Bulk product tank for an agricultural implement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11013167-B2
Application number	US-201715842875-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2017
Priority date	Dec 14, 2017
Publication date	May 25, 2021
Grant date	May 25, 2021

Abstract

In one embodiment, an agricultural implement system includes a product tank configured to carry a product during farming operations. The product tank includes a quick fill port system. The quick fill port system includes a first wall defining a first opening leading to an inside of the product tank. The quick fill port system further includes a first cover member disposed on the first opening and configured to at least partially cover and to uncover the first opening, wherein the first opening comprises a first size larger than a diameter of a product dispenser configured to be inserted into the first opening.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An agricultural implement system, comprising:
a product tank configured to carry a product during farming operations comprising:
a quick fill port system comprising:
a first wall defining a first opening leading to an inside of the product tank; and
a first cover member disposed inside the product tank to cover the first opening and configured to at least partially cover and to uncover the first opening;

wherein the first opening comprises a first size larger than a diameter of a product dispenser configured to be inserted into the first opening.

2. The agricultural implement system of claim 1 , wherein the first cover member comprises a first lid disposed on the first opening and configured to cover and to uncover the first opening; and a hinge mechanically coupled to the first lid and configured to enable the first lid to pivot about the hinge to cover and to uncover the first opening, wherein the opening comprises a first size larger than a diameter of a product dispenser configured to be inserted into the first opening.

3. The agricultural implement system of claim 2 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a powered mechanism mechanically coupled to the hinge and configured to open or close the hinge via the application of electric power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, or a combination thereof.

4. The agricultural implement system of claim 1 , wherein the first cover member comprises a sliding member that slidaby moves to reduce the size of the first opening or to close the first opening, a door member that opens or closes via a hinge, a first double door member configured to open and close a portion of the first opening, or a diaphragm member that moves to partially or completely cover the first opening.

5. The agricultural implement system of claim 1 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a first sensor system, wherein the first sensor system is configured to wirelessly communicate a product level measurement to a mobile device, to a controller, or to a combination thereof.

6. The agricultural implement system of claim 5 , wherein the first sensor system is disposed on the first lid, on the product tank, under the product tank, or on a product tank support structure.

7. The agricultural implement system of claim 5 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a second sensor system, wherein the second sensor system is configured to detect a proximity, a presence, or a combination thereof, of the product dispenser.

8. The agricultural implement system of claim 7 , wherein the second sensor system is communicatively coupled to a controller, and wherein the controller is configured to actuate an actuator to open the first cover member when the product dispenser is detected.

9. The agricultural implement system of claim 1 , wherein the first cover member is operatively coupled to a switch or to a lever to close or to open the first opening.

10. The agricultural implement system of claim 1 , wherein the agricultural implement comprises a planter having the product tank and the product tank comprises a bulk fill product tank configured to carry seed during agricultural operations, and wherein the product dispenser comprises a funnel extension of a seed tender system.

11. A bulk fill product tank system, comprising:
a quick fill port system comprising:
aa first wall defining a first opening leading to an inside of the product tank; and
a first cover member disposed inside the product tank to cover the first opening and configured to at least partially cover and to uncover the first opening; wherein the opening comprises a first size larger than a diameter of a product dispenser configured to be inserted into the first opening.

12. The bulk fill product tank system of claim 11 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a powered mechanism mechanically coupled to the first cover member and configured to open or close the first cover member via the application of electric power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, or a combination thereof, and wherein the powered mechanism is configured to operatively couple to a mobile device, to a controller, or to a combination thereof, to open or close the first cover member.

13. The bulk fill product tank system of claim 11 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a first sensor system, wherein the first sensor system is configured to wirelessly communicate a product level measurement to a mobile device, to a controller, or to a combination thereof.

14. The bulk fill product tank system of claim 13 , wherein the quick fill port system comprises a second sensor system, wherein the second sensor system is configured to detect a proximity, a presence, or a combination thereof, of the product dispenser.

15. The bulk fill product tank system of claim 11 , wherein the quick fill port system is communicatively coupled to a controller to open or close the first cover member, to a switch to open or close the first cover member, or to a combination thereof.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Czapka Jason
• Anderson Brian John

Classifications

• B65D43/161

  comprising two or more cover sections hinged one to another · CPC title

• A01C7/20

  Parts of seeders for conducting and depositing seed · CPC title

• A01C7/06 Primary

  Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus · CPC title

• A01C15/006 Primary

  Hoppers · CPC title

• B65D43/26

  Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated {(for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623)} · CPC title