Nh3 distributor monitoring system and method
AssigneePGI International, Ltd.
InventorSpencer M. Nimberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An anhydrous ammonia distribution system includes a portable nurse tank 12 powered by an operator cab 13. One or more distributors 22 receive anhydrous ammonia from the nurse tank, and a plurality of knife hoses 30 deliver anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a selected number of knives 32 for delivery to the field. Pressure gauge 32, 34 is provided for monitoring pressure at one or more distributors, and a camera 42 positioned within enclosure 40 transmits a reading from the pressure gauge to the operator cab, thereby alerting the operator to a malfunction in the delivery system.
Claims20
An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system for delivering anhydrous ammonia to a field via an operator cab, including a portable tank powered by the operator cab for holding anhydrous ammonia, one or more distributors each for receiving anhydrous ammonia from the tank, and a plurality of knife hoses for delivering anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the system further comprising:
- a pressure gauge for monitoring pressure at the distributor;
- a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab;
- and
- a camera for transmitting a reading from the pressure gauge to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.
An anhydrous ammonia distributor back pressure monitoring system for delivering anhydrous ammonia to a field via an operator cab, including a portable tank powered by the operator cab for holding anhydrous ammonia, a plurality of distributors each supported on a tool bar for receiving anhydrous ammonia from the nurse tank, and a plurality of knife hoses for delivering anhydrous ammonia from each of the plurality of distributors to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the system further comprising:
- a plurality of pressure gauges each for monitoring pressure at a respective distributor;
- a weather-tight enclosure for housing the plurality of pressure gauges;
- a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab;
- and
- a camera for transmitting a reading from the plurality of pressure gauges to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.
A method of monitoring anhydrous ammonia back pressure at a distributor, including powering a portable tank by an operator cab for holding anhydrous ammonia, transporting anhydrous ammonia from the portable tank to one or more distributors, and delivering anhydrous ammonia from a distributor to a plurality of knives for delivery to the field, the method further comprising:
- sensing pressure at the distributor with a pressure gauge;
- positioning a monitor visible to an operator in the operator cab;
- and
- transmitting a camera reading from the pressure gauge to the monitor, thereby alerting the operator of a malfunction in the delivery system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.