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:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
May. 24, 2000
Spencer M. Nimberger, Houston, TX (US);
Kevin J. Cessac, Houston, TX (US);
PCI International, Ltd., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH to be applied to a field by measuring the NH flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH . The system includes a control station on the vehicle with a tachometer A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel The control panel includes a toggle switch for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve The vehicle transports a tank containing liquid NH and a tool bar for distributing the NH to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter the NH is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing. The flow meter transmits a signal to the control panel, which is converted to a corrected flow rate signal in response to a fixed value vaporization correction factor. The temperature of the NH is also measured to correct for density variations. An improved variable area meter uses a hall effect sensor and a magnet mounted on a rotatable vane shaft to overcome problems with prior flow meters. The improved meter is ideally suited for measuring the fluid flow of a low temperature vaporization liquid, such as anhydrous ammonia, propane and butane.