U.S. patent application number 16/978689 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-24 for fluid control system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Precision Planting LLC. Invention is credited to Jeremy Hodel, Jason Stoller.
Application Number | 20200396897 16/978689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005077939 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200396897 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stoller; Jason ; et
al. |
December 24, 2020 |
FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators
associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural
planter row unit. A first one of the multiple actuators is
associated with a first implement disposed on the agricultural
planter row unit. A second one of the multiple actuators is
associated with a second implement disposed on the agricultural
planter row unit. The fluid control system controls fluid flow from
a fluid source to each of the first and second actuators. In one
embodiment, the fluid control system includes an inlet valve, an
outlet valve and a pressure sensor, wherein the inlet valve is in
fluid communication with the fluid source and the pressure sensor
is disposed to measure fluid pressure in a fluid line in fluid
communication with the inlet valve and each of the first and second
actuators.
Inventors: |
Stoller; Jason; (Eureka,
IL) ; Hodel; Jeremy; (Morton, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Precision Planting LLC |
Tremont |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005077939 |
Appl. No.: |
16/978689 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
March 8, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/021416 |
371 Date: |
September 5, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62640252 |
Mar 8, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C 7/006 20130101;
A01C 7/203 20130101; A01C 5/068 20130101; A01C 7/205 20130101; A01B
79/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01C 7/20 20060101
A01C007/20; A01C 5/06 20060101 A01C005/06 |
Claims
1. A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators
associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural
planter row unit, comprising: a first actuator associated with a
first implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit; a
second actuator associated with a second implement disposed on the
agricultural planter row unit, the second implement being different
from the first implement; a fluid control system for controlling
fluid flow from a fluid source to each of the first and second
actuators, the fluid control system including: an inlet valve in
fluid communication with the fluid source; an outlet valve; and a
first pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a first
fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of
the first and second actuators.
2. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control
system further comprises: a first control valve disposed in the
first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure
sensor.
3. The fluid control system of claim 2, wherein the fluid control
system further comprises: a second pressure sensor disposed to
measure fluid pressure in a second fluid line in fluid
communication with the first control valve and the second
actuator.
4. The fluid control system of claim 3, wherein the fluid control
system further comprises: a second control valve disposed in the
second fluid line between the first control valve and the second
pressure sensor.
5. The fluid control system of claim 1, further comprising a third
actuator associated with a third implement disposed on the
agricultural planter row unit, the third implement being different
from the first implement and second implement; and wherein the
first pressure sensor is disposed to measure fluid pressure in the
first fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and
each of the first, second and third actuators.
6. The fluid control system of claim 5, wherein the fluid control
system further comprises: a first control valve disposed in the
first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure
sensor; a second control valve disposed in a second fluid line
between the first control valve and the second actuator; a second
pressure sensor disposed in the second fluid line between the
second control valve and the second actuator; a third pressure
sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a third fluid line in
fluid communication with the second control valve and the third
actuator.
7. The fluid control system of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the
first and second implements are selected from the group consisting
of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel implement;
(iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment implement;
and (v) a downforce implement.
8. The fluid control system of any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the
first, second and third implements are selected from the group
consisting of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel
implement; (iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment
implement; and (v) a downforce implement.
9. The fluid control system of claims 1 and 5, wherein each of the
actuators comprise a cylinder having a movable piston connected to
a piston rod, the piston separating the cylinder between a
down-chamber and an up-chamber; and wherein the fluid control
system further comprises a down-chamber valve disposed at the
down-chamber end of the cylinder and an up-chamber valve disposed
at the up-chamber end of the cylinder.
10. The fluid control system of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the
first implement comprises a trench closing implement, the trench
closing implement comprising: a mounting bracket rigidly secured to
a frame member of the row unit; a closing frame member pivotally
coupled to the mounting bracket about a pivot axis; a bracket
member having a first end secured to the mounting bracket; and
wherein the first actuator is coupled at a first end to the bracket
member and a second end of the first actuator is coupled to the
closing frame member, whereby actuation of the first actuator
causes said closing frame member to pivot with respect to said
mounting bracket about the pivot axis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/640,252 filed Mar. 8, 2018 which is incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There is a need for a fluid control system for supply fluid
to multiple actuators associated with different implements on an
agricultural planter row unit. While fluid may be supplied
individually to each actuator associated with each implement on the
row unit, it would be a benefit if a single fluid control system
supplied fluid to multiple actuators for actuating each of the
different implements on the row unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a row
unit of an agricultural planter.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system for
implementing operational control of the implements on a row
unit.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
fluid control system for two actuators.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
fluid control system for three actuators.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
control valve arrangement using two valves.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of
a fluid control system supplying fluid to a plurality of
actuators.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
fluid control system providing both up and down forces from a
single supply of fluid.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of
a fluid control system providing both up and down forces from a
single supply of fluid.
[0011] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retrofit
actuator for a trench closing assembly.
[0012] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of an
actuator for a trench closing assembly.
DESCRIPTION
[0013] All references to patents and patent publications cited
herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a
discrepancy or conflict between definitions or descriptions of
elements of any patents or printed publications incorporated by
reference with definitions or descriptions of elements referred to
in this specification, the definitions or descriptions expressly
set forth in this specification shall control.
[0014] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an agricultural
planter row unit 200. The row unit 200 is comprised of a frame 204
pivotally connected to a toolbar 202 by a parallel linkage 206
enabling each row unit 200 to move vertically independently of the
toolbar 202. The frame 204 operably supports one or more hoppers
208, a seed meter 210, a seed delivery mechanism 212, an optional
downforce control system 214, a seed trench opening assembly 220, a
trench closing assembly 250, an optional packer wheel assembly 260,
and an optional row cleaner assembly 270. It should be understood
that the row unit 200 shown in FIG. 1 may be for a conventional
planter or the row unit 200 may be a central fill planter, in which
the hoppers 208 may be replaced with one or more mini-hoppers and
the frame 204 modified accordingly as would be recognized by those
of skill in the art.
[0015] The optional downforce control system 214 includes an
actuator having one end operably coupled relative to the toolbar
202 and another end operably coupled to the parallel linkage to
apply lift and/or downforce on the row unit 200 such as disclosed
in U.S. Publication No. US2014/0090585. The downforce control
system 214 may be referred to as a downforce implement 214 of the
row unit 200.
[0016] The seed trench opening assembly 220 includes a pair of
opening discs 222 rotatably supported by a downwardly extending
shank member 205 of the frame 204. The opening discs 222 are
arranged to diverge outwardly and rearwardly so as to open a
v-shaped trench 10 in the soil 11 as the planter traverses the
field. The seed delivery mechanism 212, such as a seed tube or seed
conveyor, is positioned between the opening discs 222 to deliver
seed from the seed meter 210 into the opened seed trench 10. The
depth of the seed trench 10 is controlled by a pair of gauge wheels
224 positioned adjacent to the opening discs 222. The gauge wheels
224 are rotatably supported by gauge wheel arms 226 which are
pivotally secured at one end to the frame 204 about pivot pin 228.
A rocker arm 230 is pivotally supported on the frame 204 by a pivot
pin 232. It should be appreciated that rotation of the rocker arm
230 about the pivot pin 232 sets the depth of the trench 10 by
limiting the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 226 (and thus
the gauge wheels) relative to the opening discs 222. The rocker arm
230 may be adjustably positioned via a linear actuator 234 mounted
to the row unit frame 204 and pivotally coupled to an upper end of
the rocker arm 230. The linear actuator 234 may be controlled
remotely or automatically actuated as disclosed, for example, in
International Publication No. WO2014/186810. The adjustably
positional rocker arm 230 may be referred to as a depth adjustment
implement 230 of the row unit 200.
[0017] An optional downforce sensor 238 is configured to generate a
signal related to the amount of force imposed by the gauge wheels
224 on the soil. In some embodiments, the pivot pin 232 for the
rocker arm 230 may comprise the downforce sensor 238, such as the
instrumented pins disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,472.
[0018] An optional seed meter 210 may be any commercially available
seed meter, such as a finger-type meter or vacuum seed meter. An
exemplary embodiment of one type of vacuum seed meter is the
VSet.RTM. meter, available from Precision Planting LLC, 23207
Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568.
[0019] The seed trench closing assembly 250 includes a frame member
251 that is pivotally attached at its forward end to the row unit
frame 204 by a pivot 253. The frame member 251 rotatably supports a
pair of closing wheels 254 which are disposed on opposing sides of
the open seed trench 10. The closing wheels 254 are supported from
the frame member 251 at an angle with respect to the forward
direction of travel of the row unit 200 indicated by arrow 201 to
push the soil inwardly from each side of the open seed trench to
close the open seed trench with soil covering the seed previously
deposited in the seed trench. An actuator 256 is supported at one
end from the row unit frame 200 and is connected at the other end
to the frame member 251 to vary the amount of downforce applied to
the closing assembly 250. The seed trench closing assembly 250 may
be referred to as a trench closing implement 250 of the row unit
200.
[0020] An optional packer wheel assembly 260 comprises an arm 262
pivotally attached to the row unit fame 204 and extends rearward of
the closing wheel assembly 250 and in alignment therewith. The arm
262 rotatably supports a packer wheel 264. An actuator 266 is
pivotally attached at one end to the arm 262 and at its other end
to the row unit frame 204 to vary the amount of downforce exerted
by the packer wheel 264 to pack the soil over the seed trench 10.
The packer wheel assembly 260 may be referred to as a packer wheel
implement 260 of the row unit 200.
[0021] An optional row cleaner assembly 270 may be the
CleanSweep.RTM. system available from Precision Planting LLC, 23207
Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568. The row cleaner assembly 270
includes an arm 272 pivotally attached to the forward end of the
row unit frame 204 and aligned with the trench opening assembly
220. A pair of row cleaner wheels 274 are rotatably attached to the
forward end of the arm 272. An actuator 276 is pivotally attached
at one end to the arm 272 and at its other end to the row unit
frame 204 to adjust the downforce on the arm to vary the
aggressiveness of the action of the row cleaning wheels 274
depending on the amount of crop residue and soil conditions. The
row cleaner assembly 270 may be referred to as a row cleaner
implement 270 of the row unit 200.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, a monitor 300 is visible to an operator
within the cab of a tractor pulling the planter. The monitor 300
may be in signal communication with a GPS unit 310, the trench
closing assembly actuator 256 and the optional packer wheel
assembly actuator 266 to enable operational control of the trench
closing assembly 250 and the optional packer wheel assembly 260
based on the signals generated by trench closing sensors 1000 such
as those described in International Publication No. WO2017/197274.
Also as discussed later, the monitor 300 may be programmed to
display operational recommendations based on the signals generated
by the trench closing sensors 1000. The monitor 300 may also be in
signal communication with the row cleaner actuator 276, the
downforce control system 214, the depth adjustment actuator 234 so
as to enable operational control of the row cleaner assembly 270,
the downforce control system 214, and the trench opening assembly
230, respectively.
Fluid Control System
[0023] As used herein, the term fluids includes gases or liquids.
Examples of fluids include, but are not limited to, air and
hydraulic fluid.
[0024] Illustrated in FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a fluid control
system 8100 wherein a common supply of fluid is used to supply
fluid for actuation of multiple actuators associated with two or
more implements on each row unit 200. In this embodiment, fluid
flow to and from a first actuator 8110 and a second actuator 8120
is controlled by fluid control system 8100. In one example of the
embodiment of the fluid control system 8100, the first actuator
8110 may be actuator 256, and the second actuator 8120 may be
actuator 266 of the row unit 200 of FIG. 1. The fluid control
system 8100 includes an inlet valve 8101, an outlet valve 8102, and
a first control valve 8103. Inlet valve 8101 and outlet valve 8102
may be solenoid valves. The first control valve 8103 may be a
multichannel valve that allows flow to one or both of the first
actuator 8110 and the second actuator 8120. If additional fluid is
needed for the second actuator 8120 to increase the force applied,
outlet valve 8102 is closed, inlet valve 8101 is open, and first
control valve 8103 is operated to provide fluid communication from
line 8105 to line 8106 and to close communication to line 8107. If
fluid needs to be removed from first actuator 8110 to decrease the
force applied, outlet valve 8102 is open, inlet valve 8101 is
closed, and first control valve 8103 is operated to provide fluid
communication from line 8107 to line 8105 and to close fluid
communication to line 8106. After flowing through outlet valve
8102, the fluid can be returned to a source (not shown) or vented
to atmosphere (for gases). To measure the amount of pressure
applied to the first actuator 8110, a first pressure sensor 8201 is
connected to line 8107. When first control valve 8103 is closed to
line 8107, the pressure in the first actuator 8110 can be measured.
To measure the amount of pressure applied to the second actuator
8120, a second pressure sensor 8202 is connected to line 8106. When
first control valve 8103 is closed to line 8106, the pressure in
the second actuator 8120 can be measured.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of another fluid control
system 8200 similar to the previously described fluid control
system 8100, but is expanded to include a second control valve
8104, a third actuator 8130, a third pressure sensor 8203, and
lines 8108 and 8109. To supply fluid to the third actuator 8130,
inlet valve 8101 is open, outlet valve 8102 is closed, the first
control valve 8103 is operated to provide fluid communication from
line 8105 to line 8106 and to close fluid communication to line
8107, and the second control valve is operated to provide fluid
communication from line 8106 to line 8108 and to close fluid
communication to line 8109. To expand the system (not shown),
additional control valves, actuators, and pressure sensors can be
added in series to the embodiment of control system 8200. In one
example of the embodiment of the fluid control system 8200, the
first actuator 8110 may be actuator 256, the second actuator 8120
may be actuator 266, and the third actuator 8130 may be actuator
276 of the row unit 200 of FIG. 1.
[0026] In another embodiment, any of the first actuator 8110,
second actuator 8120, or third actuator 8130 do not need to be on
separate implements. For example, an implement, such as trench
closing assembly 250, may have both an up actuator and a down
actuator (not shown), and the embodiment of the fluid control
system 8200 may control both the up and down actuators of that
single implement 250.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in another embodiment applicable
to either the first or second fluid control systems 8100 or 8200,
any of the control valves 8103, 8104 may be replaced by two single
acting valves 8193 and 8194. In such an embodiment, to provide
fluid flow to or from the first actuator 8110, for example, the
valve 8193 is closed, and valve 8194 is open.
[0028] Illustrated in FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a fluid
control system 8300 capable of providing fluid to multiple
actuators 8110, 8120, and 8130. In this embodiment, pressure sensor
8201 measures the pressure in line 8105, which supplies fluid to
each actuator 8110, 8120, and 8130. While shown with three
actuators, it should be appreciated that there can be two to any
desired number of actuators. Such an embodiment could be used, for
example, to provide section control of a planter with all actuators
across multiple row units within the planter section being
controlled to the same pressure.
[0029] In another embodiment of a fluid control system 8400
illustrated in FIG. 7, a single fluid supply supplies fluid to an
actuator 8410 comprising a cylinder 8412 having a movable piston
8413 connected to a piston rod 8414. The piston 8413 separates the
cylinder 8412 between a down-chamber 8415 and an up-chamber 8416. A
first inlet valve 8417 disposed along inlet line 8418 controls
fluid entering the fluid control system 8400. To add fluid to the
down chamber 8415, a down-chamber valve 8418 disposed at the
down-chamber end of the cylinder 8412 is opened and a line valve
8419 downstream of the down chamber valve 8418 is closed. Pressure
in the down-chamber 8415 is measured by first pressure sensor 8201
when down-chamber valve 8418 is open, line valve 8419 is closed,
and inlet valve 8417 is closed. To remove fluid from down chamber
8415, down-chamber valve 8418 is open, inlet valve 8417 is closed,
line valve 8419 is open to line 8421, an up-chamber valve 8422
disposed at the up-chamber end of the cylinder 8412 is closed, a
control valve 8423 downstream of the line valve 8419 and upstream
of the up-chamber valve 8422 is open to line 8424 and is closed to
line 8425, and outlet valve 8426 is open such that the fluid is
able to flow through line 8424 to atmosphere (for gases) or is
returned to the fluid source (not shown). To add fluid to
up-chamber 8416, inlet valve 8417 is open, down-chamber valve 8418
is closed, line valve 8419 is open, up-chamber valve 8422 is open,
and control valve 8423 is open from line 8421 to line 8425. To
remove fluid from up-chamber 8416, line valve 8419 is closed,
up-chamber valve 8422 is open, control valve 8423 is open from line
8425 to line 8424, and outlet valve 8426 is open such that the
fluid is able to flow from line 8425 through line 8424 to
atmosphere (for gases) or is returned to the fluid source (not
shown). To measure pressure in up-chamber 8416 with pressure sensor
8202, line valve 8419 is closed, up-chamber valve 8422 is open, and
control valve 8423 is closed to lines 8421 and 8424.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a fluid control system 8400A having an
arrangement similar to that of the fluid control system 8400 of
FIG. 7, except that in the fluid control system 8400A, the control
valve 8423 is eliminated. Thus, the operation of the fluid control
system 8400A is substantially the same as in the fluid control
system 8400, except that the outlet valve 8426 in cooperation with
line valve 8419 will open and close as needed to control the flow
of fluid between lines 8424 and 8425.
[0031] In FIGS. 7 and 8, the outlet valve 8426 may be a duck-bill
valve, for venting gas to atmosphere and to prevent dirt from
entering line 8424. Alternatively, the outlet valve 8426 may be a
solenoid valve, for venting gas to atmosphere or for returning the
fluid to the fluid source.
[0032] Each of the valves described herein (e.g., 8101, 8102, 8103,
8104, 8193, 8194, 8417, 8418, 8419, 8422, 8423, 8426) and the
pressure sensors (e.g., 8201, 8202, 8203) are in signal
communication with monitor 300 to control the opening and closing
of the valves and to measure the pressure. Alternatively, there can
be a separate control with a single row network, which is described
in International Publication WO2014/018717 to which the valves and
pressure sensors are connected. Valves 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104,
8193, 8194, 8417, 8418, 8419, 8422, 8423, 8426 may be solenoid
valves.
[0033] Any actuator described herein can be any actuator that can
apply a force. Examples of actuators include, but are not limited
to, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, electro-mechanical
actuators, and electro-hydraulic actuators.
Downforce System for Trench Closing Assembly
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a retrofit downforce
system 9000 for a trench closing assembly 250. In this embodiment,
rather than the trench closing actuator 256 being secured at one
end to the row unit frame 204 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and
described above, the downforce system 9000 includes a bracket 9010
and an actuator 9020 disposed on the trench closing assembly 250
itself. It should be understood that reference to the actuator 9020
is used interchangeably with the trench closing assembly actuator
256 illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above, and therefore all
references to the actuator 256 in this disclosure should be
understood to include the actuator 9020. The bracket 9010 has a
base 9011 that is disposed between a mounting bracket 252 on the
closing frame member 251 of the closing assembly 250 and the row
unit frame 204 (not shown in FIG. 9). In one embodiment, when the
trench closing assembly 250 is attached to the row unit frame 204,
the bracket 9010 is secured between the row unit frame 204 and the
mounting bracket 252. Disposed upward from the base 9011 is an arm
9012. Disposed at the other end of the arm 9012, opposite the base
9011 is a plate 9013. The actuator 9020 is disposed between the
plate 9013 and the trench closing frame 251. The actuation of the
actuator 90200 causing it to extend or retract applies a force on
the closing frame member 251 causing the frame member 251 to pivot
about the pivot 253. An example of the actuator 9020 is the
actuator identified by reference number 200 in U.S. Pat. No.
8,550,020, which can be controlled by the control system 100.
[0035] Illustrated in FIG. 10 is another embodiment of a downforce
system 9100. Again, in this embodiment, rather than the trench
closing actuator 256 being secured at one end to the row unit frame
204 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above, the downforce
system 9100 includes a bracket 9110 and an actuator 9040 disposed
on the trench closing assembly 250 itself. It should also be
appreciated that in conventional trench closing assemblies which
utilize a spring to apply downforce to the trench closing assembly,
the actuator 9040 may be used in place of such a spring.
Accordingly, it should be understood that reference to the actuator
9040 is used interchangeably with the trench closing assembly
actuator 256 illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above, and
therefore all references to the actuator 256 in this disclosure
should be understood to include the actuator 9040. In this
embodiment, the downforce system 9100 includes a bracket 9110
attached to and extending downwardly from the mounting bracket 252
of the trench closing assembly 250. The actuator 9040 is connected
at one end to bracket 9110 and at its other end to the closing
frame member 251. The actuation of the actuator 9040 causing it to
extend or retract causes the closing frame member 251 to pivot
about the pivot 253. An example of the actuator 9040 is the
actuator identified by reference number 200 in U.S. Pat. No.
8,550,020, which can be controlled by control system 100.
[0036] Various modifications to the embodiments and the general
principles and features of the apparatus, systems and methods
described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the
art. Thus, the appended claims should not be limited to the
embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein
and illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, but should be
accorded the widest scope consistent with the foregoing
disclosure.
* * * * *