Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11140808-B2
Application number	US-201916249894-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2019
Priority date	Oct 24, 2012
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of monitoring and displaying readings associated with a sensor measuring cutting depth of a seed trench on a seeder as the seeder seeds a field, the method comprising:
with a seed firmer disposed on the seeder and with the sensor associated with the seed firmer, sensing cutting depth of the seed trench as the seeder seeds the field; and
displaying on a display associated with the seeder a representation of cutting depth of the seed trench.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the representation of the cutting depth provides a linear distance dimension.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the representation of the cutting depth comprises a range indicator format.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the seeder comprises:
a row unit frame supporting an opening disc adapted to open the seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit advances in a forward direction of travel, said row unit frame further supporting a gauge wheel pivotally mounted to said row unit frame by a gauge wheel arm, said row unit frame further supporting and a depth adjustment assembly having a plurality of selectable positions, each of said selectable positions establishing a selected trench depth by limiting an amount of upward travel of said gauge wheel relative to said opener disc, whereby said selected trench depth corresponds to a height of said row unit frame relative to said soil surface.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is mounted on a bracket proximate to the seed firmer.

6. An apparatus for monitoring and displaying readings associated with a sensor measuring cutting depth of a seed trench on a seeder as the seeder seeds a field, the apparatus comprising:
a seeder implement;
a seed firmer on the seeder implement;
a sensor associated with the seed firmer and which measures a height of a seed furrow sidewall of the seed trench; and
a display associated with the seeder adapted to display a representation of cutting depth of the seed trench based on the sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the seeder comprises:
a row unit frame supporting an opening disc adapted to open the seed trench in a soil surface as the row unit advances in a forward direction of travel, said row unit frame further supporting a gauge wheel pivotally mounted to said row unit frame by a gauge wheel arm, said row unit frame further supporting and a depth adjustment assembly having a plurality of selectable positions, each of said selectable positions establishing a selected trench depth by limiting an amount of upward travel of said gauge wheel relative to said opener disc, whereby said selected trench depth corresponds to a height of said row unit frame relative to said soil surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is mounted on a bracket proximate to the seed firmer.

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Sauder Derek
• Stoller Jason
• Radtke Ian
• Levy Kent

Classifications

• A01C7/203 Primary

  comprising depth regulation means · CPC title

• A01B71/02

  Setting or adjusting mechanisms · CPC title

• G01D5/142

  using Hall-effect devices (measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06) · CPC title

• A01B76/00

  Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00 · CPC title

• A01C5/064

  with rotating tools · CPC title