Fault detection by analysis of coupled pressure and depth for ground-engaging components

A control system for an agricultural implement, comprising:

• a plurality of position sensors, wherein each of the plurality of position sensors is configured to monitor a respective position of a respective piston rod associated with a respective fluid cylinder of a plurality of fluid cylinders, wherein the respective fluid cylinder of the plurality of fluid cylinders is configured to apply a respective force to a respective ground-engaging tool of the agricultural implement via the respective piston rod;
• a plurality of pressure sensors, wherein each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors is configured to monitor a respective fluid pressure inside the respective fluid cylinder of the plurality of fluid cylinders;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of position sensors and the plurality of pressure sensors, wherein the controller comprises a memory and a processor, and for each fluid cylinder of the plurality of fluid cylinders, the controller is configured to:
• receive a respective position signal from each position sensor of the plurality of position sensors;
• receive a respective pressure signal from each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors;
• determine a respective position change of the respective piston rod based on the respective position signal during a certain period of time;
• determine a respective expected pressure change based on the respective position change;
• determine a respective pressure change of the respective fluid pressure inside the respective fluid cylinder based on the respective pressure signal during the certain period of time;
• determine a respective expected position change based on the respective pressure change;
• compare the respective position change to the respective expected position change;
• compare the respective pressure change to the respective expected pressure change;
• and
• identify a respective fault in response to determining the respective position change is not within a first respective threshold range of the respective expected position change, or determining the respective pressure change is not within a second respective threshold range of the respective expected pressure change, or a combination thereof.

A method for controlling an agricultural implement, comprising:

• receiving a position signal from a position sensor, wherein the position sensor is configured to monitor a position of a piston rod of a fluid cylinder, wherein the fluid cylinder is configured to apply a force to a ground-engaging tool of the agricultural implement via the piston rod;
• receiving a pressure signal from a pressure sensor configured to monitor a fluid pressure inside the fluid cylinder;
• determining a position change of the piston rod based on the position signal during a certain period of time;
• determining an expected pressure change based on the position change;
• determining a pressure change of the fluid pressure inside the fluid cylinder based on the pressure signal during the certain period of time;
• determining an expected position change based on the pressure change;
• comparing the position change to the expected position change;
• comparing the pressure change to the expected pressure change;
• and
• identifying a fault in response to determining the position change is not within a first threshold range of the expected position change, or determining the pressure change is not within a second threshold range of the expected pressure change, or a combination thereof.