Integrated implement downforce control systems, methods, and apparatus

• US 10,443,631 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2018
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Stoller, Jason, Levy, Kent, Swanson, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazo, Thomas E
• Application Number:
  US15/883,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20180163752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/20 Other details , e.g. assembly with regulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/204 Control means for piston speed or actuating force without external control, e.g. control valve inside the piston F15B11/02, F15B15/22 take precedence

Abstract

A downforce controller for an agricultural implement having a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder is configured to be coupled to an agricultural row unit and an agricultural toolbar for transmitting a net downforce between the agricultural toolbar and the agricultural row unit. A first pressure in the first chamber of the cylinder and a second pressure in the second chamber of the cylinder having counteracting effects on the net downforce. A manifold coupled to the cylinder is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A pressure control valve supported by the manifold is in fluid communication with the manifold and the first chamber.

Claims

1. A method for verifying operation of a pressure control valve on an agricultural implement, the agricultural implement having (i) a toolbar;

(ii) a plurality of row units mounted to the toolbar;

(iii) a controller; and

(iv) a fluid control system disposed on each of the plurality of row units, the fluid control system including a down pressure control valve and a lift pressure control valve;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) via the controller, setting each said row unit'"'"'s down pressure control valve to a zero pressure or a substantially zero pressure;

(b) via the controller, setting each said row unit'"'"'s lift pressure control valve at a lift pressure to cause each said row unit to raise;

(c) confirming each said row unit is raised;

(d) via the controller, setting each said row unit'"'"'s down pressure control valve at a down pressure sufficient to counteract said lift pressure to cause each said row unit to lower; and

(e) confirming each said row unit is lowered.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of row units includes a downforce sensor and wherein step (c) includes comparing a force measured by said downforce sensor of each said row unit to a threshold value to confirm each said row unit is raised.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (e) includes comparing a force measured by said downforce sensor of each said row unit to said threshold value to confirm each said row unit is lowered.

4. A method for verifying operation of a pressure control valve on an agricultural implement, the agricultural implement having (i) a toolbar;

(ii) a plurality of row units mounted to the toolbar;

(iii) a controller; and

(iv) a fluid control system disposed on each of the plurality of row units, the fluid control system including a down pressure control valve and a lift pressure control valve;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) via the controller, setting each said row unit'"'"'s lift pressure control valve to a lift pressure to cause each said row unit to raise;

(b) via the controller, setting each said row unit'"'"'s down pressure control valve to a down pressure sufficient to cause each said row unit to lower;

(c) confirming that each said row unit is not raised;

(d) via the controller, reducing said down pressure of each said row unit'"'"'s down pressure control valve such that each said row unit raises; and

(e) confirming that each said row unit is raised.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of row units includes a downforce sensor and wherein step (c) includes comparing a force measured by said downforce sensor of each said row unit to a threshold value to confirm each said row unit is raised.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (e) includes comparing a force measured by said downforce sensor of each said row unit to said threshold value to confirm each said row unit is lowered.