Automatic depth control system for an agricultural implement
First Claim
1. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
- a fluid control unit configured to mount to a tow vehicle;
an implement having a frame, a ground engaging tool coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging wheel configured to support the frame during operation of the implement;
a depth control cylinder fluidly coupled to the fluid control unit, wherein the depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool by varying a height of the ground engaging wheel relative to the frame; and
a sensor communicatively coupled to the fluid control unit and configured to output signals indicative of the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool;
wherein the fluid control unit is configured to automatically control fluid flow to the depth control cylinder based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth;
wherein the fluid control unit include a depth control valve configured to selectively direct pressurized fluid to a cap side of the depth control cylinder thereby adjusting the height of the frame relative to a soil surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An agricultural implement system is provided that includes an implement, and a fluid control unit configured to mount to a tow vehicle. The agricultural implement system also includes a depth control cylinder mounted to a frame of the implement and fluidly coupled to the fluid control unit. The depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the implement by varying a height of a ground engaging wheel. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the fluid control unit and configured to output signals indicative of the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool. The fluid control unit is configured to automatically control fluid flow to the depth control cylinder based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
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a fluid control unit configured to mount to a tow vehicle; an implement having a frame, a ground engaging tool coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging wheel configured to support the frame during operation of the implement; a depth control cylinder fluidly coupled to the fluid control unit, wherein the depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool by varying a height of the ground engaging wheel relative to the frame; and a sensor communicatively coupled to the fluid control unit and configured to output signals indicative of the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool; wherein the fluid control unit is configured to automatically control fluid flow to the depth control cylinder based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth; wherein the fluid control unit include a depth control valve configured to selectively direct pressurized fluid to a cap side of the depth control cylinder thereby adjusting the height of the frame relative to a soil surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
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a depth control valve configured to mount to a tow vehicle; a controller configured to mount to the tow vehicle and communicatively coupled to the depth control valve; an implement having a frame, a ground engaging tool coupled to the frame, and a ground engaging wheel configured to support the frame during operation of the implement; a depth control cylinder mounted to the frame and fluidly coupled to the depth control valve, wherein the depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of the ground engaging tool by varying a height of the ground engaging wheel relative to the frame, and the depth control valve is configured to control fluid flow to the depth control cylinder; and a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to output signals indicative of the penetration depth of the ground engaging tool; wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust the depth control valve based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth; wherein the controller include a depth control valve configured to selectively direct pressurized fluid to a cap side of the depth control cylinder thereby adjusting the height of the frame relative to a soil surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
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a plurality of depth control valves configured to mount to a tow vehicle; a controller configured to mount to the tow vehicle and communicatively coupled to the plurality of depth control valves; an implement having a plurality of frame sections, wherein each frame section includes a ground engaging tool coupled to the frame section, an elevation of each frame section relative to a soil surface is independently adjustable, and each frame section includes a ground engaging wheel configured to support the frame section during operation of the implement; a plurality of depth control cylinders, wherein each depth control cylinder is in fluid communication with a respective depth control valve, each depth control cylinder is mounted to a respective frame section, each depth control cylinder is configured to adjust a penetration depth of a respective ground engaging tool by varying a height of a respective ground engaging wheel relative to the respective frame section, and each depth control valve is configured to control fluid flow to the respective depth control cylinder; and a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to output signals indicative of the respective penetration depth of each ground engaging tool; wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust each depth control valve based on the signals to maintain a user-selectable penetration depth; wherein the fluid control unit include a depth control valve configured to selectively direct pressured fluid to a cap side of the depth control cylinder thereby adjusting the height of the frame relative to a soil surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification