US 6,851,377 B2Granted

Variable rate meter drive system

AssigneeCNH Canada, Ltd.

InventorsDean Mayerle, Dustin G. Burns

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Abstract

A hydraulic drive system provides a priority flow of hydraulic fluid to a variable rate drive system for powering the operation of the metering mechanisms before hydraulic fluid is supplied to a secondary drive mechanism for powering the operation of secondary devices, such as the fan mechanism or the loading auger. The hydraulic drive system includes a priority flow divider valve that diverts a predetermined flow rate to the variable rate drive system. The variable rate drive system includes a drive mechanism arranged in series for a plurality of metering mechanisms. The secondary drive system includes a selector valve that permits a selection between the alternative secondary devices. An alternative embodiment of the hydraulic drive system includes a counter balance valve that operates to provide a priority flow to the variable rate drive system.

Claims4

Dependent claims

In an agricultural planting implement having a frame adapted for movement over the ground;

a tank supported on said frame for carrying a product to be dispensed to the ground;
a metering mechanism for controlling the flow of said product to the ground, said metering mechanism being operably powered by a first hydraulic motor;
a remote planting mechanism for receiving said product from a conduit and depositing said product into the ground;
and a hydraulic system to provide a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure to said first hydraulic motor to power the operation of said metering mechanism and to a secondary hydraulic apparatus, the improvement comprising:
said hydraulic system including a priority system to provide a supply of hydraulic fluid to said first hydraulic motor before supplying hydraulic fluid to said secondary hydraulic apparatus;
wherein said secondary apparatus is a second hydraulic motor for powering a fan mechanism for creating a flow of air through a conduit associated with said metering mechanism;
wherein said priority system comprises:
a priority flow divider valve that directs a constant predetermined flow rate of hydraulic fluid to said variable rate drive system;
and wherein said secondary apparatus includes a selector valve to select between said drive system for said fan mechanism and a drive mechanism for a loading auger.

6 more elements

A hydraulic system for an air seeder having a frame adapted for movement over the ground;

a tank supported on said frame for carrying a product to be dispensed to the ground;
a metering mechanism for controlling the flow of said product to the ground, said metering mechanism having a rotatable meter roller operably powered by a first hydraulic motor, a fan mechanism for creating a flow of air through a conduit associated with said metering mechanism;
and a remote planting mechanism for receiving said product from said conduit and depositing said product into the ground, said hydraulic system providing a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic motor to power the operation of said meter roller and to a hydraulic motor to power the operation of said fan mechanism, comprising:
a variable rate drive system associated with said hydraulic motor for said meter roller;
a secondary drive system for said fan mechanism;
and
a priority system to provide a supply of hydraulic fluid to said variable rate drive system before providing a supply of hydraulic fluid to said secondary drive system;
wherein said priority system comprises:
a priority flow control valve that directs a constant predetermined flow rate of hydraulic fluid to said variable rate drive system;
wherein said variable rate drive system includes a plurality of drive mechanisms associated with a corresponding number of hydraulic motors and metering mechanisms, said drive mechanisms being arranged in series;
wherein the drive mechanism for each said mechanism is provided with a proportional valve that directs a selected amount of hydraulic fluid to the corresponding hydraulic motor for the meter roller and diverts any unutilized hydraulic fluid to the subsequent drive mechanism;
and
wherein said secondary drive system is also operable to power the operation of a loading auger, said secondary drive system including a selector valve to select between said fan mechanism and said loading auger.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/453,334Filed 3 Jun 2003
Published: US 2004/0244659 A19 Dec 2004
Granted: 8 Feb 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A01C 7/081
Broadcast seeders; Seeders depositing seeds in rows: seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
A01C 19/02
Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders: by a motor
F15B 11/162
With sensing of servomotor demand or load: for giving priority to particular servomotors or users
F15B 2211/30595
Having multiple valves for multiple output members: with additional valves between the groups of valves for multiple output members