Material discharge control apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed at a rate determined by at least two interdependent discharge determining components having respective means for regulating a corresponding discharge determining characteristic thereof, said apparatus comprising in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader, means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics of said two components, a control circuit responsive to both of said sensing means for effecting an adjustment of a discharge determining characteristic regulating means as a function of change in ground speed, and means for selectively coupling said control circuit operatively to one or the other of said regulating means such that regulation is accomplished with one regulating means so long as it operates within a given optimum range and is transferred to the other regulating means within its capability whenever said one regulating means is adjusted to an end of said optimum range and the adjustment called for would require said one regulating means to depart from said optimum range.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two discharge determining components are position regulatable and speed regulatable, respectively, and the means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics comprise means for sensing the speed of said speed regulatable component, and means for sensing the position of said position regulatable component.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said speed sensing means comprises a tachometer generator and means for driving said generator at a speed proportional to the speed of said speed regulatable component, wherein said position sensing means comprises a potentiometer and means for adjusting said potentiometer as a function of the adjustment of said position regulatable component, and wherein said potentiometer is coupled to an output of said generator such that the output of the potentiometer corresponds to the product of the speed of said speed regulatable component multiplied by the fractional position of said position regulatable component.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for selectively coupling said control circuit comprises a sensing network coupled to an output of said generator, and a switching arrangement under the control of said sensing network, said switching arrangement being coupled to an output of said control circuit and having means for interconnecting said control circuit output selectively in a first operating mode to said regulating means for the speed regulatable component, and in a second operating mode to said regulating means for the position regulatable component, said sensing network being arranged for maintaining the switching arrangement in said first operating mode so long as the output from said generator remains within predetermined limits and for normally actuating said switching arrangement to its second operating mode when the output from said generator goes beyond said limits.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein meAns are provided for inhibiting the actuation of said switching arrangement from said first to said second mode when said position regulatable component would be required to move beyond predetermined maximum and minimum positions.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said minimum position corresponds to a discharge rate greater than zero.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for sensing the ground speed comprises a second tachometer generator and means for driving the second generator at a speed proportional to the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; and wherein said control circuit comprises means for comparing the voltage from said second generator with the output from said potentiometer, and means for controlling said regulating means in a direction tending to maintain a fixed relation between the output from said potentiometer and said voltage.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control circuit further comprises means operative when the voltage from said second generator is below a given value to apply to said comparing means a fixed voltage signal for causing both of said regulating means to be adjusted to respective limiting conditions to provide zero discharge.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control circuit comprises means for automatically adjusting both of said regulating means to respective limiting conditions to provide zero discharge when the ground speed is below a predetermined minimum magnitude.

Claim 11

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader, means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism, means for sensing the position of said gate, a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means, motor means for driving said feed mechanism, means for regulating the speed of said motor means, means for adjusting the position of said gate, and means for selectably coupling said control circuit operatively to one or the other of said two last mentioned means for adjusting said speed or position, respectively, as a function of change in ground speed with said control circuit being coupled to said speed regulating means so long as said motor means operates within a given optimum range and being transferred to said position adjusting means so long as it is capable of being adjusted whenever said motor means is adjusted to an end of said optimum range and the adjustment called for would require said motor means to depart from said optimum range.

Claim 12

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader, means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism, means for sensing the position of said gate, a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means, motor means for driving said feed mechanism, means for regulating the speed of said motor means, means for adjusting the position of said gate, and means for selectably coupling said control circuit operatively to one or the other of said two last mentioned means for adjusting said speed or position, respectively, as a function of change in ground speed with said control circuit being coupled to said speed regulating means so long as said motor means operates within a given optimum range and being transferred to said position adjusting means so long as it is capable of being adjusted whenever said motor means is adjusted to an end of said optimum range and the adjustment called for would require said motor means to depart from said optimum range.

Claim 15

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed at a rate determined by at least two inteRdependent discharge determining components having respective means for regulating a corresponding discharge determining characteristic thereof, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics of said two components; a control circuit responsive to both of said sensing means for effecting as a function of change in ground speed an adjustment of one of said means for regulating a discharge determining characteristic; and means for adjusting the other of said regulating means for maintaining the operation of said one regulating means within a desired range; the adjustment of said one of said regulating means being restricted to a range having predetermined end limits; and signal means coupled to said control circuit for indicating when one of said end limits is reached whereby the other of said regulating means can be adjusted to return said one regulating means to an intermediate point in said range.

Claim 16

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed at a rate determined by at least two inteRdependent discharge determining components having respective means for regulating a corresponding discharge determining characteristic thereof, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics of said two components; a control circuit responsive to both of said sensing means for effecting as a function of change in ground speed an adjustment of one of said means for regulating a discharge determining characteristic; and means for adjusting the other of said regulating means for maintaining the operation of said one regulating means within a desired range; the adjustment of said one of said regulating means being restricted to a range having predetermined end limits; and signal means coupled to said control circuit for indicating when one of said end limits is reached whereby the other of said regulating means can be adjusted to return said one regulating means to an intermediate point in said range.

Claim 17

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed at a rate determined by at least two interdependent discharge determining components having respective means for regulating a corresponding discharge determining characteristic thereof, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics of said two components; a control circuit responsive to both of said sensing means for effecting as a function of change in ground speed an adjustment of one of said means for regulating a discharge determining characteristic; means for adjusting the other of said regulating means for maintaining the operation of said one regulating means within a desired range; the adjustment of said one of said regulating means being restricted to a range having predetermined end limits; signal means coupled to said control circuit for indicating when one of said end limits is reached, whereby the other of said regulating means can be adjusted to return said one regulating means to an intermediate point in said range; said one of said regulating means comprising an electrically operable motor means for effecting the adjustment thereof and a limit switch; said limit switch being connected electrically in series with said motor means to provide a series circuit and being coupled mechanically to said motor means for actuation thereby to open said series circuit when said end limits are reached; and said control circuit comprising an impedance element; means coupling said impedance element in series with said series circuit for connection to a source of electric current; switch means having two operative conditions; means coupling said switch means across said series circuit for shunting said series circuit when said switch means is in one condition and for removing said shunt when said switch means is in the other condition; and means for coupling said signal means to said impedance element for causing said signal means in response to the absence of a voltage drop across said impedance element to indicate when said switch means is in said other condition and said limit switch is simultaneously open circuited.

Claim 18

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed at a rate determined by at least two interdependent discharge determining components having respective means for regulating a corresponding discharge determining characteristic thereof, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the prevailing discharge determining characteristics of said two components; a control circuit responsive to both of said sensing means for effecting as a function of change in ground speed an adjustment of one of said means for regulating a discharge determining characteristic; means for adjusting the other of said regulating means for maintaining the operation of said one regulating means within a desired range; the adjustment of said one of said regulating means being restricted to a range having predetermined end limits; signal means coupled to said control circuit for indicating when one of said end limits is reached, whereby the other of said regulating means can be adjusted to return said one regulating means to an intermediate point in said range; said one of said regulating means comprising an electrically operable motor means for effecting the adjustment thereof and a limit switch; said limit switch being connected electrically in series with said motor means to provide a series circuit and being coupled mechanically to said motor means for actuation thereby to open said series circuit when said end limits are reached; and said control circuit comprising an impedance element; means coupling said impedance element in series with said series circuit for connection to a source of electric current; switch means having two operative conditions; means coupling said switch means across said series circuit for shunting said series circuit when said switch means is in one condition and for removing said shunt when said switch means is in the other condition; and means for coupling said signal means to said impedance element for causing said signal means in response to the absence of a voltage drop across said impedance element to indicate when said switch means is in said other condition and said limit switch is simultaneously open circuited.

Claim 19

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as a function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; means coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below a predetermined minimum value; said motor means comprising a fluid motor with a flow control valve for adjusting its speed; and said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperative comprising means coupled to said control circuit causing said flow control valve to close when said ground speed is below said minimum value.

Claim 20

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as a function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; means coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below a predetermined minimum value; said motor means comprising a fluid motor with a flow control valve for adjusting its speed; and said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperative comprising means coupled to said control circuit causing said flow control valve to close when said ground speed is below said minimum value.

Claim 21

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; and means coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below a predetermined minimum value; said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperating comprising a clutch mechanism for coupling said motor means to said feed mechanism; and means interconnecting said clutch mechanism with said means for sensing the ground speed for disengaging said clutch mechanism when said ground speed is below said minimum value.

Claim 22

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; and means coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below a predetermined minimum value; said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperating comprising a clutch mechanism for coupling said motor means to said feed mechanism; and means interconnecting said clutch mechanism with said means for sensing the ground speed for disengaging said clutch mechanism when said ground speed is below said minimum value.

Claim 23

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as a function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; means are coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below predetermined minimum value; said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperative comprising a clutch mechanism for coupling said motor means to said feed mechanism; means interconnecting said clutch mechanism with said means for sensing the ground speed for disengaging said clutch mechanism when said ground speed is below said minimum value; said motor means comprising an internal combustion engine; and means interconnecting said means for sensing the ground speed with said control circuit for causing said engine to idle when said ground speed is below said minimum valve.

Claim 24

Apparatus for controlling the operation of a vehicular material spreader of the type having a reservoir from which material is dispensed under the mutual control of a position adjustable gate and an adjustable speed feed mechanism, said apparatus comprising, in combination: means for sensing the ground speed of the vehicular spreader; means for sensing the speed of said feed mechanism; means for sensing the position of said gate; a control circuit responsive to all of said sensing means; motor means for driving said feed mechanism; first regulating means for regulating the speed of said motor means; second regulating means for adjusting the position of said gate; means for coupling said control circuit operatively to one of said regulating means for controlling the latter as a function of change in ground speed such that material is dispensed at a desired rate independent of adjustment of the other regulating means; said control circuit being coupled to said first regulating means; means are coupled to said control circuit and arranged to maintain the feed mechanism inoperative when the ground speed of the vehicular spreader is below predetermined minimum value; said means for maintaining the feed mechanism inoperative comprising a clutch mechanism for coupling said motor means to said feed mechanism; means interconnecting said clutch mechanism with said means for sensing the ground speed for disengaging said clutch mechanism when said ground speed is below said minimum value; said motor means comprising an internal combustion engine; and means interconnecting said means for sensing the ground speed with said control circuit for causing said engine to idle when said ground speed is below said minimum valve.