Integrated implement downforce control systems, methods, and apparatus

• US 9,746,007 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• 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:
  US14/868,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20160040692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 91 54, 91 59, 91423, 172637
• 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 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

an inter-row supply hose extending between said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller.

2. The downforce control system of claim 1, further including a third pressure control valve in fluid communication with said second chamber and said fourth chamber, 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 1, 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 comprising a first pressure control valve, said first downforce controller coupled to a first actuator having a first chamber;

a second downforce controller comprising a second pressure control valve, said first downforce controller coupled to a second actuator having a second chamber;

an inter-row supply hose extending between and supported by said first downforce controller and said second downforce controller, said inter-row supply hose directing fluid directly from said first pressure control valve to said second 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, further including:

an electronic controller in electrical communication with said first pressure control valve and said second 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.

10. The downforce controller of claim 9, further including a first counteracting pressure control passage, wherein said first 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 first 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 7, wherein said first pressure control valve is substantially parallel to said first actuator.

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

16. The downforce controller of claim 7, wherein said first downforce controller comprises a manifold, 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, wherein said return passage is in fluid communication with a second return passage of said second downforce controller.