Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Drive circuit for estimating fluid flow based on valve closure time and fluid application system including same
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Application No.: US17249594Application Date: 2021-03-05
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Publication No.: US11998934B2Publication Date: 2024-06-04
- Inventor: Duane Needham
- Applicant: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US KS Topeka
- Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US KS Topeka
- Agency: Armstrong Teasdale LLP
- The original application number of the division: US16045404 2018.07.25
- Main IPC: B05B1/30
- IPC: B05B1/30 ; B05B12/00 ; B05B12/08 ; F16K31/06 ; G01F9/00 ; G05D7/00 ; G05D7/06 ; B05B1/20 ; B05B13/00 ; B05B15/50

Abstract:
A drive circuit for a solenoid valve having a coil and a poppet configured to translate within the coil includes a drive switch operable to de-energize the coil to translate the poppet toward a closed position, a sensor configured to detect the poppet translating within the solenoid valve, and a drive circuit configured to energize and de-energize the coil of the solenoid valve to translate the poppet of the solenoid valve between an open position and a closed position. The drive circuit includes a controller configured to receive a closure signal from the sensor, determine a closing time of the solenoid valve based on the closure signal, determine a time delay between de-energizing the coil and the determined closing time, and determine a fluid flow value of fluid flowing through the solenoid valve based on the determined time delay.
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