Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
111174000 | Fluid current conveyor | 74 |
20080264313 | Method of Retrofitting a Pneumatic On-Demand Seed Delivery System and an Improved Pneumatic On-Demand Seed Delivery System - A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. | 10-30-2008 |
20080295751 | PNEUMATICALLY POWERED SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL PLANTER - A pneumatically powered seed delivery system for an agricultural planter includes an air lock between a main seed hopper and the forced air delivery system. The air lock accurately meters the seed and isolates the interior of the seed hopper from the forced air delivery system. Seed is delivered to individual planter row units, each including an air horn having a buffer reservoir for storing and feeding seed to the associated seed meter under controlled conditions, and a seed routing conduit for carrying seed not deposited in a given seed meter to the other row units downline. | 12-04-2008 |
20100101467 | PLANTER WITH STRUCTURAL MANIFOLD - A planter, in certain embodiments, includes a structural air manifold. The planter may include a hollow structural member configured to bear and/or distribute static and dynamic loads of the planter. The structural member may include a hollow interior having a first port and a second port. A plurality of individual planting units and a fan may be mounted to the structural member and coupled to the hollow interior at the first and second ports, respectively, via a conduit. The hollow interior may provide a path for forced airflow between the first and second ports to enable pneumatic operation of a feature of the agricultural seed planter. Further, each planting unit may include a seed meter pneumatically coupled to the fan. An orifice may be disposed in the first or second port to restrict the airflow through the port and to the seed meter. | 04-29-2010 |
20100122648 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH DENSE PHASE PRODUCT FLOW FROM A PRIMARY CONTAINER - An agricultural implement for distributing a product by dense phase flow is disclosed. The agricultural implement comprises a frame and a product distribution system configured to distribute the product to different positions on the frame by dense phase flow. The product distribution system includes a primary container configured to accommodate the product and includes a primary container inlet and a product exit. The product distribution system also includes a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid and is in fluid communication with the primary container through the primary container inlet. The product distribution system also includes a distribution conduit that includes a conduit first end connected to the product exit and a conduit discharge end opposite the conduit first end. | 05-20-2010 |
20100122649 | PRESSURE SUPPLY ASSEMBLY FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WITH DENSE PHASE PRODUCT FLOW - A system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow. | 05-20-2010 |
20110083595 | DISK FOR THE DOSAGE AND INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF SEEDS, UNIT FOR THE DOSAGE AND LONG-DISTANCE TRANSPORT OF SEEDS COMPRISING SAID DISK, AND METHOD FOR THE DOSAGE, INDIVIDUAL SELECTION AND LONG-DISTANCE TRANSPORT OF SEEDS - A disk for the dosage and individual selection of seeds, having a determinate axial thickness delimited by two facing circular walls or surfaces, and comprising housing seatings made along the peripheral edge of one or both circular walls or surfaces and passage ways that open from the housing seatings toward the outside of the disk, for the passage of a stream of air. The passage ways are made on the axial thickness, in a radial direction with respect to the center of the disk. | 04-14-2011 |
20110139050 | AGRICULTURAL EXHAUST CONDITIONING SYSTEM - An exhaust conditioning system for use with a tractor towing an air seeding implement comprises an exhaust duct arranged to communicate exhaust emissions from the engine of the tractor to the seed fan of the air seeding implement. A condenser receives the exhaust emissions of the exhaust duct therethrough between the engine and the seed fan. A condenser fan cools a surface of the condenser. A computer controller controllably varies a rate of at least one of the condenser fan, the seed fan or revolutions per minute of the engine responsive to a sensed temperature of the exhaust emissions to maintain the temperature of the exhaust emissions within a selected temperature range and such that the exhaust emissions are arranged to influence germination of the seeds either by humidity, oxidised organic matter or bio-char. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139051 | ELECTROPNEUMATIC INSTALLATION APPLIED TO SEEDERS HAVING INDEPENDENT UNITS ASSOCIATED TO PNEUMATIC SEED DOSING DEVICES - Installation to be applied to self-propelled or tow-type agricultural seeders that comprises a general command central unit ( | 06-16-2011 |
20110146549 | Portable Hydroseeder - A portable hydroseeding system comprising a housing for containing a slurry, a propellant means connected to the housing and an outlet control mechanism for distributing the slurry. | 06-23-2011 |
20110179984 | METERING ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIR SEEDER - A metering assembly is provided for use with an air seeding system for delivering one or more particulate materials to an air seeding apparatus, the air seeding system comprising a product tank, configured to hold a particulate material and having an outlet, the metering assembly comprising at least one metering device, the metering device having a housing, an inlet positioned in the housing to receive particulate material from the outlet of the product tank, a first loading zone and a second loading zone, and a flow controller provided beneath the inlet and operative to route particulate material that has entered the metering device through the inlet in a first direction towards the first loading zone and in a second direction towards the second loading zone. | 07-28-2011 |
20110219995 | SECONDARY AIR SEEDER ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A secondary air seeder assembly for depositing seed along the tire tracks formed by an air seeder cart and system comprising the same is provided. The secondary air seeder assembly includes includes first and second elongated and parallel main frame members, each having a terminal forward end and a terminal down turned rearward end. First and second elongated and parallel transverse frame members are connected to and extend between the first and the second main frame members at a longitudinal spaced distance from one another. Two forward caster wheels, one is connected at each terminal forward end of the first and the second main frame members. Two rearward wheels, one is connected at each terminal down turned rearward end of the first and the second main frame members. First and second elongated coupling frame members, are each connected at first end thereof to the first transverse frame member at a spaced distance and connected together at a second end thereof forming a hitch point. A hitch is located at the hitch point. One or more dry material applicator assemblies are connected to the second transverse frame member between the first and the second main frame members. One or more dry material applicator assemblies connected to the first transverse frame member between the first and the second main frame members. | 09-15-2011 |
20120031315 | SINGULATING SEED - A seed feeding apparatus includes a feed assembly with a V-shaped groove with at least one moving wall and a pocket formed by the walls of the groove and a pocket plate configured to substantially conform to the groove. The pocket plate is located such that the moving wall moves upward at the pocket. Seeds are received and form a pile in the pocket. As the moving wall moves, seeds fall from the pile to the bottom of the groove with sides of the seeds bearing against the walls of the groove such that the seeds are aligned in single file along the bottom of the groove and move upward over the upper edge of the groove and then fall out of the groove one at a time at a constant rate into a furrow. | 02-09-2012 |
20120042815 | Product Distribution Apparatus With System And Method Of Automatic Meter Calibration - A product distributing apparatus is described as well as a system and method of automatically calibrating the meter of the apparatus which does not require the operator to leave the operator station of the towing vehicle. One application of such an apparatus and method is in an agricultural air seeder and it is in this context that the apparatus is described. | 02-23-2012 |
20120103238 | Air seeder tank and distribution apparatus - An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure. | 05-03-2012 |
20120174841 | Seed Hopper For Seed Metering System Having Modular Seed Metering Units - The present invention is directed to a hopper for a seed metering system that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. The hopper has a plurality of discharge openings that can be selectively opened and closed to expose an opening to a respective one of the plurality of metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control. | 07-12-2012 |
20120174842 | Seed Metering Cassette For Seeding Implement - The present invention is directed to a seed metering assembly comprised of a set of stand-alone modular seed metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus in which the number of seed metering units can be scaled to match the number of distribution headers of a seeding implement. | 07-12-2012 |
20120174843 | Method And Apparatus For Sectional Control Of Air Seeder Distribution System For A Farm Implement - A method and system enables sectional control for an air seeding system of a farm implement by exposing a main header, or selected ports of the main header, to a purging air flow when product flow through the selected ports is stopped. A plenum of air is fluidly coupled to the main header and provides a purging air flow to any exit port of the main header that has been shut off from product flow. Valves are used to selectively flow couple the exit ports of the main header to the product flow and to the purging air flow. | 07-12-2012 |
20120186504 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING PRODUCT DELIVERY WITH GROUND ENGAGING TOOL POSITION - An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a control system configured to receive a first signal to initiate seeding operations, to transition a ground engaging tool toward a working position at a first time after receiving the first signal, and to activate a product delivery system at a second time, different from the first time, after receiving the first signal. | 07-26-2012 |
20120227647 | AIR SEEDER MONITORING AND EQUALIZATION SYSTEM USING ACOUSTIC SENSORS - A particulate flow monitor for a pneumatic system including a particulate flow tube defining a particulate flow path, a blower connected to the flow tube and the flow tube terminating at a particulate discharge, which flow monitor comprises an acoustic transducer connected to the flow tube intermediate the blower and the discharge; said acoustic transducer being located in said particulate flow path; an impact surface on said acoustic transducer adapted for being impacted by the particulate matter in said flow path; and an electrical signal generator connected to said acoustic transducer and adapted for generating an electrical signal in response to sound waves created by particulate matter impact; said signal generator including an output adapted for providing an electrical output signal corresponding to said sound waves; and a processor connected to said signal generator output; and said processor being programmed to monitor particulate flow based on said detected particulate matter impact. | 09-13-2012 |
20120234220 | ARRANGEMENT FOR RECYCLING AIR IN AN AGRICULTURE MACHINE - An agricultural machine comprising a seed metering device to meter seeds for the distribution to the ground across which the agricultural machine moves. The seed metering device embraces a wall that is arranged to rotate. The seed metering device is furthermore arranged to communicate with a pressure actuating appliance for providing a wall pressure difference between a seed reception side, high-pressure side, of the wall and a side, low-pressure side, of the wall that is opposite the seed reception side. The wall is provided with a plurality of through retention openings for the reception on the seed reception side of the wall, by means of the wall pressure difference, of seeds at the retention openings. Then, the seeds are transported, by means of the rotation of the wall, through a wall transportation distance whereupon they are released from the wall. The pressure actuating appliance comprises a pneumatic device connected to an air line, which device provides a main air current through the air line toward the seed reception side of the wall. A return line is connected between the side of the wall that is opposite the seed reception side and the pneumatic device, in which return line a part of the main air current is arranged to be brought back to the air line and/or to an inlet side of the pneumatic device, while a part of the main air current is arranged to be directed down into the ground through a dump line. | 09-20-2012 |
20120312210 | CULTIVATION AIR SEEDER WITH VISUALLY ENHANCED SEED HOPPER - A cultivation air seeder has an ornamental facing around three sides of its large, metallic bulk seed hopper to enhance the appearance of the hopper and provide environmental protection for sensitive mechanical, electronic and hydraulic components. A front section of one facing panel on each side of the machine is hinged about a generally upright axis to allow the panel section to be opened and closed like a door for operator access to the components behind it. The facing can be stylishly molded from a synthetic resinous material or other non-metallic substance to facilitate manufacture and is disposed to conceal unsightly weld lines and other imperfections on the exterior surface of the hopper. | 12-13-2012 |
20130019788 | SEED DISTRIBUTION ELEMENT FOR PRECISION SEED DRILLS, SEED DRILL INCLUDING SAID ELEMENT - A seed distribution element ( | 01-24-2013 |
20130061790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PRODUCT FLOW TO AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow control system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop through the fluid conduit, and to adjust product transfer into the air flow based on the determined mass flow rate of the product. | 03-14-2013 |
20130112125 | TWIN ROW PLANTER - An apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 05-09-2013 |
20130192503 | Particulate Material Delivery System For Variable Rate Sectional Control - A particulate material delivery system is provided that allows for variable rate sectional control while delivering particulate material to an agricultural field. The system may include an air cart and a drill that are towable behind a tractor and that includes a metering system receiving product from the air cart and delivering the product to the drill for distribution to the ground, such as an agricultural field. The metering system includes multiple metering units that receive separate portions of the product from the air cart. Multiple prime movers drive the multiple metering units. A controller is connected to and individually controls the multiple prime movers such that distribution rates of the multiple metering units can be varied independently of each other. | 08-01-2013 |
20130276684 | AIR ENTRAINMENT DEVICE FOR SEED DELIVERY - A seed delivery device including a frame defining at least one seed chamber. The frame includes a sidewall and an air permeable floor. Seed can be received and deposited on the air permeable floor through an input port. An air input channel is utilized to introduce an air stream into the seed chamber and direct it through the air permeable floor such that seed is lifted from the air permeable floor to an outlet port. An air bypass channel is configured to separate the air stream into a first stream that is directed through the air permeable floor and a second stream that is directed through the bypass channel and recombined with the first stream, at a point prior to the output port, to prevent excess accumulation of seed in the seed chamber. | 10-24-2013 |
20130327261 | PNEUMATIC SEEDER COMPRISING MEANS FOR DAMPING AND/OR DIVERTING THE FLOW OF EXTRACTED AIR COMING FROM THE SUCTION FAN - A pneumatic seeder is provided, which is configured to be fixedly attached to a farming machine. The seeder includes an element for contacting with the ground, an element for storing a product to be sown, a pneumatic distributor of said product, a suction fan having at least one air inlet connected to the pneumatic for distributor and at least one air discharge outlet, an air extractor connected to the discharge outlet, the end of the air extractor leading out to face the ground. The seeder includes a damper and/or diverter for damping and/or diverting the flow of air coming from the air extractor. The damper and/or diverter is placed downstream from the end of the air extractor. | 12-12-2013 |
20140014011 | CALIBRATION DEVICE FOR AGRICULTURAL (PNEUMATIC) SEED DRILL - A device for calibrating the product dispensed by a distributor ( | 01-16-2014 |
20140041564 | SEALING GASKET AND SEED HOUSING FOR A SEEDER AND SEEDER COMPRISING SUCH A SEED HOUSING - A sealing gasket made of a resilient rubber material or rubber-like material. The sealing gasket is formed as a rotationally symmetric body with a substantially constant cross-sectional profile. The cross-sectional profile includes: a first sealing part located furthest away from a center of rotation of the body and a second sealing part located radially inside the first sealing part, as viewed in the radial direction. An open space is defined by the first and second sealing parts. The second sealing part essentially curves through an angle away from the center of rotation. A seed housing can include such a seal and a seeder can include such a seed housing. | 02-13-2014 |
20140076217 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CALIBRATING THE METER OF A PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION MACHINE - A system and method of calibrating a meter of a product distribution machine, such as an agricultural air seeder is shown. The system uses one or both of optical and mass flow sensors to measure the product flow rate. The sensors are used to measure mass flow rate during a calibration process while the machine is in use. To improve sensor accuracy during the calibration process, the meter speed is changed to change the product flow rate to a rate at which the sensor accuracy is increased. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076218 | PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION DEVICE WITH FLOW RATE AND SECTION CONTROL MONITORING - A product distribution device is shown as embodied in an agricultural air seeder in which a mass flow sensor is used to measure the product flow through only a portion of a product flow passage wherein the total mass flow is calculated from the portion that is measured. Furthermore, the output signal from the mass flow sensor is used to determine if a device used for section control is functioning properly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140130724 | AIR CART METERING SYSTEM - An agricultural cart including a product metering system comprising an auger assembly extending generally along an axis non-parallel to a horizontal plane and non-perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a holding chamber disposed at an upstream end of the auger assembly and configured to reduce pulsations within a flow of agricultural product from the auger assembly. The agricultural cart also includes an air source coupled to the product metering system and configured to transfer the agricultural product to an agricultural implement via an airflow. | 05-15-2014 |
20140158032 | POSITIONING EQUIPMENT - Equipment for the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground is provided. In one form, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container and an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to the ground. In one aspect of this form, the metering unit is configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, from the container to the application member. In another more particular aspect, the spherical items are capsules that include a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material. | 06-12-2014 |
20140158033 | AIR DISTRIBUTION FOR AN AIR SEEDER - An air distribution apparatus has a manifold body, and ports defined through walls thereof, with a delivery conduit connected to each port. A port valve is configured to connect and disconnect the delivery conduit to the interior of the manifold body. A supply conduit delivers a product air stream with agricultural products entrained therein to the interior of the manifold body. The supply conduit extends vertically up from the manifold to a curved elbow and then extends horizontally from the elbow. An exhaust orifice is defined in the inner radius of the elbow. When an exhaust valve is open, a selected flow of pressurized air flows from the supply conduit through the exhaust orifice. The port valve and exhaust valve are controlled such that when the port valve closes, the exhaust valve opens. The exhaust air can be directed into the delivery conduits to clear product therefrom. | 06-12-2014 |
20140182495 | Seed Delivery System - A seed delivery system is provided that includes a row crop seed planter having a seed meter that can pneumatically deliver seeds to the agricultural field at a rearward velocity that matches a forward velocity of the planter. The seed meter may include a positive pressure source that pressurizes the seed meter and creates an airflow out of a seed tube of the seed meter that carries the individual seeds out of the seed tube at a rearward velocity that is automatically adjusted to match a forward velocity of the seed planter and tractor. | 07-03-2014 |
20140190376 | CONDUIT SYSTEM FOR A PNEUMATIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190377 | INDUCTOR BOX FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVING COMPRESSION LIMITERS - An inductor box for an agricultural implement having compression limiters. One inductor box includes a housing having a first side configured to receive an agricultural product from a tank. The first side has a sealable surface, and the sealable surface has plates attached thereto. The inductor box includes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface and configured to establish a seal between the sealable surface and a corresponding surface of the tank. The plates are configured to extend through respective openings in the gasket, and to block compression of the first gasket beyond a desired compression limit. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190378 | BAFFLE RETENTION CHANNEL FOR AN INDUCTOR BOX OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural product distribution system is presented includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190379 | BAFFLE ORIENTATION DEVICE FOR AN INDUCTOR BOX OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural product distribution system is presented that includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the agricultural product and the conveyed air. The agricultural product distribution system also includes a removable baffle configured to control an amount of the conveyed air that flows into each port of the plurality of ports. Furthermore, the inductor box is configured to enable the removable baffle to be slidingly inserted into the inductor box, and the removable baffle comprises a tang configured to at least partially block insertion of the removable baffle into the inductor box while the removable baffle is oriented at an undesirable orientation. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190380 | Seed Inductor Box for an Agricultural Implement Having a Fluidization Chamber - A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box comprising at least one inductor segment configured to guide the particulate material and an airflow through the inductor box, wherein the at least one inductor segment comprises a particulate material fluidization chamber configured to establish a vortex that mixes the particulate material with the airflow. | 07-10-2014 |
20140208999 | FLUID LINE CONNECTION FOR AN AGRICULTURAL AIR SEEDER - An agricultural air seeder includes a tilling implement having a plurality of air lines. An air cart is coupled with the tilling implement, and includes a pneumatic distribution system with a plurality of air lines. A plurality of air line connections respectively interconnect between an air line associated with the tilling implement and an air line associated with the air cart. Each air line connection has a female connector and a male connector. Each female connector has an inside diameter with an annular groove, and a seal disposed within the annular groove. The male connector is positioned within the female connector and sealed with the seal. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209000 | METERING OF PRODUCT IN AN AIR CART ON HILLY TERRAIN - An air cart for use in an agricultural air seeding system includes at least one tank for holding a material, and a metering system associated with the at least one tank. The metering system is configured for metering the material from the at least one tank at an output rate. A sensor senses a parameter associated with an angular orientation of the air cart relative to a reference plane, and provides an output signal indicative of the angular orientation. An actuator adjusts an output rate of the metering system. A controller is coupled with each of the actuator and the sensor and receives the output signal from the sensor. The controller is configured for controlling the actuator and thereby adjusting the output rate of the metering system, dependent upon the output signal. | 07-31-2014 |
20140216314 | AIR SEEDER APPARATUS - An air seeder includes a combination tank propulsion vehicle with mounted product tanks, and metering devices dispensing product from each product tank. A furrow opener implement is towed by the vehicle and an engine rotates the vehicle wheels and two or more implement wheels. A pneumatic distribution system conveys dispensed products to the furrow openers. The external guidance system sends location signals indicating a location of the implement frame to the operator. Steering, metering, and distribution signals are sent by both the external guidance system and an operator with a remote operator control, and operator signals override signals from the external guidance system. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216315 | AIR SEEDER TANK AND DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS - An air seeder distribution apparatus has seed and fertilizer tanks, and a like plurality of metering devices mounted on each product tank. A manifold set comprises a like plurality of product manifolds and each manifold is separately fed from one metering device on each of the seed and fertilizer tanks. A control selectively starts and stops rotation of the feed roller of each metering device to feed product from either tank, or both tanks to the connected manifold. The weight of each tank can be displayed on a weight indicator. Balancing of the pressure in each supply conduit can be provided. A remote opener exerts downward force on the tank lid to maintain interior pressure. | 08-07-2014 |
20140238284 | Vacuum Planter Exhaust Filtration System - A vacuum planter exhaust filtration system for preventing seed treatment particles used in seed planting from entering the atmosphere. The vacuum planter exhaust filtration system generally includes an air filter fluidly positioned between the fan and the planting units of the vacuum planter. The air filter removes the particulate material prior to being exhausted into the surrounding environment by the fan. The air filter utilizes cyclonic separation to separate the particulate material from the contaminated air from the planting units. A particle container collects the removed particulate material and allows for environmentally friendly disposal of the particulate material. | 08-28-2014 |
20140261116 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT PARTICULATE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - An exemplary agricultural implement includes a plurality of units configured to inject particulate material into a ground surface and a plurality of metering modules. Each metering module is configured to receive a supply of particulate material and to meter the particulate material to a set of the plurality of units. A distribution assembly is configured to receive particulate material from a source and to distribute the particulate material to the plurality of metering modules. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261117 | METERING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECTIONAL CONTROL - A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a drive input and a plurality of rotating metering elements coupled to the drive input. Each of the metering elements rotates around an axis of rotation and at least two of the metering elements rotate around different axes of rotation, preferably on different shafts. Agricultural product is provided to the rotating metering elements, which meter the agricultural product to an agricultural product distribution system on a distribution implement. The axes of rotation of the metering elements are preferably oriented non-transversely, preferably longitudinally, on the metering apparatus in relation to the direction of forward motion of the implement. When the metering apparatus is used on an air cart, the axes of rotation of the metering elements are preferably oriented parallel to the air flow into which the product is being metered. Such a side-by-side arrangement of metering elements permits better and simpler control over individual metering elements. | 09-18-2014 |
20140283719 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING PRODUCT FLOW TO AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The ground engaging tool is configured to deposit the product into soil. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow measurement system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop between an upstream portion of the fluid conduit and a downstream portion of the fluid conduit, a flow rate of the air flow, and a velocity of the air flow. | 09-25-2014 |
20150101518 | SEEDING MACHINE AND SEEDING METHOD - The invention relates to a seeding machine ( | 04-16-2015 |
20150319917 | Particulate Material Delivery System - A particulate material delivery system is provided that allows for variable rate sectional control while delivering particulate material to an agricultural field. The system may include an air cart and a drill that are towable behind a tractor and that includes a metering system receiving product from the air cart and delivering the product to the drill for distribution to the ground, such as an agricultural field. The metering system includes multiple metering units that receive separate portions of the product from the air cart. Multiple prime movers drive the multiple metering units. A controller is connected to and individually controls the multiple prime movers such that distribution rates of the multiple metering units can be varied independently of each other. | 11-12-2015 |
20150319918 | Method Of Using A Particulate Material Delivery System to Pneumatically Dispense Seed Product - A particulate material delivery system is provided that allows for variable rate sectional control while delivering particulate material to an agricultural field. The system may include an air cart and a drill that are towable behind a tractor and that includes a metering system receiving product from the air cart and delivering the product to the drill for distribution to the ground, such as an agricultural field. The metering system includes multiple metering units that receive separate portions of the product from the air cart. Multiple prime movers drive the multiple metering units. A controller is connected to and individually controls the multiple prime movers such that distribution rates of the multiple metering units can be varied independently of each other. | 11-12-2015 |
20150351316 | SEALING GASKET AND SEED HOUSING FOR A SEEDER AND SEEDER COMPRISING SUCH A SEED HOUSING - A sealing gasket made of a resilient rubber material or rubber-like material. The sealing gasket is formed as a rotationally symmetric body with a substantially constant cross-sectional profile. The cross-sectional profile includes: a first sealing part located furthest away from a center of rotation of the body and a second sealing part located radially inside the first sealing part, as viewed in the radial direction. An open space is defined by the first and second sealing parts. The second sealing part essentially curves through an angle away from the center of rotation. A seed housing can include such a seal and a seeder can include such a seed housing. | 12-10-2015 |
20160050839 | AGRICULTURAL MACHINE WITH AT LEAST ONE ARTICULATED SEEDER BAR - An agricultural machine having a trailed chassis and a transverse bar in several portions extending substantially transversely to the direction of advance in the work position and extending substantially parallel to the direction of advance in the transport position, the transverse bar includes two portions able to be folded around a first respective articulation with a substantially vertical axis, each portion supports a seeder device made up of a hopper and a seeder bar. Each seeder bar is fixed on the corresponding portion using a second articulation with a substantially horizontal axis oriented parallel to the direction of advance in the work position. | 02-25-2016 |
20160066499 | EXHAUST WEBBING FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT TANK - A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening. | 03-10-2016 |
20160157417 | METHOD FOR METERING GRANULAR MATERIAL AND APPARATUS FOR METERING GRANULAR MATERIAL - Disclosed are a method for metering granular material, such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like, in particular within a distribution unit or sowing unit of a distribution machine or sowing machine as well as a corresponding metering apparatus. By way of the method, the granular material being carried and conveyed by an airflow and/or by its own kinetic energy is directed through a feed tube into a metering unit, where it is guided along an approximately circular arc path and tangentially directed into an outlet tube, which is adjacent to the metering unit and which runs, at least in a section, slightly curved. The granular material being approximately evenly spaced and/or evenly metered and conveyed in an outer area of the curved outlet tube is at least partially carried by the airflow being discharged and exiting the metering unit through the outlet tube. | 06-09-2016 |
20160157418 | Air Flow Control For Delivery Of Agricultural Products - An air flow control system for an agricultural product delivery system is provided. The control system a sensor disposed within, along, or just before a secondary distribution manifold for measuring an air flow pressure therein and generating a signal in response to the air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and configured to receive the signal and to adjust the air flow pressure to the secondary distribution manifold in response to the signal. | 06-09-2016 |
20180020608 | METERING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM | 01-25-2018 |
111175000 | Flow divider head | 11 |
20090165686 | AIR VELOCITY INDICATOR AND CONTROL DEVICE - An air velocity indicator and control device is provided for use with pneumatic distribution systems used in air seeders that pneumatically discharge agricultural product to the ground, seedbed, or furrow. The air velocity indicator and control device includes a tubular housing, extending between an inlet and an outlet, and pivotally housing a deflectable plate that actuates in response to encountering an airflow entrained with agricultural product. A magnitude of deflection of the deflectable plate, corresponding to airflow velocity, can be displayed through an indicator assembly. This enables a user to identify velocity variances and differentials within the air seeder and make corrective adjustments. In some implementations, multiple air velocity indicator and control devices are ganged together with deflectable plates that pivot in unison with each other. The relative angle of fixation of the deflectable plates, upon the pivot pin, can be adjusted to permit airflow tuning as needed. | 07-02-2009 |
20100326339 | Inductor Assembly For A Product Conveyance System - An inductor assembly is configured to be attached in flow communication to receive a flow of product from a storage hopper of a product conveyance system. The product conveyance system includes a forced fluid source mounted thereon and operable to provide a forced fluid stream to the inductor assembly. The inductor housing includes an inlet configured to direct a first portion of the forced fluid stream in a path to engage the flow of product so as to generate the combined stream of forced fluid and product. The inductor assembly further includes multiple inductor segments, wherein each inductor segments defines at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet. One or more of the inlets may be configured to restrict air and product flow therethrough. | 12-30-2010 |
20110219996 | Air/Product Flow Splitting Apparatus For Use With Product Distribution System Of An Agricultural Seeding Machine - A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter. | 09-15-2011 |
20120174844 | Seed Metering Assembly For Farm Implement And Having Quick-Change Capability And Sectional Control - A seed metering assembly for a farm implement has a meter roller that can be accessed and removed in a relatively quick manner. The seed metering assembly includes a fluted meter roller that is segmented into a number of discrete fluted sections. Each fluted section has an associated flow control member that is selectively operable to impede the flow of granular material from a seed hopper to its corresponding section of the fluted meter roller. | 07-12-2012 |
20120272880 | Product Conveyance System For An Agricultural Implement - An inductor assembly is configured to be attached in flow communication to receive a flow of product from a storage hopper of a product conveyance system. The product conveyance system includes a forced fluid source mounted thereon and operable to provide a forced fluid stream to the inductor assembly. The inductor housing includes an inlet configured to direct a first portion of the forced fluid stream in a path to engage the flow of product so as to generate the combined stream of forced fluid and product. The inductor assembly further includes multiple inductor segments, wherein each inductor segments defines at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet. One or more of the inlets may be configured to restrict air and product flow therethrough. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272881 | Mobile Air Cart - An inductor assembly is configured to be attached in flow communication to receive a flow of product from a storage hopper of a product conveyance system. The product conveyance system includes a forced fluid source mounted thereon and operable to provide a forced fluid stream to the inductor assembly. The inductor housing includes an inlet configured to direct a first portion of the forced fluid stream in a path to engage the flow of product so as to generate the combined stream of forced fluid and product. The inductor assembly further includes multiple inductor segments, wherein each inductor segments defines at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet. One or more of the inlets may be configured to restrict air and product flow therethrough. | 11-01-2012 |
20120298024 | Method And Apparatus For Distributing Seed From A Central Source To A Plurality Of Seed Metering Units Of An Agricultural Seeding Machine - A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along a first flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a second flow path generally in-line with the first flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at a sideward flow path relative to the first and second flow paths. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an angle perpendicular to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter. | 11-29-2012 |
20120312211 | SEED DISTRIBUTION TOWER FOR AN AIR SEEDER - The seed distribution tower of an air seeder splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. As seeds enter the head of the tower in an upward vertical direction through an inlet at the bottom of the head, they are scattered 360° in a horizontal direction by an inverted, overhead distribution cone. The inlet through which the seeds enter the distribution head has an eased configuration to reduce turbulence and promote laminar flow within the head during the dramatic transition from vertical to horizontal movement. Sensitive components such as tram line valves, solenoid actuators, and blockage sensors are protectively housed within the interior of the distribution head to avoid exposure to hostile environmental elements. | 12-13-2012 |
20150107502 | SEED DISTRIBUTION TOWER WITH MODULAR COMPONENTS - The seed distribution tower of an air seeder has a distribution head that splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. The outlets through which the secondary streams exit the head are constructed as modules that can be individually installed and replaced without disassembling the entire head. Shut-off valves and/or flow sensors may or may not be incorporated into certain or all of the modules to provide optimum user flexibility. | 04-23-2015 |
20150305230 | CONDUIT SYSTEM FOR A PNEUMATIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent. | 10-29-2015 |
20160106026 | 3-WAY SEED FLOW SPLITTER FOR PLANTERS - A row crop planter has a pneumatic system for conveying seeds to individual row units employing three-way splitters above certain master row units for supplying seed to each master row unit and a pair of associated slave row units. Each three-row splitter has an upper inlet chamber of annular shape with an offset inlet coupled to a conveying hose for receiving an air entrained seed flow, and an annular passageway extending downwardly from the inlet chamber to an outlet for delivering seeds to the master unit below. A pair of laterally extending slave outlet conduits extend obliquely upward and each has a jumper hose connecting with an adjacent slave unit. The flow circulating within the annular region allows seeds to fall downwardly and air to spiral upwardly into a supplemental air conduit. An air bypass passageway conveys air flow from the supplemental air conduit toward the slave outlet conduits. | 04-21-2016 |
111176000 | Material speed reducing means | 6 |
20100107945 | Chamber for slowing particles flowing in a pneumatic conveyor conduit - A chamber apparatus for reducing the speed of particles carried in a pneumatic conveyor conduit includes a chamber with an inlet port in the chamber, the inlet port adapted for attachment to the pneumatic conveyor conduit, and an outlet port in a lower portion of the chamber. A plurality of flexible bristles is secured at ends thereof to a wall of the chamber and extend into the chamber such that particles carried in an air stream entering the inlet port contact the bristles. The chamber is configured such that particles falling inside the chamber move out of the chamber through the outlet port. | 05-06-2010 |
20110073027 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AIR FLOW THROUGH SUPPLY CONDUITS THROUGH WHICH PRODUCT ENTRAINED IN AN AIR FLOW IS PROVIDED TO MULTIPLE ON-ROW PRODUCT CONTAINERS OF AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT - The present invention provides a method and apparatus to improve seed distribution to a plurality of seed or row units of an agricultural planter. Each row unit is fitted with a seed box having an air/seed inlet and an air outlet through which air is allowed to escape. The present invention effectively closes off or substantially reduces the flow of air out of one or more of the seed boxes to reduce the amount of seed that is fed to the seed boxes. Through the use of restrictor plates, which may be vented to allow some air flow or solid to prevent air flow, the delivery of seed to the seed boxes can be equalized to provide more uniform seed distribution to the row units. | 03-31-2011 |
20120312212 | Decelerating Device for Air Conveyed Material - A material decelerating device is connected in series with a distribution tube in proximity to a material outlet in an agricultural air distribution system for decelerating conveying air which placing material into a furrow in the ground. The material decelerating includes an inlet tube connected to the distribution tube to receive material and conveying air therefrom. The inlet tube is connected at an intermediate location on a center tube of the device which exhausts the air upwardly to an exhaust opening and deposits the material downwardly through an outlet opening. A cap adjustably spans the exhaust opening to vary the amount of air exhausted. The inlet tube is inclined downwardly in alignment with a helical recessed channel within the center tube to guide material to the outlet. | 12-13-2012 |
20120325130 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AIR FLOW TO A METERING SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling air flow to a metering system is provided. One agricultural cart for distribution of an agricultural product in a field includes a metering system having a plurality of metering sections. At least one metering section is selectively controllable to not meter product while at least one other metering section is metering product. The agricultural cart also includes an air conveyance system having a blower and a conduit for producing and directing an air stream for moving the metered product toward a distribution device. The agricultural cart includes control circuitry configured to alter operation of the air conveyance system based upon whether the at least one metering section is metering or not metering product. | 12-27-2012 |
20130247803 | Air drill diffuser - A diffuser adapted to dissipate air from seed conveyed in a stream of air at a planter to an opener arm and seed boot. The diffuser provides a housing that pivotally supports a counter-weighted valve piece and a resilient valve piece. Admitted seeds are resiliently deflected between the valve pieces. Repeated deflections between the dual valve pieces and simultaneous venting of the conveying air through an associated fulcrum screen and relief ports at the housing dissipate the conveying air. Spent seed momentarily collects on a surface inside the housing and gravitationally falls from the housing and through a lower lying seed boot at a relatively uniform, singulated rate without scatter and damage to the seed. | 09-26-2013 |
20140190381 | EXHAUST WEBBING FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT TANK - A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening. | 07-10-2014 |