Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting a flow of material along a given path of travel by detecting a change in the dielectric properties of a portion of the path of travel as the material passes therethrough comprises one or more conductive, plate-like electrodes disposed adjacent the path of travel and generally defining a capacitor having the adjacent portion of the path of travel as a dielectric portion, such that the passage of material to be detected changes the dielectric constant, thereby changing the capacitance. A sensor circuit comprises a tuned circuit having the sensor electrode or electrodes being coupled in circuit therewith. The sensing circuit further comprises an oscillator circuit driving the tuned circuit at a predetermined frequency selected near the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit in the absence of material to be detected.

Abstract: A valve body comprises a substantially solid body defining a surface of complementary form for engaging a valve seat, and having a pivot axis about which it is rotatably mounted relative to a valve orifice. A periphery of the valve body surface defines at least first and second curvilinear surfaces having axes of curvature which extend substantially parallel with each other and with the pivot axis of the valve body. The axis of curvature of a first of said curvilinear surfaces is disposed inwardly of the first surface and within the periphery of the valve body; and the axis of curvature of the second of the curvilinear surfaces is disposed on the opposite side of the second curvilinear surface and outside of the periphery of the valve body. A remaining portion of the valve body surface defines a cross-sectional area at least as great as the cross-sectional area of the valve orifice for fully covering the same when in a valve closed position.

Abstract: A tracking, variable Q bandpass filtering method and apparatus are provided for processing an IF signal from a radar transceiver or the like. The method comprises developing a digital period signal corresponding to the period of each of selected cycles of the IF signal; subjecting the digital period signal to low pass filtering; and controlling the effective corner frequency of the low pass filtering in accordance with the amount of variation in the digital period signal from one selected cycle to a successive selected cycle for producing a filtered signal which substantially follows the digital period signal, thereby substantially simultaneously tracking and filtering the IF signal. The apparatus comprises apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method. Preferably, the apparatus also includes an output switching control for selectively delivering or withholding the filtered signal from an output utilization device.

Abstract: An improved control system for a mobile material distribution apparatus of the type having a ground speed sensor, a distributing device for spreading material along the path of travel of the apparatus, a variable rate delivery structure for delivering material to the distributing structure and a delivery rate sensor. The control system comprises a calculating circuit responsive to signals developed by the ground speed sensor and delivery rate sensor and to a signal corresponding to a desired distribution rate of material for periodically calculating the difference between the desired delivery rate and the actual delivery rate and developing a difference signal. A control signal is developed in response to each difference signal for varying the delivery rate of material to the distributing structure as necessary to achieve the desired material delivery rate.

Abstract: A monitor is provided for a field planting machine having a plurality of planting units and a plurality of seed sensors respectively associated with the planting units for producing seed signals in response to the dispensing of seeds thereby. The monitor comprises a plurality of sensor circuits coupled in series circuit, one of the sensor circuits being coupled intermediate each of the sensors and a common signal line. These sensor circuits and the associated sensors are sequentially selectable for causing a first condition on the common signal line in response to production of seed signals at or above a predetermined rate and a second condition on the common signal line in response to the non-production of seed signals at or above the predetermined rate.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a vehicular liquid sprayer includes a control circuit for receiving a liquid pressure signal and a vehicle ground speed signal and operator accessible controls for delivering to the control circuit signals corresponding to a desired application rate, to the number of nozzles associated with the vehicular liquid sprayer and to the nozzle spacing. The operator may vary the input signal corresponding to desired application rate plus or minus a given percentage to compensate for tolerances in the liquid sprayer system. The control circuit calculates the liquid pressure necessary to achieve the desire application rate and the difference between this desire liquid pressure and the measured liquid pressure and produces control signals corresponding to this difference. A duty cycle control circuit converts these control signals to a cyclical control signal for driving a motor-driven flow control valve.

Abstract: An improved system for processing an electrical velocity information signal in a velocity detecting system in which a detector is utilized for developing an electrical information signal, such as a Doppler signal, having a characteristic (e.g. frequency) that varies systematically with the object's velocity. A converter develops an oscillatory signal having a frequency which varies in accordance with the velocity information signal characteristic. A tracking filter having a center frequency that varies with the oscillatory signal filters all frequencies other than the center frequency. A signal generator is responsive to the frequency of the signal passed by the tracking filter for generating an output signal having a frequency which is a preset ratio relative to the center frequency, whereby the output signal of the system is relatively noise-free and has a frequency which represents the velocity of the object being detected.

Abstract: A detector for a movalbe member such as a rotatable shaft includes a sensor and an alarm having a normal and a signaling condition. The sensor includes one or more magnetic pole pieces attached to the shaft whose rotational speed is to be detected, to rotate in unison therewith, and a pick-up including a coil mounted adjacent the shaft for producing an electrical signal in response to the rotating magnetic pole pieces. An electrical circuit is provided, connected between the coil and the alarm for switching the alarm between its normal and signaling conditions in response to a predetermined value of the electrical signal. The position of the coil with respect to the shaft and magnetic pieces is adjustable for selectively producing the predetermined switching value of the electrical signal in response to different rotational speeds of the shaft.

Abstract: In plowing or towing of other vehicles or implements with a tractor it generally is desirable to move as fast as is economically feasible. Attempting too high a speed may be self-defeating through wheel slippage of the pulling tractor which may reduce efficiency to an uneconomic level. In accordance with the present invention an electronic signal is provided corresponding to the speed of the driving wheels of a tractor, and another electronic signal is provided corresponding to the ground speed of the tractor. These signals are compared electronically, and a visual readout is provided for the operator of the tractor so that he may know if he is operating within acceptable conditions of efficiency. Both audio and visual warning signals are provided to the tractor driver if slippage exceeds a predetermined maximum, corresponding to a predetermined minimum allowable efficiency.

Abstract: A system for measuring the amount of area traversed by a vehicular implement comprising linear distance measuring means for generating an electrical signal having a characteristic which varies systematically in accordance with the distance traversed by the implement. An electronic switch having a first switching state and a second switching state is utilized for developing a control signal having a first value when the switch is in the first state and a second value when the switch is in the second state, with the electronic switch being coupled to the electrical signal generator and responsive to the electrical signal for switching to the first switching state. A clock is responsive to the control signal being in the first state and having the first value for generating a timing signal having a predetermined frequency. A pair of presettable dividers are coupled to the clock for developing a switching signal which is applied to the electronic switch to switch it to the second switching state.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the frequency of a periodic function and indicating whether or not said function frequency differs from a predetermined frequency, with the function frequency being represented by an electrical signal having a parameter which varies systematically in accordance with the period of the function. A ramp signal generator is provided for generating a control signal having a characteristic which starts at a reference level and attains a predetermined level after the passage of a preselected period of time. A first switch is coupled to the control signal generating means and has two switching states with the switch being normally biased to one of its switching states but responsive to the control signal characteristic attaining the predetermined level for switching to the other of its switching states. An indicator is coupled to the first switch for indicating which state the switch is in.

Abstract: A forage conveyor-scale apparatus includes a pivoted conveyor having a differential transformer load cell providing a weight signal. A Hall cell unit is coupled to the conveyor to produce a speed signal. An automatic gain amplifier is controlled by the speed signal to vary the energization of the transformer from an oscillator. The output voltage of the transformer is rectified and averaged to produce a DC analog rate weight signal which is connected to drive a rate weight BCD counter and a total weight BCD counter. The analog signal drives a triggered integrator to form a pulse train driving the total counter. A dual slope integrator is controlled by the analog signal to cyclically control the weight rate counter. A single readout is provided and connected to the rate weight counter. The output of the total counter is forced through the rate weight counter to the readout to display the total count. A comparator may respond to a present input and the total counter to automatically terminate delivery.

Abstract: An improved system for processing an electrical velocity information signal in a velocity detecting system in which a detector is utilized for developing an electrical information signal, such as a Doppler signal, having a characteristic (e.g. frequency) that varies systematically with the object's velocity. A converter develops an oscillatory signal having a frequency which varies in accordance with the velocity information signal characteristic. A tracking filter having a center frequency that varies with the oscillatory signal filters all frequencies other than the center frequency. A signal generator is responsive to the frequency of the signal passed by the tracking filter for generating an output signal having a frequency which is a preset ratio relative to the center frequency, whereby the output signal of the system is relatively noise-free and has a frequency which represents the velocity of the object being detected.