U.S. patent application number 11/934242 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for method of operating a planter for planting seeds in a field for experimental purposes.
This patent application is currently assigned to GARY W. CLEM, INC.. Invention is credited to Brian W. Carr, Curtis R. Hammer, Andrew G. Jenkins, Nick Merfeld, Scott A. Sporrer, Marcus D. Woster.
Application Number | 20090118910 11/934242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40588967 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090118910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carr; Brian W. ; et
al. |
May 7, 2009 |
METHOD OF OPERATING A PLANTER FOR PLANTING SEEDS IN A FIELD FOR
EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSES
Abstract
A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics are
input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A
distance measuring device associated with the controller senses
ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed
information to the controller. The controller then automatically
adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter
mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve
the input plot characteristics.
Inventors: |
Carr; Brian W.; (Nevada,
IA) ; Jenkins; Andrew G.; (Nevada, IA) ;
Hammer; Curtis R.; (Nevada, IA) ; Sporrer; Scott
A.; (Nevada, IA) ; Merfeld; Nick; (Nevada,
IA) ; Woster; Marcus D.; (Roland, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZARLEY LAW FIRM P.L.C.
CAPITAL SQUARE, 400 LOCUST, SUITE 200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2350
US
|
Assignee: |
GARY W. CLEM, INC.
Nevada
IA
|
Family ID: |
40588967 |
Appl. No.: |
11/934242 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 21/005 20130101;
A01B 79/005 20130101; A01C 14/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/50 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a planter for planting seed in a field for
experimental purposes, comprising the steps of: inputting plot
characteristics into a controller associated with a planter;
sensing ground speed and distance traveled by the planter, and
transmitting the sensed information to the controller; and
automatically adjusting the seed metering unit to maintain alley
alignment based upon the sensed information and the inputted plot
characteristics.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of
automatically adjusting vacuum pressure of a row planter based upon
a comparison of a sensed vacuum pressure and a predetermined vacuum
pressure.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of diagnosing
an error based on sensed information as compared to predetermined
information.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of creating an
error report file.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of activating
an alarm based upon the determination of the error.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of graphically
displaying seed group location within a planter system.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing
field mapping information to the controller to automatically change
plot characteristics during planting.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the plot characteristics are
selected from a group consisting of trip distance, alley length,
seed count, and set back.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed toward a method of operating a
planter and more specifically a method of operating a planter for
planting seeds in a field for experimental purposes.
[0002] Planters for seed research plots are used to plant seeds
from different seed groups in a short row segment. Presently a
control system is used to assist in planting research plots that is
difficult to calibrate for accuracy and is limited in the
information that is stored. For example, to calibrate existing
planters an operator inputs various planting characteristics into
the controller such as plot and alley length and the number of
cells on a plate. The operator then performs a test run and makes
observations as to whether the plot start and stop points are the
same as those desired. Based on the observations the operator
adjusts the information that is input into the controller to
compensate for the acceleration and deceleration of the seed plate
as it relates to the ground speed of the planter. This process is
repeated until the desired plot and alley lengths are obtained
which takes an experienced operator approximately an hour and an
inexperienced operator up to a half day.
[0003] Should changes be made such as the plot length or the size
of the seed plate the entire process must be repeated. Therefore,
there exists a need in the art for a system that addresses these
deficiencies.
[0004] A principal objective of the present invention is to provide
a method that reduces the time required for calibrating a
planter.
[0005] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
method that is more versatile to changes in planting
conditions.
[0006] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the specification and
claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A method of operating a planter where plot characteristics
are input into a controller that is associated with a planter. A
distance measuring device associated with the controller senses
ground speed and distance traveled and transmits the sensed
information to the controller. The controller then automatically
adjusts the rotational speed of a seed plate of a row planter
mounted to the planter based upon the sensed information to achieve
the input plot characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the working environment of a
method for operating a planter; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a
planter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] A planter 10 for planting seeds in a field for experimental
purposes has a plurality of row planters 12 that drop seed to the
ground. The row planters 12 have a seed plate 14 with a plurality
of seed cells 16. The seed plate 14 is contained within a housing
18 with a vacuum tube 20 in communication with the interior of the
housing 18 to create a vacuum pressure to maintain a seed within a
cell 16 on the seed plate 14. The seed plate 14 is rotatably
mounted to and driven by a drive shaft of a motor 24.
[0011] A distance measuring device 26 is used in association with
the planter 10. The distance measuring device 26 is of any
conventional type such as a spool and cable, GPS, radar, or sonar,
and is mounted either to the planter 10 or the tractor that pulls
the planter. In one example the distance measuring device includes
a spool 28 having a cable 30 with a plurality of targets 31
attached thereto. At least one or more sensors 32 are mounted
either on the planter 10 or the tractor to sense the speed of
travel and the target to sense the distance traveled.
[0012] Both the row planters 12 and the distance measuring device
26 are connected to a controller 34 either by an electrical or
wireless connection. The controller receives signals from the
sensors to calculate the speed of travel and the distance that the
planter 10 travels and also controls the rotational speed of the
seed plate 14 through the hydraulic motor 24. The controller 34 has
an input device 36, a display 38, and operating system 40, a memory
42, and a database 44.
[0013] To calibrate the planter 10 an operator inputs information
concerning plot characteristics 46. Plot characteristics include,
but are not limited to row length, alley length, rows per plot,
trip distance, target time, and the number of cells on a seed
plate. Based upon the inputted plot characteristics 46 the
controller calculates the rotational speed of the motor 24 and in
turn the rotational speed of the seed plate 14.
[0014] As an operator begins to plant the distance measuring device
26 trips sensor 32 sending a signal to the controller 34 that in
turn sends a signal activating the row planters 12. Sensor 32 also
sends a signal to the controller with information, such as the
rotational speed of a tire or pulley, sufficient for the controller
to calculate ground speed.
[0015] As the planter traverses the ground, the controller 34
adjusts the speed of the seed plate 14 based upon the inputted plot
characteristics 46, the sensed ground speed, the sensed distance
traveled, and the acceleration and deceleration of the seed plate
14. By adjusting the rotational speed of the seed plate 14 greater
accuracy is achieved with regard to the start point and stop point
of the seed group resulting in greater precision of the row and
alley length.
[0016] In addition to controlling the rotational speed of the seed
plate 14, the controller 34 senses and controls other operational
features of the planter 10. For example, a sensor 48 is positioned
to sense the vacuum pressure in the vacuum tube 20 and send a
signal to the controller 34. The controller 34 compares the sensed
pressure to an inputted and/or desired pressure and in turn sends a
signal to a pressure control 50 to either raise or lower the vacuum
pressure. As another example, a sensor 52 is position adjacent the
seed plate 14 to detect when a seed is dropped from the plate. When
a seed is dropped the sensor 52 sends a signal to the controller.
Based on this signal the controller 34 not only records the number
of seeds dropped, but also based on the time difference between
each drop determines if there is a double or a skip. When the
controller 34 determines there is a skip or a double the controller
records the information, displays the information, and/or signals
an alarm.
[0017] During the planting operation the controller 34 is recording
and displaying plot characteristics 46 and operational
characteristics related to the planting operation. The controller
34 compares the sensed information with desired or expected
characteristics and if the sensed characteristics fall outside an
acceptable predetermined range an alarm 54 will be activated. In
this manner the controller is able to diagnose a problem.
[0018] Upon completion of the planting operation the plot and
operational information is capable of display and/or printing for
further analysis. Included in this information is an error report
file 56. The error report file 56 contains at least a listing of
the errors diagnosed by the controller. In addition, in the event
of an error that stops the planting operation, the controller 34 is
able to track and graphically display the location of different
seed packages with the row planters 12.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment an operator may wish to field
map the planting operation. To field map various test requirements
an operator either inputs or downloads various test conditions for
different plots. For example, an operator may wish to test
difference in the results obtained based upon the number of seeds
planted in each row. Based on the field map information, the
controller automatically adjusts operational features such as the
rotational speed of the seed plate 14 in order to perform the
different tests.
[0020] Thus, a method of operating a planter has been shown that,
at the very least, achieves all of the stated objectives.
* * * * *