Micro-trak Systems, Inc.

Semor D Tofte

Thomas K Hiniker

Gary Dennis Hodapp

Steven W Vogel

Jeffry M Irish

Dennis J Berning

A valve actuating apparatus is provided for operating a valve between an open and closed position. The valve actuating apparatus includes an actuator having an output member with the actuator providing reciprocating motion to the output member upon energization of the actuator. A guide member having a detent therein is connected to the output member of the actuator. The apparatus includes a clutch assembly having a housing, an electromagnet assembly, an engagement member, and a housing opening with the engagement member disposed in the housing between the electromagnet assembly, and the housing opening. The housing opening is adapted to receive the guide member therein such that the clutch assembly and a portion of the guide member are slidably connected. The electromagnet assembly is selectively energized to force the engagement member against the guide member disposed in the housing opening. A valve control arm is adapted for engagement with the valve to operate the valve between the open and closed positions and is connected to the clutch assembly. A spring is connected to the valve control arm or the clutch assembly for normally biasing the clutch assembly to a first position along the guide member such that the valve control arm is in the closed position. Upon interruption of power to the electromagnet assembly, the spring forces the engagement member of the clutch assembly out of engagement with the detent in the guide member and the spring forces the clutch assembly to slide back along the guide member to the first position and rotates the valve control arm to the closed position.

Fail safe valve actuator

A planter monitor system monitors, measures and displays a plurality of planter performance parameters. The system includes a display console, a plurality of row unit modules and a plurality of seed sensors. The system can be used with a wide variety of planters made by different manufacturers and on many different planter types. The system can accurately monitor a wide variety of seed types (e.g. both small and large) and a wide variety of seed planting rates (low and high) and any combination thereof which can occur within the wide scope of seed planting. The system calculates an error rate from a set of data, in graph form, representing experimentally determined actual seed rates versus seed rates as would be measured, thus allowing the operator to optimize seed population and distribution by adjusting the speed of the planter apparatus and/or the seed distribution system. The accuracy of the monitor system is not affected by the wide variety of environmental conditions, such as the presence of dirt and moisture, in which such planters must necessarily be used.

Planter monitor system

A method and apparatus for locating two corresponding points on opposite sides of a wall, floor, or other structural component. A transmitter transmits a electromagnetic signal indicative of a first point located on one side of the component, a signal receiver on the other side of the component generates an electrical signal proportionate to the strength of the electromagnetic signal, and a display outputs a maximum reading when the signal receiver indicates a maximum electromagnetic signal. The sensitivity of the display may be adjusted. The transmitter, receiver, and display may be structurally integrated when not in use. The transmitter is attached to the first side of the structural component at the first point, the receiver is moved along a second side of the structural component, and the receiver is moved along the second side to a location indicated by a maximum display.

Apparatus including transmitter, receiver and display housings for

An ultrasonic ground speed sensor has a single transducer which both transmits and receives ultrasonic signals. The sensor is mounted on a vehicle in alignment with the direction of the vehicle, the transducer having a built-in angle with the body of the sensor unit. The transmitted signal is clocked by a 16 MHz clock, with the signal received by the transducer selectively filtered and amplified. A temperature sensor is also used to determine the speed of the transmitted and received signal. A 64-cycle sample period is used, as well as multiple counters and a signal processor to increase accuracy and minimize erroneous readings. A drop-out detector and monitoring system sensor is also described. The vehicle speed is calculated from a Doppler-based formula as a function of both the sum and difference of the transmitted and received signal frequencies. Also disclosed is a gasket seal having leak holes for drainage from the interior of the sensor.

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Mankato, MN, United States of America

Semor D Tofte