System and method for monitoring mass flow stability at variable air flow rates in an air seeder

摘要

A method of monitoring a mass flow rate of product being applied with an agricultural implement includes the steps of:calibrating a pressure drop across a known distance in an air line at a number of air flow rates;metering a product at a desired application rate into the air line at a selected one of the air flow rates;establishing a pressure drop across the known distance at the selected air flow rate, while the product is being metered at the desired application rate;calculating a value of K₁ dependent on the established pressure drop;estimating a mass flow rate of the product being applied, using the mathematical expression:log μ=−(1+ϵ)·log Fr+K₁ where μ (mass loading ratio);Fr (Froude number);ϵ=calibration variable; andK₁=constant for a given product being applied at a given mass flow rate.