Tuning orifice for pneumatic metering manifold

• US 6,308,646 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Luxon, Gary Deloy
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson, Victor
• Application Number:
  US09/528,691
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 111/170, 111/174, 111/175, 111/176, 111/177, 111/200, 138/40, 138/44, 221/211, 221/311, 221/312.R, 222/171, 222/172, 222/617, 222/212, 222/537, 222/547, 222/564
• US Class Current: 111/175
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/042 using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/046 with perforated seeding discs
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means

Abstract

A seeding machine is provided with a frame having a plurality of pneumatic seed meters. An air pump located on the frame supplies air pressure to a pneumatic manifold. The pneumatic manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the seed meters by air hoses. Pneumatic orifices are pneumatically positioned between the pneumatic manifold and the portion of the seed meters closest to the air pump.

Claims

1. A seeding machine for planting seeds in a field, the seeding machine comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of seed meters coupled to the frame;

an air pump for generating air pressure is coupled to the frame and in pneumatic communication with a pneumatic manifold that is also mounted to the frame;

an air hose extends between the pneumatic manifold and the seed meter for directing air pressure to the seed meter;

a number of pneumatic orifices are pneumatically positioned between the pneumatic manifold and a portion of the seed meters, each of the pneumatic orifices has a restricted passage.

2. A seeding machine as defined by claim 1 wherein the pneumatic orifices are positioned in pneumatic communication with the portion of the seed meters pneumatically closest to the air pump.

3. A seeding machine as defined by claim 2 wherein the air pump generates a negative air pressure in the form of a vacuum that is directed to the pneumatic manifold.

4. A seeding machine as defined by claim 3 wherein the pneumatic manifold orifices are pneumatically positioned between the air hose and the pneumatic manifold.

5. A seeding machine as defined by claim 4 wherein the pneumatic manifold is provided with radially extending tube stubs that are coupled to the air hose.

6. A seeding machine as defined by claim 5 wherein each pneumatic orifice has a sleeve portion having an external surface and a cover portion having the restricted passage.

7. A seeding machine as defined by claim 6 wherein the radially extending tube stubs of the pneumatic manifold having an internal surface which engages the external surface of the pneumatic orifice when the orifice is mounted to the pneumatic manifold.

8. A seeding machine as defined by claim 7 wherein the seed meter is part of a row crop planting unit having a furrow opener and a seed hopper.