Creating slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A drip line placement system comprising:
- a computer for interpreting a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed, wherein the drip line prescription relates to slot spacing for the drip line and position in the field;
a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with the computer and configured for determining a position of the drip line placement system; and
an agricultural implement communicatively coupled with the computer, the agricultural implement comprising;
two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line;
a tool bar supporting the two or more spindles, wherein the tool bar facilitates adjusting placement of the two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line;
a slotting mechanism for cutting slots in the drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line as determined based on the position of the drip line placement system determined using the GNSS receiver; and
a slotting actuator for actuating the slotting mechanism, wherein actuation of the slotting actuator is controlled by the computer following a slot spacing prescribed for the position of the drip line placement system in the drip line prescription.
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Abstract
An agricultural implement that includes a slotting mechanism and a slotting actuator is provided. The slotting mechanism is for cutting slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line. The slotting actuator is for actuating the slotting mechanism. The actuating is controlled by a computer following a slot spacing in a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A drip line placement system comprising:
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a computer for interpreting a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed, wherein the drip line prescription relates to slot spacing for the drip line and position in the field; a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with the computer and configured for determining a position of the drip line placement system; and an agricultural implement communicatively coupled with the computer, the agricultural implement comprising; two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line; a tool bar supporting the two or more spindles, wherein the tool bar facilitates adjusting placement of the two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line; a slotting mechanism for cutting slots in the drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line as determined based on the position of the drip line placement system determined using the GNSS receiver; and a slotting actuator for actuating the slotting mechanism, wherein actuation of the slotting actuator is controlled by the computer following a slot spacing prescribed for the position of the drip line placement system in the drip line prescription. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for placing a drip line in a field, the method comprising:
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determining global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positions of an agricultural vehicle based on data received from a GNSS receiver associated with the agricultural vehicle as the agricultural vehicle moves through the field; calculating, performed by a hardware processor of a computer, a drip line prescription for the field, wherein the drip line prescription relates to slot spacing for the drip line and position in the field; interpreting the drip line prescription to identify slotting mechanism positions based on the GNSS positions and a model of the agricultural vehicle coupled with an agricultural implement, wherein the agricultural implement comprises; two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line; a tool bar supporting the two or more spindles, wherein the tool bar facilitates adjusting placement of the two or more spindles for each holding respective spools of drip line; a slotting mechanism for cutting slots in the drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line as determined based on the GNSS positions; and a slotting actuator for actuating the slotting mechanism, wherein actuation of the slotting actuator follows a slot spacing prescribed for the GNSS positions in the drip line prescription; creating slots in the drip line in real time according to the drip line prescription based on positions of the agricultural vehicle as determined using the GNSS receiver; and placing the drip line in the field. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification