Gate with variable gate control for handling agricultural granular materials

A variable gate assembly, comprising:

• a gate frame that defines an opening, said opening being adapted for flow of a granular agricultural material therethrough;
• a gate panel slidably mounted within a gate frame, said gate panel being adapted for translation to a static position, said static position being intermediate between a fully closed position and a fully open position within said gate frame;
• a drive mechanism operatively coupled with said gate panel;
• a mobilization source operatively coupled with said drive mechanism;
• a mobility sensor configured for detecting a translational movement of said gate panel and generating a serial pulse train signal in response thereto;
• a gate panel proximity sensor positioned for detecting when said gate panel is in one of said fully open position and said fully closed position;
• and
• a central controller adapted to selectively control said mobilization source for selective translation of said gate panel in a first direction and a second direction, said central controller being adapted to receive said pulse train signal from said mobility sensor and said gate panel proximity sensor,
• wherein a fraction of said opening that is obstructed by said gate panel is resolved based only on signals generated by said mobility sensor and said gate panel proximity sensor.

A method for configuring a gate assembly to operate as a variable position gate, said gate assembly including a mobilization source coupled with a drive shaft, said drive shaft being coupled to a rack and pinion mechanism, said rack and pinion mechanism being coupled to a gate panel, said gate panel being slidably mounted within a gate frame, said gate panel being adapted for translation to a static position, said static position being intermediate between a fully closed position and a fully open position within said gate frame, the method comprising:

• providing a kit comprising a central controller, a mobility sensor, and a set of installation instructions on a tangible medium, said installation instructions being non-transitory and including:
• operatively coupling said mobility sensor with a plurality of teeth, said plurality of teeth and said gate panel of said gate assembly being configured for simultaneous mobilization, said mobility sensor being arranged to generate a pulse as each tooth of said plurality of teeth passes proximate said mobility sensor during mobilization;
• operatively coupling said mobility sensor to said central controller;
• and
• operatively coupling said central controller with said mobilization source.

A method for configuring a gate assembly to operate as a variable position gate, said gate assembly including an electric motor coupled with a drive shaft, said drive shaft being coupled to a rack and pinion mechanism, said rack and pinion mechanism being coupled to a gate panel, said gate panel being slidably mounted within a gate frame, said gate panel being adapted for translation to a static position, said static position being between a fully closed position and a fully open position within said gate frame, the method comprising:

• providing a mobility sensor;
• providing a central controller adapted to selectively control said electric motor in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, said central controller being adapted to receive a pulse train signal from said mobility sensor;
• operatively coupling said mobility sensor with a plurality of teeth and a respective plurality of gaps defined by said plurality of teeth, said plurality of teeth and said gate panel of said gate assembly being mobilized simultaneously, said mobility sensor being arranged to sense each tooth of said plurality of teeth and each gap of said respective plurality of gaps as said plurality of teeth and said respective plurality of gaps pass proximate said mobility sensor;
• operatively coupling said mobility sensor to said central controller;
• and
• operatively coupling said central controller with said electric motor,
• wherein said central controller is adapted to statically position said gate panel at a position between said fully closed position and said fully opened position based on said pulse train signal received from said mobility sensor.