Soil moisture sensor assembly for a seed-planting implement
AssigneeCNH Industrial America LLC
InventorMichael Christopher Conboy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A soil moisture sensor assembly for a seed-planting implement includes a furrow firmer configured to shape a furrow being formed in soil by the seed-planting implement, with the furrow firmer extending in a vertical direction from a top end to a bottom end. The furrow firmer defines a cavity at the bottom end. Furthermore, the assembly includes first and second electrodes positioned within the cavity for use in determining the soil moisture of the soil. Additionally, the assembly includes a non-electrically conductive housing positioned between the first and second electrodes and the furrow firmer in the vertical direction.
Claims20
A soil moisture sensor assembly for a seed-planting implement, the soil moisture sensor assembly comprising:
- a furrow firmer configured to shape a furrow being formed in soil by the seed-planting implement, the furrow firmer extending in a vertical direction from a top end to a bottom end, the furrow firmer defining a cavity at the bottom end;
- first and second electrodes positioned within the cavity for use in determining a soil moisture of the soil;
- and
- a non-electrically conductive housing positioned between the first and second electrodes and the furrow firmer in the vertical direction.
A row unit for a seed-planting implement, the row unit comprising:
- a row unit frame;
- a disk opener rotatably coupled to the row unit frame, the disk opener configured to form a furrow within soil of a field as the seed-planting implement travels across the field;
- a furrow firmer coupled to the row unit frame, the furrow firmer configured to shape the furrow, the furrow firmer extending in a vertical direction from a top end to a bottom end, the furrow firmer defining a cavity at the bottom end;
- first and second electrodes positioned within the cavity for use in determining a soil moisture of the soil;
- and
- a non-electrically conductive housing positioned between the first and second electrodes and the furrow firmer in the vertical direction.
A seed-planting implement, comprising:
- a toolbar;
- and
- a plurality of row units supported on the toolbar, at least one row unit of the plurality of row units comprising:
- a furrow firmer configured to shape a furrow being formed in soil by the seed-planting implement, the furrow firmer extending in a vertical direction from a top end to a bottom end, the furrow firmer defining a cavity at the bottom end;
- first and second electrodes positioned within the cavity for use in determining a soil moisture of the soil;
- and
- a non-electrically conductive housing positioned between the first and second electrodes and the furrow firmer in the vertical direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.