Soil Sensing Systems and Implements for Sensing Different Soil Parameters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023417727-A1
Application number	US-202318462006-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 method of measuring residue mat thickness of residue in a field comprising:
traversing an implement across a field, wherein a radar transceiver or a combination of radar transmitter and a radar receiver is disposed on the implement for sensing residue on the field; measuring an amount of residue thickness at geo-referenced locations in the field; and storing the amount of residue thickness at each geo-referenced location in memory.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying on a display residue thickness at each geo-referenced location.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying on the display the residue thickness for an individual row as the implement is moved across the field.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
spatially displaying with a map on the display residue thickness ranges for multiple rows across the field.

5 . The method 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.

6 . A method to generate processed soil data comprising:
traversing an implement across a field, wherein a radar transceiver or a combination of radar transmitter and a radar receiver is disposed on the implement for sensing soil characteristics of the field; measuring, with the implement, a soil density change at a first depth; measuring, with the implement, a sensed moisture level at the first depth; and combining the soil density change with the sensed moisture level at the first depth to generate a first processed soil data.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
measuring, with the implement, a soil density change at a second depth; measuring, with the implement, a sensed moisture level at the second depth; and combining the soil density change with the sensed moisture level at the second depth to generate a second processed soil data.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a depth of roots during harvest for in row versus out of row are determined based on soil density.

9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
measuring, with the implement, soil type or texture; and combining the soil density change with the soil type or texture to generate a third processed soil data.

10 . A method of measuring soil characteristics in a field comprising:
traversing an implement across a field, wherein a radar transceiver or a combination of radar transmitter and a radar receiver is disposed on the implement for sensing soil characteristics of the field; measuring, with the implement, a depth of a first density layer at geo-referenced locations in the field; and storing the depth of the first density layer at each geo-referenced location in memory.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
displaying with a spatial map on a display the depth of the first density layer at each geo-referenced location.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
measuring a depth of a second density layer at geo-referenced locations in the field; and storing the depth of the second density layer at each geo-referenced location in memory.

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