Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of measuring actual depth of a trench opened in a soil surface of a field by an opening disc of agricultural row unit, the agricultural row unit including a gauge wheel, the gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to a frame of the agricultural row unit, a depth adjustment assembly having a plurality of selectable positions, each of the selectable positions establishing a selected trench depth by limiting an amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel relative to the opening disc, the method of measuring the actual trench depth comprising:
- as the agricultural row unit traverses the field with the depth adjustment assembly in one of the selectable trench depth positions, generating a trench depth signal related to an actual trench depth opened in the soil surface by the opening disc;
determining a measured trench depth value based on said trench depth signal;
determining a location of the agricultural row unit in the field based on a GPS signal;
associating said measured trench depth value with said location; and
generating a trench depth map spatially relating a plurality of locations in the field with the measured trench depth at each of said plurality of locations.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of measuring actual depth of a trench opened in a soil surface of a field by an opening disc of agricultural row unit, the agricultural row unit including a gauge wheel, the gauge wheel supported by a gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to a frame of the agricultural row unit, a depth adjustment assembly having a plurality of selectable positions, each of the selectable positions establishing a selected trench depth by limiting an amount of upward travel of the gauge wheel relative to the opening disc, the method of measuring the actual trench depth comprising:
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as the agricultural row unit traverses the field with the depth adjustment assembly in one of the selectable trench depth positions, generating a trench depth signal related to an actual trench depth opened in the soil surface by the opening disc; determining a measured trench depth value based on said trench depth signal; determining a location of the agricultural row unit in the field based on a GPS signal; associating said measured trench depth value with said location; and generating a trench depth map spatially relating a plurality of locations in the field with the measured trench depth at each of said plurality of locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification