Seed distribution method and apparatus
OwnerJohn Hollyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seeding apparatus comprising: (a seed distribution metering means including a rotating d drum with apertures on its periphery and a vacuum generator for generating a suction pressure inside the drum so that seeds are attracted to the apertures; (b) feeding system including a hopper, gravitational acceleration chamber, velocity controlling elements such as a flap and continuous belts for feeding seeds at a required amount and speed to the drum; (c) release mechanisms including an air-jet for releasing metered seeds from the drum along a selected trajectory while unselected seeds follow another trajectory, delivery device including an adjustable flow venturi and electronic sensor for controlling delivery of metered seeds.
Claims32
Seeding apparatus for metering and delivering seeds for planting in a seed bed, comprising:
- a rotatable seed metering element having a row of circumferentially spaced apart apertures on a rotating surface of the metering element;
- vacuum generating means arranged to draw air inwardly through said apertures whereby to attract and hold seeds to said apertures;
- and
- means for rotating said metering element,
- a feed system for transporting seed from a seed reservoir to said metering element and placing said seed at said rotating surface so that seeds are attracted to and held at said apertures;
- release means at a release point on the metering element for releasing seeds held at each said aperture of said rotating surface and carried to said release point;
- and
- delivery means for delivering said seeds to a seedbed, wherein
- (a) the metering element comprises a drum, the said rotating surface being an external cylindrical surface of the drum;
- and
- (b) in the feed system seeds are accelerated to an increased speed and thereafter placed adjacent to the surface of the drum and the metering apertures at a controlled speed.
A method for metering and delivering seeds for planting in a seedbed including the steps of:
- providing a rotatable seed metering element having a row of circumferentially spaced apart apertures on a rotating surface of the metering element;
- providing vacuum generating means arranged to draw air inwardly through said apertures whereby to attract and hold seeds to said apertures;
- rotating said metering element,
- by means of a feed system delivering seed from a seed reservoir to said metering element and placing said seed at said rotating surface so that seeds are attracted to and held at said apertures;
- at a release point on the metering element releasing the seeds held at each said aperture and carried to said release point whereby to form a metered stream of seeds;
- and
- delivering said metered stream of seeds to a seedbed,
- wherein:
- (a) the metering element comprises a drum, the said rotating surface being an external cylindrical surface of the drum;
- and
- (b) the method includes the step of accelerating seed in the feed system to an increased speed and thereafter placing the seed adjacent to the surface of the drum and the metering apertures at a controlled speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.