. 6, but showing one of the meter modules removed from the metering group.

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the metering group and air tube stack of FIG. 6 with all of the metering module and air tube module removed to show the metering group frame and air tube stack frame.

Fig. 12 is a partial exploded rear perspective view of the metering group frame and air tube group frame of fig. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the metering group, as seen along line 13-13 of FIG. 8, showing the interfaces of the canister, canister funnel, meter module and air coupling module.

Fig. 14 is an exploded front perspective view showing the tank hopper, the top plate and the sliding door of the metering group frame, and the sliding door frame as seen from the top side of the top plate.

Fig. 15 is an exploded rear perspective view of fig. 14, as seen from the underside of the roof panel.

Fig. 16 is an exploded front perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding door and sliding door frame, as viewed from the top side of the sliding door.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged, partially exploded rear perspective view of the sliding door and sliding door frame of fig. 16 from the underside of the roof panel.

Fig. 18 is an exploded front perspective view showing an embodiment of a diverter door assembly.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged exploded rear perspective view of the diverter door assembly of fig. 18.

Fig. 20A and 20B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the upper housing portion of the diverter door module.

Fig. 21A and 21B are rear elevation views, partially in cross section, of a diverter door module illustrating operation of a diverter door actuator and associated movement of the diverter door between a closed position and an open position, respectively.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the air tube module showing the upper and lower air tube couplers exploded in half to show the passageway therethrough, respectively.

Fig. 23 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a meter module.

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the meter module of FIG. 23 with portions of the housing removed to show internal components of the meter module.

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view in cross section of the gage module of FIG. 23 illustrating movement of the chute structure.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged front perspective view of the gage module of FIG. 23 illustrating operation of the screw locking mechanism and removal of the screw from the screw housing portion of the gage module.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a chute structure.

Fig. 27A is an enlarged perspective view of the chute structure of fig. 26, showing an embodiment of a base plate equipped with a sensor.

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a meter module.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the meter module of FIG. 28 with portions of the housing removed to show internal components of the meter module.

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view in cross section of the gage module of FIG. 28 illustrating movement of the chute structure.

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a meter module.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram of a controller in signal communication with various components of the modular metering system and the applicator implement.

FIG. 33 is an embodiment of a schematic diagram of a control system for a modular metering system.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram of a process for building and controlling a modular metering system and for storing and mapping operational data.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of a process for calibrating a modular metering system.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart of a process for calibrating a modular metering system.

Detailed Description

All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety. If a definition herein conflicts with a definition in an incorporated reference, the definition herein controls.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Fig. 1 and 2 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of a cargo air vehicle 10. The cart 10 is configured to be able to transport seeds, fertilizer, or other field or crop inputs to an air planter, tiller, or any other field work implement, hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as an "applicator implement," indicated generally by reference numeral 1 in fig. 3. The embodiment of the air vehicle 10 is configured to be able to be towed behind the applicator tool 1, the applicator tool 1 being towed by the tractor 2 in a forward travel direction indicated by arrow 11. Alternatively, the air vehicle 10 may be towed directly behind the tractor 2, with the applicator 1 towed by the air vehicle 10.

Referring to fig. 3, 32 and 33, and as described more fully later, the control system 500 provides operational control and monitoring of the various components of the air vehicle 10 and the applicator implement 1 to control the type and location of product dispensed and the product dispensing amount based on field deployment maps and operator inputs. The control system 500 includes a controller 510, the controller 510 being in signal communication with various operating and monitoring components of the air vehicle 10 and the applicator implement 1, which will be described later. The controller 510 may also be in signal communication with a display device 530, a Global Positioning System (GPS) 566, a speed sensor 568, and a communication module 520, all of which will be discussed later.

Air vehicle and modular metering system

The air vehicle 10 includes a modular metering system 100, the modular metering system 100 being the primary focus of the present disclosure. The modular metering system 100 may be adapted for use as a retrofit to virtually any existing or commercially available air vehicle, or the modular metering system 100 may be incorporated as part of an original equipment air vehicle. Thus, while an exemplary embodiment of an air vehicle 10 is shown in the figures and described below, it should be understood that modular metering system 100 is not limited to any particular air vehicle configuration.

The truck 10 includes a main frame 12, the main frame 12 being supported at rearward ends by left and right rear wheel assemblies 14-1, 14-2 that are rigidly attached to the main frame 12. The front wheel assembly 16 is rigidly attached to the forward end of the main frame 12. The front wheel assembly 16 includes a horizontal front beam 18 extending transverse to the forward travel direction 11. The outward lateral ends of the horizontal front beam 18 support the left front caster assembly 20-1 and the right front caster assembly 20-2. Each front caster assembly 20-1, 20-2 includes a vertical column 22 pivotally attached at an upper end to the horizontal front beam 18. The lower end of the vertical column 22 supports a pair of longitudinally offset wheels 24a, 24b. A hitch mechanism 26 is provided centrally of the horizontal front beam 18 along the longitudinal axis of the main frame 12. The hitch mechanism 26 is configured to be pivotally attached via pins 28 to a trailer frame 30 mounted at the rear of the applicator implement 1. It should be appreciated that during operation, as the tractor and the applicator implement 1 steer, the trailer frame 30 attached to the rear of the applicator implement 1 will pull the truck 10 in the steering direction, causing the caster assemblies 22-1, 22-2 to pivot about the respective vertical posts 24 in the steering direction, such that the aerial vehicle 10 will steer and drag behind the applicator implement 1.

The main frame 12 supports one or more tanks or hoppers 40. In this embodiment, three cans (40-1, 40-2, 40-3) are shown. The tank 40 may contain one or more seed types or seed varieties, fertilizer, or other crop or field inputs for distribution via airflow to the row units of the applicator implement, as described later. The tank 40 is supported by a tundish frame member 42, the tundish frame member 42 being connected to the main frame 12 by a plurality of struts 44. A platform 50 with a rear access ladder 52 (fig. 2) may be provided to facilitate access to the tank cover or hatch for filling and inspection of the tank 40. The platform 50 and ladder 52 are supported from the main frame 12 or tank frame 42 by intermediate structural support members 54.

It should be appreciated that the above-described air vehicle 10 is but one exemplary embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the aerial vehicle 10 may have only one axle and may be directly connected to the applicator implement without the use of the intermediate trailer frame 30. Alternatively, the air vehicle 10 may have a rear axle as shown, rather than a front wheel assembly with casters as shown, the front wheel assembly may have a front pivot axle that is directly connected to the applicator implement by a tie rod. Furthermore, the air vehicle 10 may have one tank, two tanks, three tanks, or four or more tanks, depending on the crop or field inputs being injected and the tank capacity desired.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the air vehicle 10 with the left rear wheel assembly 14-1 removed along with the platform, ladder and intermediate structural support members to better illustrate embodiments of the air system 60 and modular metering system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, modular metering system 100 includes one or more metering groups 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, each disposed below a corresponding one of tanks 40-1, 40-2, 40-3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the air system 60 and modular metering system 100 shown in fig. 4 with all structural elements of the air vehicle 10 removed. Each metering group 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 is coupled to a corresponding air tube set 310-1, 310-2, 310-3 disposed therebelow. As shown, air system 60 includes a single centrifugal fan or blower 62, but air system 60 may include multiple fans or blowers depending on the air volume requirements. One or more fans 62 may be supported by the main frame 12 of the air vehicle 10 as shown. Alternatively, although not shown, one or more fans 62 may be provided on the tractor 2 or on the applicator 1. The air tube 64 extends between the fan 62 and the air tube set 310. As described later, air stack 310 communicates with each of the three metering groups 110-1, 110-2, 110-3. The metering groups 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 meter product from the respective tanks 40-1, 40-2, 40-3 to the corresponding air tube sets 310-1, 310-2, 310-3 and from the air tube sets into the air tube 64, the air tube 64 being connected to a dispensing tube (not shown) at the forward end of the air vehicle 10 (or to the rear of the air vehicle 10 if the applicator is towed behind the air vehicle 10). The distribution tube distributes the product via an air flow to the row units of the applicator implement. It should be appreciated that the number of metering groups 110 and air tube groups 310 may include less than three or more than three, depending on the number of cans 40 on the truck 10.

Fig. 6 and 7 are enlarged front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of one of metering groups 110 and its associated air tube set 310. Fig. 8 and 9 are enlarged front and rear elevation views, respectively, of metering group 110 and air tube set 310. Each metering group 110 includes a plurality of meter modules 200, and each air tube set 310 includes a plurality of air tube modules 300. Each air tube module includes an upper air tube coupler 301 and a lower air tube coupler 302 in a two-shot configuration. In a unishot embodiment, the lower air tube coupling 302 is absent. In the illustrated embodiment, metering group 110 includes eight individual meter modules 200, indicated by reference numerals 200-1 through 200-8, and eight air tube modules 300, indicated by reference numerals 300-1 through 300-8. It should be appreciated that each meter module 200 is coupled to a respective air tube module 300. It should also be appreciated that the number of meter modules 200 in metering group 110 and the number of air tube modules 300 in air tube set 310 may include more or less than eight.

As shown in fig. 10 and described in detail below, each individual meter module 200 is slidably removable from metering group 110. Fig. 11 and 12 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, corresponding to fig. 6 and 7, but with all meter modules 200-1 through 200-8 removed from metering group 110 and all air tube modules 300 removed from air tube set 310 to better illustrate metering group frame 112 and air tube set frame 312.

The metrology group frame 112 includes a top plate 114 and a bottom plate 116. The top plate 114 and the bottom plate 116 are spaced apart and secured together by gussets 118. The air tube set frame 312 includes a bottom member 316, which bottom member 316 may take the form of a channel for rigidity. The bottom member 316 is secured to the bottom plate 116 of the metering group frame 112 in spaced relation by gussets 318. A plurality of hubs 320 are secured to the bottom member 316 for supporting and aligning the air tube module 300 within the air tube set 310.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line 13-13 of FIG. 8, showing individual meter modules 200 seated within metering group 110, and showing the interface of canister 40 with canister drain 150 (discussed below) and its relationship with associated sliding door 160 (discussed below), its associated diverter door module 400 (discussed below), and its associated air tube module 300. As will be described in greater detail later, during operation, product within the tank 40 flows from the bottom end of the tank 40 via gravity into the open upper flare end 152 of the tank funnel 150. The product passes downwardly through the associated bottom opening 158 of the tank funnel 150 into the top opening 204 of the meter module 200 assuming the associated sliding door 160 is in the open position. The meter module 200 meters product entering the corresponding air duct module 300 after the product (discussed below) passes through the diverter door module 400. The product is then carried by the air flow through the air tube 64 for dispensing to the row units of the applicator implement 1 via a dispensing line (not shown) coupled to the air tube 64.

With continued reference to fig. 6-13, a canister funnel 150 is mounted to the top plate 114 of the metering group 110. The top plate 114 has two elongated openings 122, 124 (fig. 14). The tank funnel 150 has an open, flared upper end 152 and an open bottom end 154 separated into a series of bottom openings 158 by laterally spaced divider walls 156. The series of bottom openings 158 are indicated by reference numerals 158-1 through 158-8. The intermediate partition wall 156 is larger than the other partition walls to span the area between the elongated openings 122, 124 to divide the bottom opening 158 into two groups of 4 openings each, the first group including openings 158-1 through 158-4 and the second group including openings 158-5 through 158-8.

The first set of bottom openings 158-1 to 158-4 are aligned with the first opening 122 in the top plate 114.

The second set of bottom openings 158-5 to 158-8 are aligned with the second openings 124 in the top plate 114.

As best shown in the exploded views of fig. 14-15, a series of sliding doors 160 and sliding door frames 170 are mounted to the underside of top plate 114. Each of the bottom openings 158-1 to 158-8 has an associated sliding door 160-1 to 160-8. As best shown in the enlarged views of fig. 16-17, each slide gate 160 includes a handle opening 162 at its forward end and a rearward product opening 164, and when the product opening 164 is aligned with the bottom opening 158 in the can hopper 150, product from the can 40 will pass through the rearward product opening 164. Each sliding door 160 is slidably secured to the underside of the top plate 114 by a sliding door frame 170. The sliding door frame 170 includes opposing side channels 172, the opposing side channels 172 being spaced apart to receive the sliding door 160 therebetween. The sliding door frame 170 includes an upper tab 174, the upper tab 174 being aligned with a cavity 176 (fig. 17) in the bottom of each partition wall 156 and received by the cavity 176. The receipt of upper tab 174 within cavity 176, along with the threaded connector, rigidly, but removably secures sliding door frame 170 to top plate 114 and the bottom or underside of tank hopper 150. The sliding door 160 is thus allowed to slide back and forth within the sliding door frame 170 as indicated by arrow 179 in fig. 15 between a fully open position in which the product opening 164 is aligned with the bottom opening 158 of the can hopper 150 and a fully closed position in which the rearward end of the sliding door 160 covers or closes the bottom opening 158 of the can hopper 150. The rearward end of the sliding door 160 includes an outwardly projecting tab 166 that acts as a stop by abutting the rearward end of the sliding door frame 170 to prevent the sliding door 160 from being pulled out of the sliding door frame 170 and to indicate when the sliding door 160 is in the fully open position.

Based on the foregoing, and as best shown in fig. 6 and 7, it should be appreciated that below each of the corresponding sliding doors 160-1 through 160-8, and thus below each of the corresponding bottom openings 158-1 through 158-8 of the tank hopper 150, is an associated one of the meter modules 200-1 through 200-8. Thus, if any one meter module 200 needs to be independently removed from metering group 110 for maintenance or repair, an operator may pull the associated sliding door 160 outwardly (forwardly) to a closed position, thereby closing the associated opening 158 in canister funnel 150. Once opening 158 is closed by sliding door 160, meter module 200 under closed sliding door 160 may be safely pulled from metering group 110 without any product within hopper 150 or above tank 40 spilling. Thus, it should be appreciated that any one meter module 200, or all meter modules 200, may be pulled from metering group 110 at any time for maintenance or repair, even when canister 40 is completely filled. FIG. 10 is an example showing sliding door 160-8 in a closed position and meter module 200-8 removed from metering group 110. When a return to operation is required, the meter module 200 is simply slid back into the metering group 110 and the associated sliding door 160 is pushed inwardly (rearwardly) to an open position allowing product within the canister 40 to pass through the now open opening 158 at the bottom of the canister funnel 150.

Referring to fig. 9 and 12, diverter door assembly 410 controls the flow of product between upper air tube coupler 301 and lower air tube coupler 302 of meter module 200 and corresponding air tube module 300. The diverter door assembly 410 includes a series of diverter door modules 400, indicated at 400-1 to 400-8, each disposed below a corresponding meter module 200-1 to 200-8 and above a corresponding air tube module 300-1 to 300-8. While this configuration applies to a dual chute configuration, it also applies to a single chute configuration in which there is no air tube coupler 302.

Fig. 18 and 19 are partial exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the diverter door assembly 410. Each diverter door module 400 is disposed above a corresponding aperture 180-1 through 180-8 in bottom plate 116 of metering group 110. Each diverter door module 400 includes a top frame member 412 disposed on a top side of the bottom plate 116 and a bottom frame member 414 disposed on a bottom side of the bottom plate 116. Fig. 20A-20B are top perspective and bottom perspective views of top frame member 412. The top frame member 414 defines a central channel 406 and two outer channels 407. A pair of diverter doors 420 are pivotally constrained via corresponding shafts 422, the corresponding shafts 422 being received within top and bottom recesses 424, 426 in the corresponding top and bottom frame members 412, 414, the top and bottom recesses 424, 426 being matingly aligned to form a cylindrical bore, the shafts 422 being pivotally received within the cylindrical bore. A threaded connector (not shown) secures the top and bottom frame members 412, 414 together over the aperture 180 in the bottom plate 116 and pivotally constrains the shaft 422 within the cylindrical bore, thereby pivotally constraining the diverter door 420.

Fig. 21A and 21B are rear elevation views, partially in section, schematically illustrating pivotal movement of the diverter door 420 between a first position (fig. 21A) and a second position (fig. 21B). In the first position, central passageway 406 is closed by diverter door 420 and outer passageway 407 is open to allow product to flow to one of upper air tube coupling 301 and lower air tube coupling 302 of air tube module 300 therebelow. In the second position (fig. 21B), outer passageway 407 is closed by diverter door 420 and central passageway 406 is open to allow product to flow to one of upper air tube coupler 301 and lower air tube couplers 301 and 302 of air tube module 300 therebelow.

The diverter door 420 is moved between a first position and a second position by a diverter door actuator 430. As best shown in fig. 12 and 18, the diverter door actuator 430 includes an elongated plate 432 coupled to each diverter door module 400. One end of the elongated plate 432 includes a handle 434 that is present in a 90 degree bend at the end of the elongated plate 432. By pulling and pushing on handle 434, elongated plate 432 moves laterally as indicated by arrow 401, all of the diverter doors 420 of each of the diverter door modules 400-1 through 400-8 may be collectively opened or closed as described below.

Referring to fig. 18-19 and 21A-21B, the elongated plate 432 includes a series of diagonal slots 436. The elongate plate 432 is slidably received between a top channel 440 and a bottom channel 442 of an actuator bracket 444 extending rearwardly from the top frame member 412 (fig. 20A-20B). As best shown in fig. 19 and 20A-20B, the actuator bracket 444 includes a vertical slot 446, the vertical slot 446 receiving a slide member 448. The sliding member 448 has a forwardly extending peg 450 that is received within one of the diagonal slots 436 of the elongated plate 432. The slide member 448 also includes rearwardly extending pegs 452. Referring to fig. 19, 21A and 21B, a rearwardly extending peg 452 receives one end of a pair of links 454, 456. The other end of each link 454, 456 is received by a rearwardly extending post 458 on a cam 460 at the rearward end of the shaft 422 of each diverter door 420. Retainer clips 462 (fig. 19) may secure links 454, 456 to post 458 and peg 452. Referring to fig. 21A and 21B, it will be appreciated that as the elongate plate 432 moves to the left (as indicated by arrow 401 in fig. 21A), the diagonal slot 436 forces the slide member 448 downward within the vertical slot 446 due to the engagement of the diagonal slot with the forwardly extending peg 450 on the slide member 448. As the sliding member 448 is forced downward, the links 454, 456 (coupled between the rearwardly extending peg 452 and the post 458) cause the diverter door 420 to pivot to a first position (fig. 21A), closing the central channel 406 and opening the outer channel 407 for product to pass therethrough. Conversely, as the elongate plate 432 moves to the right (as indicated by arrow 401 in fig. 21B), the diagonal slot 436 forces the slide member 448 upward within the vertical slot 446 due to the engagement of the diagonal slot with the forwardly extending peg 450 on the slide member 448. As the sliding member 448 is forced upward, the links 454, 456 (coupled between the rearwardly extending peg 452 and the post 458) cause the diverter door 420 to pivot to a second position (fig. 21B), closing the outer channel 407 and opening the central channel 406 to pass product therethrough.

Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of air tube module 300 showing upper air tube coupling 301 and lower air tube coupling 302. The upper air tube coupling 301 is exploded into half segments to show the passages therein, the mating components of the half segments being indicated by the suffixes "a" and "b". Similarly, lower air tube coupling 302 is exploded into half segments to show the passages therein, the mating components of the half segments being indicated by the suffixes "a" and "b".

The upper air tube coupling 301 includes a block-shaped body 303, the block-shaped body 303 having an inlet tube segment 304 and an outlet tube segment 305. The upper end of the block-shaped body 303 has an upper end configured to receive and mate with the bottom frame member 414 of the diverter door module 400. A longitudinal air flow channel 308 extends longitudinally through the block body 303 and each of the inlet and outlet tube sections 303, 305. The upper end of the block body 303 includes a central channel 306 and an outer channel 307. The central passage 306 communicates with a front-to-back airflow passage 308. The outer channel 307 extends vertically through the block body 303 and is not in communication with the longitudinal air flow channel 308. The lower air tube coupling 302 includes a mass body 309, the mass body 309 having an inlet tube segment 311 and an outlet tube segment 313. The upper end of the lower air tube coupling 302 includes an open area 315, the open area 315 communicating with a longitudinal air flow channel 317 extending longitudinally through the mass body 309. The open area 315 of the lower mass body 309 communicates with the outer passageway 307 of the upper air tube coupling 301. Thus, when the diverter door 420 is in the first position (fig. 21A) in which the central channel 406 is closed by the diverter door 420, product is directed by the diverter door 420 into the outer channel 407 of the diverter door module 400 and into the outer channel 307 of the upper air tube coupling 301. The product passes vertically through the outer passageway 307 in the upper air tube coupling 301 and into the open end 315 of the lower air tube coupling 302 where it then enters the longitudinal air flow passageway 317 and is carried by the air flow through the longitudinal air flow passageway 317 communicated by the air tubes 64 coupled at each end of the inlet and outlet tube sections 311, 313 and the product is then dispensed by a dispensing tube (not shown) coupled at the forward end of the air tubes 64 as previously explained. However, if the diverter door 420 of the diverter door module 400 is in the second position (fig. 21B) in which the outer channel 407 is closed by the diverter door 420, product is diverted into the central channel 406 of the diverter door module 400 and into the aligned central channel 306 of the upper air tube coupling 301. The product falls through the central passage 306 into the longitudinal passage 308 whereupon the product is carried by the air flow through the longitudinal passage 308 communicated by the air tube 64 coupled at each end of the inlet and outlet tube sections 304, 305 and the product is then dispensed by a dispensing tube (not shown) coupled at the forward end of the air tube 64 as previously explained.

Meter Module embodiments

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a meter module 200A. Fig. 24 is a rear perspective view of the meter module 200A of fig. 23, but with a majority of the main housing 202 removed to show internal components thereof. FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of the meter module 200A, illustrating movement of certain components discussed later. Meter module 200A includes a main housing 202 that substantially encloses the internal components of meter module 200A and defines the overall configuration in which it seats within metering group 110. The main housing 202 includes a meter housing portion 203 at an upper end of the main housing 202 and a lower chamber portion 205 below the meter housing portion 203. The meter housing section 203 includes a top opening 204 at its forward end and an outlet 206 at its rearward end. The lower chamber portion 205 has a bottom opening 208 at its lowermost end. Referring to fig. 13, it should be appreciated that when meter module 200A is properly seated in metering group 110, top opening 204 of meter module 200A is aligned with bottom opening 158 of tank hopper 150 and bottom opening 208 of meter module 200A is aligned with diverter door module 400.

A counter mechanism 210, such as a screw, is received within the counter housing portion 203. While an auger is the preferred metering mechanism for use in the metering module 200, other types of metering mechanisms may be used, as discussed later. Since augers are the preferred metering mechanism, for ease of writing and understanding, the remainder of the description of each metering module embodiment and the operation and calibration of the modular metering system 100 refers to the metering mechanism 210 as an auger 210, and thus the meter housing portion 203 as an auger housing portion 203.

The auger 210 includes an auger blade 212 wound about a longitudinal axis 211 of an auger shaft 214. The longitudinal axis 211 is oriented generally parallel to the forward travel direction 11 of the air vehicle 10. The auger housing portion 203 comprises a cylindrical section 207 or at least an inner wall defining a cylindrical section. Cylindrical section 207 encircles the lower half of the diameter of auger 210 and has an inner radius slightly greater than the outer radius of auger blade 212. As the auger 210 rotates, the auger blades 212 are oriented such that the blades 212 carry or push product rearward from the upper opening 204 (i.e., opposite the forward direction of the air vehicle 10) toward the auger housing outlet 206 at the rearward end of the cylindrical section 207. Although it is illustrated with the trailer behind the air vehicles, it is also possible to use a trailer between the air vehicles, in which case the direction of the spiral is the same as the direction of air travel.

As best shown in fig. 24 and 25, the auger 210 is driven by a motor 216, such as a stepper motor. The coupling joint 218 removably couples the auger shaft 214 with a drive shaft 220 coupled to the motor 216, allowing the auger 210 to be easily separated from the motor drive shaft 220 and removed from the auger housing portion 203 for maintenance, repair, or replacement as described below.

Referring to fig. 23 and 26, an auger locking mechanism 224, an auger turning knob 225, and a handle 227 are provided on the forward end of the gage module 200A. It should be appreciated that when it is desired to slidably remove the entire meter module 200 from meter set 110 as described above and shown in fig. 10, and when reinserting meter module 200 into meter set 110, an operator may grasp handle 227. A screw rotation knob 225 is removably secured to the end of the screw shaft 214 such that manual rotation of the screw rotation knob 225 by an operator will rotate the screw 210.

As best shown in fig. 26, the screw locking mechanism 224 includes a rotatable locking collar 226, the rotatable locking collar 226 having a locking handle 228 extending therefrom. The rotatable locking collar 226 includes a pair of circumferentially spaced tab receivers 230 extending radially outward from the locking collar 226. The tab receiver 230 includes an arcuate channel 232 that extends partially across the width of the tab receiver 228. A pair of locking tabs 234 (one of the locking tabs 234 is hidden from view in fig. 26) extend radially outward from a receiving collar 236 on the forward face of the main housing 202. When the locking handle 228 is moved to the locked position (as shown in fig. 23), the locking tab 234 is received within the arcuate channel 232 of the tab receiver 230, thereby longitudinally securing the screw 210 within the screw housing portion 203. When it is desired to remove the screw 210 from the screw housing portion 203, the operator grasps the locking handle 228, rotating it counterclockwise (as viewed in fig. 26) to an unlocked position in which the tab receiver 230 is rotatably disengaged from the fixed locking tab 234 on the receiving collar 236. Once tab receiver 230 is disengaged from locking tab 234, auger 210 may be pulled outwardly (forward) from auger housing portion 203, as indicated by arrow 213 in fig. 26. As the screw 210 is pulled outward in the direction of arrow 213, the screw shaft 214 is separated from the motor drive shaft 220 at the coupling joint 218 (fig. 24). When replacing the screw 210 within the screw housing portion 203, the operator pushes the screw 210 inward until the joint coupling 218 at the end of the screw shaft 214 abuts the motor drive shaft 220. The operator then turns the screw turn knob until the joint coupling 218 seats on or over the motor drive shaft 220. In the embodiment of the joint coupling 218 shown in fig. 24, the motor drive shaft 220 includes a pin that seats within the bifurcated end of the joint coupling 218, but any suitable manner of removably coupling the auger shaft 214 with the motor drive shaft 220 may be used, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Once the joint coupling 218 is seated on the motor drive shaft 220, the operator rotates the locking lever 228 (shown in FIG. 26) clockwise to the locked position shown in FIG. 23 such that the locking tab 234 is again received within the arcuate channel 232 of the tab receiver 230, thereby locking the screw 210 within the screw housing portion 203.

Referring to fig. 24 and 25, the roll-over door 240 is pivotally retained within the auger housing portion 203 toward the rearward end of the auger 210. During operation of the air vehicle 10, the roll-over door 240 is disposed in a downward position, wherein the roll-over door 240 is in a horizontal or slightly downward orientation as shown in fig. 24 and as shown in solid lines in fig. 25. When in the downward position, product spiraled back by the auger 210 flows through the roll-over door 240 and falls through the auger housing outlet 206 into the lower chamber portion 205. However, roll-over door 240 may be pivoted to an upward position as shown in phantom in fig. 25 when air vehicle 10 is not in operation, such as when the air vehicle is being transported between fields or when it is desired to remove a module from metering group 110. When in the up position, the roll-over door 240 obstructs any product that may remain in the auger housing portion 203 rearward of the last auger blade 212 from falling through the auger housing outlet 206 into the lower chamber portion 205, thereby preventing any unintended product from spilling from the meter module 200A. Movement of the roll-over door 240 from the downward position to the upward position may be accomplished by any suitable means, including via a manual lever (not shown) extending through a side of the auger housing 202, by a direct drive actuator (not shown) coupled to a pivot pin rotationally fixed to the roll-over door 240, or by any other suitable mechanism.

In one embodiment as shown in fig. 24 and 25, movement of the roll-over door 240 is accomplished by a mechanical linkage that couples the motor drive shaft 220 with the roll-over door 240. The roll-over door 240 is supported at the rearward end of the auger housing portion 203 by a hinge pin 242. The hinge pin 242 is rotatably fixed to the hinge cam 244. A lever 246 connects the articulation cam 244 to one leg of an L-shaped member 248 pivotally supported within the main housing 202. The other leg of the L-shaped member 248 is coupled to a lever arm 250 that is rotationally fixed to a bushing 252 surrounding the motor drive shaft 220. A one-way clutch mechanism (not shown) associated with the bushing 252 causes rotational engagement of the bushing 252 (and thus the lever arm 250) with rotation of the motor drive shaft 220. The one-way clutch mechanism may be engaged via a command signal or as a result of the motor drive shaft 220 being commanded to counter-rotate from its normal rotational direction when the air vehicle 10 is in operation to cause rotational engagement of the bushing 252 with the motor drive shaft 220. Thus, referring to fig. 25, when the end of lever arm 250 is rotated upwardly due to the rotational engagement of bushing 252 with motor drive shaft 220 via the one-way clutch mechanism, lever arm 250 causes the L-shaped member 248 coupled thereto to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in fig. 25). Counterclockwise rotation of the L-shaped member 248 forces the rod 246 coupled thereto to the right or forward (as viewed in fig. 25). The forward movement of the lever 246 forces the hinge cam 244 and the roll-over door 240 rotatably secured thereto by the hinge pin 242 to rotate clockwise (as viewed in fig. 25) or upward to an upward position. The roll-over door 240 remains in the upward position until the clutch mechanism is disengaged. For example, when the clutch mechanism is disengaged, the roll-over door 240 may be spring biased to return to the normal downward position. Alternatively, the clutch mechanism may be automatically disengaged when the motor drive shaft 220 is again rotated in the normal rotational direction. Engagement of the clutch mechanism may also be performed manually by an operator rotating the screw turn knob 225 in reverse until the roll-over door 240 is moved to the upward position to cause rotational engagement of the bushing 252 with the motor drive shaft 220. Alternatively, the motor 216 may be programmed to reverse the motor drive shaft 220 to cause a partial reverse turn (such as a quarter turn) of the auger 210 upon receipt of a command initiated by an operator of the air vehicle 10 to cause the roll-over door 240 to move from the downward position to the upward position. For example, motor 216 may be programmed to reverse the auger 210 a quarter turn when the operator lifts the applicator implement at the end of the field or where it is not plowed, turns off the blower 62, supplements the plant (the controller prevents the supplement plant when the GPS coordinates reach a position on the coverage map of the planted field area), or other operation where it is not desired that product be discharged to the air duct 64 or the dispensing line of the applicator implement.

The meter module 200A may also employ a product flow sensor and calibration system as described below. Referring to fig. 24 and 25, the lower chamber portion 205 may include internal structures, such as an inner wall or baffle, that direct or channel product from the auger housing outlet 206 toward the bottom opening 208 of the meter module 200. In one embodiment, such internal structure may include an internal structure 260 supported within the lower chamber portion 205 of the main housing 202. The internal structure 260 may be comprised of sloped sidewalls 262, the sloped sidewalls 262 defining an open bottom end, wherein the sloped sidewalls direct or guide the product downwardly and forwardly toward the bottom opening 208 of the main housing 202.

The internal structure 260 may include a floor 264, the floor 264 being disposed at an angle relative to the direction of flow of product flowing from the auger housing outlet 206 to the bottom opening 208. The base plate 264 may be equipped with an impact or pressure sensor 272 such that the base plate 264 functions as a flow sensor. As shown in fig. 27 and 27A, the base plate 264 may include a plurality of impact or pressure sensors 272, with the impact or pressure sensors 272 disposed below an elastic, wear resistant, upper surface layer 267 (removed as shown in fig. 27A). The shock or pressure sensor 272 is configured to generate a signal (such as a voltage signal) corresponding in magnitude to the amount of product flowing across the surface of the plate 264. If the impact or pressure sensor 272 does not generate a signal of sufficient magnitude to indicate that there is no product flow through the meter module 200 or that the product flow through the meter module 200 is low, an alarm condition may be initiated to alert an operator that a particular meter module 200 within the metering group 110 is not operating properly. The operator may then cease operation and remove the meter module 200 from the metering group 110 to check or determine if there is an obstruction in the opening 158 of the tank funnel that impedes the passage of product as previously described. In such an embodiment, it will be appreciated that the sensor board 264 is in signal communication with the controller 510 and an integrated or separate monitor display screen visible to an operator in the cab of the tractor pulling the air vehicle. The signal communication may be wired or wireless.

In some embodiments, the signal amplitude generated by the impact or pressure sensor 272 may be empirically related to the volume or mass flow of the product, similar to the operation of yield sensors commonly used on agricultural combine harvesters, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such empirically correlated volume or mass flow signal amplitude can be used as a line-by-line rate sensor for the product being dispensed. An example of a sensor that relates signal amplitude to mass and volume flow rates is disclosed in U.S. patent No.9,506,786 to Precision Planting LLC.

In alternative embodiments, instead of having the floor 264 equipped with an impact or pressure sensor 272 to detect product flow, other types of sensors may be employed to detect product flow. Examples of alternative types of product flow sensors may include optical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, microphone sensors, electromagnetic energy sensors, or particle sensors. In such alternative embodiments, the sensor elements may be disposed on opposite sidewalls 262 of the funnel structure or otherwise within the lower chamber portion 205 of the main housing 202 of the meter module 200 using optical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, electromagnetic sensors, or particle sensors to detect the passage of product between the sensor elements. An example of a suitable optical sensor may be of the type disclosed by Dickey-John Corporation, orthon, illinois and in U.S. Pat. No.7,152,540. An example of a suitable microphone sensor may be Recon Wireless Blockage System provided by Intelligent Ag Solutions. An example of a suitable particle sensor may be of the type disclosed in international patent publication No. wo2020194150 to Precision Planting LLC. An example of a suitable electromagnetic energy sensor may be of the type disclosed in US 6208255 assigned to Precision Planting LLC.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 24 and 25, the inner structure 260 may be composed of two parts, including an upper funnel structure 265 having an open bottom end and a catch structure 266. As best shown in fig. 27, the catch structure 266 may include a sidewall 268 extending upwardly from the floor 264. As shown in fig. 25, the catch structure 266 may be supported within the lower chamber portion 205 by an actuator 270 for movement between a dumping position (as indicated by the solid line in fig. 25) and a catch position (as indicated by the dashed line in fig. 25). The capture structure 266 may be equipped with a load sensor 274. When the catch structure 266 is in the pour position, the product flow may be detected by the impact or pressure sensor 272 or by any alternative flow sensor as described above. In the capture position, the capture structure 266 covers or closes the open bottom end of the upper funnel structure 265 to capture a metered product that is threaded through the auger 210 and then measured by the load cell 274 for calibration purposes, as described below. As a non-limiting example, the load sensor 274 may be configured to measure strain due to bending or shear forces, such as a beam load sensor or a load cell. As the product is captured by the capture structure 266 in the capture position, the load sensor 274 produces a signal amplitude proportional to the amount of strain produced in the load sensor 274 due to the captured product. As described later, the controller 510 receives the signal generated by the load cell 274, and the controller 510 then correlates the signal amplitude with the weight of the captured product. The catch structure 266 may also be moved to a catch position when the air vehicle 10 is transported or when the metering module 200A is removed from the metering group 110 to prevent or minimize unintended spillage or release of product that may be held in the auger housing portion 203.

Fig. 28-30 illustrate another embodiment of a meter module 200B. Fig. 28 is a front perspective view of the meter module 200B. Fig. 29 is a rear perspective view of the meter module 200B of fig. 28, but with a majority of the main housing 202 removed to show internal components thereof. FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of the meter module 200B, illustrating movement of certain components discussed later. Meter module 200B includes a main housing 202 that substantially encloses the internal components of meter module 200B and defines its overall configuration for seating within metering group 110. The main housing 202 includes a screw housing portion 203 at an upper end of the main housing 202 and a lower chamber portion 205 below the screw housing portion 203. The auger housing portion 203 includes a top opening 204 at its upper forward end and an auger housing floor opening 206 at its rear rearward end. The lower chamber portion 205 has a bottom opening 208 at its lowermost end. Referring to fig. 13, it should be appreciated that when meter module 200B is properly seated in metering group 110, top opening 204 of meter module 200B is aligned with bottom opening 158 of tank hopper 150 and bottom opening 208 of meter module 200B is aligned with diverter door module 400.

A constant diameter screw 210 is received within the screw housing portion 203. The auger 210 includes an auger blade 212 wound about a longitudinal axis 211 of an auger shaft 214. The longitudinal axis 211 is oriented generally parallel to the forward travel direction 11 of the air vehicle 10. The auger housing portion 203 comprises a cylindrical section 207 or at least an inner wall defining a cylindrical section. Cylindrical section 207 surrounds the lower half of the diameter of auger 210 and has an inner radius slightly greater than the outer radius of auger blade 212. As the auger 210 rotates, the auger blades 212 are oriented such that the blades 212 carry or push product rearward from the upper opening 204 (i.e., opposite the forward direction of the air vehicle 10) toward the auger housing outlet 206 at the rearward end of the cylindrical section 207.

As best shown in fig. 29 and 30, the auger 210 is driven by a motor 216, such as a stepper motor. The coupling joint 218 removably couples the auger shaft 214 with a drive shaft 220 coupled to the motor 216, allowing the auger 210 to be easily disengaged from the motor drive shaft 220 and removed from the auger housing portion 203 for maintenance, repair, or replacement, as described below. The counter module 200B also includes an auger locking mechanism 224, an auger turning knob 225, and a handle 227 on the forward end of the counter module 200B, the operation and function of which are the same as discussed above with respect to the counter module 200A.

Just as with the embodiment of the meter module 200A, an embodiment of the meter module 200B may include an internal structure 260 to direct the product toward the bottom opening 208. The inner structure 260 may be composed of two parts, including an upper funnel structure 265 having an open bottom end and a catch structure 266. The catch structure 266 may include a sidewall 268 extending upwardly from the floor 264. As previously described, the base plate 264 may be equipped with an impact or pressure sensor 272 and a load sensor 274. As shown in fig. 30, the catch structure 266 may be pivotally supported within the lower chamber portion 205 by an actuator 270 for movement between a dumping position (as indicated by the solid line in fig. 30) and a catch position (as indicated by the dashed line in fig. 30). When the catch structure 266 is in the pour position, the product flow may be detected by an impact or pressure sensor 272 on the floor 264 as described above or by any other flow sensor as described above. In the capture position, the capture structure 266 covers or closes the open bottom end of the upper funnel structure 265 to capture a metered product being threaded through the auger 210 and then measured by the load cell 274 for calibration purposes described later. As the product is captured by the capture structure 266 in the capture position, the load sensor 274 produces a signal amplitude proportional to the amount of strain produced in the load sensor 274 due to the captured product. As described later, the controller 510 receives the signal generated by the load sensor 274, and the controller 510 then correlates the signal amplitude to the weight of the captured product. Capture structure 266 may also be moved to a capture position when air vehicle 10 is transported or when meter module 200B is removed from metering group 110 to prevent or minimize unintended spillage or release of product that may be held in auger housing portion 203.

As best shown in fig. 29, a stirrer 280 is incorporated over the screw 210 within the upper opening 204 of the screw housing portion 203 to break up the cake and ensure a consistent product flow through the channel 158 of the tank hopper 150 into the upper opening 204. The agitator 280 includes a stem 282 rotatably supported at a forward end by the side wall of the auger housing portion 203, the auger housing portion 203 defining or framing the upper opening 204. The stirring finger 283 is secured toward the forward end of the rod 282, with the rod 282 protruding into the upper opening 204 above the screw 210. In operation, these stirring fingers 283 will oscillate within the upper opening 204 as the rod 282 pivots back and forth due to the linkage at the rearward end of the rod 282. In this embodiment, motor drive shaft 220 includes a gear 284, gear 284 meshing with a larger gear 285 that provides a reduction in rotational speed. The linkage 286 is pivotally secured at one end to a face of the larger gear 285 such that it is axially offset. The other end of the linkage 286 is pivotally secured to a lug 287 that is rotationally fixed to the rod 282. Thus, as the motor drive shaft 220 rotates, the engagement of the gears 284 and 285 causes the linkage 286 to pivotally secure to the face of the larger gear 285, moving in a circular path, which in turn causes the lug 287 to which the other end of the linkage 286 is pivotally secured to move back and forth, i.e., laterally side-to-side. The back and forth movement of the lug 287 causes the rod 282 to which the lug 287 is rotationally fixed to move identically. The back and forth movement of the rod 282 causes the fingers 283 at the forward end of the rod 282 to oscillate back and forth within the upper opening 204.

As with meter module embodiment 200A, meter module embodiment 200B includes a roll-over door 240, with roll-over door 240 pivotally supported at the rearward end of auger housing portion 203 in the forward direction of auger housing outlet 206. Also similar to the meter module 200A, the roll-over door 240 in the meter module 200B is configured to move between a downward position and an upward position, as shown by the dashed lines in fig. 30. In one embodiment as shown in fig. 29 and 30, movement of the roll-over door 240 is accomplished by a mechanical linkage that couples the motor drive shaft 220 with the roll-over door 240. The roll-over door 240 is supported at the rearward end of the auger housing portion 203 by a hinge pin 242. The hinge pin 242 is rotatably fixed to the hinge cam 244. Rod 246 connects articulation cam 244 to shaft 247, shaft 247 is coupled to lever arm 250, and lever arm 250 is rotationally fixed to bushing 252 surrounding motor drive shaft 220. A one-way clutch mechanism (not shown) associated with the bushing 252 causes rotational engagement of the bushing 252 (and thus the lever arm 250) with rotation of the motor drive shaft 220, as previously described for the counter module 200A, the clutch may be actuated in any of the ways described for the clutch mechanism of the counter module 200A.

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a meter module 200C. While the illustrated embodiment of the meter module 200C is substantially identical to the embodiment of the meter module 200A, it should be understood that the meter module 200C may be configured to incorporate the agitator 280 and the roll-over door 240 (and their respective portions, features, and components) as described and illustrated with respect to the embodiment of the meter module 200B.

Meter module 200C includes a main housing 202 that substantially encloses the internal components of meter module 200C and defines its overall configuration for seating within metering group 110. The main housing 202 includes an auger housing portion 203 at an upper end of the main housing 202 and a lower chamber portion 205 below the auger housing portion 203. The upper auger housing portion 203 includes a top opening 204 at its upper forward end and an auger housing outlet 206 at its rearward end. The lower chamber portion 205 has a bottom opening 208 at its lowermost end. Referring to fig. 13, it should be appreciated that when meter module 200C is properly seated in metering group 110, top opening 204 of meter module 200C is aligned with bottom opening 158 of tank hopper 150 and bottom opening 208 of meter module 200C is aligned with diverter door module 400.

The auger 210 is driven by a motor 216, such as a stepper motor. The coupling joint 218 removably couples the auger shaft 214 with a drive shaft 220 coupled to the motor 216, allowing the auger 210 to be easily disengaged from the motor drive shaft 220 and removed from the auger housing portion 203 for maintenance, repair, or replacement. The counter module 200C also includes a screw locking mechanism 224, a screw turn knob 225, and a handle 227 on the forward end of the counter module 200C, the operation and function of which are the same as discussed above with respect to the counter module 200A.

Just as with the embodiment of the meter module 200A, an embodiment of the meter module 200C may include a two-part internal structure 260 including an upper funnel structure 265 and a catch structure 266. The catch structure 266 may include a sidewall 268 extending upwardly from the floor 264. As previously described, the base plate 264 may be equipped with an impact or pressure sensor 272. However, in this embodiment, the catch structure 266 is hingedly attached to the upper funnel structure 265 and is movable by an actuator 270 mounted on the upper funnel structure 265. The actuator 270 moves the catch structure 266 between a dumping position (as indicated by the solid line in fig. 31) and a catch position (as indicated by the dashed line in fig. 31). As in the previous embodiments, when the catch structure 266 is in the pour position, the product flow may be detected by an impact or pressure sensor 272 on the floor 264 as described above or by any other flow sensor as described above. In the capture position, the capture structure 266 covers or closes the open bottom end of the upper funnel structure 265 to capture product spiraled through the auger 210 for calibration purposes described later. Further, as previously described, capture structure 266 may be moved to a capture position when aerial vehicle 10 is transported or when meter module 200C is removed from meter set 110 to prevent or minimize unintended spillage or release of product that may be held in auger housing portion 203.

In this embodiment, an upper funnel structure 265 (capture structure 266 and actuator 270 are mounted to upper funnel structure 265) is supported within lower chamber portion 205 via one or more load sensors 276 for weighing samples of the product during a calibration operation described later. The type of load sensor 276 used to weigh the product captured by the capture structure 266 in the capture position may vary depending on the manner in which the funnel structure 265 is supported within the lower chamber portion 205. As non-limiting examples, the load sensor 276 may be configured to measure tension or compression, such as a barrel-type load sensor utilizing a spring element or an S-type load sensor. Alternatively, the load sensor 276 may be configured to measure strain due to bending or shear forces, such as a beam load sensor or a load cell. In fig. 31, a beam load sensor 276 is shown supporting a funnel structure 265. The beam load sensor 276 protrudes laterally inward from the sidewall of the lower chamber portion 205 of the main housing 202 and is received within a vertical slot 278 in the lateral sidewall 262 of the funnel structure 265. As the product sample is captured by the capture structure 266 at the capture location, the load sensor 276 produces a signal amplitude proportional to the amount of strain in the load sensor due to the captured product. As described later, the signal generated by the load sensor 276 is received by the controller 510, and the controller 510 then correlates the signal amplitude with the weight of the captured product.

An advantage of the modular metering system 100 is that the meter module 200 may be made entirely or substantially of a corrosion resistant plastic (e.g., polypropylene, PVC, HDPE, UHMW, PTFE) or other corrosion resistant material, including the main housing 202, the internal structure 260 (including the funnel 265 and the catch structure 266 (if used)), and the auger 210. Thus, each meter module 200 should be longer lived than most commercially available metering systems, and if any meter module is corroded or fails, it can be easily removed, serviced or replaced with a new meter module 200, as explained previously.

Screw and alternative metering mechanism

As described above, a screw is the preferred metering mechanism 210 for the meter module 200. An auger is an accurate and efficient metering mechanism because each revolution of the auger will meter a substantially consistent amount of product. Furthermore, it has been found that a single "standard" auger configuration will accurately meter most types of products, whether seeds or fertilizer, that a planter can apply to the field, such that only a single "standard" auger is required for the meter module 200. One exception is when sowing or planting rapeseeds or similar changing small-sized seeds at very high rates of application. Accordingly, for sowing rapeseeds or similar small seeds, a second auger ("rapeseed auger") may be required, with blades spaced closer than a "standard" auger. Furthermore, for a rapeseed auger, the diameter of the blades may be slightly larger than a standard auger to provide a near zero fit between the auger blade 212 and the inner radius of the cylindrical section 207 of the auger housing portion 203. The near zero fit may provide a higher seed metering accuracy for very small seeds and will minimize auger chatter that may produce grinding or cracking of the seeds as the auger 210 rotates about its longitudinal axis within the cylindrical section 207 of the auger housing 203. In applications where high metering accuracy is not necessary, such as when larger seeds or fertilizer or other granular products are to be dispensed, a standard screw with larger clearance is appropriate. Thus, the advantage of using a screw as a metering mechanism is that all product that a planter may dispense can be accomplished with one or at most two screws, whereas most commercially available metering mechanisms utilizing conventional trough metering rollers require at least four different trough metering rollers to cover all product dispenses.

Not only does the second auger not be purchased for most growers, it results in significant cost savings, it is easier and more efficient for those growers who need to purchase rapeseed augers to machine or replace augers in meter module 200 or repair or maintain augers than conventional metering systems that utilize elongated slot meter rollers. For example, switching between a standard screw and a rapeseed screw may be accomplished by simply unlocking the screw locking mechanism 224 in front of the counter module 200 as described above (i.e., by rotating the locking handle 228 from the locked position to the unlocked position to disengage the locking tab 234 from the tab receiver 230 on the locking collar 226) and pulling the standard screw (with the locking handle 228 and the rotation knob 225 attached at its forward end) from the screw housing portion 203. With the standard auger removed, the rearward end of the rapeseed auger (again with locking handle 228 and turn knob 225 on its forward end) is slid into the auger housing portion 203 until the shaft of the rapeseed auger is seated with the auger drive shaft 220 as previously described. The locking handle 228 on the rapeseed auger is then locked to the counter module 200 by turning the locking handle 228 to the locked position.

Another advantage of using a screw as the metering mechanism 210 in the metering module 200 is that the screw is milder for seeds than the grooved metering rollers used in most commercially available metering systems.

Yet another advantage of using a screw as the metering mechanism 210 in the metering module 200 is that the torque required to turn a full-load screw is much less than a full-load conventional grooved metering roller of the same length and diameter. Tests have shown that rotating a full-load auger 210 requires only about 2 to 3 inch-pounds of torque, while rotating a full-load conventional trough metering roll of the same length and diameter requires 10 to 15 inch-pounds of torque. Thus, by utilizing an auger instead of a conventional grooved metering roller, a smaller and less expensive motor 216 that consumes less power may be utilized in the meter module 200.

The ability to utilize a small motor to drive the auger as a metering mechanism enables the metering system to be very modular or segmented into multiple components that can be individually removed for maintenance and individually replaced in the event of corrosion or failure. The modularity of the modular metering system 100 reduces downtime because if one meter module corrodes or fails or requires maintenance, the entire meter module 200 may simply be replaced with a new meter module 200. This modularity provides a significant cost savings over most commercially available metering systems utilized on air vehicles that are constructed as a long assembly. If any portion of a conventional metering system constructed as an assembly corrodes, fails, or requires maintenance, the entire metering system must be removed and the complete replacement or maintenance can result in significant downtime and expense.

While there are several advantages to using a screw as the metering mechanism 210, there may be advantages to using a trough metering roller of similar construction to that used in metering systems for other commercially available air vehicles, including, for example, deare 1900, 1910 or 1990 air vehicle sowers; CNH precision air 2355, 3445, 4465, 3555 or 4585 air freight car seed planter; or Morris Industries Series, 9s Series, or CX8105 air vehicle seeder. Thus, while an auger may be preferred, it should be understood that a grooved metering roller or other type of metering mechanism is not precluded from modular metering system 100 and meter module 200. It should be appreciated that if a grooved metering roller is used, the grooved metering roller may be disposed in the metering mechanism housing portion 203 to rotate about a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the forward travel direction 11 of the air vehicle 10 in the same manner as the augers shown in the meter module embodiments 200A, 200B, 200C. However, since the trough-type metering roller does not screw product from one end to the other, the top opening 204 would need to be configured and positioned to feed the trough-type metering roller along its length, and the outlet 206 could be located below the trough-type metering roller instead of at the rearward end of the meter housing 203. In such an embodiment, the roll-over door 240 may be eliminated.

Control system

Referring to fig. 3, 32 and 33, the control system 500 includes a controller 510, such as a 20/20 monitor available from Precision Planting LLC of the 61568 trie monte 23207 Shang Laien, il. As previously determined, the controller 510 may be in signal communication with a communication module 520, a display 530, a Global Positioning System (GPS) 566, and a speed sensor 568 associated with the tractor 2 or the applicator 1. The GPS 566 provides the controller 510 with a real-time geographic reference position of the applicator 1 and tractor 2 within the field during field operations. Speed sensor 568 provides the speed of the applicator 1 or the tractor 2. The speed sensor may be a tractor speedometer or a separate speed sensor provided on the applicator 1 or tractor 2. The display 530 and controller 510 may be installed in the cab of the tractor 2 (fig. 3) for viewing and interaction by an operator during configuration and during field operation. The controller 510 may also be in signal communication with the components of the metering system 100, including the fan 62 and each meter module 200, each meter module 200 including each of its corresponding product flow sensor 272 (or other flow sensors discussed above), load sensors 274, 276, chute actuator 270, and screw drive motor 216. The controller 510 may also be in signal communication with various components of the applicator implement 1 discussed below.

Fig. 33 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control system 500. The controller 510 may include a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 512, a memory 514, and a central processing unit CPU 516. The controller 510 may be in signal communication with the communication module 520 via a wiring harness 550. Communication module 520 may include authentication chip 522 and memory 526. The communication module 520 may be in signal communication with the display device 530 via a wiring harness 552. The display device 530 may include a GUI 532, a memory 534, a CPU 536, and may be connected to the cloud-based storage server 540 via a wireless internet connection 554. One such wireless internet connection 554 may include a cellular modem 538. Alternatively, the wireless internet connection 554 may include a wireless adapter 539 for establishing an internet connection via a wireless router.

The display device 530 may be a consumer computing device or other multi-function computing device. The display device 530 may include general-purpose software including an internet browser. The display device 530 may include a motion sensor 537, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, and the signals generated by the motion sensor 537 may be used to determine the desired modification of the GUI 532. Display device 530 may also include a digital camera 535, wherein photographs taken with camera 535 may be associated with a GPS location, stored in memory 534, and transmitted to cloud storage server 540. The display device 530 may also include a GPS receiver 531.

In operation, with reference to the combination of fig. 33 and 34, the control system 500 may perform a process generally indicated by reference numeral 1000. At step 1005, the communication module 520 may perform an authentication routine in which the communication module 520 receives a first set of authentication data 590 from the controller device 510, and the authentication chip 522 may compare the authentication data 590 with a key, token, or code stored in the memory 526 of the communication module 520 or transmitted from the display device 530. If the authentication data 590 is correct, the communication module 520 may transmit a second set of authentication data 591 to the display device 530 such that the display device 530 allows other data to be transmitted between the controller 510 and the display device 530 via the communication module 520.

At step 1010, the controller 510 accepts configuration inputs entered by an operator via the GUI 512. In some embodiments, GUI 512 may be omitted and the operator may enter configuration inputs via GUI 532 of display device 530. The configuration inputs may include the following parameters: the number of row units of the applicator tool 1, the row unit spacing, the size offset between the GPS receiver 566 and the row units of the applicator tool 1, the number of gauge modules 200 in each gauge set 110, the number of gauge sets 110, the amount and type of product in each tank 40 associated with each gauge set 110, the time from gauge module 200 to the time of seed reaching the seed sowing groove (such as described in PCT publication No. wo 2012/015957), and the like. The controller 510 is configured to transmit the generated configuration data 588 to the display device 530 via the communication module 520.

At step 1012, the display device 530 may access a handle (description) data file 586 from the cloud storage server 540. The disposition data file 586 may comprise a file (e.g., a shaped file) containing geographic boundaries (e.g., field boundaries) and correlating geographic locations (e.g., GPS coordinates) with operational parameters (e.g., product delivery amounts). The display device 530 may allow an operator to edit the disposition data file 586 using the GUI 532. The display device 530 may reconfigure the treatment data file 586 for use by the controller 510 and may transmit the resulting treatment data 585 to the controller 510 via the communication module 520.

At step 1014, as the aerial vehicle 10 and the applicator 1 traverse the field during a field application operation, the controller 510 may send command signals 598 to components of the aerial vehicle 10 that provide operational control via the wiring harness 558, including to the fan 62, the chute actuator 270, and the auger drive motor 216. These command signals 598 may include signals for engaging and disengaging the fan 62, for setting a speed or air flow of the fan 62 to actuate the actuator 270 to move the catch structure 266 between the dumping position and the catch position, for engaging and disengaging the rotation of the auger drive motor 216, and for changing the rotational speed of the auger drive motor 216. The controller 510 may also send command signals 598 to components of the applicator implement 1 providing operational control via the wiring harness 559, including sending command signals 598 to the various drivers 574, clutches 575, down force valves/actuators 576, and any other components of the applicator implement providing operational control.

In step 1015, as the applicator 1 traverses the field, the controller 510 receives raw application data 581 from the modular metering system 100 and the aerial vehicle 10 via the wiring harness 561 and receives raw application data 581 from the applicator 1 via the wiring harness 562. Raw fill data 581 from modular metering system 100 and air vehicle 10 may include signals from flow sensor 272 (or other flow sensors described herein), load sensors 274, 276, and any other monitored components of modular metering system 100 and air vehicle 10. The raw application data 581 from the applicator tool 1 may include signals from the down pressure sensor 570, the ride sensor 571, the seed or particle sensor 572, or any other monitored component of the applicator tool 1. Further, raw application data 581 may include signals from GPS 566 and speed sensor 568 associated with the applicator implement 1 or tractor 2. The controller 510 processes the raw application data 581 and stores the application data to the memory 514. The controller 510 may transmit the processed administration data 582 to the display device 530 via the communication module 520. The processed administration data 582 may be streaming data, segmented data, or partial data. It should be appreciated that according to the method 1000, control of the modular metering system 100 and the aerial vehicle 10, as well as the applicator tool 1 and data storage, is performed by the controller 510 such that if the display device 530 ceases to function, it is removed from the control system 500, or used for other functions, operation of the modular metering system 100 and the aerial vehicle 10, tool 1 and primary data storage is not disrupted.

In step 1020, display device 530 receives and stores in memory 534 the real-time processed dispensing data 582. At step 1025, the display device 530 may present a map (e.g., a shot map) of the processed shot data 582 as described below. At step 1030, the display device 530 may display a numerical aggregation of the dispensing data (e.g., pounds of product dispensed over the past 5 seconds). At step 1035, display device 530 may store in memory 534 the location, size, and other display characteristics of the dispensing map image presented at step 1025. At step 1038, after completing the priming operation, display device 530 may transmit processed priming data file 583 to cloud storage server 540. The processed annotation data file 583 may be a complete file (e.g., a data file). At step 1040, the controller 510 may store the completed priming data in the memory 514 (e.g., in a data file). The method of mapping and displaying the application data 582 may be the same or similar to the application data mapping disclosed in U.S. patent No.9,699,958.

Calibration of

Referring to fig. 35, a control system 500 may perform a process indicated generally by the reference numeral 1100. After ensuring that the sliding door 160 is in the open position such that product flows from the canister 40 through the canister funnel 150 into the upper opening 204 of the meter module 200, the operator initiates a "load screw" step 1110 to load or fill the blades 212 of the screw 210 of each metering group 110 in preparation for a subsequent calibration step. The load auger step 1110 may be initiated by an operator selecting a load auger selection displayed on the GUI 532 of the display device or on the GUI 512 of the controller 510. Upon initiating the load auger step 1110, the controller 510 commands the fan 62 to operate at a predetermined speed to generate a predetermined airflow or the controller 510 determines whether the fan 62 is operating (the fan 62 may be operated by a controller on the tractor, wherein the fan 62 is controlled by the hydraulic circuit of the tractor). The controller 510 also commands the actuator 270 to move the catch structure 266 to the dumping position such that any product that is spiraled by the auger 210 while charging will flow out of the bottom opening 208 of the meter module, through the corresponding diverter door module 400, and into the corresponding air tube module 300 before being carried by the air stream through the air tube 64 and into the dispensing line of the applicator implement 1. The controller 510 also commands the auger drive motor 216 to rotate for a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of auger revolutions to ensure that the length of the auger 210 is full of product.

When the auger 210 is full of product, a "stop auger" step 1112 is triggered to stop the rotation of the auger motor 216 and auger 210. In one embodiment, stop auger step 1112 may be triggered automatically when flow sensor 272 generates a signal indicating that a consistent flow of product is being discharged each time the auger rotates. Alternatively, the operator may trigger the stop auger step 1112 by selecting a stop auger selection displayed on the GUI 532 or 512. Once the auger 210 is fully loaded and the stop auger step 1112 has been triggered, a "product capture" step 1114 is initiated. The product capture step 1114 may be initiated automatically by the controller 510 after the completion of the stop screw step 1112, or the operator may initiate the product capture step 1114 by selecting a product capture selection displayed on the GUI 532 of the display device or on the GUI 512 of the controller 510.

At product capture step 1114, the fan 62 continues to run at a predetermined speed, and the controller 510 commands the actuator 270 to move the capture structure 266 to the capture position to close the open bottom end of the upper funnel structure 265. Once the catch structure 266 is in the catch position, the controller 510 commands the auger drive motor 216 to rotate the auger a predetermined number of revolutions (e.g., one complete revolution) at a default or predetermined auger speed. In one embodiment, the predetermined number or revolutions may be a single revolution, as only a nominal amount of product (e.g., 1 pound or 454 grams by weight, which may be about 4 cups or 1 liter by volume of product) is required to obtain an accurate measurement using the load sensors 274, 276. The captured product is then measured in a "measurement" step 1116. The product capture step 1116 may be initiated automatically by the controller 510 after a predetermined number of revolutions, or the operator may initiate the measurement step 1116 by selecting a measurement selection displayed on the GUI 532 of the display device or on the GUI 512 of the controller 510.

In a measurement step 1116, the signal amplitude generated by the load sensors 274, 276 may be correlated with known mass values via a look-up table to obtain derived mass values. The derived quality value is stored in the memory 514. After completion of the measurement step 1116, a "mass per revolution calculation" step 1118 is initiated. The per-turn mass calculation step 1118 may be initiated automatically by the controller 510 after the measurement step 1116 is completed, or the operator may initiate the per-turn mass calculation step 1118 by selecting a per-turn mass selection displayed on the GUI 532 of the display device or on the GUI 512 of the controller 510.

In the per-turn mass calculation step 1118, it is assumed that the product in the tank 40 is free to flow into the upper opening 204 of the meter module 200 being calibrated. Thus, once the auger 210 has been fully loaded, the volume and mass of product carried by each blade 212 of the auger 210 will be substantially the same, and thus each revolution of the auger 210 will meter substantially the same product mass or volume. Thus, the mass per revolution may be calculated by dividing the mass value derived from step 1116 by the predetermined number of revolutions of the auger (e.g., one complete revolution). The resulting mass per screw rotation value ("MPR value") may be displayed to the operator on the GUI 532 or 512 and stored in the memory 514. At any time after the completion of the measure sample step 1116, a "pour" step 1120 may be initiated. The dumping step 1120 may be performed automatically after the measuring step 1116 or the per-mass-change step 1118 is completed, or the operator may initiate the dumping step 1120 by selecting a dumping selection displayed on the GUI 532 of the display device or on the GUI 512 of the controller 510. In a dumping step 1120, the controller 510 may command actuation of the actuator 270 to move the catch structure 266 to the dumping position to dump or release the captured product through the bottom opening 208.

After calculating the MPR value at step 1118, the MPR value is used to derive the dispensing amount at step 1122. It should also be appreciated that the MPR value is a meter module 200. Thus, the MPR values of all meter modules 200 in a meter group 110 that meter the same product (in this example, all meter modules 200 within meter group 110 are assumed) may be summed, or the MPR value of one meter module 200 may be multiplied by the number of meter modules within meter group 110 that meter the same product to determine the total mass of product that is being metered at a screw revolution of each meter module 200 in meter group 110. MPR values and can be used to derive the delivered-quantity according to the following formula:

wherein:

as=screw speed (revolutions per minute)

Ar=amount of applied (pounds/acre) or (kg/hectare)

C=conversion coefficient

For the english unit c=495 (i.e., 60 minutes/hour x 43560 square feet/acre/5280 feet/mile)

For SI unit c=600 (i.e. 60 minutes/hour x 10,000 square meters/hectare ≡1000 meters/kilometer)

Sum of MPR values Σmpr value=sum of MPR values (lbs/hr) of step 1118 or (kg/hr)

Gs=ground speed (miles per hour) or (kilometers per hour) of the applicator tool

W = width (feet) or (meters) of the applicator implement

The Auger Speed (AS) is known by a predetermined or preset speed at step 1114. During the configuration phase (step 1010 of fig. 34), the width (W) of the applicator implement 1 is known and may have been previously entered by the operator and stored in the memory 114. The ground speed of the applicator tool (GS) may be assumed by the operator and may be previously entered by the operator into memory during the configuration phase (step 1010 of fig. 34). Thus, by retrieving all variables from memory, the above formula ("derived AR") can be used to derive the delivered-quantity. The derived AR may then be compared to the required delivery volume retrieved from the storage and input during the configuration phase (e.g., based on the treatment map) at step 1124.

If the derived AR matches the desired delivered-quantity (within a predetermined acceptable tolerance), then there is no need to adjust the speed of the motor 216 (and thus the screw 210 coupled to the motor), and the calibration process 1100 may end. If the derived AR does not match the desired delivery rate (within a predetermined acceptable tolerance), the speed of the motor 216 (and thus the auger 210 coupled to the motor) may be increased or decreased to achieve the desired delivery rate. In step 1126, the screw speed required to achieve the desired application may be derived from the same equation above, but this time solving for screw speed (AS) rather than Application Rate (AR), AS follows.

The controller 510 may be programmed with the above equation to automatically calculate or derive the screw speed to achieve the desired application using the MPR value of step 1118 retrieved from memory and the sum of the desired Application Rate (AR), ground Speed (GS), and applicator implement width (W) entered during the configuration state (step 1010 of fig. 34) and retrieved from memory 114. Once the derived screw speed is calculated in step 1126, the controller may be programmed to automatically set the screw motor speed to achieve the derived screw speed in step 1128. Alternatively, the controller may display the derived screw speed to the operator on display 530, and the operator may set the screw motor speed to match the derived screw speed via GUI 532 or 512.

After adjusting the screw motor speed in step 1128, the second calibration period may be repeated by selecting a verify calibration selection via GUI 532 or 512. The verify calibration process may begin at step 1114, as it should be appreciated that the auger 210 will already be full of product from the initial calibration period, so loading the auger step 1110 is unnecessary. Also, stopping the auger step 1112 is unnecessary when performing the calibration verification process, as the auger 210 was previously stopped after step 1114 was completed in the initial calibration period (i.e., after the current number of auger revolutions was completed).

Once the modular metering system is calibrated, the controller 510 may automatically adjust the rotational speed of the auger motor 216 to match the desired delivery rate based on the above or similar equations as the speed of the applicator tool 1 to ground changes or as the applicator tool 1 passes a treatment map boundary with different delivery rates. For example, it should also be appreciated that because each meter module 200 has its own auger 210 and auger motor 216, each meter module 200 or group of meter modules 200 may be associated with one or more rows of cells on the applicator implement 1. Thus, if the applicator tool 1 is turned in the field, causing the outermost row of units that are farther from the turning direction to travel at a greater ground speed than the innermost row of units that are toward the turning direction, the controller 510 may command the auger motor 216 of the meter module 200 associated with the outermost row of units to rotate at a greater speed in order to meter more product to maintain a sufficient supply of product through the dispensing line that will require more product to supply the outermost row of units, thereby maintaining the desired amount of application at its greater speed. Likewise, the controller 510 may command the auger motor 216 of the meter module associated with the innermost row of units to rotate at a slower speed to meter less product so as not to overload the dispensing line that will require less product to the innermost row of units, thereby maintaining the desired dispensing amount at its slower speed. Similarly, as different row units across the width of the applicator implement 1 pass the handling mapping boundary in fields having different amounts of application, the controller 510 may command the auger motor 216 of the meter module 200 associated with the corresponding row unit to increase or decrease speed to ensure that the amount of product metered into the dispensing line is sufficient without underloading or overloading the dispensing line feeding different row units with different amounts of application product.

It should also be appreciated that one advantage of the modular metering system 100 and calibration system and process 1100 described above utilizing the automatic capture structure 266, load cells 274, 276, and a single auger revolution or minimum auger revolution is that it produces very small (about 1 pound or 454 grams by weight, or 4 cups by volume) product samples for calibration purposes while also producing accurate calibration measurements. Such small sample sizes are easily dispensed and distributed through the air tube 64 and the dispensing line of the applicator implement without fear of overfilling the dispensing line. This has a significant advantage over current commercially available air vehicles that produce a collection sample of over 20 pounds of product that must be collected in a collection bag physically attached to the metering system, then removed, weighed, and poured back into the air vehicle's tank, as described in the background section above.

It should also be appreciated that the entire calibration process 1100 described above is performed by an operator from the tractor cab by simply selecting a calibration selection via the GUI 532 of the display 530 or the GUI 512 of the controller 510 to initiate the steps of the calibration process. Thus, the calibration process 1100 for the modular metering system 100 is faster, more efficient, and does not require any physical labor, unlike calibration processes for other air vehicles on the market, which require multiple manual and physical steps, as described in the background section of this disclosure.

In another calibration method, the meter module 200 may be closed by a bottom plate 264 to close the bottom opening 208. The metering mechanism 210 is activated to cause material to flow through the meter module 200. After the flow into the meter module 200 reaches steady state, the floor 264 may be closed. The bottom panel 264 may be open or closed while steady state is reached. The bottom plate 264 only needs to be closed before the count starts. During the counting time, the number of metering units of the metering mechanism 210 is counted. In the case where the metering mechanism is a screw, the number of revolutions is counted. If the metering mechanism 210 is another structure, it is the number of units. For example, if the metering mechanism 210 is a wheel, it is the number of revolutions of the wheel. While counting the metering units, the load cell 274 on the floor 264 measures the starting and ending masses of material accumulated on the floor 264. Alternatively, the inner structure 260 with the load sensor 276 is used to capture material, and the load sensor 276 measures the starting and ending masses of material in the inner structure 260. The mass per measurement unit is then calculated by dividing the mass per measurement unit by the number of metering units. This process is shown in fig. 36.

Example

The following is a non-limiting example.

Example 1-an air vehicle for delivering a product to an applicator implement, the air vehicle having a forward travel direction, the air vehicle comprising: a wheeled frame supporting a tank containing a product; an air system supported by the wheeled frame, the air system including a fan, an air tube set including a plurality of air tube modules laterally disposed adjacent to each other, each air tube module in communication with at least one of the plurality of air tubes; a modular metering system comprising a metering group disposed below a tank and above an air tube stack, the metering group comprising a plurality of meter modules disposed laterally adjacent to one another, each meter module of the plurality of meter modules comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion with a top opening through which product from the tank enters the main housing and a lower chamber portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening in communication with a respective one of the air duct modules; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to the forward direction of travel; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; a control system having a controller in signal communication with the motor and the fan; such that as the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters product entering the lower chamber portion, the metered product exiting the lower chamber portion through the bottom opening and entering a respective one of the air duct modules, the fan blowing the metered product through at least one air duct in communication with the respective one of the air duct modules.

Example 2-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules is individually removable from the metering group.

Example 3-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein the metering mechanism is removable from an end of the meter housing portion.

Example 4-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein the metering group includes a plurality of sliding doors, each of the plurality of sliding doors disposed over a top opening of a respective one of the plurality of meter modules, each of the plurality of sliding doors movable between a closed position in which the sliding doors prevent product from flowing from the tank into the top opening of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules and an open position in which the sliding doors allow product to flow from the tank into the top opening of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules.

Example 5-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein the metering mechanism is a screw having a screw shaft coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the screw having screw blades wound about the screw shaft, the screw blades oriented on the screw shaft to urge product entering the top opening toward the outlet as the screw rotates about the longitudinal axis.

The air vehicle of examples 6-5, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a roll-over door pivotally disposed in the counter housing portion between the end of the auger blade and the outlet, the roll-over door being pivotally movable between a downward position and an upward position such that in the downward position the roll-over door is tilted downward, allowing metered product to enter the lower chamber portion through the outlet, and in the upward position the roll-over door is tilted upward, preventing product within the auger housing from entering the lower chamber through the outlet.

The air vehicle of examples 7-6, wherein the roll-over door is coupled to the auger shaft by a linkage such that reverse rotation of the auger shaft moves the roll-over door from the downward position to the upward position.

Example 8-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein the lower chamber portion of each of the plurality of gauge modules includes an internal structure to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion toward the bottom opening.

Example 9-example 8, wherein the interior structure includes a funnel structure having an open bottom end.

The air vehicle of examples 10-9, wherein the interior structure further comprises a capture structure.

Example 11-the air vehicle of example 10, wherein the catch structure is movable between a dumping position and a catch position, wherein in the dumping position the catch structure directs the metered product toward the bottom opening, and wherein in the catch position the catch structure closes the bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure to catch the metered product.

The air vehicle of examples 12-11, wherein each of the plurality of gauge modules further includes an actuator configured to move the capture structure between the dumping position and the capture position.

The air vehicle of examples 13-11, wherein each of the plurality of gauge modules further comprises a load sensor configured to weigh the metered product captured by the capture structure at the capture location.

The air vehicle of examples 14-12, wherein the load sensor is disposed on a floor of the capture structure.

Example 15-the air vehicle of example 13, wherein the load sensor supports a funnel structure.

Example 16-the air vehicle of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor in signal communication with the controller, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion prior to exiting through the bottom opening.

Example 17-example 12, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor in signal communication with the controller, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion prior to exiting through the bottom opening.

Example 18-the air vehicle of example 16, wherein the flow sensor is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The air vehicle of examples 19-17, wherein the flow sensor comprises an equipped floor of the capture structure, whereby the equipped floor detects whether the product flows over an upper surface of the equipped floor in the dumping position.

The air vehicle of example 20-example 1, wherein each of the plurality of air tube modules includes an upper air tube coupler and a lower air tube coupler, the upper air tube coupler including a central passageway and an outer passageway, the central passageway communicating with a first air tube of the plurality of air tubes, the outer passageway communicating with the lower air tube coupler, the lower air tube coupler communicating with a second air tube of the plurality of air tubes, the second air tube of the plurality of air tubes disposed below the first air tube of the plurality of air tubes.

The air vehicle of examples 21-20, wherein the metering group further comprises: a diverter door module disposed between the bottom opening of each meter module and a respective one of the plurality of air tube modules, the diverter door module including a diverter door movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the diverter door closes the central passageway of the upper air tube coupler and the outer passageway of the upper air tube coupler is open to allow metered product to flow into the lower air tube coupler, and wherein in the second position the diverter door closes the outer passageway of the upper air tube coupler and the central passageway of the upper air tube coupler is open to allow metered product to flow into the upper air tube coupler.

The air vehicle of examples 22-21, wherein the diverter door is moved between the first position and the second position by a diverter door actuator.

Example 23-a modular metering system for metering a product, the modular metering system comprising: a plurality of meter modules laterally disposed adjacent to one another in a metering group, each meter module of the plurality of meter modules comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion with a top opening through which product from the tank enters the main housing and a lower chamber portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening in communication with a respective one of the air duct modules; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; such that as the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters product into the lower chamber portion, and the metered product exits the lower chamber portion through the bottom opening.

The modular metering system of examples 24-23, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules is individually removable from the metering group.

The modular metering system of examples 25-23, wherein the metering mechanism is removable from an end of the meter housing portion.

The modular metering system of examples 26-23, wherein the metering group comprises a plurality of sliding doors, each of the plurality of sliding doors disposed over a top opening of a respective one of the plurality of meter modules, each of the plurality of sliding doors movable between a closed position in which the sliding doors prevent product flow into the top opening of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules and an open position in which the sliding doors allow product flow into the top opening of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules.

The modular metering system of examples 27-23, wherein the metering mechanism is a screw having a screw shaft coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the screw having screw blades wound about the screw shaft, the screw blades oriented on the screw shaft to urge product entering the top opening toward the outlet as the screw rotates about the longitudinal axis.

The modular metering system of examples 28-27, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a roll-over door pivotally disposed in the counter housing portion between the end of the auger blade and the outlet, the roll-over door being pivotally movable between a downward position and an upward position such that in the downward position the roll-over door is tilted downward allowing metered product to enter the lower chamber portion through the outlet and in the upward position the roll-over door is tilted upward preventing product within the auger housing from entering the lower chamber through the outlet.

The modular metering system of examples 29-28, wherein the roll-over door is coupled to the auger shaft by a linkage such that reverse rotation of the auger shaft moves the roll-over door from the downward position to the upward position.

The modular metering system of examples 30-23, wherein the lower chamber portion of each of the plurality of metering modules includes internal structure to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion toward the bottom opening.

The modular metering system of examples 31-30, wherein the internal structure comprises a funnel structure having an open bottom end.

The modular metering system of examples 32-31, wherein the internal structure further comprises a capture structure.

The modular metering system of examples 33-32, wherein the catch structure is movable between a pouring position and a catch position, wherein in the pouring position the catch structure directs the metered product toward the bottom opening, and wherein in the catch position the catch structure closes the bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure to catch the metered product.

The modular metering system of examples 34-33, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises an actuator configured to move the capture structure between the dumping position and the capture position.

The modular metering system of examples 35-34, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises a load sensor configured to weigh the metered product captured by the capture structure at the capture location.

The modular metering system of examples 36-35, wherein the load cell is disposed on a floor of the capture structure.

The modular metering system of examples 37-36, wherein the load cell supports a funnel structure.

The modular metering system of examples 38-23, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion before exiting through the bottom opening.

The modular metering system of examples 39-34, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion before exiting through the bottom opening.

Example 40-the modular metering system of example 38, wherein the flow sensor is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The modular metering system of examples 41-39, wherein the flow sensor comprises an equipped floor of the capture structure, whereby the equipped floor detects whether the product flows over an upper surface of the equipped floor in the pour position.

The modular metering system of examples 42-23, wherein the metering group further comprises: a diverter door module disposed below the bottom opening of each meter module, the diverter door module including a diverter door movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the diverter door directs the metered product outwardly, and wherein in the second position the diverter door directs the product inwardly.

The modular metering system of examples 43-42, wherein the diverter door is moved between the first position and the second position by a diverter door actuator.

Example 44-a meter module for metering a product, the meter module comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion with a top opening through which product from the tank enters the main housing and a lower chamber portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening in communication with a respective one of the air duct modules; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; such that as the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters product entering the lower chamber portion, and the metered product exits the lower chamber portion through the bottom opening.

The meter module of examples 45-44, wherein the metering mechanism is removable from an end of the meter housing portion.

The metering module of examples 46-44 wherein the metering mechanism is a screw having a screw shaft coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the screw having screw blades wound about the screw shaft, the screw blades oriented on the screw shaft to urge product entering the top opening toward the outlet as the screw rotates about the longitudinal axis.

The meter module of examples 47-46, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a roll-over door pivotally disposed in the counter housing portion between the end of the auger blade and the outlet, the roll-over door being pivotally movable between a downward position and an upward position such that in the downward position the roll-over door is tilted downward allowing metered product to enter the lower chamber portion through the outlet and in the upward position the roll-over door is tilted upward preventing product within the auger housing from entering the lower chamber through the outlet.

The counter module of examples 48-47, wherein the roll-over door is coupled to the auger shaft by a linkage such that reverse rotation of the auger shaft moves the roll-over door from the downward position to the upward position.

The counter module of examples 49-44, wherein the lower chamber portion includes internal structure to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion toward the bottom opening.

The meter module of examples 50-49, wherein the internal structure comprises a funnel structure having an open bottom end.

The meter module of examples 51-50, wherein the internal structure further comprises a capture structure.

The gauge module of examples 52-51, wherein the catch structure is movable between a pouring position and a catch position, wherein in the pouring position the catch structure directs the metered product toward the bottom opening, and wherein in the catch position the catch structure closes the bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure to catch the metered product.

The meter module of examples 53-52, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises an actuator configured to move the capture structure between the dumping position and the capture position.

The metering module of examples 54-53, wherein each of the plurality of metering modules further comprises a load sensor configured to weigh metered product captured by the capture structure at the capture location.

The meter module of examples 55-54, wherein the load cell is disposed on a floor of the capture structure.

The meter module of examples 56-55, wherein the load cell supports a funnel structure.

The meter module of examples 57-44, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion before exiting through the bottom opening.

The meter module of example 58-53, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules further comprises: a flow sensor disposed within the lower chamber portion, the flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion before exiting through the bottom opening.

The meter module of examples 59-57, wherein the flow sensor is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The meter module of examples 60-58, wherein the flow sensor comprises an instrumented floor of the capture structure, whereby the instrumented floor detects whether the product is flowing over an upper surface of the instrumented floor in the pour position.

Example 61-a method of calibrating a plurality of meter modules in a metering group, each meter module of the plurality of meter modules having an auger in communication with a supply of product to be metered, the auger being driven by a motor, each meter module of the plurality of meter modules having an actuator coupled to a capture structure, the motor and the actuator being in signal communication with a controller, the method comprising: for each of the plurality of meter modules, via the controller: generating a load screw command signal that drives a motor to rotate the screw at a predetermined rotational speed until the screw is full of product, the load screw command signal actuating an actuator to move the sample collection structure to a dumping position whereby product metered by the screw is discharged through a bottom opening in the metering module in the dumping position; (ii) When the screw is fully loaded, generating a screw stopping command signal, wherein the screw stopping command signal stops a motor for driving the screw; (iii) Generating a capture command signal that actuates an actuator to move a capture structure to a capture position, the capture structure upon movement of the capture structure to the capture position generating a drive screw command signal to drive a motor for a specified number of screw revolutions at a preset rotational speed, whereby the capture structure captures a product that is threaded through the screw during the specified number of screw revolutions, the capture structure being equipped with a load sensor that generates a signal amplitude proportional to a mass of the product captured by the capture structure while in the capture position; (iv) Receiving the generated signal amplitude and correlating the generated signal amplitude with a known quality to obtain a derived quality value for a product captured by the capturing structure while in the capturing position; (v) Calculating a mass per screw revolution (MPR) value by dividing the derived mass value by a specified screw revolution; (vi) storing the MPR value in a memory; (vii) Generating a pour command signal that actuates an actuator coupled to the capture structure to cause the capture structure to move to a pour position such that in the pour position, product captured in the capture structure is discharged through a bottom opening in the meter module; (b) Summing, via the controller, the MPR values stored for each of the plurality of meter modules; (ii) calculating a derived dispensing amount based on the sum of MPR values; (iii) Comparing the derived dispensing amount with the required dispensing amount; (iv) Determining whether the derived delivery volume matches the desired delivery volume, whereby if the derived delivery volume does not match the desired delivery volume, a derived screw speed is calculated based on the sum of MPR values and the desired delivery volume; (v) Based on the derived screw speed, the rotational speed of the motor for each of the plurality of gauge modules is adjusted.

The method of example 62-example 61, further comprising: verifying whether the derived screw speed reaches the desired delivery rate by repeating steps (a) (iii) through (b) (v).

Example 63-a meter module for an air vehicle, comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which product enters the main housing, the meter housing portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; a roll-over door pivotally disposed in the meter housing section between the end of the metering mechanism and the outlet, the roll-over door being pivotally movable between a downward position whereby the roll-over door is tilted downward to allow product to enter the lower chamber section through the outlet and an upward position whereby the roll-over door is tilted upward to prevent product within the meter housing from entering the lower chamber through the outlet.

The counter module of examples 64-63, wherein the roll-over door is coupled to the counter mechanism by a linkage mechanism such that a reverse rotation of the counter mechanism moves the roll-over door from the downward position to the upward position.

The counter module of examples 65-64, wherein the counter rotation is one quarter rotation of the counter mechanism.

Example 66-the meter module of any of examples 63-65, wherein the metering mechanism is a screw.

Example 67-a meter module for an air vehicle, comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which product enters the main housing, the meter housing portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; wherein the top opening has a wall that is non-vertical and inclined away from the metering mechanism.

The meter module of examples 68-67, wherein the wall is inclined 90 ° from the meter module.

The meter module of examples 69-67 or 68, wherein the meter module is a screw.

Example 70-a meter module for an air vehicle, comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which product enters the main housing, the meter housing portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; wherein the lower chamber portion further comprises a floor having a flow sensor disposed on the floor.

Example 71-a meter module for an air vehicle, comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which product enters the main housing, the meter housing portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; wherein the top opening is adjacent to a front portion of the counter module, a rear portion of the counter module is opposite the front portion of the counter module, the motor is disposed at the rear portion, and the counter mechanism is disposed forward of the motor and extends to the front portion.

The meter module of examples 72-71, further comprising a front plate disposed at the front, wherein the front plate is removable to remove the metering mechanism without removing the motor.

Example 73-the meter module of example 71 or 72, wherein the metering mechanism is a screw.

Example 74-a meter module for an air vehicle, comprising: a main housing having a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which product enters the main housing, the meter housing portion including an outlet in communication with the lower chamber portion, the lower chamber portion having a bottom opening; a metering mechanism rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion, the metering mechanism rotatable about a longitudinal axis; a motor operably coupled to rotate the metering mechanism about the longitudinal axis; wherein the lower chamber is connected to the main housing via a load sensor and is movable under the weight of the product.

Example 75-a method of calibrating a meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C), wherein the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) comprises: an opening (204); a bottom opening (208); a metering mechanism (210) disposed in the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C); a bottom plate (264) to selectively open and close the bottom opening (208); and a load sensor (274; 276) for measuring a mass of material in the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C), the method comprising: activating the metering mechanism (210) to cause material to flow through the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C); closing the bottom opening (208) with the bottom plate (264) at any time prior to counting; counting the number of metering units of the metering mechanism during a counting time and measuring the amount of material with a load cell (274; 276); and calculating the amount of mass per metering unit.

The method of example 76-example 75, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a screw (210).

The method of examples 77-76, wherein the metering unit is a number of turns of the auger (210).

The method of any of examples 78-75 to 77, wherein a load sensor (274) is provided to measure the load on the floor (264).

The method of any of examples 79-75 to 77, further comprising an internal structure (260), and the load sensor (276) is configured to measure a load on the internal structure (260).

Example 101-an air vehicle (10) for delivering a product to an applicator implement (1), the air vehicle (10) having a forward travel direction (11), the air vehicle (10) comprising: a wheeled frame (12) supporting a tank (40) containing a product; an air system (60) supported by the wheeled frame (12), the air system (60) including an air tube set (310), the air tube set (310) including a plurality of air tube modules (300) disposed laterally adjacent to each other, each air tube module (300) in communication with at least one of the plurality of air tubes (64), each air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64) in communication with a blower (62) that generates an air flow through each air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64); a modular metering system (100) (100) comprising a metering group (110) disposed below a tank (40) and above an air tube group (310), the metering group (110) comprising a plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) disposed laterally adjacent to each other, each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) comprising: a main housing (202) having a meter housing portion (203) and a lower chamber portion (205), the meter housing portion (203) having a top opening (204) through which product from the canister (40) enters the meter housing portion (203), the meter housing portion (203) including an outlet (206) in communication with the lower chamber portion (205), the lower chamber portion (205) having a bottom opening (208), the bottom opening (208) in communication with a respective one of the air tube modules (300); a metering mechanism (210) rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion (203), the metering mechanism (210) being rotatable about a longitudinal axis (211) disposed substantially parallel to the forward direction of travel (11); a motor (216) configured to drive the metering mechanism (210) in rotation about a longitudinal axis (211); a control system (500) having a controller (510), the controller (510) configured to control the motor (216) and the blower (62); whereby as the metering mechanism (210) rotates about the longitudinal axis (211), the metering mechanism (210) meters product entering the lower chamber portion (205), the metered product exits the lower chamber portion (205) through the bottom opening (208) and enters a respective one of the air duct modules (300), and the air flow carries the metered product through at least one air duct (64) in communication with the respective one of the air duct modules (300).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 102-101, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) is individually removable from the metering group (110).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 103-102, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is removable from an end of the meter housing portion (203).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 104-102, wherein the metering group (110) includes a plurality of sliding doors (160), each of the plurality of sliding doors (160) disposed over a top opening (204) of a respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c), each of the plurality of sliding doors (160) movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the sliding doors (160) prevent product from flowing from the tank (40) into the top opening (204) of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c), and wherein in the open position, product flows from the tank (40) into the top opening (204) of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 105-101, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a screw (210), the screw (210) has a screw shaft (214), the screw shaft (214) is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (211), the screw (210) has a screw blade (212) wound about the screw shaft (214), the screw blade (212) is oriented on the screw shaft (214) to push product entering the top opening (204) toward the outlet (206) as the screw (210) rotates about the longitudinal axis (211).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 106-101, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a grooved metering roller.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 107-101, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a roll-over door (240) pivotally disposed in the meter housing section (203), the roll-over door (240) being pivotally movable between a downward position, whereby product within the meter housing section (203) can enter the lower chamber section (205) through the outlet (206), and an upward position, whereby product within the meter housing section (203) is prevented from entering the lower chamber through the outlet (206).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 108-107, wherein the roll-over door (240) is coupled to the metering mechanism (210) by a linkage such that reverse rotation of the metering mechanism (210) causes the roll-over door (240) to move from the downward position to the upward position.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 109-101, wherein the lower chamber portion (205) of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) includes an internal structure (260) to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion (205) to the bottom opening (208).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 110-109, wherein the interior structure (260) includes a funnel structure (265) having an open bottom end.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 111-110, wherein the interior structure (260) further includes a capture structure (266).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 112-111, wherein the catch structure (266) is movable between a dumping position and a catch position, wherein in the dumping position the catch structure (266) directs the metered product toward the bottom opening (208), and wherein in the catch position the catch structure (266) closes a bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure (265) to capture the metered product.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 113-112, wherein each of the plurality of gauge modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further includes an actuator (270), the actuator (270) configured to move the capture structure (266) between the dumping position and the capture position.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 114-113, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further includes a load sensor (274; 276), the load sensor (274; 276) configured to enable weighing of the metered product captured by the capture structure (266) at the capture location.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 115-114, wherein the load sensor (274) is disposed on a floor (264) of the capture structure (266).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 116-114, wherein the load sensor (276) supports the funnel structure (265).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 117-101, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a flow sensor (272) disposed within the lower chamber portion (205), the flow sensor (272) in signal communication with the controller (510), the flow sensor (272) configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion (205) before exiting through the bottom opening (208).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 118-117, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 119-113, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a flow sensor (272) disposed within the lower chamber portion (205), the flow sensor (272) in signal communication with the controller (510), the flow sensor (272) configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion (205) before exiting through the bottom opening (208).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 120-119, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The air vehicle (10) of examples 121-119, wherein the flow sensor (272) includes an equipped floor (264) that captures the structure (266), whereby the equipped floor (264) detects whether the product is flowing over an upper surface (276) of the equipped floor (264) in the dumping position.

Example 122-example 101 air vehicle (10), wherein each of the plurality of air tube modules (300) includes an upper air tube coupler (301) and a lower air tube coupler (302), the upper air tube coupler (301) being in communication with a first air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64), the lower air tube coupler (302) being in communication with a second air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64), the second air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64) being disposed below the first air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 123-122, wherein the metering group (110) further comprises: a diverter door module (400) disposed between the bottom opening (208) of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) and a respective one of the plurality of air tube modules (300), the diverter door module (400) being operable to divert a metered product exiting the bottom opening (208) into one of the upper air tube coupler (301) and the lower air tube coupler (302) of the respective one of the plurality of air tube modules (300).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 124-123, wherein the upper air tube coupler (301) includes a central passageway (306) and an outer passageway (307), the central passageway (306) communicates with a first air tube of the plurality of air tubes (64), the outer passageway (307) communicates with the lower air tube coupler (302), and wherein the diverter door module (400) includes a diverter door (420) movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the diverter door (420) closes the central passageway (306) of the upper air tube coupler (301) and the outer passageway (307) of the upper air tube coupler (301) is open to allow metered product to flow into the lower air tube coupler (302), and wherein in the second position the diverter door (420) closes the outer passageway (307) of the upper air tube coupler (301) and the central passageway (306) of the upper air tube coupler (301) is open to allow metered product to flow into the upper air tube coupler (301).

The air vehicle (10) of examples 125-124, further comprising a diverter door actuator (430), the diverter door actuator (430) configured to move the diverter door (420) between the first position and the second position.

Example 201-a method of calibrating a metering system (100), the metering system (100) including a plurality of metering modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C), each of the plurality of metering modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) having a screw (210) in communication with a product, the screw (210) being driven by a motor (216), each of the plurality of metering modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) having an actuator (270) coupled to a capture structure (266), the motor (216) and the actuator (270) being in signal communication with a controller (510), the method comprising: (a) For each of a plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C): (i) Actuating the motor (216) to drive the auger (210) until the auger (210) is full of product from the product supply; (ii) stopping rotation of the fully loaded screw (210); (iii) Discharging the metered product quantity from the full auger (210) by actuating the motor (216) to drive the full auger (210) a predetermined number of auger revolutions at a predetermined rotational speed; (iv) Capturing the discharged metered product quantity with a capture structure (266), the capture structure (266) being equipped with a load sensor (274; 276), the load sensor (274; 276) producing a signal amplitude proportional to the mass of the discharged metered product quantity captured by the capture structure (266); (b) a controller (510): (i) Receiving the generated signal amplitude of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) and correlating each of the generated signal amplitudes; (ii) Calculating a mass per auger (MPR) value for each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) by dividing the derived mass value by a specified number of auger revolutions for each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c); (iii) Storing MPR values for each of a plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) in a memory; (iv) Summing the stored MPR values for each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c); (v) Calculating a derived dispensing amount of the metering group (110) based on a sum of MPR values of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c); (vi) Comparing the derived dispensing amount of the metering group (110) with the required dispensing amount; (vii) Determining whether the derived dispensing quantity of the metering group (110) matches the required dispensing quantity; (viii) If the derived delivery rate of the metering group (110) does not match the desired delivery rate, calculating a derived screw speed based on the sum of MPR values and the desired delivery rate; (ix) Based on the derived screw speed, the rotational speed of the motor (216) for each of the plurality of gauge modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) is adjusted.

The method of example 202-example 201, wherein the controller (510) generates the load screw command signal to cause the motor (216) to drive the screw (210) according to step (a) (i).

The method of examples 203-203, wherein the load screw command signal actuates the actuator (270) to move the capture structure (266) to the dumping position such that in the dumping position, product metered by the screw (210) is discharged through the bottom opening (208) in the meter module (200; 200a;200b;200 c).

The method of example 204-example 204, wherein the controller (510) generates the stop screw command signal to cause the motor (216) to stop driving the screw (210) according to step (a) (ii) after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of revolutions of the screw (210).

The method of examples 205-205, wherein after stopping the auger command signal, the controller (510) generates a capture command signal that actuates the actuator (270) to move the capture structure (266) to the capture position to capture the metered amount of product being expelled according to step (a) (iii).

The method of examples 206-206, wherein, upon movement of the capture structure (266) to the capture position, the controller (510) generates a drive screw command signal to cause the motor (216) to drive the screw (210) a predetermined number of screw revolutions at a predetermined rotational speed to expel the metered amount of product in accordance with step (a) (iii).

The method of example 207-example 201, wherein, at any time after the controller (510) receives the generated signal amplitude for each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c), the controller (510) generates a pour command signal for each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) that actuates an actuator (270) coupled to the capture structure (266) to move the capture structure (266) of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) to a pour position such that in the pour position, product captured in the capture structure (266) of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) is discharged through the bottom opening (208) in each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c).

The method of example 208-example 207, further comprising: after the product is discharged from the capture structure (266) according to example 7, steps (a) through (b) (ix) are repeated until the derived dispensing amount is close to the desired dispensing amount.

Example 301-a meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) for metering a product in communication with the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C), the meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) comprising: a main housing (202) having a meter housing portion (203) and a lower cavity portion (205), the meter housing portion (203) having a top opening (204) through which product enters the meter housing portion (203), the meter housing portion (203) including an outlet (206) in communication with the lower cavity portion (205), the lower cavity portion (205) having a bottom opening (208); a metering mechanism (210) disposed within the meter housing portion (203), the metering mechanism (210) being rotatable about a longitudinal axis (211); a motor (216) operatively coupled to the metering mechanism (210) to drive rotation of the metering mechanism (210) about the longitudinal axis (211); whereby as the metering mechanism (210) rotates about the longitudinal axis (211), the metering mechanism (210) meters product entering the lower chamber portion (205), the metered product exiting the lower chamber portion (205) through the bottom opening (208).

Example 302-the meter module (200; 200a;200b;200 c) of example 1, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is removable from an end of the meter housing portion (203).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 303-301, wherein the top opening (204) is located at a first end of the meter housing portion (203) and the outlet (206) is located at a second end of the meter housing portion (203).

The counter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 304-303, wherein the motor (216) is supported in the main housing (202) portion near the second end, and wherein the counter mechanism (210) is configured to be detachable from the motor (216) such that the counter mechanism (210) is removable from the first end of the counter housing portion (203) while the motor (216) is still supported in the main housing (202) portion.

The counter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of example 305-example 301, wherein the counter mechanism (210) is a screw (210), the screw (210) has a screw shaft (214), the screw shaft (214) is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (211), the screw (210) has a screw blade (212) wound about the screw shaft (214), the screw blade (212) is oriented on the screw shaft (214) to push product entering the top opening (204) toward the outlet (206) as the screw (210) rotates about the longitudinal axis (211).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of example 306-example 301, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a grooved metering roller.

The meter module (200; 200a;200b;200 c) of examples 307-305, further comprising:

a roll-over door (240) pivotally disposed in the meter housing section (203), the roll-over door (240) being pivotally movable between a downward position and an upward position, whereby in the downward position, metered product passes over the roll-over door (240) and through the outlet (206) into the lower chamber section (205), and whereby in the upward position, product within the meter housing section (203) is blocked from entering the lower chamber through the outlet (206) by the roll-over door (240).

The counter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 308-307, wherein the roll-over door (240) is coupled to the metering mechanism (210) by a linkage such that reverse rotation of the metering mechanism (210) moves the roll-over door (240) from the downward position to the upward position.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 309-308, wherein the counter-rotation is one-quarter rotation of the metering mechanism (210).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 310-301, wherein the lower chamber portion (205) includes an internal structure (260) to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion (205) toward the bottom opening (208).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 311-310, wherein the internal structure (260) comprises a funnel structure (265) having an open bottom end.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 312-311, wherein the internal structure (260) further includes a capture structure (266).

The counter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 313-312, wherein the capture structure (266) is movable between a pouring position and a capture position, wherein in the pouring position the capture structure (266) directs the metered product toward the bottom opening (208), and wherein in the capture position the capture structure (266) closes a bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure (265) to capture the metered product.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 314-313, further comprising an actuator (270), the actuator (270) configured to move the capture structure (266) between the dumping position and the capture position.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 315-314, further comprising a load sensor (274; 276), the load sensor (274; 276) configured to generate a signal indicative of a quality of the metered product captured by the capture structure (266) at the capture location.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 316-315, wherein the load sensor (274) is disposed on the floor (264) of the capture structure (266).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 317-315, wherein the load sensor (276) supports the funnel structure (265).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 318-311, further comprising:

a flow sensor (272) disposed within the lower chamber portion (205), the flow sensor (272) configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion (205) prior to exiting through the bottom opening (208).

The meter module (200; 200a;200b;200 c) of examples 319-318, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 320-314, further comprising:

a flow sensor (272), the flow sensor (272) being configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the capture structure (266) prior to exiting through the bottom opening (208).

The meter module (200; 200a;200b;200 c) of examples 321-320, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: an optical sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a microphone sensor, an electromagnetic energy sensor, or a particle sensor.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 322-320, wherein the flow sensor (272) includes an instrumented floor (264) that captures the structure (266), whereby the instrumented floor detects whether product flows over an upper surface (276) of the instrumented floor in a pour position.

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 323-301, wherein the top opening (204) has a wall that is non-vertical and inclined from the metering mechanism (210).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 324-323, wherein the wall is inclined 90 ° away from the metering mechanism (210).

The meter module (200; 200A;200B; 200C) of examples 325-323, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a screw (210).

Example 401-a metering group (110) for an air vehicle (10), the air vehicle (10) having a forward travel direction (11), the metering group (110) in communication with a supply of product within a tank (40) disposed above the metering group (110), the metering group (110) comprising: a metering group (110) frame; a plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) laterally disposed adjacent to each other in the meter cluster (110) frame, each meter module of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) being individually removable from the meter cluster (110) frame in a direction substantially parallel to the forward travel direction (11) of the air vehicle (10), each meter module of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C) including a meter mechanism (210).

The metering group (110) of examples 402-401, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a main housing (202) having a meter housing portion (203) and a lower chamber portion (205), the meter housing portion (203) having a top opening (204) through which product from the canister (40) enters the meter housing portion (203), the meter housing portion (203) including an outlet (206) in communication with the lower chamber portion (205), the lower chamber portion (205) having a bottom opening (208); wherein the metering mechanism (210) is rotatably disposed within the meter housing portion (203); a motor (216) configured to drive rotation of the metering mechanism (210) within the meter housing portion (203).

The metering group (110) of examples 403-402, wherein the metering mechanism (210) rotates within the meter housing portion (203) about a longitudinal axis (211) that is substantially parallel to the forward travel direction (11) of the air vehicle (10).

The metering group (110) of examples 404-403, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is removable from an end of the meter housing portion (203).

Example 405-example 402 of the metering group (110), further comprising: a plurality of sliding doors (160), each sliding door of the plurality of sliding doors (160) disposed over a top opening (204) of a respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C), each sliding door of the plurality of sliding doors (160) movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the sliding door (160) prevents product from flowing into the top opening (204) of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C), and wherein in the open position, product flows into the top opening (204) of the respective one of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C).

The metering group (110) of examples 406-403, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a screw (210), the screw (210) has a screw shaft (214), the screw shaft (214) is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (211), the screw (210) has a screw blade (212) wound about the screw shaft (214), the screw blade (212) is oriented on the screw shaft (214) to push product entering the top opening (204) toward the outlet (206) as the screw (210) rotates about the longitudinal axis (211).

The metering group (110) of examples 407-403, wherein the metering mechanism (210) is a grooved metering roller.

The metering group (110) of examples 408-402, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a roll-over door (240) pivotally disposed in the meter housing section (203), the roll-over door (240) being pivotally movable between a downward position, whereby product within the meter housing section (203) can enter the lower chamber section (205) through the outlet (206), and an upward position, whereby product within the meter housing section (203) is prevented from entering the lower chamber through the outlet (206).

The metering group (110) of examples 409-408, wherein the roll-over door (240) is coupled to the metering mechanism (210) by a linkage such that a reverse rotation of the metering mechanism (210) causes the roll-over door (240) to move from the downward position to the upward position.

The metering group (110) of examples 410-402, wherein the lower chamber portion (205) of each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) includes an internal structure (260) to direct the metered product through the lower chamber portion (205) to the bottom opening (208).

The metering group (110) of examples 411-410, wherein the inner structure (260) comprises a funnel structure (265) having an open bottom end.

The metering group (110) of examples 412-411, wherein the internal structure (260) further comprises a capture structure (266).

The metering group (110) of examples 413-412, wherein the catch structure (266) is movable between a pouring position and a catch position, wherein in the pouring position the catch structure (266) directs the metered product to the bottom opening (208), and wherein in the catch position the catch structure (266) closes a bottom end of the opening of the funnel structure (265) to catch the metered product.

The metering group (110) of examples 414-413, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises an actuator (270), the actuator (270) configured to move the capture structure (266) between the dumping position and the capture position.

The metering group (110) of examples 415-414, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further includes a load sensor (274; 276), the load sensor (274; 276) configured to enable weighing of the metered product captured by the capture structure (266) at the capture location.

The metering group (110) of examples 416-415, wherein the load sensor (274) is disposed on a floor (264) of the capture structure (266).

The metering group (110) of examples 417-415, wherein the load cell (276) supports the funnel structure (265).

The metering group (110) of examples 418-402, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a flow sensor (272) disposed within the lower chamber portion (205), the flow sensor (272) configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion (205) before exiting through the bottom opening (208).

Example 419-the metering group (110) of example 418, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: optical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, microphone sensors, electromagnetic energy sensors, and particle sensors.

The metering group (110) of examples 420-414, wherein each of the plurality of meter modules (200; 200a;200b;200 c) further comprises: a flow sensor (272) disposed within the lower chamber portion (205), the flow sensor (272) configured to generate a signal indicative of the metered product passing through the lower chamber portion (205) before exiting through the bottom opening (208).

The metering group (110) of examples 421-420, wherein the flow sensor (272) is selected from the group consisting of: optical sensors, piezoelectric sensors, microphone sensors, electromagnetic energy sensors, and particle sensors.

The metering group (110) of examples 422-420, wherein the flow sensor (272) comprises an instrumented floor (264) that captures a structure (266), whereby the instrumented floor detects whether the product flows over an upper surface (276) of the instrumented floor in a pour position.

Example 423-the metering group (110) of example 402, further comprising: a diverter door module (400) disposed below the bottom opening (208) of each of the plurality of gauge modules (200; 200A;200B; 200C), the diverter door module (400) being operable to divert metered product exiting the bottom opening (208) laterally inwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis (211).

The metering group (110) of examples 424-423, wherein the diverter door module (400) includes a diverter door (420) movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the diverter door (420) directs the metered product laterally outward relative to the longitudinal axis (211), and wherein in the second position the diverter door (420) directs the metered product laterally inward relative to the longitudinal axis (211).

The metering group (110) of examples 425-424, further comprising a diverter door actuator (430) configured to move the diverter door (420) between the first position and the second position.

The foregoing description and drawings are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Various modifications to the embodiments and the generic principles and features of modular metering systems and meter modules, as well as the processes described herein, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the appended claims, as well as the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a meter module, wherein the meter module comprises: an opening; a bottom opening; a metering mechanism disposed in the meter module; a bottom plate for selectively opening and closing the bottom opening; and a load cell for measuring a mass of material in the meter module, the method comprising:

Activating the metering mechanism to cause material to flow through the meter module;

closing the bottom opening with the bottom panel at any time prior to counting;

counting the number of metering units of the metering mechanism during a counting time and measuring the amount of material with a load cell; and

the amount of mass per metering unit is calculated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metering mechanism is a screw.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the metering unit is the number of revolutions of the auger.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a load sensor is provided to measure the load on the floor.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an internal structure, and a load sensor is provided to measure the load on the internal structure.