Agricultural implement metering system and method

• US 9,591,800 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Kowalchuk, Trevor Lawrence, Engel, Gordon Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US14/547,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20160135359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 111174-178
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/102 Regulating or controlling the seed rate
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/105 Seed sensors

Abstract

One embodiment describes an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies that each excavates a trench into soil and deposits a granular product into the trench as the agricultural implement is towed though a field; and a first tool meter coupled to the agricultural implement and pneumatically coupled to a first portion of the plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies. The first tool meter instructs a pneumatic distribution system to supply the granular product to the first tool meter based at least in part on a first amount of granular product stored in the first tool meter; and pneumatically distributes the granular product to the first portion of the plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies.

Claims

1. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies each configured to excavate a trench into soil and to deposit a granular product into the trench as the agricultural implement is towed though a field;

a first tool meter coupled to a tool frame of the agricultural implement and pneumatically coupled to a first number of ground engaging opener assemblies of the plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies, wherein the first tool meter is configured to;

instruct a pneumatic distribution system to supply the granular product to the first tool meter based at least in part on a first amount of the granular product stored in the first tool meter; and

pneumatically distribute the granular product to the first number of ground engaging opener assemblies; and

a second tool meter coupled to the tool frame and pneumatically coupled to a second number of ground engaging opener assemblies of the plurality of ground engaging opener assemblies, wherein the second number of ground engaging opener assemblies is different from the first number of ground engaging opener assemblies, and the second tool meter is configured to;

instruct the pneumatic distribution system to supply the granular product to the second tool meter based at least in part on a second amount of the granular product stored in the second tool meter; and

pneumatically distribute the granular product to the second number of ground engaging opener assemblies.

2. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein:

the first tool meter comprises a first opening assembly, wherein the first opening assembly comprises a first screened opening configured to enable a first air stream carrying the granular product from the pneumatic distribution system to the first tool meter at a first rate to exit the first tool meter; and

the second tool meter comprises a second opening assembly, wherein the second opening assembly comprises a second screened opening configured to enable a second air stream carrying the granular product from the pneumatic distribution system to the second tool meter at a second rate to exit the second tool meter;

wherein the second rate and the first rate are different from one another to enable the first tool meter to supply the granular product to the first number of ground engaging opener assemblies and the second tool meter to supply the granular product to the second number of ground engaging opener assemblies.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the granular product comprises seeds, dry fertilizer, or a mixture thereof.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein:

the first number of ground engaging opener assemblies is greater than the second number of ground engaging opener assemblies; and

distribution of the granular product from the pneumatic distribution system is biased toward the first tool meter compared to the second tool.