Seed meter with multiple sensors for seed cell status monitoring
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring seed meter operation, the method comprising:
- operating a seed meter such that seeds contained within a seed pool region of the seed meter are transported by a seed transport member from the seed pool region to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter;
receiving, with a controller having a processor and associated memory, a timing signal from a first sensor configured to detect a parameter associated with the operation of the seed meter; and
evaluating;
with the controller, data from a second sensor located within the seed meter based on the timing signal received from the first sensor to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within one or more seed cells of the seed transport member as the seed meter is being operated to discharge seeds therefrom.
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Abstract
A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed transport member having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed transport member, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors targeting a different location within the seed meter. Each of the plurality of sensors connected to send signals to a controller that evaluates whether each seed cell passing through these locations is filled or empty.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring seed meter operation, the method comprising:
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operating a seed meter such that seeds contained within a seed pool region of the seed meter are transported by a seed transport member from the seed pool region to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter; receiving, with a controller having a processor and associated memory, a timing signal from a first sensor configured to detect a parameter associated with the operation of the seed meter; and evaluating;
with the controller, data from a second sensor located within the seed meter based on the timing signal received from the first sensor to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within one or more seed cells of the seed transport member as the seed meter is being operated to discharge seeds therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for monitoring seed meter operation, the method comprising:
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operating a seed meter such that seeds contained within a seed pool region of the seed meter are transported by a seed transport member from the seed pool region to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter; receiving, with a controller having a processor and associated memory, a timing signal providing an indication of at least one of a frequency at which seeds cells of the seed transport member pass a given location within the seed meter or a relative location of one or more of the seed cells within the seed meter; and evaluating, with the controller, data from a sensor located within the seed meter based on the timing signal to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within one or more of the seeds cells of the seed transport member as the seed meter is being operated to discharge seeds therefrom.
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13. A system for monitoring seed meter operation, the system comprising:
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a seed meter including a seed transport member configured to transport seeds from a seed pool region of the seed meter to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter, the seed transport member including a plurality of seed cells; a first sensor configured to detect a parameter associated with the operation of the seed meter; a second sensor located within the seed meter, the second sensor being separate from the first sensor; and a controller communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when implemented by the processor, configure the controller to; receive a timing signal from the first sensor as the seed meter is being operated to discharge seeds therefrom; and evaluate data from the second sensor based on the timing signal received from the first sensor to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within one or more of the seeds cells of the seed transport member as the seed meter is being operated to discharge seeds therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification