Product distribution device with section control monitoring
A product distribution device includes a container for holding a product to be distributed, a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container, and a flow control system. The flow control system includes a control member that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A position sensor directly senses the position of the control member. A controller coupled to the flow control system and to the position sensor sends signals to the flow control system to command an open or closed position of the control member and receives signals from the position sensor indicating the position of the control member. The controller compares the sensed control member position with the commanded control member position and alerts an operator when the commanded control member position and the sensed control member position are inconsistent. An enclosure isolates the position sensor from the product.
1 . A product distribution device comprising:
a container for holding a product to be distributed;
a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container;
a product flow passage through which product flows downstream of the meter assembly;
a flow control system having a control member movable between an open control member position and a closed control member position, in the open control member position the control member allowing flow of product through the product flow passage and in the closed control member position the control member stopping flow of product through the product flow passage, the control member comprising a shut-off gate;
a position sensor to directly sense a control member position of the shut-off gate;
an enclosure to isolate the position sensor from the product;
a controller coupled to the flow control system to send signals to the flow control system to command an open or closed position of the control member, the controller further coupled to the position sensor to receive signals from the position sensor indicating the control member position of the control member, the controller comparing a sensed control member position with a commanded control member position and alerting an operator when the commanded control member position and the sensed control member position are inconsistent; and
a plurality of meter casings, wherein the position sensor is one of a plurality of position sensors, wherein each position sensor of the plurality of position sensors directly senses the control member position of a respective meter casing of the plurality of meter casings, and wherein each position sensor of the plurality of position sensors is mounted within the enclosure.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein the position sensor is a non-contact sensor.
3 . The device of claim 2 wherein the position sensor is a proximity switch.
4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the controller alerts the operator when an inconsistency in the commanded control member position and the sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is open and the sensed control member position is closed.
5 . The device of claim 1 wherein the controller alerts the operator when an inconsistency in the commanded control member position and the sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is closed and the sensed control member position is open.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the product flow passage is one of a plurality of product flow passages, and wherein the control member is one of a plurality of control members.
7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the controller generates a map of field area over which the product distribution device has been operated and over which product has been distributed based on the sensed control member position.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is in a form of a tube that extends through at least one of the plurality of meter casing.
9 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a magnet affixed to or integrated with the control member.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure extends through the plurality of meter casings.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the enclosure is in a form of a tube.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is in a form of a tube.
13 . A product distribution device comprising:
a container for holding a product to be distributed;
a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container;
a product flow passage through which product flows downstream of the meter assembly;
a flow control system having a control member movable between an open control member position and a closed control member position, in the open control member position the control member allowing flow of product through the product flow passage and in the closed control member position the control member stopping flow of product through the product flow passage, the control member comprising a shut-off gate;
a position sensor that is activated when a magnet approaches the position sensor, the position sensor sensing a control member position of the shut-off gate;
an enclosure to isolate the position sensor from the product;
a controller coupled to the flow control system to send signals to the flow control system to command an open or closed position of the control member, the controller further coupled to the position sensor to receive signals from the position sensor indicating the control member position of the control member, the controller comparing a sensed control member position with a commanded control member position and alerting an operator when the commanded control member position and the sensed control member position are inconsistent; and
a plurality of meter casings, wherein the position sensor is one of a plurality of position sensors, wherein each position sensor of the plurality of position sensors senses the control member position of a respective meter casing of the plurality of meter casings, and wherein each position sensor of the plurality of position sensors is mounted within the enclosure.
14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the magnet is affixed to the shut-off gate.