Product distribution device with section control monitoring

Abstract

A product distribution device shown as an agricultural air seeder in which product distribution can be selective stopped and started in sections of the machine width. The functioning of the section control system is monitored by sensors that directly detect the control member position as opposed to sensing the commanded position of the control member. Likewise, in generating a map of the area covered, the actual detected position of the control member is used instead of the commanded position of the control member. An operator is notified of inconsistencies between the commended position of the control member and the sensed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product distribution device comprising:
 a container for holding a product to be distributed;   a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container;   a product flow passage through which product flows downstream of the meter;   a flow control system having a control member movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the control member allowing flow of product through the product flow passage and in the closed position the control member stopping flow of product through the product flow passage;   a position sensor to directly sense the control member position; and   a controller coupled to the flow control system to send signals to the flow control system to command an open or closed position of the control member, the controller further coupled to the position sensor to receive signals from the sensor indicating the position of the control member, the controller comparing the sensed control member position with the commanded control member position and alerting an operator when the commanded control member and the sensed control member position are inconsistent.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is a non-contact sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the position sensor is a proximity switch. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the controller alerts the operator when the inconsistency in commanded control member position and sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is open and the sensed control member position is closed. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the controller alerts the operator when the inconsistency in commanded control member position and sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is closed and the sensed control member position is open. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of the product flow passages and a plurality of the control members and a plurality of the position sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the controller generates a map of field area over which the product distribution device has been operated and over which product has been distributed based on the flow control member sensed position. 
     
     
         8 . A product distribution device comprising:
 a container for holding a product to be distributed;   a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container, the meter assembly having a meter housing with an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a meter roll disposed in a meter cartridge removably mounted in the meter housing, the cartridge having an inlet aligned with the inlet passage and an outlet aligned with the outlet passage when the cartridge is mounted in the meter housing;   a plurality of product flow passages through which product flows downstream of the meter;   a flow control system having a plurality of flow control members, each flow control member associated with one of the product flow passages, the flow control members being movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the control members allowing flow of product through the associated product flow passage and in the closed position the control members stopping flow of product in the associated product flow passage;   position sensors to directly sense the position of the control members; and   a controller coupled to the flow control system to send signals to the flow control system to command an open or closed position of the control members, the controller further coupled to the position sensors to receive signals from the sensors indicating the position of the control members, the controller comparing the sensed position of the control members with the commanded positions and alerting an operator when the commanded position of a control member and the sensed position of the control member are not consistent.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the sensors are non-contact sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the position sensors are proximity switches. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the controller alerts the operator when the inconsistency in commanded control member position and sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is open and the sensed control member position is closed. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the controller alerts the operator when the inconsistency in commanded control member position and sensed control member position occurs when the commanded control member position is closed and the sensed control member position is open. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the controller is generates a map of field area over which the product distribution device has been operated and over which product has been distributed based on the sensed positions of the flow control members. 
     
     
         14 . A monitor for a product distribution device, the product distribution device having a container for holding a product to be distributed, a meter assembly for controlling discharge of product from the container, a product flow passage through which product flows downstream of the meter; a flow control system having a control member movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the control member allowing flow of product through the product flow passage and in the closed position the control member stopping flow of product in the product flow passage, and a position sensor to sense the control member position, wherein the monitor generates a map of field area over which the product distribution device has been operated and over which product has been distributed based on the sensed position of the flow control member.