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US 9,332,689 B2Granted
Systems, methods, and apparatus for multi-row agriculturalimplement control and monitoring
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsPhil Baurer, Tim Sauder, Jason Stoller, Derek Sauder, Jeremy Hodel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, including seed planting implements. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for detecting seeds being conveyed by seed conveyor.
Claims25
A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
- a seed meter;
- a seed conveyor having a forward side and a rearward side, said seed conveyor being disposed to receive seeds from said seed meter, said seed conveyor comprising a belt, said belt having a plurality of flights configured to convey seeds, wherein said seed conveyor is configured guide down said forward side of said seed conveyor to a lower end of said seed conveyor, wherein said seed conveyor is configured to release seeds from said lower end, wherein said flights ascend said rearward side without seeds;
- a first seed sensor mounted to said forward side of said conveyor, said first seed sensor disposed to detect the presence of seeds and flights descending said forward side of said conveyor;
- and
- a second seed sensor mounted to said rearward side of said conveyor, said second seed sensor disposed to detect the presence of flights ascending said rearward side of said conveyor.
2 more elements
A method for monitoring an agricultural implement, comprising:
- receiving seeds into an upper portion of a seed conveyor, said seed conveyor including a belt having a plurality of flights;
- conveying seeds between said flights from an upper portion of said seed conveyor to a lower portion of said seed conveyor;
- releasing seeds from said lower portion of said seed conveyor;
- detecting passage of both seeds and flights past a first location past which seeds and flights travel from said upper portion of said seed conveyor to said lower portion of said seed conveyor;
- and
- detecting passage of flights past a second location past which flights travel toward said upper portion of said seed conveyor after seeds are released from between said flights.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.