Soil Sensing Systems and Implements for Sensing Different Soil Parameters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023417726-A1
Application number	US-202318461994-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 6, 2023
Priority date	Oct 17, 2017
Publication date	Dec 28, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and implements for sensing, analyzing, and displaying different soil parameters. A soil sensing system includes a mechanical component of an agricultural implement and at least one sensor disposed on the mechanical component. The sensor generates an electromagnetic field through a region of soil as the agricultural implement traverses a field. The sensor comprises at least one radar transmitter and at least one radar receiver and the sensor measures different soil parameters including a soil dielectric constant.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A soil sensing system for sensing soil properties comprising:
an implement; a radar transceiver or a combination of radar transmitter and a radar receiver disposed on the implement for sensing soil properties at a depth of soil; and at least one optical sensor to sense at least one of soil organic matter, soil moisture, soil texture, and soil cation-exchange capacity (CEC).

2 . The soil sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the implement is one of a tractor, a planter, a seeder, a tillage tool, a combine, a sprayer, and an agricultural toolbar.

3 . The soil sensing system of claim 1 , wherein the implement is a planter.

4 . The soil sensing system of claim 1 further comprising:
a monitor in communication with the radar transceiver or a combination of the radar transmitter and the radar receiver and the optical sensor and adapted to generate a numeric display or a spatial mapping of the soil.

5 . A soil sensing system comprising:
an agricultural implement; and at least one sensor disposed on the agricultural implement and directed to soil to measure at least one of: a plurality of soil layers differing by density; a depth of a transition from a first soil layer to a second soil layer based on density of each layer; a magnitude of a density layer difference between soil layers; a rate of change of soil density across a depth of soil; soil density variability; soil surface roughness; residue mat thickness; and a density at a soil layer.

6 . The soil sensing system of claim 5 , wherein the sensor is one of radar, electroconductivity, electromagnetic, and a force probe.

7 . The soil sensing system of claim 5 , wherein the agricultural implement is one of a tractor, a planter, a seeder, a tillage tool, a combine, a sprayer, and an agricultural toolbar.

8 . The soil sensing system of claim 5 further comprising:
a monitor in communication with the sensor and adapted to generate a numeric display or a spatial mapping of the soil.

9 . The soil sensing system of claim 5 further comprising:
a common midpoint (CMP) antenna array is utilized by positioning a target at a known depth, transmitting electromagnetic pulses into soil, receiving electromagnetic pulses, and then calculating for that depth.

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Stoller Jason J
• Schlipf Ben L

Classifications

• A01B79/005

  Precision agriculture · CPC title

• G01N33/24 Primary

  Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01B47/00 Primary

  Soil-working with electric potential applied between tools and soil · CPC title

• A01C7/08

  Broadcast seeders; Seeders depositing seeds in rows · CPC title

• A01C5/04

  Machines for making or covering holes for sowing or planting · CPC title