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.

Abstract: A fluid delivery control system is provided for controlling a fluid delivery system to deliver a fluid under pressure at a target flow rate. In a hybrid mode, the preferred fluid delivery control system is responsive to signals from a pressure sensor and a flowmeter. Primary feedback control is provided using the sensed pressure from the pressure sensor, and the sensed flow rate from the flowmeter is utilized to provide compensation for the pressure responsive feedback control and to provide accurate measurements of flow rate and total flow for the fluid delivery system. The preferred fluid delivery control system is also capable of operating in flowmeter and pressure modes which are only responsive to signals from a flowmeter and a pressure sensor, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid delivery control system is utilized in a mobile sprayer system for applying an agent over a surface.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A controller system having a half-duplex serial line as a bus for transferring commands, status and data between all controllers in a planting and spraying system. A bus master connected to the serial line synchronizes each controller to the network while a base console coordinates the operation of each planting and spraying system. Separate system controllers operate in conjunction with each system accessory module to control the components of each planting and spraying system. Operation of a spray control module is controlled by the sprayer control console, operating in conjunction with a base console. A planter monitor module provides control over a plurality of components in a seed-planting system. A base console with a primary user interface and a planter controller console with a planter user interface are connected to the planter monitor module over a communications medium.