A method of measuring the speed of a fluid comprising the following steps: generating a plurality of pseudorandom frequencies (fus_n); for each pseudorandom frequency (fus_n), emitting ultrasound signals into the fluid to travel along a path of defined length; receiving the ultrasound signals; for each received ultrasound signal, producing a travel time measurement, so as to generate for each pseudorandom frequency (fus_n) a predefined number of travel time measurements; for each pseudorandom frequency (fus_n), evaluating the accuracy of the measurements; for evaluating the speed of the fluid, making use of the measurements produced for the pseudorandom frequency that presents the greatest accuracy.

A flow meter records a flow rate and/or an amount of heat of a flowing fluid. A control and evaluation unit ascertains flow rate data and the fitting-dependent direction of through flow is automatically ascertained. A temperature measuring device has first and second temperature sensors for ascertaining a temperature difference between a feed temperature in the feed and a return temperature in the return. The fitting location of the first and second temperature sensors in the feed or the return is automatically ascertained by the control and evaluation unit on the basis of the temperature difference. The control and evaluation unit is automatically configured during first-time or re-installation of the flow meter such that the direction of flow through the meter is adapted to the fitted direction of through flow and/or the temperature sensors are assigned to the feed and the return, respectively.

Methods and systems for configuring a fluid flow meter include a processor obtaining a measurement signal recorded by the fluid flow meter. The processor can determine a whitening frequency band. The processor can then construct a whitening filter based on the measurement signal and the whitening frequency band. The processor can then generate a reference signal based on the whitening filter and the measurement signal. The processor can provide the whitening filter and the reference signal for use by the fluid flow meter to measure a time shift between the reference signal and another measurement signal.

A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.

A supply tube assembly for measuring a liquid agricultural product application rate. An upstream portion of a supply tube has an upstream portion outlet end. A downstream portion has a downstream portion inlet end. The sensor body assembly includes a sensor body, a first sensing plate, and a second sensing plate. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive an inlet flow of the liquid agricultural product from the upstream portion and a sensor outlet end positioned to receive an outlet flow of the liquid agricultural product. The sensor body is an enclosure having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the upstream portion of the supply tube and the downstream portion of the supply tube. Electronic components are configured to measure the liquid agricultural product application rate between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate.

A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.

A sensor assembly for use in synchronizing seed placement and the dispensing of liquid agricultural product during planting. The sensor assembly includes a signal conditioning circuit configured to provide an output signal representing an indication of the presence of liquid agricultural product and seed for use in determining the synchronization of the seed placement with the dispensing of the liquid agricultural product. The presence of both a seed mass component and a liquid mass component of the output signal defines a package mass. The output signal has a pre-defined value and is transmitted to a controller to determine whether there is an error. The controller is configured to generate an error signal that is capable of being displayable on a remote display/user interface system that can be monitored by the system operator.

A flow sensor apparatus for monitoring a directed stream of an agricultural product from an application port of a supply tube. The directed stream has a target directed portion and an off-target portion. A sensor housing includes a conical flow receiving element and a sensor body. The receiving element has an inlet orifice at a first end and a receiving element outlet at a second end. The first end is smaller than the second end. The sensor body has a sensor inlet end positioned to receive a target directed portion of the directed stream from the receiving element outlet of the conical flow receiving element wherein an off-target portion of the directed stream is not sensed. The sensor housing and sensor element are positioned external to the application port and thus positioned to provide measurement, targeting, and timing of the agricultural product.

An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.

An electric measurement method and apparatus for detecting a mass by an electric capacity (permittivity) or a material's dielectric constant, or alternatively, electric inductance (permeability). The mass may be any phase or combination of phases. The mass may be stationary or flowing. It may comprise discrete particles such as grain, or manufactured products such as ball bearings or threaded fasteners, etc. The mass may be a flow element in a rotameter or similar flow measurement device. The sensor comprises a volume which may be completely full or only partially full of the material. The material may be discrete components or a continuum. Sensor signals may be received by existing planter monitoring systems. In some embodiments the flow sensors are positioned external to the application port. In some embodiments sensors may be utilized which are responsive to the refractive index variation of specific chemicals.