Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9750174-B2
Application number	US-201314437985-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2013
Priority date	Oct 24, 2012
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

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. An agricultural row unit, comprising:
a row unit frame;
a first gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit; and
a first sensor configured to generate a first signal related to the angular position of said first gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame, said first sensor comprising:
a receiver component;
a transmitter component;
wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm for rotation therewith;
wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is fixedly mounted to said row unit frame;
wherein said first signal is related to a distance between said receiver component and said transmitter component.

2. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit;
a rocker pivotally mounted to said row unit frame, said rocker limiting a relative angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said first gauge wheel arm; and
a second sensor configured to generate a second signal related to the angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame.

3. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein said receiver component comprises a Hall-effect sensor.

4. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein said transmitter component comprises a magnet.

5. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted directly to said first gauge wheel arm.

6. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm via a circumferential mounting rim, wherein said circumferential mounting rim is mounted to said gauge wheel arm.

7. The agricultural row unit of claim 2 , further comprising:
a processor, said processor in data communication with said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to estimate the depth of a trench opened by the agricultural row unit based on said first signal and said second signal.

8. The agricultural row unit of claim 7 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate an average of said first signal and said second signal.

Assignees

• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• G01D5/142

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

• A01C5/068

  Furrow packing devices, e.g. press wheels · 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

• A01B63/111

  regulating working depth of implements · CPC title