Microwave seed sensor for field seed planter
First Claim
1. In a seed planter including a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds, said seed hopper having a seed outlet, seed delivery means connected with said seed outlet for delivering seeds therefrom to the ground to be planted, and means connected with said seed delivery means for sensing seeds being delivered thereby and providing signal means in response thereto, wherein said last-mentioned means comprise:
- means forming a confined path of travel for seeds, a source of microwave energy positioned for directing microwave energy in said confined path of travel for seeds, means for substantially confining microwave energy to a predetermined portion of said confined path of travel and said microwave source including microwave detector means for detecting a disturbance in said microwave energy due to the passage of a seed along said predetermined portion of said confined path of travel to provide said signal means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A seed planting apparatus comprises a mobile planting machine to be connected to a tractor or similar vehicle, and having a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds to be planted. A seed outlet on the hopper feeds a seed dispensing apparatus for delivering seeds to the ground to be planted. A microwave seed sensing apparatus is disposed in a path of travel for seeds discharged from the hopper for detecting the seeds and producing an observable indication to the operator of the presence of seeds in the path of travel. The seed planting apparatus may also include magnetic seed treatment apparatus. The microwave sensing apparatus may therefore be connected in a control circuit for actuating the magnetic field in response to the presence of seeds and for producing an indication to an operator of the passage of seeds.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a seed planter including a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds, said seed hopper having a seed outlet, seed delivery means connected with said seed outlet for delivering seeds therefrom to the ground to be planted, and means connected with said seed delivery means for sensing seeds being delivered thereby and providing signal means in response thereto, wherein said last-mentioned means comprise:
- means forming a confined path of travel for seeds, a source of microwave energy positioned for directing microwave energy in said confined path of travel for seeds, means for substantially confining microwave energy to a predetermined portion of said confined path of travel and said microwave source including microwave detector means for detecting a disturbance in said microwave energy due to the passage of a seed along said predetermined portion of said confined path of travel to provide said signal means.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a seed planter, the combination comprising:
- a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds and having a seed outlet;
seed delivery means connected with said seed outlet for delivering seeds to the ground to be planted;
magnetic seed treatment means including means forming a confined path of travel for seeds prior to delivery thereof to the ground to be planted, and means selectively energizable for producing a magnetic field in a predetermined portion of said confined path of travel for inducing magnetism in said seeds; and
control means, including microwave detector means, operable in response to movement of seeds along a portion of said confined path of travel prior to said predetermined portion, for energizing said magnetic field producing means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds and having a seed outlet;
Specification