Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsDerek Sauder, Jason Stoller, Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.
Claims8
An agricultural row unit, comprising:
- a row unit frame;
- a first gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit;
- and
- a first sensor configured to generate a first signal related to the angular position of said first gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame, said first sensor comprising:
- a receiver component;
- a transmitter component;
- wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm for rotation therewith;
- wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is fixedly mounted to said row unit frame;
- wherein said first signal is related to a distance between said receiver component and said transmitter component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.