The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 08, 1994
S David Tofte, Mankato, MN (US);
Steven W Vogel, North Mankato, MN (US);
Micro-Trak Systems, Inc., Eagle Lake, MN (US);
Abstract
An electronic rate meter controller is provided for controlling the dispensing of meterable material by an applicator apparatus, typically in the agricultural area. The rate meter controller retrofits a manually-controllable rate meter within the applicator apparatus that controls the rate of material flow through the applicator by adjustment to a primary control member of the rate meter, such as a rotary calibration dial. The rate meter controller allows for automatic electronic control and adjustment to the rate meter by the primary control member, based on user inputs and certain sensor inputs. Typical sensor inputs include speed of the applicator apparatus as it is being moved while dispensing the metered material, and ambient air temperature which affects the applicator system pressure for certain materials such as anhydrous ammonia. The rate meter controller also allows for manual electronic remote control of the rate meter, such as from a cab of a vehicle moving the applicator apparatus. The rate meter controller can be utilized as an independent system or as a subsystem of an integrated system controlling a plurality of control devices. The rate meter controller can accommodate one or a plurality of rate meters within an applicator apparatus.