U.S. patent number RE48,553 [Application Number 15/905,798] was granted by the patent office on 2021-05-18 for method of retrofitting a pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system and an improved pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Precision Planting LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Precision Planting LLC. Invention is credited to Chad E. Plattner, Derek A. Sauder.
United States Patent |
RE48,553 |
Sauder , et al. |
May 18, 2021 |
Method of retrofitting a pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system
and an improved pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system
Abstract
A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the
auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning
rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit
for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of
retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery
systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates
seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the
vertical axis of the seed meter.
Inventors: |
Sauder; Derek A. (Tremont,
IL), Plattner; Chad E. (Tremont, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Precision Planting LLC |
Tremont |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Precision Planting LLC
(Tremont, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
39885477 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/905,798 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
14318828 |
Feb 27, 2018 |
RE46730 |
|
|
|
11742576 |
Aug 24, 2010 |
7779770 |
|
|
Reissue of: |
12851024 |
Aug 5, 2010 |
8113132 |
Feb 14, 2012 |
|
Reissue of: |
12851024 |
Aug 5, 2010 |
8113132 |
Feb 14, 2012 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01C
7/046 (20130101); Y10S 111/90 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01C
7/00 (20060101); A01C 9/00 (20060101); A01C
7/04 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gellner; Jeffrey L
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
.[.This.]. .Iadd.Notice: More than one reissue application has been
filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,132. The reissue
applications are the present application and Reissue application
Ser. No. 14/318,828. This application is a continuation reissue of
Reissue application Ser. No. 14/318,828, filed Jun. 30, 2014, which
is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,132 which
.Iaddend.is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/742,576
filed Apr. 30, 2007. .Iadd.The present application is also a
reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,132. .Iaddend.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
.[.1. A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed meter
of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central
horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein
forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of
travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from
the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed
meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising:
an auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an
opening in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a
central vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately
rearwardly toward the central horizontal axis of the seed
meter..].
.[.2. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 1
wherein said auxiliary hopper includes a vent by which seed
entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated..].
.[.3. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 2
further comprising: a liner sized to be received within an interior
back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an
opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper..].
.[.4. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 3
further comprising: replacement brushes mountable to said
liner..].
.[.5. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 4
further comprising: an offset seed disk..].
.[.6. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 5,
wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed
disk..].
.[.7. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 1
further including an inlet pipe through which seeds are
pneumatically communicated to said auxiliary hopper, said inlet
pipe having a vent by which seed entering said auxiliary hopper is
regulated..].
.[.8. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 7
further comprising: a liner sized to be received within an interior
back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an
opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper..].
.[.9. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 8
further comprising: replacement brushes mountable to said
liner..].
.[.10. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 9
further comprising: an offset seed disk..].
.[.11. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 10,
wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed
disk..].
.[.12. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 1
further comprising: a seed supply hose and an air pump for
pneumatically conveying said seeds from a main seed hopper to said
auxiliary hopper..].
.[.13. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 1
further comprising: a liner sized to be received within an interior
back side of a housing of the seed meter, said liner having an
opening mating with said opening in said auxiliary hopper..].
.[.14. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 13
further comprising: replacement brushes mountable to said
liner..].
.[.15. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 14
further comprising: an offset seed disk..].
.[.16. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 15,
wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed
disk..].
.Iadd.17. A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system for a seed
meter of an agricultural planter, the seed meter having a central
horizontal axis extending forwardly to rearwardly, wherein
forwardly is in a direction toward a normally forward direction of
travel of the planter and rearwardly is in a direction away from
the normally forward direction of travel of the planter, the seed
meter operably driven by a flexible shaft, the system comprising: a
planter main frame supporting a plurality of row units, wherein the
seed meter and an auxiliary hopper are supported by one of said
plurality of row units; a main hopper for holding a bulk supply of
seed, said main hopper supported by said planter main frame; said
auxiliary hopper disposed to communicate seeds through an opening
in the seed meter, said opening beginning rearwardly of a central
vertical axis of the seed meter and extending arcuately rearwardly
toward the central horizontal axis of the seed meter; and a blower,
whereby said blower pneumatically transfers seed from said main
hopper to said auxiliary hopper. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17
wherein said auxiliary hopper includes a vent by which seed
entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17
further comprising: replacement brushes. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 19
further comprising: an offset seed disk. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 20,
wherein said replacement brushes cooperate with said offset seed
disk. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17,
further including an inlet pipe in communication with said blower
through which the seed is pneumatically transferred to said
auxiliary hopper, said inlet pipe having a vent by which the seed
entering said auxiliary hopper is regulated. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 17,
further including: an air passage in the seed meter, said air
passage in pneumatic communication with said main hopper, wherein
air from said main hopper enters the seed meter via said air
passage. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 23,
wherein an air-seed mixture travels from said main hopper to said
opening in the seed meter, wherein a portion of air separates from
said air-seed mixture upstream of said opening, and wherein said
portion of air enters said air passage. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 24,
wherein seed does not enter said air passage. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 24,
further including: an interior volume, whereby said portion of air
from said air-seed mixture travels to said air passage via said
interior volume, wherein said interior volume is at least partially
enclosed. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 26,
wherein said interior volume is at least partially enclosed by a
cover. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 23,
further including: a conduit directing air from said main hopper
into said auxiliary hopper, and said air passage allowing air from
said conduit but not seed to enter the seed meter. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 28,
wherein said air passage comprises a plurality of apertures.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 28,
further including: a path between said conduit and the seed meter,
wherein air travels from said conduit into the seed meter along
said path. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system of claim 30,
further including: a cover at least partially enclosing said path.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND
There is an increased awareness among the agricultural community as
to the economic importance of planting accuracy. This increased
awareness and the desire to improve seed meter accuracy is due in
part to the recent increase in the price of corn. For example, with
corn prices near $4 per bushel, improving the seed singulation
accuracy of a seed meter by a single percentage point can translate
into eight dollars ($8.00) more per acre. Accordingly, there is a
significant need to provide a seed meter that will consistently
produce seed singulation accuracies of 98% or above.
With respect to vacuum type seed meters, a number of factors can
affect seed singulation accuracies. One such factor is the
treatment applied to the seeds. The seed corn industry is applying
new formulations and heavier treatments to the seed to protect the
seed from new pests and other insects and disease, but which are
also more environmentally friendly. These new treatments can make
the seed surface rough, thereby affecting entrainment over the
apertures of vacuum disks. Additionally, some of these new
treatments can become sticky, requiring more aggressive agitation
of the seeds within the seed pool of the meters in order to keep
the seeds from sticking together.
One type of vacuum meter that has experienced commercial success in
recent years is the John Deere Pro-Series.TM. Meter found on
Deere's central-fill or bulk-fill planters such as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,581,533 and 6,935,255 both of which are
incorporated herein by reference. While the Pro-Series.TM. Meter
may serve its intended purpose certain factors can effect its
performance.
For example, as previously identified, certain heavily coated seed
treatments may cause the seed within the seed pool to stick
together reducing the flowability of the seed. Thus, unless the
seed is aggressively agitated by the seed disk as it rotates
through the seed pool, the reduced flowability may result in poor
loading of the seed onto the apertures of the seed disk, which
translate into seek skips in the furrow. Deere's standard seed
disks for the Pro-Series.TM. Meter do not provide very aggressive
agitation. As a result, under some conditions when using Deere's
standard disks, the performance or accuracy of the seed meter can
be less than desirable.
In order to overcome this problem, farmers have attempted to
replace Deere's standard seed disks with after-market disks that
have larger or deeper ribs or fins to provide more aggressive
agitation of the seeds. While these deeper ribs provide more
aggressive agitation to keep the seed pool fluid, it has been found
that some of these after-market disks can increase the likelihood
for the seed meter to overfill which can lead to meter performance
problems or failures.
It has been determined that the potential for overfilling of the
Pro-Series.TM. Meter when using seed disks designed to provide
greater seed pool agitation, is partially attributed to the size
and position of the opening within the seed meter housing through
which the seed enters the seed reservoir from the auxiliary hopper.
As will be explained in more detail later, when using larger or
deeper ribs, more seeds are scooped up by the larger ribs which,
due to the size and position of the opening, the void created by
the seeds scooped up by the larger ribs is replenished with new
seeds entering from the auxiliary hopper. Thus, in such
circumstances, more seeds continually enter the seed reservoir than
are actually being discharged out of the seed meter. As the seed
disk rotates, the extra seeds carried by the larger ribs are
returned to the seed pool which further adds to the seed pool that
has already been replenished. Accordingly, over time, the meter can
overfill.
Deere made an attempt to eliminate the tendency of the
Pro-Series.TM. Meter to overfill by positioning a brush as a sort
of lid to hold back or prevent the seed from rising above the seed
reservoir. This brush lid is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,533 (see
FIG. 4 of '533 patent at reference numeral 68). While Deere's
approach was moderately successful, where more aggressive agitation
on the disk is needed, the brush lid does not sufficiently prevent
over filling. Additionally, the presence of the brush can have an
adverse effect upon meter performance as some seed types and sizes
of seeds are physically disturbed by the brush while the seeds are
being loaded on the seed disk, thereby causing unwanted skips.
Accordingly, there is a need for a cost effective solution that
will enable farmers to modify or retrofit their existing Pro-Series
Meters to overcome the deficiencies described above while not
having to replace the entire seed meter. Similarly, there is a need
for a new design which can be adopted by original equipment
manufacturers or after-market suppliers to overcome the
deficiencies associated with the existing Pro-Series design with
minimal retooling or changes to the seed meter and with minimal
changes to the on-demand delivery system structure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial side elevation view of a conventional
central-fill agricultural planter illustrating a conventional
product-on-demand delivery system such as manufactured by Deere
& Company.
FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of a portion of the
central-fill planter of FIG. 1 illustrating a conventional
Pro-Series.TM. seed meter and auxiliary hopper.
FIG. 3 is a more detailed perspective view of the conventional
Pro-Series.TM. seed meter and auxiliary hopper of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the interior of the conventional
Pro-Series.TM. seed meter and auxiliary hopper of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the same perspective as FIG. 2
illustrating one embodiment of an auxiliary hopper assembly of the
retrofit kit of the present invention and/or of the improved
on-demand seed delivery system of the present invention wherein the
vent is incorporated into the auxiliary hopper.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the retrofit kit and/or improved
on-demand seed delivery system of FIG. 5 showing the reduced
opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter
in relation to the original opening of the Pro-Series.TM. Meter
shown in phantom lines.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the retrofit kit of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the auxiliary hopper assembly of the retrofit kit of the present
invention and/or of the improved on-demand seed delivery system of
the present invention wherein the vent is incorporated into the
inlet pipe of the auxiliary hopper.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the retrofit kit of the present invention and/or of the improved
on-demand seed delivery system of the present invention wherein the
eSet.RTM. offset seed disk system is being utilized.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional central-fill planter 10
such as manufactured by Deere & Company, and which utilizes a
Pro-Series.TM. Meter's as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,581,533 and
6,935,255 previously incorporated herein by reference.
The central fill planter 10 includes a main frame 12 having a main
tool bar 28 from which a plurality of spaced row units 14 are
supported by a parallel linkage 16. The parallel linkage 16 enables
the individual row units 14 to move vertically independently of one
another to conform to terrain or upon encountering an obstacle
during planting operations. Each of the individual row units 14
comprises a "mini-hopper" or "auxiliary hopper" 18, the purpose of
which will be described later. Additionally, each row unit 14
includes a seed meter 20, a furrow opener 22 and a furrow closing
assembly 26. The main frame 12 also supports a main or central
hopper 36 and an air pump or blower 38. The main hopper holds a
bulk supply of seed.
In operation, the blower 38 pneumatically transfers seed from the
central hopper 36 via product supply hoses 48 to each of the
individual auxiliary hoppers 18 as needed, hence this type of
central fill system is referred to as a "product-on-demand"
delivery system. The seed meter 20 meters seed received from the
auxiliary hopper 18. The furrow opener 22 forms the planting furrow
in the soil surface into which the individual seeds metered at
regularly spaced intervals by the seed meter 20 are deposited after
being directed downwardly and rearwardly by the seed tube 24. The
closing assembly 26 pushes the soil back into the furrow covering
the seed.
The on-demand delivery of seed to the auxiliary hoppers 18 is
regulated or controlled through a venting system. As best
illustrated in FIG. 2, each auxiliary hopper 18 includes a vent 50
disposed in a sidewall of the auxiliary hopper 18. Within the
auxiliary hopper 18 is a downwardly curving, perforated air
separation tube 52. As seed is communicated from the main hopper 36
to the auxiliary hopper 18 via the product supply hose 48, air
escapes through the perforations 54 thereby separating the seeds
from the air stream. The seeds drop into the bottom of the
auxiliary hopper 18 from the bottom of the perforated air
separation tube 52 and the air escapes through the vent 50 in the
sidewall of the auxiliary hopper 18. As the auxiliary hopper 18
fills with seed, the perforations 54 in the perforated air
separation tube 52 get covered with seed. As the perforations 54
are covered, the volume of air that can escape through the
perforations is reduced, thus reducing the air flow through the
tube 52, which, in turn, reduces the amount of seed being carried
to the auxiliary hopper 18 by the product supply hose 48. As the
seed within the auxiliary hopper 18 is consumed by passing into the
seed meter 20, the seed level will drop, exposing more of the
perforations 54 and allowing more air, and thus more seed, to flow
once more into the auxiliary hopper 18, thereby maintaining a
steady supply of seed within the auxiliary hopper 18.
As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the auxiliary hopper 18 is mounted
to the back housing member 74 of the seed meter 20. The
meter/hopper assembly 18/20 is supported at a forward end by a
bracket 56 disposed between the upright posts 58 of the row unit
14. A base bracket 55 helps support the meter/hopper assembly 18/20
above the furrow opener 22. A latch 57 secures the meter/hopper
assembly 18/20 to the frame 59 of the furrow opener 22.
A hex-shaft 60 is supported parallel to the tool bar 28 and is
operably driven by the rotation of the ground wheels (not shown) as
the planter is pulled through the field. The rotation of the
hex-shaft 60 operably drives the seed meter 20 by rotating the seed
meter drive shaft 62 which is, in turn, operably connected to the
hex-shaft 60 via forward and rearward gearboxes 64, 66 and a
flexible shaft 68. The seed meter drive shaft 62 is substantially
coaxial with the central axis of the seed meter 20.
The Pro-Series.TM. meter 20 comprises a housing 72 which includes a
back housing member 74 and a front housing member 76. Disposed
within the housing is a seed disk (not shown for clarity) such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,909 to Lundie et al. (the "Lundie
'909 patent"), incorporated herein by reference. The seed disk
rotates within the housing 72 coaxially with the drive shaft 62. As
illustrated in the Lundie '909 patent, the seed disk includes a
plurality of radially spaced apertures near its outer
periphery.
In operation, seed is communicated from the auxiliary hopper 18
into the seed reservoir of the seed meter 20 through an opening 80.
A negative pressure source (not shown) draws air from the seed
meter 20 from the side of the seed disk opposite the seed
reservoir, thereby producing a pressure differential on opposing
sides of the seed disk. This pressure differential causes the seeds
within the seed reservoir to become entrained or "loaded" over the
apertures as the disk rotates through the seed reservoir. As the
disk rotates past a seal (not shown) disposed within the seed meter
20, the source of the vacuum is isolated thereby eliminating the
pressure differential causing the seeds to fall from the face of
the disk. The falling seed is received within a seed tube 24 where
it is directed downwardly and rearwardly into the seed furrow
created by the furrow opener 22.
Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the opening 80 through
which the seed is communicated from the auxiliary hopper 18 into
the seed reservoir begins at approximately the 5 o'clock position,
or approximately 3/4 inch forwardly of the vertical axis 82 of the
seed meter 20. The opening extends arcuately rearwardly as viewed
in FIG. 4 to approximately the 8:30 position. As previously
described, it has been determined that with the opening 80
extending forwardly of the vertical axis 82 of the seed meter,
excess seeds enter the seed reservoir when the seed disk rotates
through the seed reservoir, particularly if a seed disk with more
aggressive agitation ribs are utilized, which, over time, can
result in overfilling of the meter 20.
In order to minimize the chance of overfilling occurring even when
utilizing seed disks with very aggressive agitation, while still
utilizing much of the seed meter structure and the
on-demand-delivery structure of the Pro-Series.TM. meter, one
embodiment of the present invention is directed to a cost effective
solution in the form of a retrofit kit. Additionally, rather than a
retrofit kit, an original equipment manufacturer and/or an
aftermarket supplier could incorporate the structural and functions
features as disclosed herein to overcome the deficiencies
associated with the existing Pro-Series.TM. meter design with
minimal retooling or changes to the seed meter and with minimal
changes to the existing on-demand delivery system structure.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a preferred
retrofit kit 100 for a Pro-Series.TM. meter. FIG. 6 is a side
elevation view of the retrofit kit embodiment of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is
an exploded perspective view of the retrofit kit embodiment of FIG.
5. The preferred retrofit kit 100 includes a replacement auxiliary
hopper 102 which replaces the existing auxiliary hopper 18. The
replacement auxiliary hopper 102 includes appropriate mounting
structure 104 that cooperates with the existing structure of the
planter and which preferably utilizes or takes advantage of the
same connection points on the back housing member 74 of the seed
meter 20 as the auxiliary hopper 18 being replaced. As illustrated
in FIG. 7, the mounting structure 104 includes a forward bracket
106 that cooperates with the bracket 56 on the planter 10 to
support the forward end of the replacement auxiliary hopper 102. In
this embodiment, a perforated air separation tube 108 and vent 110
preferably substantially similar to the perforated air separation
tube 52 and vent 50 of the original auxiliary hopper 18 are
utilized. In comparing position of the replacement auxiliary hopper
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 to the position of the original auxiliary
hopper being replaced as illustrated FIGS. 3 and 4, it should be
apparent that the replacement auxiliary hopper 102 of the retrofit
kit 100 is positioned rearward of the seed meter drive shaft 62 as
opposed to forward of the drive shaft 62 as in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Accordingly, an extension pipe 112 is provided to connect the
perforated air separation tube 108 to the product supply hose
48.
The replacement auxiliary hopper 102 preferably includes an opening
114 which, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, preferably begins
rearward of the vertical axis 82 of the seed meter 20 (preferably
at about the 7 o'clock position) and extends arcuately rearwardly
in toward the horizontal axis 83 (preferably to approximately the
8:30 position). As a result, the opening 114 through which seed
enters the seed meter 20 is reduced, permitting the seed meter 20
to operate more like the type of meter disclosed in the Lundie '909
patent.
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a retrofit kit 200
of the present invention. In this embodiment the replacement
auxiliary hopper 202 is substantially similar to the previously
described embodiment, in that the replacement auxiliary hopper 202
includes appropriate mounting structure 204 that cooperates with
the existing structure of the planter 10 and which preferably
utilizes or takes advantage of the same connection points on the
back housing member 74 of the seed meter 20 as the auxiliary hopper
18 intended to be replaced. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the mounting
structure 204 includes a forward bracket 206 that cooperates with
the bracket 56 on the planter 10 to support the forward end of the
replacement auxiliary hopper 202.
Unlike in the previous embodiment, however, an air separation tube
208 is incorporated into the extension pipe 212, thereby
eliminating the need for the vent and perforated air separation
tube within the auxiliary hopper. The air separation tube 208
includes slots 210 through which air escapes. A vent regulator 211
may be provided for positioning over the slots 210 to increase or
decrease the amount of air flow through the slots 210. In this
embodiment, the auxiliary hopper 202 will maintain a level of seed
at a height approximate the top of the aperture 213 in the sidewall
of the hopper into which the extension pipe 212 is received. A vent
cover 216 preferably mounts over the slots 210 in the air
separation tube 208. The vent cover 216 preferably includes a first
set of slots 218 through which air can escape to atmosphere and a
second set of slots 220 in communication with the interior of the
seed meter 20 to ensure adequate air flow through the seed meter
for proper performance.
As with the previous embodiment, the replacement auxiliary hopper
202 preferably includes an opening 214 which preferably begins
rearward of the vertical axis 82 of the seed meter 20 (preferably
at about the 7 o'clock position) and extends arcuately rearwardly
toward the horizontal axis 83 (preferably to approximately the 8:30
position). As a result, the opening 214 through which seed enters
the seed meter 20 is reduced, permitting the seed meter 20 to
operate more like the type of meter disclosed in the Lundie '909
patent.
FIG. 9 illustrates additional components that may be used for
retrofitting an existing Pro-Series.TM. meter by taking advantage
of the offset disk system as disclosed in Applicant's co-pending
application Ser. No. 11/465,164 (Pub. No. US2007/0039529), which is
incorporated herein by reference, the commercial embodiment of
which is sold under the trademark eSet.RTM.. Although FIG. 9
illustrates the replacement auxiliary hopper embodiment 202 as just
described with respect to FIG. 8, it should be appreciated that the
replacement auxiliary hopper embodiment 102 as illustrated in FIGS.
5-7 may also be utilized with the eSet.RTM. system. The back
housing member 74 to which the auxiliary hopper 202/102 mounts is
not shown in FIG. 9. The eSet.RTM. system includes the offset disk
300, a liner 302 which is received within the interior of the back
housing member 74 and secured thereto by suitable fasteners 304.
The liner 302 includes an opening 306 which mates with the opening
214/114 of the auxiliary hopper 202/102. The eSet.RTM. system
further includes the singulator 308, brush assemblies 310, 312 and
fragment extractor 314 all as disclosed in the above-referenced
'164 application.
The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in
the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various
modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and the
general principles and features described herein will be readily
apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention
is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus and
methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but
is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *