Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes: a master controller, sets of agricultural product containers, meter devices, and secondary controllers. The meter devices are operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense products from the containers to rows in a field wherein each of the sets of containers is associated with a respective row in the field. The secondary controllers actuate the meter devices. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. Agricultural product from each product container is dispensed in accordance with operator defined instructions to the master controller. The instructions are capable of being provided to the master controller during the planting allowing the dispensing of individual containers to be controlled.

Abstract: A system for dispensing agricultural products includes: a) a master controller; b) a power distribution box; c) agricultural product containers; d) meter devices; and, e) secondary controllers. The power distribution box is operatively connected to the master controller and a secondary power source. The meter devices are operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense products at metered rates. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller, and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured to provide operator defined groups of rows. Each of the rows in a group has an operator assigned dispensing rate and operator assigned product. The dispensing rate and product are controllable by the operator during operation according to planting needs.

Abstract: A system or method for dispensing seeds and chemical granules, in which chemical granules are dispensed through a granule tube into a seed dispensing tube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube at a location above a lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and where the lower opening of the seed dispensing tube is covered with a brush. A seed is dispensed through the seed dispensing tube. The brush holds chemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemical granules accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brush allows a seed and accumulated chemical granules to pass through the lower opening when the seed is dispensed via the seed dispensing tube.

Abstract: A system or method for dispensing seeds and chemical granules, in which chemical granules are dispensed through a granule tube into a seed dispensing tube, where the granule tube is connected to the seed dispensing tube at a location above a lower opening of the seed dispensing tube, and where the lower opening of the seed dispensing tube is covered with a brush. A seed is dispensed through the seed dispensing tube. The brush holds chemical granules within the seed dispensing tube such that chemical granules accumulate within the seed dispensing tube, and the brush allows a seed and accumulated chemical granules to pass through the lower opening when the seed is dispensed via the seed dispensing tube.

Abstract: A non-resonant electromagnetic energy sensor includes an electromagnetic energy source and an electromagnetic energy detector in communication with the interior volume of a measuring region through which an analyte passes. The electromagnetic energy detector detects the signal variations of the electromagnetic energy within the measuring region caused by the perturbation of the electromagnetic energy field due to the passage of the analyte therethrough and responds to these signal variations by generating output signals. These output signals may then be received by electronic circuitry designed for quantitative and/or qualitative detection of the flow of various substances including individual particles, particles flowing as a continuum, and non-turbulent fluids.

Abstract: A non-resonant electromagnetic energy sensor which generates output signals upon the quantitative and/or qualitative detection of the flow of various substances including solid particles flowing as discrete individual particles or as a continuum, as well as the flow of liquids and/or gaseous substances. The non-resonant electromagnetic energy sensor may be interfaced with various types of electronic circuitry whereby the generated output signals may be used for monitoring a variety of flowing substances, for example, seed flow in an agricultural planter, crop yield on a combine harvester, and flow rates of liquids or gaseous fluids through conduits. The sensor comprises a housing having wall members defining a chamber having an interior volume. The sensor is designed to be interposed along a length of conduit through which the material or substance to be analyzed will pass. An electromagnetic energy source and an electromagnetic energy detector are in communication with the interior volume of the chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic meter including an electrical coil with a ferromagnetic core. Electrical current flowing through the coil is controlled in a predetermined cycle by a switching mechanism. The meter housing has a material outlet and a bracket is pivotally attached to the housing. A gate is attached to the bracket and is movable between a closed position covering the material outlet and an open position spaced from the material outlet. A permanent magnet is also attached to the bracket and positioned at one end of the core offset from its longitudinal axis. When current flows through the coil the magnet is repelled away from the core, and when current flow is stopped the magnet is attracted to the core. Displacement of the magnet responsive to current flow moves the gate between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material through a conduit. The metering device includes a electrical coil operably associated with the conduit, a ferromagnetic latching strip disposed in the magnetic field produced by the coil, and a pivoting gate including a magnet that is attracted toward and repelled from the latching strip as the direction of electrical current flowing through the coil is changed. A closed container includes the metering device secured to its bottom so that the granular material can be dispensed only through the meter. The closed container is electrically connected by wires to a dispensing controller located in the tractor cab. The granular material, such as insecticide, is simultaneously and equally dispensed at the desired rate to the seed furrows from all the individual planting units of the planter.

Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material through a conduit. The metering device includes a electrical coil operably associated with the conduit, a ferromagnetic latching strip disposed in the magnetic field produced by the coil, and a pivoting gate including a magnet that is attracted toward and repelled from the latching strip as the direction of electrical current flowing through the coil is changed.

Abstract: A granular chemical bander including a housing having an upper neck section and a lower body section. The neck section has a top opening for receiving a supply tube, and a horizontally disposed deflector plate having feed openings at each lateral side. The body section is divided into a front compartment in communication with the opening of one lateral side, and a rear compartment in communicaton with the opening at the other lateral side. Granular material flowing into the front and rear compartments is directed laterally away from the respective feed opening by diagonal baffles and is discharged in a band laterally off-set from the feed opening.