SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT TRENCH DEPTH CONTROL AND SOIL MONITORING
First Claim
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1. A control and monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
- a depth control actuator associated with at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to adjust a depth of a trench opened by the at least one of the plurality of row units;
a seed firmer having a lower portion resiliently contacting a bottom of said trench and capable of firming seeds into the bottom of said trench;
a soil temperature sensor associated with the at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to measure soil temperature at a lower portion of said trench, wherein said soil temperature sensor is mounted to said seed firmer and is in contact with said lower portion of said trench; and
a processor in electrical communication with said depth control actuator and said soil temperature sensor, said depth control actuator responsive to said processor to modify said depth of said trench based on said measured soil temperature.
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties including soil moisture and soil temperature during an agricultural input application. Embodiments include a soil moisture sensor and/or a soil temperature sensor mounted to a seed firmer for measuring moisture and temperature in a planting trench. Additionally, systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting depth based on the monitored soil properties.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control and monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
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a depth control actuator associated with at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to adjust a depth of a trench opened by the at least one of the plurality of row units; a seed firmer having a lower portion resiliently contacting a bottom of said trench and capable of firming seeds into the bottom of said trench; a soil temperature sensor associated with the at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to measure soil temperature at a lower portion of said trench, wherein said soil temperature sensor is mounted to said seed firmer and is in contact with said lower portion of said trench; and a processor in electrical communication with said depth control actuator and said soil temperature sensor, said depth control actuator responsive to said processor to modify said depth of said trench based on said measured soil temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A control and monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
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a depth control actuator associated with at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to adjust a depth of a trench opened by the at least one of the plurality of row units; a seed firmer having a lower portion resiliently contacting a bottom of said trench and capable of firming seeds into the bottom of said trench; a soil moisture sensor associated with the at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to measure soil moisture at a lower portion of said trench, wherein said soil moisture sensor is mounted to said seed firmer and is in contact with said lower portion of said trench; and a processor in electrical communication with said depth control actuator and said soil moisture sensor, said depth control actuator responsive to said processor to modify said depth of said trench based on said measured soil moisture. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
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a soil temperature sensor associated with at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to measure a soil temperature at a lower portion of a trench opened by the at least one of the plurality row units; a processor in electrical communication with said soil temperature sensor; a display in electrical communication with said processor, said display displaying said measured soil temperature; and a seed firmer disposed to firm seeds in said trench, a lower portion of said seed firmer resiliently contacting a bottom of said trench and capable of firming seeds into the bottom of said trench, wherein said soil temperature sensor is mounted to said seed firmer and is in contact with a lower portion of said trench. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units, comprising:
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a soil moisture sensor associated with at least one of the plurality of row units and configured to measure soil moisture at a lower portion of a trench opened by the at least one of the plurality of row units; a processor in electrical communication with said soil moisture sensor; a display in electrical communication with said processor, said display displaying said measured soil moisture; and a seed firmer disposed to firm seeds in said trench, a lower portion of said seed firmer resiliently contacting a bottom of said trench and capable of firming seeds into the bottom of said trench, wherein said soil moisture sensor is mounted to said seed firmer and is in contact with a lower portion of said trench. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification