Multiple variety seed meter with segmented feed pipe system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10524410-B2
Application number	US-201715678215-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 16, 2017
Priority date	Aug 16, 2017
Publication date	Jan 7, 2020
Grant date	Jan 7, 2020

Abstract

A multiple variety seed meter for multi-variety row crop planting incorporates a segmented feed pipe system that may include a feed pipe with multiple passages that can be rotated to present one of multiple variety openings toward a seed pool in the seed meter to deliver a specific seed variety into the seed meter. The feed pipe may be an inner selector pipe concentrically nested for rotation in an outer sleeve that extends into the seed meter.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multiple variety seed meter for planting multiple seed varieties in a single planting pass during row-crop planting of an agricultural field, the multiple variety seed meter comprising:
a seed meter housing arranged at a row unit of a planter and defining an enclosure that surrounds a housing cavity that can receive seed to define a seed pool;
a seed disk arranged within the housing cavity and configured to pick up seed from the seed pool at a seed pickup region for singulation of seeds from the seed pool for individual delivery onto the agricultural field while planting;
a segmented feed pipe system having an outlet arranged to deliver seed through the seed meter housing and into the seed pool, the segmented feed pipe system including:
an outer sleeve that extends from the seed meter housing, the outer sleeve including the first inlet connectable to a source of a first seed variety, a second inlet connectable to a source of a second seed variety and an outlet connected to the seed pool; and
an inner selector pipe arranged concentrically and rotatably within the outer sleeve, the inner selector pipe having a first seed variety passage, a second seed variety passage, and a purge passage connectable to a purge system connectable to a purge system;

wherein:
the inner selector pipe is rotatable between a first position wherein the first seed variety passage interconnectors the first inlet of the outer sleeve and the outlet of outer sleeve: a second position wherein the second seed variety passage interconnects the second inlet of the outer sleeve and the outlet of outer sleeve: and a purge position wherein the purge passage interconnects the purge system to the outlet of outer sleeve; and
the segmented feed pipe system delivers the first seed variety into the seed pool with the inner selector pipe in the first position and delivers the second seed variety into the seed pool with the inner selector pipe in the second position.

2. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 1 ,
the at least first and second positions of the inner selector pipe are defined by at least first and second angular positions of the inner selector pipe with respect to the outer sleeve.

3. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 2 , wherein the outlet of the outer sleeve is arranged in the housing cavity to define a sump inlet through which seed is delivered into the seed pool.

4. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 3 , wherein the first seed variety passage includes a first selector pipe outlet port and the second seed variety passage includes a second selector pipe outlet port, the first and second selector outlet ports arrange at an outlet end of the inner selector pipe.

5. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 4 , wherein the first and second selector pipe outlet ports are arranged at different angular positions of the inner selector pipe so that rotation of the inner selector pipe can selectively align one of the at least first and second selector pipe outlet ports with the outlet of the outer sleeve to deliver a corresponding seed variety through the sump inlet.

6. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 3 , wherein the first seed variety passage includes a first selector pipe inlet port and the second seed variety passage includes a second selector pipe inlet port, the first selector pipe inlet port and the second inner selector pipe inlet port arranged at an inlet end of the inner selector pipe.

7. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 6 , wherein rotation of the inner selector pipe can selectively align one of the first and second selector pipe inlet ports with a corresponding one of the first and second inlets of the outer sleeve to receive the first and second seed varieties into a corresponding one of the first and second seed variety passages.

8. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 1 , wherein the first seed delivery passage and the second seed delivery passage extend longitudinally through the inner selector pipe for respectively delivering the first and second seed varieties through the inner selector pipe.

9. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 1 , further comprising a seed diverter system attached to an end of the inner selector pipe for rotating the inner selector pipe with respect to the outer sleeve.

10. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 9 , wherein the seed diverter system comprises a diverter having plugs that engage the end of the inner selector pipe to lock the diverter and inner selector pipe into rotational unison with each other and a diverter drive system arranged to rotate the diverter and the inner selector pipe with respect to the outer sleeve.

11. The multiple variety seed meter of claim 1 , wherein the inner selector pipe comprises at least one divider wall that extends longitudinally through the inner selector pipe to separate the first seed variety passage and the second seed variety passage from the purge passage.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Schoeny Christopher
• Johnson Chad M

Classifications

• A01C7/082 Primary

  Ducts, distribution pipes or details thereof for pneumatic seeders · CPC title

• A01C7/10

  Devices for adjusting the seed-box {; Regulation of machines for depositing quantities at intervals} · CPC title

• A01C7/16

  Seeders with other distributing devices, e.g. brushes, discs, screws or slides · CPC title

• A01C15/006

  Hoppers · CPC title

• A01C7/102

  Regulating or controlling the seed rate · CPC title