Integrated implement downforce control systems, methods, and apparatus

• US 9,144,189 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2013
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Planting LLC (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Stoller, Jason, Levy, Kent, Swanson, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazo, Thomas E
• Application Number:
  US13/951,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20140026748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 91/54, 91/59, 914/23, 172/637
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/062 Devices for making drills or furrows
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 5/064 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/205 comprising pressure regulation means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/20 Other details , e.g. assembly with regulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/204 Control means for piston speed or actuating force without external control, e.g. control valve inside the piston F15B11/02, F15B15/22 take precedence

Abstract

A downforce controller for an agricultural implement having a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder is configured to be coupled to an agricultural row unit and an agricultural toolbar for transmitting a net downforce between the agricultural toolbar and the agricultural row unit. A first pressure in a first chamber of the cylinder and a second pressure in a second chamber of the cylinder have counteracting effects on the net downforce. A manifold coupled to the cylinder is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A pressure control valve coupled to the manifold is in fluid communication with the manifold and the first chamber.

Claims

1. A downforce control system for an agricultural implement, comprising:

a first downforce controller including a first pressure control valve housed in a first manifold, said first manifold coupled to a first actuator having a first chamber and a second chamber, said first pressure control valve in fluid communication with said first chamber;

a second downforce controller including a second pressure control valve housed in a second manifold, said second manifold coupled to a second actuator having a third chamber and a fourth chamber, said second pressure control valve in fluid communication with said third chamber; and

a third pressure control valve in fluid communication with said second chamber and said fourth chamber.

2. The downforce control system of claim 1, wherein said third pressure control valve is mounted apart from said first downforce controller and apart from said second downforce controller.

3. The downforce control system of claim 2, further including an inter-row supply hose extending between said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller, wherein said inter-row supply hose is supported at a first end by said first downforce controller, and wherein said inter-row supply hose is supported at a second end by said second downforce controller.

4. The downforce control system of claim 3, wherein said inter-row supply hose is in fluid communication with said first pressure control valve and said second pressure control valve.

5. The downforce control system of claim 4, further including a second hose extending between said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller, wherein said second hose is supported at a first end by said first downforce controller, and wherein said second hose is supported at a second end by said second downforce controller, and wherein said second hose is in fluid communication with said second chamber and said fourth chamber.

6. The downforce control system of claim 5, wherein said first pressure control valve is supported by said first manifold, and wherein said second pressure control valve is supported by said second manifold.

7. A downforce controller for an agricultural implement, comprising:

a first downforce controller including a first manifold mounted to and in fluid communication with a first pressure control valve, said first manifold coupled to a first actuator having a first chamber and a second chamber, said first pressure control valve in fluid communication with said first chamber;

a second downforce controller including a second manifold mounted to and in fluid communication with a second pressure control valve, said second manifold coupled to a second actuator having a third chamber and a fourth chamber, said second pressure control valve in fluid communication with said third chamber;

a third pressure control valve in fluid communication with said second chamber and said fourth chamber; and

an electronic controller in electrical communication with said first pressure control valve, said second pressure control valve and said third pressure control valve, said electronic controller configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said first pressure control valve, said electronic controller configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said second pressure control valve, said electronic controller configured to generate a third signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said third pressure control valve.

8. The downforce controller of claim 7, wherein said first pressure control valve is configured to maintain any one of a continuous range of pressures in said first chamber.

9. The downforce controller of claim 8, wherein said manifold includes a counteracting pressure control passage in fluid communication with said second chamber.

10. The downforce controller of claim 9, wherein said counteracting pressure control passage is in fluid communication with a counteracting pressure control valve, wherein said first pressure control valve is mounted to a first row unit of the implement, wherein said second pressure control valve is mounted to a second row unit of the implement, and wherein said counteracting pressure control valve is mounted apart from said first row unit and said second row unit.

11. The downforce controller of claim 10, wherein said counteracting control passage is in fluid communication with a second counteracting pressure control passage of a second downforce controller, and further including an inter-row counteracting pressure hose extending between the first downforce controller and the second downforce controller, said inter-row counteracting pressure hose being supported by said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller.

12. The downforce controller of claim 11, wherein said pressure control valve and said counteracting pressure control valve are in electronic communication with an electronic controller, said electronic controller being configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said first pressure control valve, said electronic controller configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said counteracting pressure control valve.

13. The downforce controller of claim 10, wherein said pressure control valve and said counteracting pressure control valve are in electronic communication with an electronic controller, said electronic controller configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said first pressure control valve, said electronic controller configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a desired pressure in said counteracting pressure control valve.

14. The downforce controller of claim 13, wherein said first pressure control valve is substantially parallel to said first actuator.

15. The downforce controller of claim 7, wherein said pressure control valve comprises a supply port, a return port, and a control port, and wherein said pressure control valve is configured to establish a desired pressure at said control port.

16. The downforce controller of claim 15, wherein said manifold includes a supply passage in fluid communication with said supply port, and wherein said manifold includes a return passage in fluid communication with said return port.

17. The downforce controller of claim 16, wherein said manifold includes a control passage in fluid communication with said control port, said control passage being in fluid communication with said first chamber.

18. The downforce controller of claim 17, wherein said supply passage is in fluid communication with a second supply passage of a second downforce controller, said first downforce controller being coupled to a first row unit, and said second downforce controller being coupled to a second row unit.

19. The downforce controller of claim 18, further including an inter-row supply hose extending between and supported by said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller.

20. The downforce controller of claim 18, wherein said return passage is in fluid communication with a second return passage of said second downforce controller.

21. The downforce controller of claim 15, wherein said pressure control valve is supported by said manifold.

22. A downforce controller for a planter row unit, comprising:

a hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to the planter row unit; and

a manifold mounted to said hydraulic actuator;

a pressure control valve in fluid communication with said manifold, wherein said pressure control valve is supported by the planter row unit.

23. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said hydraulic actuator includes a down chamber, wherein increased pressure in said down chamber increases said force applied by said hydraulic actuator to the planter row unit.

24. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said pressure control valve is configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force.

25. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said pressure control valve is in fluid communication with said manifold, said pressure control valve coupled to said hydraulic actuator and configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force.

26. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said pressure control valve is in fluid communication with said manifold, said pressure control valve mounted directly to said manifold and configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force.

27. The downforce controller of claim 22 wherein said pressure control valve is in fluid communication with said manifold, and further comprising:

a valve controller configured to modify an operating state of said pressure control valve, said valve controller in electronic communication with processing circuitry for receiving a command signal, and said valve controller being attached to said pressure control valve.

28. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said hydraulic actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a lift force to the row unit, and wherein said hydraulic actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a down force to the planter row unit.

29. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said manifold includes a supply passage, a return passage, and a control passage.

30. The downforce controller of claim 22 wherein said pressure control valve includes a supply port, a return port, and a control port, said pressure control valve mounted to said manifold and coupled to said hydraulic actuator, said pressure control valve being adjacent to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said manifold includes a supply passage, a return passage, and a control passage, wherein said supply passage is in fluid communication with said supply port, wherein said return passage is in fluid communication with said return port, and wherein said control passage is in fluid communication with said control port.

31. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein said manifold is in fluid communication with a pressure supply, and wherein said pressure supply is in fluid communication with a second manifold, said second manifold mounted to a second hydraulic actuator, said second hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to a second planter row unit.

32. The downforce controller of claim 22, wherein the planter row unit includes a pair of trench opening discs configured to open a trench, a seed meter configured to deposit seeds into said trench, and a closing system configured to close said trench.

33. The downforce controller of claim 22, further including:

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit, said force sensor configured to generate a signal related to downforce applied by said hydraulic actuator to the planter row unit.

34. The downforce controller of claim 22, further including:

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit, said force sensor configured to generate a signal related to a ground force between the planter row unit and the soil, wherein said force sensor is in electrical communication with a monitor, said monitor configured to display said ground force.

35. The downforce controller of claim 22 wherein said pressure control valve is coupled to said hydraulic actuator and configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force, and further comprising:

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit, said force sensor configured to generate a signal related to a ground force between the planter row unit and the soil, wherein said force sensor is in electrical communication with a monitor, said monitor in electrical communication with said pressure control valve, said monitor configured to modify a control signal sent to said pressure control valve in order to modify said force.

36. A downforce controller for a planter row unit, comprising:

a hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to the planter row unit;

a manifold directly physically coupled to said hydraulic actuator; and

a pressure control valve in fluid communication with said manifold, wherein said pressure control valve is supported by the planter row unit.

37. The downforce controller of claim 36, wherein said actuator includes a down chamber, wherein increased pressure in said down chamber increases said force applied by said hydraulic actuator to the planter row unit.

38. The downforce controller of claim 37 wherein said pressure control valve is configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force.

39. The downforce controller of claim 38, wherein said pressure control valve is mounted to said manifold.

40. The downforce controller of claim 39, wherein said pressure control valve is indirectly coupled to said hydraulic actuator.

41. The downforce controller of claim 40, further including:

a valve controller configured to modify an operating state of said pressure control valve, said valve controller in electronic communication with processing circuitry for receiving a command signal, said valve controller being attached to said pressure control valve.

42. The downforce controller of claim 41, wherein said actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a lift force to the planter row unit, and wherein said hydraulic actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a down force to the planter row unit.

43. The downforce controller of claim 41, wherein said manifold includes a supply passage, a return passage, and a control passage.

44. The downforce controller of claim 43 wherein said pressure control valve includes a supply port, a return port, and a control port, said pressure control valve mounted to said manifold and coupled to said actuator, said pressure control valve being adjacent to said actuator, wherein said supply passage is in fluid communication with said supply port, wherein said return passage is in fluid communication with said return port, and wherein said control passage is in fluid communication with said control port.

45. The downforce controller of claim 44, wherein said manifold is in fluid communication with a pressure supply, and wherein said pressure supply is in fluid communication with a second manifold, said second manifold mounted to a second hydraulic actuator, said second hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to a second planter row unit.

46. The downforce controller of claim 44, wherein the planter row unit includes a pair of trench opening discs configured to open a trench, a seed meter configured to deposit seeds into said trench, and a closing system configured to close said trench.

47. The downforce controller of claim 46, further including:

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit, said force sensor configured to generate a signal related to downforce applied by said hydraulic actuator to the planter row unit.

48. The downforce controller of claim 47, further including:

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit and configured to generate a signal related to a ground force between the planter row unit and the soil, wherein said force sensor is in electrical communication with a monitor, said monitor configured to display said ground force.

49. The downforce controller of claim 48 wherein said pressure control valve is coupled to said hydraulic actuator and configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force;

and further comprising;

a force sensor mounted to the planter row unit, said force sensor configured to generate a signal related to a ground force between the planter row unit and the soil, wherein said force sensor is in electrical communication with a monitor, said monitor in electrical communication with said pressure control valve, said monitor configured to modify a control signal sent to said pressure control valve in order to modify said force.

58. The downforce controller of claim 44, wherein said manifold is in fluid communication with a pressure supply, and wherein said pressure supply is in fluid communication with a second manifold, said second manifold mounted to a second hydraulic actuator, said second hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to a second planter row unit, wherein a second pressure control valve is coupled to said second manifold and is in fluid communication with said second hydraulic actuator.

50. A downforce controller for a planter row unit, comprising:

a hydraulic actuator configured to apply a force to the planter row unit;

a manifold mounted to said actuator; and

a pressure control valve in fluid communication with said manifold, said pressure control valve is supported by the planter row unit, said pressure control valve configured to modify a pressure in said hydraulic actuator in order to modify said force.

51. The downforce controller of claim 50, wherein said hydraulic actuator includes a down chamber, wherein increased pressure in said down chamber increases said force applied by said hydraulic actuator to the planter row unit.

52. The downforce controller of claim 51, further including:

a valve controller, said valve controller configured to modify an operating state of said pressure control valve, said valve controller in electronic communication with processing circuitry for receiving a command signal, said valve controller being attached to said pressure control valve.

53. The downforce controller of claim 52, wherein said hydraulic actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a lift force to the row unit, and wherein said hydraulic actuator is configured to modify said force in order to apply a down force to the planter row unit.

54. The downforce controller of claim 53, further including:

a manifold directly mounted to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said pressure control valve is mounted to said manifold.

55. The downforce controller of claim 54, wherein the planter row unit includes a pair of trench opening discs configured to open a trench, a seed meter configured to deposit seeds into said trench, and a closing system configured to close said trench.

56. The downforce controller of claim 55, wherein said manifold includes a first input passage, a second input passage, and a control passage.

57. The downforce controller of claim 56, further including:

a pressure control valve, said pressure control valve including a first input port, a second input port, and a control port, wherein said first input passage is in fluid communication with said first input port, wherein said second input passage is in fluid communication with said second input port, and wherein said control passage is in fluid communication with said control port.