U.S. patent application number 15/888882 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-07 for row unit for a seeding machine with pneumatic seed loading.
The applicant listed for this patent is Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Stanley R. Borkgren, Keith L. Felton, Michael E. Frasier, Elijah B. Garner, Kriss Helmick, Cary S. Hubner, Joseph W. Migliorini, Kamalakannan Natarajan, Beth A. Wolfs.
Application Number | 20180153096 15/888882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62239865 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180153096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garner; Elijah B. ; et
al. |
June 7, 2018 |
ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH PNEUMATIC SEED LOADING
Abstract
A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a
seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side
facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed
side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds
from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential
between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds
to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the
seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the
seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the
inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle
disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The
nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member
for directing the seeds from the metering member to the
conveyor.
Inventors: |
Garner; Elijah B.;
(Bettendorf, IA) ; Borkgren; Stanley R.; (Geneseo,
IL) ; Hubner; Cary S.; (Geneseo, IL) ; Wolfs;
Beth A.; (Tiffin, IA) ; Frasier; Michael E.;
(Iowa City, IA) ; Migliorini; Joseph W.; (Moline,
IL) ; Helmick; Kriss; (Ottumwa, IA) ; Felton;
Keith L.; (Sherrard, IL) ; Natarajan;
Kamalakannan; (Vellore, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deere & Company |
Moline |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62239865 |
Appl. No.: |
15/888882 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14869723 |
Sep 29, 2015 |
9883624 |
|
|
15888882 |
|
|
|
|
62077030 |
Nov 7, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 7/206 20130101;
A01C 7/16 20130101; A01C 7/046 20130101; A01C 7/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01C 7/20 20060101
A01C007/20; A01C 7/04 20060101 A01C007/04 |
Claims
1. A row unit for a seeding machine, the row unit comprising: a
seed reservoir; a seed meter assembly including a metering member
having a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side
opposite the seed side, the metering member operable to selectively
move seeds from the seed reservoir, and a pump providing a pressure
differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for
adhering the seeds to the metering member; a conveyor having an
inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge
the seeds from the seeding machine, wherein the conveyor includes a
belt movable from the inlet to the outlet; and a pneumatic seed
displacer including a nozzle for concentrating air, wherein the
nozzle is disposed adjacent the metering member, and wherein the
nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member
for directing the seeds from the metering member to the
conveyor.
2. The row unit of claim 1, further comprising an air source
providing a higher-than-atmospheric pressure air to the pneumatic
seed displacer.
3. The row unit of claim 2, wherein the air source includes an
output side of the pump.
4. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the nozzle includes an air
knife.
5. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is mounted on a hub,
the hub being rotatably mounted.
6. The row unit of claim 5, wherein the nozzle extends at least
partially through an aperture in the metering member.
7. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is disposed on the
non-seed side of the metering member.
8. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is disposed on the
seed side of the metering member.
9. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the metering member includes
apertures extending from the seed side to the non-seed side,
wherein the nozzle is configured to eject air through the
apertures.
10. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the belt includes a brush
belt, and wherein the nozzle is configured to eject air into
bristles of the brush belt.
11. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the belt includes a flighted
belt, and wherein the nozzle is configured to eject air into
flights of the flighted belt.
12. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the seed displacer further
includes a pressure conduit having a venturi disposed on a seed
side of the metering member for drawing the seeds away from the
metering member.
13. The row unit of claim 12, wherein the seed displacer further
includes a fixed blade for mechanically guiding the seeds from the
metering member into the venturi.
14. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the metering member is a first
metering member, wherein the seed meter assembly further includes a
second metering member, wherein the conveyor is disposed between
the first and second metering members, wherein the seed displacer
is a first seed displacer and the nozzle is a first nozzle, further
comprising a second seed displacer including a second nozzle for
concentrating air, wherein the second nozzle is disposed adjacent
the second metering member, and wherein the first and second
nozzles are configured to eject air inwardly towards the
conveyor.
15. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the seed meter assembly
includes a housing defining a chamber fluidly coupled to the pump
for providing the pressure differential, wherein the seed meter
assembly further includes a cutoff disposed immediately adjacent
the chamber, wherein the nozzle is disposed outside of the chamber
in the cutoff.
16. A method for displacing seeds from a metering member in a
seeding machine, the seeding machine having a seed reservoir, a
seed meter assembly including the metering member having a seed
side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the
seed side operable to selectively transport seeds from the seed
reservoir, and a conveyor having a movable belt receiving the seeds
and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding
machine, the method comprising: providing a pressure differential
across the metering member for adhering seeds to the metering
member; and injecting seeds into the movable belt using air
directed at the seeds.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein injecting includes using a
higher-than-atmospheric pressure air.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein injecting includes using a
nozzle to concentrate the air.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising using a pump to
provide both the pressure differential and the air directed at the
seeds.
20. A row unit for a seeding machine, the row unit comprising: a
seed reservoir; a seed meter assembly including a metering member
having a seed side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side
opposite the seed side, the metering member operable to selectively
move seeds from the seed reservoir, and a pump providing a pressure
differential between the seed side and the non-seed side for
adhering the seeds to the metering member; a conveyor having an
inlet for receiving the seeds and an outlet configured to discharge
the seeds from the seeding machine, wherein the conveyor includes a
belt movable from the inlet to the outlet; and a pneumatic seed
displacer including a conduit coupled to a source of pressurized
air, the conduit having an outlet disposed adjacent the metering
member, wherein the outlet is configured to eject the pressurized
air towards the metering member for directing the seeds from the
metering member to the conveyor.
21. The row unit of claim 20, wherein the source of pressurized air
includes the pump.
22. The row unit of claim 20, wherein the outlet is disposed on the
seed side of the metering member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/869,723, filed on Sep. 29, 2015, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/077,030, filed on Nov. 7, 2014, the entire contents of each of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a row unit for a seeding
machine, such as a row crop planter for agricultural applications.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a row unit
having a seed meter and a seed delivery mechanism.
SUMMARY
[0003] A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir
and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side
facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed
side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds
from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential
between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds
to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the
seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the
seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the
inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a nozzle
disposed adjacent the metering member for concentrating air. The
nozzle is configured to eject the air towards the metering member
for directing the seeds from the metering member to the
conveyor.
[0004] A method for displacing seeds from a metering member in a
seeding machine, in which the seeding machine has a seed reservoir,
a seed meter assembly including the metering member having a seed
side facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the
seed side operable to selectively transport seeds from the seed
reservoir, and a conveyor having a movable belt receiving the seeds
and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding
machine, includes providing a pressure differential across the
metering member for adhering seeds to the metering member. The
method also includes injecting seeds into the movable belt using
air directed at the seeds.
[0005] A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir
and a seed meter assembly having a metering member with a seed side
facing the seed reservoir and a non-seed side opposite the seed
side. The metering member is operable to selectively move seeds
from the seed reservoir. A pump provides a pressure differential
between the seed side and the non-seed side for adhering the seeds
to the metering member. A conveyor has an inlet for receiving the
seeds and an outlet configured to discharge the seeds from the
seeding machine. The conveyor includes a belt movable from the
inlet to the outlet. A pneumatic seed displacer includes a conduit
coupled to a source of pressurized air, with the conduit having an
outlet disposed adjacent the metering member. The outlet is
configured to eject the pressurized air towards the metering member
for directing the seeds from the metering member to the
conveyor.
[0006] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seeding machine.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the seeding machine of FIG. 1
coupled to a towing vehicle.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of a seed meter assembly
and a seed tube for the seeding machine of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3A is a front view of a portion of the seed meter
assembly shown in FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 3B is an alternate side view of a portion of a seed
meter assembly and a seed tube for the seeding machine of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view schematic diagram of a seed displacer
for the seeding machine of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4A is an alternative side view schematic diagram of a
seed displacer for the seeding machine of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view schematic diagram of the seed
displacer of FIG. 4A.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view schematic diagram of an alternative
implementation of the seed displacer of FIGS. 4-5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view schematic diagram of another
alternative implementation of the seed displacer of FIGS. 4-5.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view schematic diagram of another
alternative implementation of the seed displacer of FIGS. 4-5.
[0018] FIG. 8A is a side view schematic diagram of a portion of the
seed displacer of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of the
seed meter assembly and a seed delivery mechanism having an
alternative seed injection mechanism.
[0019] FIGS. 9A-10 are side views of a portion of the seed meter
assembly and seed delivery mechanism having another alternative
seed injection mechanism.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the seed injection mechanism of
FIG. 9A with a dual seed meter assembly.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a front view of the seed injection mechanism of
FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable
of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being
carried out in various ways.
[0023] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a seeding machine 10, such as a row
crop planter pulled by a vehicle 100, such as a tractor (FIG. 2).
The seeding machine 10 has a frame 12 on which are mounted a
plurality of individual row units 14. Seed sources, such as storage
tanks 13a-13c, hold seed that may be delivered, e.g.,
pneumatically, to a mini-hopper (not shown) on each row unit 14.
The storage tanks 13a-13c may be coupled to the mini-hoppers by way
of conduits 20, such as hoses, and a pressurized delivery apparatus
(not shown). Each storage tank 13a-13c can be used to contain the
same variety of seeds, or a different variety of seeds. For
example, a first storage tank 13a may contain a first variety of
seeds, a second storage tank 13b may contain a second variety of
seeds, and a third storage tank 13c may contain a third variety of
seeds. The varieties are typically within the same crop (such as
corn, soy, etc.), with each variety having different traits which
allows a more optimal variety to be planted at a given location in
a field. The traits may include tolerances of seed to disease,
drought, moisture, pests, and other seed characteristics, etc.
Thus, each row unit 14 can be coupled to several conduits 20 such
that each row unit 14 is coupled to each storage tank 13a-13c to
receive the first, second, and third varieties of seed. In other
implementations, the storage tanks 13a-13c may contain the same
variety of seed.
[0024] Each row unit 14 has a frame 18 to which the components of
the row unit 14 are mounted. For example, the frame 18 may carry
furrow opening disks 19 for forming a furrow 15 with an open furrow
in the soil beneath the seeding machine 10 into which seed is
deposited, and closing wheels 21 to close the furrow over the
deposited seed in the furrow 15. The frame 18 may also carry a
press wheel 84 (FIG. 3) for pressing the seed into the bottom of
the furrow 15 or a packing wheel (not shown) to firm the soil over
the deposited seed after the furrow is closed.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a seed meter assembly 16 having
one or more seed metering members 24 is coupled to each row unit
frame 18. The seed metering assembly 16 is coupled to one or more
of the storage tanks 13a-13c by way of the conduits 20. The seed
meter assembly 16 may have one, two, three or more metering members
24 coupled to each row unit frame 18. FIGS. 3, 3B, 4, 5, 6, and
9-10 illustrate a single metering member 24, but two or more
metering members 24 may be used in any of these implementations,
such as the examples showing two metering members 24, 24' in FIGS.
7, 8, and 11-12. Each metering member 24 takes seeds from a seed
reservoir 28 supporting a seed pool (FIG. 4) and sequentially
discharges single seeds (metered seeds) for delivery one at a time
(e.g., singulates and meters the seeds). One or more of the
metering members 24 use a negative air pressure differential (e.g.,
a vacuum), as will be described in greater detail below, to adhere
seeds to the metering member 24, which can be in the form of a
disk, a bowl, or more generally a plate, having apertures 26 that
extend therethrough. The apertures 26 are generally arranged
circumferentially about a meter axis A, substantially in a circle,
proximate an outer edge of the metering member 24. The metering
member 24 may be driven to rotate by a motor 30, such as an
electric motor, or by any other suitable drive mechanism, such as a
transverse hex shaft driven by a ground wheel or electric or
hydraulic motor and coupled to individual meters by chains or drive
cables, etc.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the seed reservoir 28
containing a seed pool is positioned on a seed side 38 of each
metering member 24 at a lower portion thereof, and is connected to
one or more of the storage tanks 13a-13c to receive seeds therefrom
by way of the conduits 20. Thus, the seed side 38 faces the seed
reservoir 28. A pressure differential is applied across the
metering member 24 from the seed side 38 of the metering member 24
to a non-seed side 40 of the metering member 24, through the
apertures 26. In the illustrated examples, a negative pressure, or
vacuum applied on the non-seed side 40 provides a suction force
that adheres a seed S to the seed side of the metering member 24 at
the apertures 26. The pressure differential is applied in a vacuum
zone 42 illustrated in FIG. 4 across a portion of the metering
member 24, and thus across some, but not all of the apertures 26.
The vacuum zone 42 is formed by a vacuum chamber defined by the
meter housing or cover and a seal that engages the non-seed side of
the metering member 24. In the illustrated implementations, the
pressure differential draws seeds into adherence with the seed side
38 of the metering member 24. In order to release a seed, one seed
at a time (e.g., to meter, or singulate, the seeds), the vacuum is
terminated at a desired release position in an area referred to
herein as a vacuum cutoff 44. The vacuum cutoff 44 is a region
disposed immediately adjacent the vacuum chamber in a
circumferential direction with respect to the meter axis X, the
vacuum cutoff 44 not under the influence of the pressure
differential. Mechanical and/or pneumatic assistance (as will be
described in greater detail below) is utilized to knock, pull, or
push the seed off the metering member 24, interfere with the
aperture 26 to disrupt the pressure differential, or otherwise
release the seed. The mechanical and/or pneumatic assistance
described below may be disposed at the vacuum cutoff 44 or employed
without a vacuum cutoff while the seed is adhered to the metering
member 24 by the pressure differential. In yet other
implementations, other types of metering members 24 for
metering/singulating the seeds may be employed. In further
implementations, rather than applying a vacuum to the non-seed side
of the metering member 24, a positive pressure may be applied to
the seed side to adhere the seeds S to the metering member 24. It
should be understood that positive and negative are relative terms.
As such, the terms "positive pressure" and "negative pressure" are
meant to describe relative pressures in a pressure differential.
For example, a positive pressure is one that is higher than its
surroundings (e.g., higher than atmospheric pressure or than
another pressure in the seeding machine 10), and a negative
pressure is one that is lower than its surroundings (e.g., lower
than atmospheric pressure or than another pressure in the seeding
machine 10).
[0027] A seed displacer 36 is disposed adjacent the metering
disk(s) 24 for removing seed from the metering member and moving
the seed to or toward the furrow 15 as described below. Generally,
the seed displacer 36 encourages dislodging metered seeds from one
(or both) of the metering members 24 and moving the metered seeds
to or toward the furrow 15. The seed displacer implementations
described herein are pneumatic seed displacers using air to move
metered seeds away from the metering member 24 either by pushing or
pulling and may be employed in combination with mechanical
assistance, as will be described in greater detail below.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 4-5, an air pressure source, such as
a blower 46 or pump provides positive pressure air to a main
conduit 48 having a venturi 50 (e.g., a constriction, an orifice,
etc.), disposed adjacent the vacuum cutoff 44 of the metering
member 24. More specifically, the venturi 50 is disposed adjacent
the metering member 24 in an axial direction (parallel to axis A)
on the seed side 38 of the metering member adjacent the vacuum
cutoff 44. An inlet 52 (such as an opening) into the conduit 48 may
be provided at the constriction to provide a suction force on the
seed side 38 of the metering member 24. Thus, the venturi 50
provides a pressure drop, referred to herein as a venturi zone 54,
on the seed side 38 for drawing the seed away from the metering
member 24 and into the conduit 48 and is disposed to do so at a
location immediately adjacent an end of the vacuum zone 42 (in the
vacuum cutoff 44). Thus, the venturi 50 is disposed to draw a seed
as, or closely after, the vacuum adhering the seed to the metering
member 24 is cut off. In other implementations, the venturi 50 may
be disposed in or adjacent the vacuum zone 42 to draw a seed from
the metering member 24 even as the vacuum for adhering the seed is
still being applied.
[0029] A blade 56 (FIG. 5) may be disposed on the seed side 38 of
the metering member 24 for mechanically encouraging, or leading,
the metered seed into the conduit 48 and towards the seed delivery
mechanism 32. The blade 56 may include a fin, flap, projection, or
any cantilevered member extending from the conduit 48, formed
therewith or separately from the conduit. The blade 56 is
stationary with respect to the row unit frame 14 while the metering
member 24 rotates with respect to the row unit frame 14, and with
respect to the blade 56. The blade 56 may be coupled to the conduit
48 or separate therefrom. The distal end of the blade 56 may be
disposed in contact with the metering member 24 or disposed closely
to the metering member 24 so as to contact at least the metered
seed S while spaced from the metering member 24. The distal end of
the blade 56 may be blunt, sharp, rounded, pointed, knife-edge, or
any other suitable finish. The blade 56 may be flexible and bear
against the metering member 24. The blade 56 is disposed in the
venturi zone 54 for mechanically leading the metered seed into the
conduit 48, thereby cooperating with the venturi 50 to draw the
metered seed into the conduit 48. The venturi 50 may be employed
with or without the blade 56. Likewise, the blade 56 may be
employed without the venturi 50.
[0030] In addition to the lower pressure of the venturi 50 drawing
seed into the conduit 48, the seed displacer 36 may also use
positive pressure to assist in removing seed from the metering
member (FIG. 5). A positive pressure conduit 60, such as a tube or
a hose, may be coupled to the blower 46 outlet and/or may siphon
positive pressure off the main conduit 48 in a shared pressure
source relationship. In other implementations, the positive
pressure conduit 60 may be coupled to a separate pressure source.
The conduit 60 terminates in a nozzle 58 positioned adjacent the
non-seed side of the metering member 24 along the path of the
apertures 26 at or immediately following the vacuum cutoff 44. The
nozzle 58 may be fixed with respect to the frame 12. The positive
air pressure from the nozzle 58 passes through the apertures 26
towards the seed side 38 of the metering member 24 and may nudge,
push, or blast the metered seed off the metering member 24 and into
the main conduit 48. The positive pressure may be applied
continuously or as pulsating puffs. Pulsating puffs of air may be
timed to the passing of each aperture 26 into the vacuum cutoff 44
and may be provided by controlling a valve (not shown) in the
positive pressure conduit 60. The nozzle 58 may be employed with or
without the venturi 50 and with or without the blade 56. The
venturi 50 may be employed independently, or with the blade 56
alone, or with the positive pressure nozzle 58 alone or with both
the blade 56 and nozzle 58.
[0031] As an alternative to the fixed nozzle 58, the seed displacer
36 may include a rotatable knock-out wheel 74, as illustrated in
FIG. 8. The knock-out wheel 74 includes a hub 76 mounted rotatably
about an axis B and a plurality of projections 78 extending
generally radially with respect to the axis B. The knock-out wheel
74 is disposed on the non-seed side 40 of the metering member 24
such that one of the projections 78 at a time extends at least
partially into, or completely through, one of the apertures 26 of
the metering member 24 as the knock-out wheel 74 rotates. Thus, the
hub is driven to rotate by meshing of the projections 78 with the
metering member 24. A flow path 80 may be defined by a channel
through the knock-out wheel 74 between an inlet and an outlet(s).
The inlet may be disposed in the hub such that the flow path 80
extends first generally axially into the knock-out wheel 74, and
the outlets may be disposed at distal ends of each of the
projections 78 such that the flow path 80 then extends generally
radially out of the knock-out wheel 74. Thus, the projections 78
are formed as air nozzles. An air source, such as the blower 46 or
another independent air source, such as a different blower,
compressed air, etc., provides positive pressure air to the
knock-out wheel 74. The knock-out wheel 74 may be coupled to the
conduit 60 to receive positive pressure air from the air source.
The knock-out wheel 74 may be configured to eject air continuously
or only at or near when a projection 78 is inserted in an aperture
26 of the metering member 24. For example, all of the projections
78 may eject air continuously, or the knock-out wheel 74 may
include a seal (not shown) or other suitable structure that closes
the projections 78 that are not at or near the aperture 26 and
allows only the one projection 78 disposed at or near the aperture
26 to eject air. The projections 78 provide a focused stream of air
aimed through the aperture 26 at the metered seed S. The projection
78 mechanically and pneumatically urges the seed S away from the
metering member 24 and towards the furrow 15.
[0032] As another alternative to the fixed nozzle 58, the positive
pressure conduit 60 may lead to a positive pressure chamber (not
shown) on the non-seed side 40.
[0033] The seed displacer 36 may also include an air knife 64, as
illustrated schematically in FIG. 6. The air knife 64 may include a
nozzle 66, an outlet, or other concentrating means configured to
provide a focused stream of pressurized, high speed air, aimed at
the seed side 38 of the metering member 24 in the vacuum cutoff 44.
More specifically, the nozzle 66 is aimed towards the vacuum cutoff
44 immediately adjacent the vacuum zone 42 in the circumferential
direction, towards an area of the metering member 24 not under the
influence of the pressure differential adhering seeds S to the
metering member 24. Immediately adjacent may include a region
within 5 angular degrees (about the meter axis A) of an end of the
vacuum zone 42, within 10 angular degrees (about the meter axis A)
of the end of the vacuum zone 42, within 15 angular degrees (about
the meter axis A) of the end of the vacuum zone 42, within 20
angular degrees (about the meter axis A) of the end of the vacuum
zone 42, etc. Specifically, the air knife 64 is aimed to discharge
a stream of air 98 at, near, above or below a metered seed in the
vacuum cutoff 44. The nozzle 66 may provide a thin but relatively
wide stream of air, or may provide a narrow stream of air. The air
knife 64 may be employed with or without the blade 56, with or
without the positive pressure nozzle 58 and with or without the
venturi 50. For example, the air knife 64 may be disposed adjacent
the main conduit 48 and aimed at the seed side 38 of the metering
member 24 in the vacuum cutoff 44, just above the blade 56. As
shown in FIG. 6, the air knife 64 is configured to discharge the
stream of air 98 towards the seed side 38, e.g., non-parallel to
the seed side 38. The direction of the air stream 98 may be broken
up into vector components, or directional components, X and Y (and
Z, not shown). It should be noted that the direction of the air
stream 98 may not include a component in the Z-direction. The
directional component X is parallel to the meter axis A and normal
to the surface of the seed side 38. The directional component Y is
normal to the meter axis A and parallel to the surface of the seed
side 38. The directional component Z (not shown) is normal to the
meter axis A, parallel to the surface of the seed side 38, and
normal to the directional component Y. Preferably, the nozzle 66 is
aimed to discharge the air stream 98 in a direction including a
component parallel to the meter axis A (e.g., having a component in
the X-direction). In other implementations, the air knife 64 may be
aimed directly at the seed S parallel to the metering member
surface on the seed side 38 (e.g., having only a Y-direction
component). In other implementations, however, the air knife 64 may
be aimed at the non-seed side 40 to blow the seed S from behind
through the aperture 26.
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the seed displacer 36
employed with dual metering members 26, 26'. Parts of the seed
displacer 36 and the metering member 24 may be mirrored and are
denoted herein with a "'" after the same reference numeral used
above. For example, the metering members 26, 26' may be disposed
such that the seed sides 38, 38' are facing each other, the seed
reservoir 28 being disposed between the metering members 26, 26'.
In other implementations, there may be separate seed reservoirs 28
(not shown) for each metering member 24, 24' such that each
metering member 24, 24' attracts seeds from different seed pools.
In this way, different types of seeds can be provided to a single
furrow 15. The seed displacer 36 may include a second inlet 52' in
the main conduit 48 and a second blade 56', both disposed adjacent
the seed side 38' of the second metering member 24' similarly as
described above with respect to the first blade 56 and the first
inlet 52. The seed displacer 36 may also include a second positive
pressure nozzle 58'. The seed displacer 36 may also include two air
knives 64, 64', the second air knife 64' disposed similarly as
described above but facing the second metering member 24'. The seed
displacer 36 may also include two blades 56, 56' disposed similarly
as described above but facing the second metering member 24'. Any
combination of the venturi 50, the blades 56, 56', the positive
pressure nozzles 58, 58', and the air knives 64, 64' may be
employed with the dual metering members 26, 26'.
[0035] In the illustrated implementations, the blower 46 provides
the vacuum for the vacuum zone 42 on an intake side of the blower
46. The blower 46 also provides the positive pressure on an outlet
side of the blower 46 for the positive pressure nozzles 58, 58'
and/or for the main conduit 48 with the venturi 50 and/or for the
air knife 64, 64'. In other implementations, the blower 46 may be
separate from a blower providing the vacuum for the vacuum zone 42.
The positive pressure nozzle(s) 58, 58', the main conduit 48, and
the air knife/knives 64, 64' may each have their own dedicated
blower or may share one or more blowers in any combination to
provide the positive pressure to each, with any one or more of the
blowers also providing the vacuum for the vacuum zone 42.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 9-12, a seed delivery mechanism 32
may be coupled to each row unit frame 18. The seed delivery
mechanism 32 receives metered seeds S from each metering member 24
and delivers the seeds to the furrow 15. The seed delivery
mechanism 32 may include a conduit defining a pneumatic tube to
direct seeds from one or more metering members 24 to the furrow 15
by way of positive air pressure (FIGS. 3-3B), as will be discussed
in greater detail below. In other implementations, a conduit 22, or
conveyor, may define a channel for a belt 34 (e.g., as shown in
FIGS. 9-12), which receives the metered seeds from each metering
member 24, conveys the metered seeds toward the ground, and expels
the metered seeds in the furrow 15. The belt 34 may be driven by a
motor (not shown), such as an electric motor, or by any hydraulic
or pneumatic drive as well as various types of mechanical drives.
The belt 34 can be in the form of a brush belt (e.g., FIG. 10) with
bristles for trapping, holding, and releasing the metered seeds
whereby the seed movement between the seed meter and the furrow 15
is controlled. In other implementations, the seed delivery
mechanism 32 may include other types of belts, such as a foam belt,
a conveyor belt, a flighted belt (e.g., FIGS. 9, 11, and 12), a
pocketed belt, a belt with resilient fingers, etc. In yet other
implementations, the seed delivery mechanism 32 can include other
types of mechanisms suitable for receiving seeds from each metering
member 24 and conveying the seeds to the furrow 15.
[0037] With reference again to FIG. 3, the seed may alternatively
be delivered to the furrow 15 by a pneumatic seed tube 68. The seed
tube 68 may be a conduit having an inlet 72 and an exhaust outlet
70. The inlet 72 receives air to direct seeds from one or more
metering members 24 to the furrow 15 by way of positive air
pressure, through the exhaust outlet 70. The positive air pressure
may be provided by positive pressure on the seed side 38 of the
metering member 24 in a positive pressure meter. This may include a
nozzle 86 on the non-seed side 40 to blow seeds from the apertures
26 into the seed tube 68 as shown in FIG. 3A. As an alternative to
the nozzle 86 on the non-seed side 40, an air knife 64 and/or blade
56 (such as those described above) may be used to direct seed from
the metering member 26 into the seed tube 68. With reference to
FIG. 3B, the blower 46 may provide the positive pressure for the
seed tube 68. For example, the main conduit 48 may merge with the
seed tube 68 and extend to the furrow 15. Exhaust from the main
conduit 48 provides seed delivery air to the seed tube 68. The main
conduit 48 and the seed tube 68 may be formed as one piece or as
separate pieces coupled together. The venturi 50 and/or other
features of the seed displacer 36 described above (e.g., with
respect to FIGS. 4-5) may be included in this implementation.
Alternatively, no venturi or other features of the seed displacer
36 need be included in this implementation. This implementation may
be used with either a positive pressure meter or a vacuum meter as
the positive pressure to deliver seed to the furrow 15 is provided
by the blower 46. In other implementations, a different air source
may provide, or supplement, the air pressure in the seed tube 68.
An air brake (not shown) may be provided in the seed tube 68
proximate the exhaust outlet 70 (FIGS. 3 and 3B) where the seed is
released into the furrow 15 for reducing the speed of the air flow
at the exhaust outlet 70.
[0038] As shown schematically in FIG. 4A, in other implementations
the main conduit 48 may inject the metered seed, with positive
pressure, into a belted seed delivery mechanism 32 (such as the
brush belt, flighted belt, etc. as described above). The positive
pressure may be exhausted naturally through natural openings in the
seed delivery mechanism 32, or an exhaust vent (not shown) may be
provided in the seed delivery mechanism 32 or in the main conduit
48. In yet other implementations, the air pressure source may
include other devices, such as a pressure vessel containing
compressed air, a pump, an exhaust, etc.
[0039] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative seed displacer 88
having a fixed nozzle 90 ejecting concentrated air from an air
source 92 at or near the apertures 26 to urge the metered seeds S
directly into the seed delivery mechanism 32. FIG. 9 illustrates
the seed delivery mechanism 32 having a flighted belt 94, and FIG.
10 illustrates the seed delivery mechanism 32 having a brush belt
96. The nozzle 90 is disposed on the non-seed side 40 and disposed
at the radial distance of the apertures 26 with respect to the
meter axis A. The nozzle 90 is aimed towards the seed delivery
mechanism 32 to directly inject the seeds S into the flighted belt
94 or into the bristles of the brush belt 96, or other type of seed
delivery mechanism 32. The nozzle 90 may be disposed normal to the
metering member 24 or at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with
respect to the metering member surface (e.g., the non-seed side
40). The seed delivery mechanism 32 may be disposed to receive the
seed S from a top or a side of the seed delivery mechanism 32. The
air source 92 may include a blower (such as the blower 64), or any
other suitable air source such as a pressure vessel containing
compressed air, a pump, an exhaust from another component, etc.
[0040] FIGS. 11-12 illustrate the seed displacer 88 employed with
two metering members 24, 24' coupled to a single row unit frame 12,
as was described above with respect to FIG. 7. The parts of the
seed displacer 88 may be mirrored and are denoted herein with a "'"
after the same reference numeral used above and need not be
introduced again. The nozzles 90, 90' are collectively aimed
inwardly towards the seed delivery mechanism 32. The nozzles 90,
90' may be disposed normal to the metering member 24, 24' or at an
angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the metering member
24, 24'. The seed S may be received from the top or the side of the
seed delivery mechanism 32. While the flighted belt 94 is
illustrated in FIGS. 11-12, it should be understood that the brush
belt 96 (FIG. 10), or any other suitable type of seed delivery
mechanism 32, may be employed with dual metering members 24,
24'.
[0041] FIG. 9A illustrates an alternative to FIG. 9 having the
fixed nozzle 90' disposed on the seed side 38 of the metering
member 24. The nozzle 90' is disposed radially inwardly of the
apertures 26 with respect to the meter axis A. The nozzle 90 is
aimed towards the seed delivery mechanism 32 to directly inject the
seeds S into the flighted belt 94 or into the bristles of the brush
belt 96, or other type of seed delivery mechanism 32. The nozzle
90' may be disposed parallel to the metering member 24 or at an
angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the metering member
surface (e.g., the seed side 38). The seed delivery mechanism 32
may be disposed to receive the seed S from a top or a side of the
seed delivery mechanism 32.
[0042] In operation, the seed displacer 36 pneumatically encourages
metered seeds away from the metering member 24 and towards, or
into, the seed delivery mechanism 32. As the metering member 24
rotates, a vacuum applied in the vacuum zone 42 attracts seeds from
the seed reservoir 28 onto the metering member 24. Ideally, one
seed adheres to the metering member 24 at each aperture 26. The
metering member 24 rotates, carrying the metered seeds towards the
vacuum cutoff 44 where the vacuum force is terminated. In the
vacuum cutoff 44, the seed displacer 36 pneumatically urges (e.g.,
by positive pressure and/or a pressure drop) the metered seeds
towards, or into, the seed delivery mechanism 32 or the seed tube
68. For example, the seed displacer 36 may employ positive pressure
nozzles 58, 78 on the non-seed side 40 of the metering member 24,
through the apertures 26, to urge metered seeds away from the
metering member 24. The seed displacer 36 may also employ a
pressure drop on the seed side 38 of the metering member 24, which
may be provided by the venturi 50, to urge metered seeds away from
the metering member 24. The seed displacer 36 may also employ a
focused positive pressure air stream on the seed side 38 to urge
metered seeds to dislodge from the metering member 24. This focused
positive pressure may be provided by the air knife 64, 64'. The
seed displacer 36 may also employ the mechanical blade 56
independently, or in cooperation with any combination of the above
pneumatic means, for dislodging the metered seeds and directing the
metered seeds towards the seed delivery mechanism 32 or the seed
tube 68. Alternatively, the seed displacer 88 may directly inject
metered seeds into the seed delivery mechanism 32 or the seed tube
68. In implementations where a positive pressure adheres the seeds
to the metering member 24, a negative pressure may be employed to
remove the metered seeds from the metering member 24. In other
words, a change from negative pressure to positive pressure, or
from positive pressure to negative pressure, may be employed to
remove metered seeds from the metering member 24.
[0043] Thus, the disclosure provides, among other things, a
pneumatic seed displacer for moving seeds from one, two or more
seed metering members to or toward a furrow in the soil.
* * * * *