In-ground seed spacing monitoring system for use in an agricultural seeder
First Claim
1. A row crop unit for use in an agricultural seeder for planting seeds in soil, said row crop unit comprising:
- a furrow opener for opening a furrow in the soil;
a seed metering system for metering seed to be placed in the furrow;
a seed placement system for placing seeds in the furrow, said seed placement system and said seed metering system being in communication with each other and at least in part defining a seed travel path associated with the furrow;
a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow with soil;
a seed temperature conditioner associated with said seed travel path for varying a temperature of seed traveling through said seed travel path; and
a temperature sensitive sensor positioned to sense seed which has been deposited in the furrow between the furrow opener and the furrow closer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A row crop unit for use in an agricultural seeder includes a furrow opener for opening a furrow in the soil, a seed metering system for metering seed to be placed in the furrow, and a seed placement system for placing seeds in the furrow. The seed placement system and the seed metering system are in communication with each other and at least in part define a seed travel path associated with the furrow. A furrow closer covers the seed in the furrow with soil. A seed temperature conditioner is associated with the seed travel path for varying a temperature of seed traveling through the seed travel path. A temperature sensitive sensor is positioned to sense seed which has been deposited in the furrow between the furrow opener and the furrow closer. An optional packaging tube holds a temperature sensor or sensor array. A lens is mounted with the same tube. A larger diameter tube may be positioned around the sensor packaging tube. A positive air pressure/air flow may be introduced between the two tubes. This positive air-flow forms a positive pressure and/or air flow barrier to push dust away from the sensor lens or sensor surface.
50 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A row crop unit for use in an agricultural seeder for planting seeds in soil, said row crop unit comprising:
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a furrow opener for opening a furrow in the soil; a seed metering system for metering seed to be placed in the furrow; a seed placement system for placing seeds in the furrow, said seed placement system and said seed metering system being in communication with each other and at least in part defining a seed travel path associated with the furrow; a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow with soil; a seed temperature conditioner associated with said seed travel path for varying a temperature of seed traveling through said seed travel path; and a temperature sensitive sensor positioned to sense seed which has been deposited in the furrow between the furrow opener and the furrow closer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An agricultural seeder for planting seeds in soil, said seeder comprising:
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a tool bar; and at least one row crop unit coupled with said tool bar, each said row crop unit including; a furrow opener for opening a furrow in the soil; a seed metering system for metering seed to be placed in the furrow; a seed placement system for placing seeds in the furrow, said seed placement system and said seed metering system being in communication with each other and at least in part defining a seed travel path associated with the furrow; a furrow closer to cover the seed in the furrow with soil; a seed temperature conditioner associated with said seed travel path for varying a temperature of seed traveling through said seed travel path; and a temperature sensitive sensor positioned to sense seed which has been deposited in the furrow between the furrow opener and the furrow closer.
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21. A seed spacing detection method for detecting seed spacing of seeds placed in a furrow by a seeder, said method comprising the steps of:
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opening a furrow in the soil; metering seed to be deposited in the furrow; varying a temperature of the seed prior to being deposited in the furrow; placing the metered seed in the furrow; and detecting seed in the furrow before the seed is covered with soil using a temperature sensitive sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification