Distributed control architecture for dispensing particulate material into a fluid medium
A system for controlling a networked array of dispensing devices for dispensing particulate matter may include local controllers connected to a parent controller. The parent controller may control an array of local controllers configured according to a network architecture. Each local controller may control one or more local dry chemical dispensing machines. In this way, the parent controller may control multiple dry chemical dispensing units over a network from a central location. In addition, the parent controller may directly control conventional liquid dispensers over the network. The parent and local controllers may be implemented using, for example, programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
1. A system comprising:
a first dispensing device;
a second dispensing device for dispensing particulate matter, the second dispensing device comprising:
a container for holding particulate matter;
a conduit to transport a stream of liquid carrier and to receive particulate matter from the container;
a sensor to monitor the amount of dry particulate matter dispensed; and
a local controller coupled to the sensor to generate a signal when a predetermined quantity of particulate matter is dispensed and to modify the flow of particulate matter into the conduit in response to said signal; and
a parent controller coupled to the first and second dispensing devices, wherein the parent controller transmits to the second dispensing device remote signals associated with a first set of dispensing device operations and the local controller generates local signals associated with a second set of dispensing device operations.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a third dispensing device for dispensing dry particulate matter, the third dispensing device comprising:
a container for holding particulate matter;
a conduit to transport a stream of liquid carrier and to receive particulate matter from the container of the third dispensing device;
a sensor to monitor the amount of dry particulate matter dispensed from the third dispensing device; and
a local controller coupled to the sensor to generate a signal when a predetermined quantity of particulate matter is dispensed in response to which the flow of particulate matter into the conduit of the third dispensing device is modified,
wherein the parent controller is coupled to the third dispensing device to transmit to the third dispensing device remote signals associated with a third set of dispensing device operations, and wherein the local controller of the third dispensing device generates local signals associated with a fourth set of dispensing device operations.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parent controller transmits remote signals to the first dispensing device for directly controlling one or more operations of the first dispensing machine.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of dispensing device operations comprises one or more operations selected from the group consisting of start, stop, and chemical select.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the local controller transmits status information to the parent controller.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the local controller generates a signal in response to which the flow of particulate matter into the conduit is initiated, stopped, or throttled.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parent controller comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein the PLC calculates the quantity of particulate matter dispensed during a time interval.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the local controller is wirelessly coupled to the sensor.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second dispensing device is adapted for dispensing controlled quantities of dry particulate matter selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and adjuvants.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first dispensing device is for dispensing material in liquid form.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an electronic scale.
12. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second set of dispensing device operations and the fourth set of dispensing device operations each comprise operations to modify the flow of particulate matter.