Calibrated tuneable monitor
AssigneeDickey-john Corporation
InventorsJames H. Anson, David E. Steffen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A calibrated tuneable monitor for use with multi-row planting apparatus includes means for sensing the number of seeds delivered to furrows formed in a field and controlling an indicator to give a visual readout to the operator of the planting apparatus as to whether the number of seeds planted is at least equal to a predetermined minimum value which is preset by a selector dial. The seed monitor system has a DC coupled monostable circuit for producing a pulse of given pulse width for each pulse produced by a seed sensor. The pulse from the DC coupled monostable circuit is then integrated and formed into a voltage which is proportional to the rate at which pulses are received. This voltage is then compared in a voltage comparator circuit to control the operation of an indicator.
Claims8
A monitor system for connection to multi-row seed planting apparatus for indicating that the rate of seeds being planted is at least equal to a predetermined rate comprising:
- a monitor panel, a plurality of seed sensors, each associated with one row of said multi-row seed planting appratus, first circuit means arranged for connection to each of said plurality of seed sensors to receive pulse signals for seeds being planted, indicator means on said monitor panel, and adjustable calibrated means including indicia on said panel to select and indicate said predetermined rate, said adjustable calibrated means being connected to second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for actuating said indicator means in response to sensing a seed planting rate which is below said predetermined rate selected and indicated by said adjustable calibrated means.
A seed planting monitor for connection to seed sensors on a seed planter, comprising:
- pulse forming circuit means adapted to be connected to each of the seed sensors of the planter for producing a pulse of predetermined pulse width for each seed being planted, said pulse forming circuit means providing a series of pulses at a rate corresponding to the rate at which seeds are planted, converter circuit means for producing a DC voltage having a voltage value proportional to the rate of said series of pulses, an adjustable reference potential whose value corresponds to a selected rate of seeds to be planted, adjustable calibrated means coupled to said reference potential for selecting said value and indicating the corresponding rate of seeds to be planted, comparator circuit means coupled to said converter circuit means and to said adjustable reference potential for sensing the difference between the DC voltage value of said converter circuit means and said reference potential to produce a control signal in response thereto, and indicator means coupled to said comparator circuit means for energization therefrom when said DC value is less than said reference potential, thereby indicating that the actual seed rate being planted is less than the selected seed rate as indicated by said calibrated means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.