Variable geometry meter roller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016309642-A1
Application number	US-201615200580-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 1, 2016
Priority date	Mar 10, 2011
Publication date	Oct 27, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An agricultural metering device with a variable geometry meter roller is provided. The agricultural metering device includes a meter roller having a plurality of flutes. An aggregate cross sectional area of the flutes increases along a longitudinal axis of the meter roller.

First claim

1 . An agricultural metering system, comprising:
a plurality of meter boxes; a plurality of meter rollers, wherein each meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is disposed in a respective meter box of the plurality of meter boxes; a corresponding plurality of meter roller covers, wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers is disposed over at least part of a respective meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers, and each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers moves in operation to cover a selected portion of the respective meter roller; and a control bar coupled to the plurality of meter roller covers, wherein the control bar collectively moves the plurality of meter roller covers in operation relative to the plurality of meter rollers.

2 . The agricultural metering system of claim 1 , wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers is configured to move independently relative to the respective meter roller.

3 . The agricultural metering system of claim 2 , comprising an adjustment assembly coupled to each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to independently move each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers relative to the respective meter roller.

4 . The agricultural metering system of claim 1 , comprising an actuator coupled to the control bar, wherein the actuator is configured to drive the control bar to move the plurality of meter roller covers.

5 . The agricultural metering system of claim 1 , wherein at least one meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is configured to provide a product flow rate that varies non-linearly as a function of coverage by a respective meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers.

6 . The agricultural metering system of claim 1 , wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers moves in operation relative to the respective meter roller along a longitudinal axis of the respective meter roller.

7 . An agricultural metering system, comprising:
a plurality of meter boxes; a plurality of meter rollers, wherein each meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is disposed in a respective meter box of the plurality of meter boxes; a corresponding plurality of meter roller sleeves, wherein each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves is disposed about a respective meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers, and each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves moves in operation relative to the respective meter roller to selectively cover a first portion of the respective meter roller during operation of the agricultural metering system and a second portion of the respective meter roller, larger than the first portion, during operation of the agricultural metering system; and a control bar coupled to the plurality of meter roller sleeves, wherein the control bar collectively moves the plurality of meter roller sleeves in operation relative to the plurality of meter rollers.

8 . The agricultural metering system of claim 7 , wherein each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves is configured to move independently relative to the respective meter roller.

9 . The agricultural metering system of claim 8 , comprising an adjustment assembly extending between each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves and the control bar, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to independently move each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves relative to the respective meter roller.

10 . The agricultural metering system of claim 9 , wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to independently move each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves relative to the respective meter roller via rotation of the meter roller sleeve.

11 . The agricultural metering system of claim 7 , comprising an actuator coupled to the control bar, wherein the actuator is configured to drive the control bar to move the plurality of meter roller sleeves.

12 . The agricultural metering system of claim 7 , wherein at least one meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is configured to provide a product flow rate that varies non-linearly as a function of coverage by a respective meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves.

13 . The agricultural metering system of claim 7 , wherein each meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves moves in operation relative to the respective meter roller along a longitudinal axis of the respective meter roller.

14 . The agricultural metering system of claim 7 , wherein at least one meter roller sleeve of the plurality of meter roller sleeves is disposed about an entire circumference of the respective meter roller.

15 . An agricultural metering system, comprising:
a plurality of meter boxes; a plurality of meter rollers, wherein each meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is disposed in a respective meter box of the plurality of meter boxes; a corresponding plurality of meter roller covers, wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers is disposed over at least part of a respective meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers, and each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers moves in operation relative to the respective meter roller to selectively cover a first portion of the respective meter roller during operation of the agricultural metering system and a second portion of the respective meter roller, larger than the first portion, during operation of the agricultural metering system; and a control bar coupled to the plurality of meter roller covers, wherein the control bar collectively moves the plurality of meter roller covers in operation relative to the plurality of meter rollers.

16 . The agricultural metering system of claim 15 , wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers is configured to move independently relative to the respective meter roller.

17 . The agricultural metering system of claim 16 , comprising an adjustment assembly coupled to each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to move each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers relative to the respective meter roller.

18 . The agricultural metering system of claim 15 , comprising an actuator coupled to the control bar, wherein the actuator is configured to drive the control bar to move the plurality of meter roller covers.

19 . The agricultural metering system of claim 15 , wherein at least one meter roller of the plurality of meter rollers is configured to provide a product flow rate that varies non-linearly as a function of coverage by a respective meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers.

20 . The agricultural metering system of claim 15 , wherein each meter roller cover of the plurality of meter roller covers moves in operation along a longitudinal axis of the respective meter roller.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Kowalchuk Trevor Lawrence
• Turner Jack Donald
• Engel Gordon Anthony

Classifications

• A01C19/02

  by a motor · CPC title

• A01C7/081

  Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means · CPC title

• A01C7/082

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

• A01C7/127

  Cell rollers, wheels, discs or belts · CPC title

• A01C5/062

  Devices for making drills or furrows · CPC title