Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
111177000 | Rotating dispensing element | 82 |
20140014012 | SOWING HEART MONITORING APPARATUS, SOWING HEART AND SINGLE-SEED DRILL - A sowing heart monitoring apparatus for connection to a sowing heart and for monitoring of the sowing heart with a line camera with one detection direction, a housing which can be attached to the sowing heart for accommodating the line camera and a radiation source for generating electromagnetic waves which can be detected by the line camera with one radiation direction. The sowing heart monitoring apparatus is made such that electromagnetic waves which have been generated by the radiation source can be detected by the line camera after reflection on one reflection surface of a rotating sowing disc of the sowing heart and can be evaluated by an evaluation unit. The invention also relates to a sowing heart and a single-seed drill. | 01-16-2014 |
20140230705 | SEED DELIVERY APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. | 08-21-2014 |
20150342114 | SEEDER WITH LOCKOUT CLUTCH - A seed planting machine for dispensing seed. The seed planting machine includes a transmission with a lockout clutch having an actuator for shifting the lockout clutch between a first configuration and a second configuration. As such, the lockout clutch, in the first configuration, is operable to cause the seed planting machine to dispense seed in response to a roller mechanism of the seed planting machine rotating in a first direction and to not dispense seed in response to the roller mechanism rotating in a second direction. Furthermore, the lockout clutch, in the second configuration, is not operable to cause the seed planting machine to dispense seed in response to the roller mechanism rotating in either the first or second directions. | 12-03-2015 |
20160037713 | Multiple Seed-Type Seed Meter - A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a segmented seed meter reservoir with multiple seed meter chambers arranged between two pairs of seed disks that may be better parallel to each other or angled with respect to each other to define an X-shaped arrangement of the seed disks in the seed meter. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver a single one of the multiple types of seed from the respective seed meter chamber for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter. | 02-11-2016 |
20160095274 | Agricultural Implement With System For Seeding Or Planting Multiple Seed Types - A system is provided for use with a seed-delivering agricultural implement that can use look-ahead predictions and controls to coordinate seed type delivery switchover in a manner that minimizes mixing different seed types during the switchover. The system can include a control system that uses a prescription map to look ahead to coordinate out-of-implement or to-ground seed type delivery switch-over events of seeding and/or planting implements with the implements crossing boundaries between different variety zones of an agricultural field. | 04-07-2016 |
20160157421 | AGRICULTURAL INTER-SEEDER ROTOR - A system for planting cover crop seeds in fields with standing row crops. A high-clearance agricultural vehicle is provided with a high-clearance toolbar. The system is provided with soil sealers. A seeder with a reciprocating seeder is provided above the soil sealers to deliver various types of seeds onto the disrupted soil, after which the soil sealers cover the seeds with soil. | 06-09-2016 |
20160192580 | Twin-Row Planter With Tandem Driven Seed Meters | 07-07-2016 |
111178000 | Roll or drum | 13 |
20080229987 | Sand Dispenser for a Scarifier - A sand dispenser for a scarifier wherein the sand dispenser is mounted on the scarifier and comprises: a sand hopper having an outlet at a lower end of the hopper; a gate located below the outlet and moveable between an open position and a closed position for controlling the flow of sand through the hopper and into a distributor, the distributor including a row of distributing lines through which sand is directed to flow and enter grooves in the ground created by blades of the scarifier, wherein each distributing line is aligned with a groove. | 09-25-2008 |
20090050035 | DUAL FUNCTION SEED METER - A seed meter comprises a plastic casing defining a volumetric compartment and a singling compartment. The casing has three basic parts including the singling side, the volumetric side and the center portion. The basic parts are held together by integrally molded fastening assemblies. A slidable gate is mounted to two channels in the center portion for selectively directing seed into one of the two compartments. A metering drum having a volumetric section located in the volumetric compartment and a singling section located in the singling compartment is rotationally mounted to the casing. The metering drum is also plastic with each section comprising two identical pieces that can be mounted around a drive shaft. | 02-26-2009 |
20090314191 | Metering System For Agricultural Implement And Having Sectional Control - A particulate metering system includes a set of blocking members that can be independently controlled to block or allow the flow of particulate material to a roller assembly that collects the particulate material and releases the material to a series of distribution channels. | 12-24-2009 |
20110265699 | Land Roller - A land roller implement includes a wheel aligned with the respective gap between the inner roller and the outer roller of each wing in which the wheel is pivotal between a packing position in the working position of the rollers and a transport position supporting the rollers in the transport position of the implement. The wings can also include a drive motor associated with each transport wheel to drive forward rotation of the wheel for displacing the wings from the transport position to the working position without displacing the implement in a rearward direction. A levelling beam attachment and a seeding attachment can also optionally be used on the land roller implement. Optional latchable brace members pivotally supported on the wings may provide additional support to the wings when using the levelling beam attachment. | 11-03-2011 |
20110271887 | Vacuum seed meter - A seed meter for an agricultural seed planter, wherein the seed meter includes a rotating distributing seed disk defining a plurality of radially spaced apertures. The seed disk or drum is operatively connected to a vacuum source for creating a pressure differential between the exterior and the interior of the seed disk so as to pick up seeds for dispensing. Secured to the exterior surface of the seed disk are a plurality of arm members made from a resilient, yet rigid material, such as spring steel, which include an end portion defining an aperture that is positioned over a corresponding aperture formed about the periphery of the seed disk. As the drum is rotated through a supply of seeds, individual seeds are urged onto the apertures of the arm members and corresponding seed disk apertures, and held in place by the vacuum. A lifter mechanism mounted with a frame and including an end that engages at least the portion of the seed disk or drum defining the seed apertures causes the radial outward end of the arm members to be urged away from the surface of the seed disk as the disk is rotated relative to the end of the lifter so that the seed held on the arm member is moved away from the vacuum source and communication with the vacuum source is disrupted. The lifter may optionally include a portion that also occludes the aperture in the seed disk, thereby temporarily cutting off the vacuum force from the individual seed entirely. The lifter in conjunction with a vacuum breaker plate may also physically dislodge any seed or debris not previously removed. As the seed disk continues to rotate, the arm members are disengaged from the lifter such that the arm members are allowed to return to the position where the apertures in the arm members and seed disk are again overlaid. | 11-10-2011 |
20120174845 | Seed Metering Assembly Having Modular And Independently Controlled Metering Units - The present invention is directed to a seed metering assembly that has a series of individualized and independently controlled metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus that provides effective sectional control. | 07-12-2012 |
20120325131 | SECTIONED METERING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A sectioned metering system and method is provided. One metering system for distributing an agricultural product in a field includes a drive input and a rotary shaft assembly coupled to the drive input and configured to be driven in rotation by the drive input. The metering system also includes a first metering section driven by the rotary shaft assembly and at least two additional metering sections. Each additional metering section is selectively engageable to drive the respective additional metering section by the rotary shaft assembly. Each additional metering section is also selectively disengageable to interrupt driving of the respective additional metering section by the rotary shaft assembly while the first metering section remains driven. | 12-27-2012 |
20130233216 | VARIABLE GEOMETRY METER ROLLER - 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. | 09-12-2013 |
20140083342 | VARIABLE GEOMETRY METER ROLLER - 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. | 03-27-2014 |
20140083343 | VARIABLE GEOMETRY METER ROLLER - 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. | 03-27-2014 |
20160120108 | MODULAR METER ROLLER CARTRIDGE - An agricultural metering system includes a modular meter roller cartridge. The modular meter roller cartridge includes a meter roller. The modular meter roller cartridge further includes a housing rotatably supporting the meter roller. The housing is configured to selectively engage a meter box of the agricultural metering system to support the meter roller within the meter box while the housing is engaged with the meter box, and to selectively disengage the meter box. | 05-05-2016 |
20160120109 | METER ROLLER FOR AN AGRICULTURAL METERING SYSTEM - A meter roller for an agricultural metering system includes a first segment having a first set of flutes and a corresponding first set of recesses. The meter roller also includes a second segment having a second set of flutes and a corresponding second set of recesses. A first aggregate volume of the first set of recesses is substantially equal to a second aggregate volume of the second set of recesses, and a first longitudinal end of the first segment contacts a second longitudinal end of the second segment along a contact surface. In addition, the second segment is circumferentially offset from the first segment such that each flute of the first set of flutes is at least partially aligned with each recess of the second set of recesses at the contact surface. | 05-05-2016 |
111179000 | Air pressure differential drum | 1 |
20120186505 | SEED SINGULATOR HOUSING AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH IT - A sow housing for piecemeal sowing of seeds. The sow housing includes a seed bin and a rotating seed element having a wall that has a plurality of through holes. Each hole is arranged to, during a first part of the revolution of the hole, retain a seed as a consequence of pressure difference between the two sides of the wall. A cover means is arranged to cover each hole during a second part of the revolution of the hole. | 07-26-2012 |
111183000 | Plate type trap | 62 |
20090000533 | DIRECT DRIVE ELECTRIC SEED METERING SYSTEM - A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seed plate rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seed plate at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seed plate. | 01-01-2009 |
20110219997 | CLEANING ELEMENT, SOWING DEVICE AND SINGLE-GRAIN SOWING MACHINE - Sowing heart for an individual grain sowing machine including a seed disk which can rotate in one direction of rotation R, wherein the seed disk has sowing holes in a defined arrangement; a receiving region for receiving the seed in the sowing holes and a delivery region for delivery of the seed; and cleaning means for cleaning of the sowing holes during operation of the sowing heart between the delivery region and the receiving region. For improved cleaning action of the cleaning means for cleaning each hole, per revolution of the seed disk there being at least two separate cleaning phases which can be easily replaced at the same time. Furthermore, the invention relates to an individual grain sowing machine with a plurality of sowing assemblies with one aforementioned sowing heart at a time and a corresponding cleaning element. | 09-15-2011 |
20120067262 | SEED CHARACTERISTIC SENSOR - Seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods of planting seed are provided. Such meters, planters, and methods may include a housing defining a chamber, a seed disc rotatably coupled to the housing and at least partially positioned within the chamber with the seed disc adapted to engage a seed, and a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the seed after the seed disengages the seed disc and before the seed exits the seed meter. The sensor may be coupled to a seed chute of the seed meter and may detect a wide variety of seed characteristics such as seed position within the seed chute, seed size, and seed shape. The seed characteristic may be used to adjust operation of the seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods. In some instances, the adjustment may be manual. In other instances, the adjustment may be automatic. | 03-22-2012 |
20120204774 | PICK ASSEMBLY FOR AGRICULTURAL SEED PRODUCT AND PICK FOR THE PICK ASSEMBLY - A pick assembly for delivering a seed product from a supply thereof to a delivery location and having a pick wheel and at least a first pick arm assembly on the pick wheel with a first cantilever-mounted pick. The pick: a) penetrates a seed product from a supply and releases the seed product to a delivery location as an incident of the pick wheel turning. The first pick has a body with an exposed surface that tapers over at least a portion of the length of the body. At least one discrete raised holding element is on the exposed surface of the body and has an axial width bounded by axially spaced edges. The one holding element at least one of: a) extends through less than fully around a lengthwise axis of the first pick body; and b) has gaps at both axially spaced edges, each extending along the lengthwise axis a distance greater than the axial width. | 08-16-2012 |
20120240837 | METERING MEMBER FOR A SEED METER - A metering member for a seed meter having a with a sidewall formed with an radially outward and axially flared rim portion is provided. A plurality of apertures extend though the rim portion to which seed is adhered. The metering member is oriented at an angle to the vertical such that an upper portion of the metering member extends beyond a lower portion of the metering member. This orientation allows a seed delivery system to extend into the interior of the metering member and cooperate with the overhanging metering member to remove seed therefrom. | 09-27-2012 |
20150351315 | Multiple Seed-Type Seed Meter - A seed meter is provided for planting multiple types of seed and rapidly switching between the types being planted in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting. The seed meter has a split seed meter reservoir with a pair of seed meter chambers flanked by or next to a pair of seed disks. Activation and deactivation of the seed disks within the seed meter are synchronized to selectively deliver one type of seed from one of the seed meter chambers for delivery out of a single seed tube of the seed meter, which may provide absolute and instantaneous on-the-go seed switching within a single row from each seed meter. | 12-10-2015 |
20160044859 | Particulate Solid Metering and Mixing System for Rotary Seed Broadcaster Used for Sowing in Agricultural Sowing Machines - A metering and mixing system of particulate solids for seed rotary dispenser in agricultural equipment for sowing, where the seed rotary dispenser is of a type comprised by a cylindrical compartment with circular cross-section and low height, which is mounted under a small seed feeder bin; being such seed rotary dispenser driven at the bottom by a miter gear coupled to the planter driving system, which provides rotation to a spinning disc provided with a number of calibrated orifices and with a ring which is mounted facing the disc and which has an passage opening through which the seeds housed in the disc holes fall in a given point of the device, given point of the device, being provided between the seed bin and the rotary dispenser a metering and mixing equipment for particulate solids. | 02-18-2016 |
20160044860 | METERING UNIT FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL - Disclosed is a metering unit for granular material with a conveyor disk driven by a drive motor and rotating approximately concentrically to an inner cover surface of a housing. The conveyor disk has a recess for the reception of at least one grain to be separated via at least one revolution of the conveyor disk. In the interaction with a groove-shaped and/or slanted profile of the inner cover surface, the recess forms a conveyor pocket for conveying one grain or a plurality of grains in the direction toward an outlet opening extending approximately tangentially from the inner cover surface. For varying an axial distance to the inner cover surface and/or a width of the conveyor pocket, the conveyor disk, which is rotationally fixedly connected with the drive motor, is adjustable in the axial direction of the drive motor. | 02-18-2016 |
20160044861 | METERING DISK OF A DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL - Disclosed is a rotating conveyor disk of a metering or sowing unit having a plurality of recesses for transporting grains. The conveyor disk rotates within a housing of a metering unit for granular material, such as seeds, fertilizer, or the like. The conveyor disk has at least one recess at the outer periphery for the reception of at least one grain to be separated via at least one revolution of the conveyor disk. In the interaction with a groove-shaped profile of the inner cover surface, the at least one recess forms a conveyor pocket for conveying one grain or a plurality of grains in the direction toward an outlet opening extending approximately tangentially to the inner cover surface. The at least one recess is located at the outer periphery of the conveyor disk in an insert element that is detachably anchored in the disk. | 02-18-2016 |
20160128272 | Seed Meter - A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc. | 05-12-2016 |
20160143212 | Multiple Seed-Type Planter With On-Row Selector Assembly - A system is provided for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting an agricultural field. The system may include a selector assembly arranged between a multi-compartment on-row hopper and a seed meter at each row unit of a planter. A control system controls selector valves of the selector assembly to switch from releasing of seeds of a first type from the on-row hopper the seed meter to releasing of seeds of a second type from the on-row hopper to the seed meter for providing a switchover of seeds being planted from the seed meter, from the first to the second type when the seed meter cross a boundary between different zones of the agricultural field. | 05-26-2016 |
111184000 | Vertical | 51 |
20090025620 | SEED METER WITH FLEXIBLE SEED DISC - A seed meter for use in an agricultural seeding machine includes a housing having an inner chamber and one or more deflectors within the inner chamber, and a seed disc rotatably carried by the housing. The seed disc includes at least a portion thereof formed from a flexible material which is deflectable by the one or more deflectors during rotation within the housing. | 01-29-2009 |
20090090283 | GROUND DRIVEN SEED METERING SYSTEM WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - An agricultural seeding machine includes at least one tool bar, and a plurality of row crop units, with each row crop unit coupled with a respective tool bar. Each row crop unit includes a seed meter; a ground engaging wheel; a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driven by the wheel; and a rotatable drive element coupled between the CVT and the seed meter. | 04-09-2009 |
20100282142 | Dispensing Disk Alignment For Metering Devices - An indexable coupler for indexing metering disks together for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 11-11-2010 |
20110232554 | SEEDING MACHINE WITH SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM - A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing. | 09-29-2011 |
20110253019 | INDIVIDUAL-GRAIN SEEDING MACHINE - A single-grain sowing machine having a sowing disc ( | 10-20-2011 |
20120260837 | SEED FLAP FOR SEED METER - A metering device having an obstruction within its metering chamber to prevent inputs such as seeds from passing from a seed sump to other areas within the metering chamber and causing to the metering device to become overfilled with seeds when the metering device is raised out of the planting position. In one embodiment, the obstruction includes one or more hingedly connected flaps that move due to the changing orientation of the metering device. In one or more positions of the metering device, the obstruction is positioned to prevent the seeds from leaving the seed sump. The seeds are prevented from leaving the seed sump without having to manually shut a gate on each metering devices of a planter. | 10-18-2012 |
20120325132 | Seed Planter Incorporating Directly Driven Seed Meter Hub Drive - A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seek disk rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seek disk at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seek disk. | 12-27-2012 |
20130192504 | Seed Meter - A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc. | 08-01-2013 |
20140261118 | Seed Meter Control System - A seed meter control system is provided that allows for controlling seed meters of a row crop planter in a manner that reduces frequency of skip occurrences in which no seeds are delivered during a delivery event and double occurrences in which more than one seed is delivered during a delivery event. A target seeding session performance may be compared with an observed seeding session performance value and a delivery anomaly value to determine whether to make a corrective action by controlling at least one of the seed meters. | 09-18-2014 |
20140352587 | SEED CHARACTERISTIC SENSOR - Seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods of planting seed are provided. Such meters, planters, and methods may include a housing defining a chamber, a seed disc rotatably coupled to the housing and at least partially positioned within the chamber with the seed disc adapted to engage a seed, and a sensor for detecting a characteristic of the seed after the seed disengages the seed disc and before the seed exits the seed meter. The sensor may be coupled to a seed chute of the seed meter and may detect a wide variety of seed characteristics such as seed position within the seed chute, seed size, and seed shape. The seed characteristic may be used to adjust operation of the seed meters, agricultural planters, and methods. In some instances, the adjustment may be manual. In other instances, the adjustment may be automatic. | 12-04-2014 |
20150090166 | SEED METER UNLOADING SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units. In some embodiments, seeds are planted by rotating a seed disc in a first direction; seeds are then unloaded from a seed disc into a seed pool by rotating the seed disc in a second direction. In some such embodiments an amount of rotation in the second rotation is selected to ensure that seeds are released into the seed pool and not released from the from the seed meter. | 04-02-2015 |
20150289442 | FLEXIBLE SEED METERING DISK - A flexible seed metering disk, comprising a first disk layer, and a second disk layer, wherein the first disk layer has a first pattern of holes which pass completely through the first disk layer, wherein the second disk layer has a second pattern of holes which pass completely through the second disk layer, and wherein the first disk layer is placed in contact with the second disk layer such that at least a subset of holes from the first pattern of holes lines up with at least a subset of holes from the second pattern of holes, creating openings in the flexible seed metering disk which pass through both the first disk layer and the second disk layer, whereby various configurations of the flexible seed metering disk can be created by rotating the first disk layer in relation to the second disk layer to create alternative alignments. | 10-15-2015 |
20150373898 | SINGLE-SEED SOWING MACHINE WITH AT LEAST ONE IMPROVED SOWING ELEMENT - A single-grain seeder including a chassis that supports at least one seeding element including a dispensing housing, at least one opening disk for opening a furrow in the ground, and at least one depth control wheel, the dispensing housing delivering seeds one by one via a rotary dosing element configured to turn about a rotation axis, each seed being ejected from the rotary dosing element at an ejection point extending in a lower portion of the rotary dosing element. The ejection point is disposed in an external diameter of the opening disk, when viewed along the rotation axis of the rotary dosing element. | 12-31-2015 |
20160174458 | Vegetable seed planter | 06-23-2016 |
111185000 | Air pressure differential | 37 |
20080236462 | Seed Singulator - A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures. | 10-02-2008 |
20080250993 | SEED DISK FOR A SEED METER - A seed metering system having a housing and a disk rotatably positioned within the housing and having a plurality of holes extending from a first face to a second face thereof, the holes being substantially uniformly placed from one another around the circumference of the disk and each sized to receive a single seed. A pressure differential is maintained between the first and second face of the disk within the housing, the pressure on the first face being higher than the pressure on the second face to urge seeds against the first face of the disk. A plurality of seeds are distributed against the first face of the disk, whereby the pressure differential substantially urges a single seed into a single hole on the disk. A device is provided for releasing the single seeds from the holes on the disk at substantially the same location for sequential distribution of seeds. The plate has a protrusion to interrupt each of the holes, the protrusion having at least a portion thereof substantially in the plane of the intersection between the first face and the holes for preventing seeds to be retained within the holes to promote unimpeded release of the seeds, the area of the protrusion within the plane being selected to permit the maintenance of a pressure differential between the first and second faces of the plate. | 10-16-2008 |
20090013909 | Method and Apparatus For An Agricultural Implement Seed Meter - A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion. The second housing portion is configured to move between a first position extending to a second portion of the seed disk to operate in concert with the first housing portion to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second position providing access to at least a portion of the second portion of the seed disk including the lowest most portion of the seed disk. | 01-15-2009 |
20090078179 | AIR SEED METER WITH DEBRIS CLEARING DEVICE - An air seed meter having a rotating disc with seed openings arranged in a circumferential pattern includes a holder adapted to be mounted to the meter housing and carries two balls spring-biased to reciprocate and enter the seed openings as they pass and clear debris from the openings. The balls may also engage dimples on the seed disc located between seed openings or groups of seed openings (in the case of a hill drop planter) in the disc as it rotates to cause vibration in the disc to promote the release of seeds as they exit the vacuum chamber. | 03-26-2009 |
20090090284 | AGRICULTURAL SEEDING SYSTEM - A seeding machine having at least one tool bar, a plurality of row units and a processing circuit. Each of the plurality of row units are connected to the toolbar. Each of the row units have a seed metering device, a seed placement device and a seed sensor. The seed metering device includes a seed disk providing a metering action to a plurality of seeds. The seed placement device receives the seeds from the seed metering device. The seed sensor is positioned to detect the passage of seeds through either the metering device or the seed placement device. The seed sensor producing a signal indicative of the passage of the seeds. The processing circuit is receptive of the signal from each of the seed sensors of each of the plurality of row units. The processing circuit determines a seed placement parameter dependent upon the signal, the processing circuit alters the metering action of the seeds dependent on the seed placement parameter. | 04-09-2009 |
20100101468 | Method and Apparatus For An Agricultural Implement Seed Meter - A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion. The second housing portion is configured to move between a first position extending to a second portion of the seed disk to operate in concert with the first housing portion to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second position providing access to at least a portion of the second portion of the seed disk including the lowest most portion of the seed disk. | 04-29-2010 |
20100282143 | Fertilizer Transfer Chamber For Metering Device - A transfer chamber assembly for an apparatus and method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282144 | Dual Product Dispensing Disk For Metering Device - A metering disk for dispensing two or more crop inputs to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282145 | Air Assisted Seed Dispensing - Directed air flow to assist the metering of seeds from a metering disk. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282146 | Seed Meter Airflow Cover - A cover for a pneumatic metering device for preventing air flow to the ambient environment while dispensing of inputs from the metering device. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. The cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials. | 11-11-2010 |
20100300341 | SEED METERING DEVICE AND SEED DISK FOR AGRICULTURAL SEEDER - A seed metering device for agricultural seeders has a meter housing, a seed disk covering an open side of the meter housing, and a brush assembly mounted within the meter housing and contacting the seed disk. The meter housing has a seed delivery opening for delivering a supply of seed into a seed pool area, an air inlet provided above the seed pool area for receiving a supply of positive pressure air into the meter housing, and a seed exit area where seed can be dropped into a seed tube. The seed disk has seed pockets spaced around its outer circumference that pass through the seed pool and pick up individual seeds as the seed disk rotates. The device includes several features that help singulate and drop seeds in a way that provides a desired number of seeds per acre and a uniform spacing between the seeds in the furrow. | 12-02-2010 |
20110226168 | LOW FRICTION SEED METER - The seed meter includes the combination of a vacuum housing and a seed disc coupled together in a sealed manner to form a vacuum chamber. Disposed within the vacuum chamber is a generally flat finger wheel having plural radially extending resilient fingers. Also disposed in the vacuum chamber is a fixed arm. A seed hopper is disposed adjacent the seed disc for providing seeds to an outer surface of the seed disc, with the seeds adhering to the plural spaced apertures on the seed disc's periphery with vacuum applied to the disc's inner surface. A rotary drive spindle rotates the vacuum housing, seed disc and finger wheel combination, with each resilient finger sequentially deflected by the fixed arm to sequentially engage each disc aperture, interrupting vacuum communication with each aperture, for sequentially releasing the seeds. | 09-22-2011 |
20120240838 | PLANTING UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE HAVING A SEED METER AND SEED DELIVERY SYSTEM - A planting unit for a seeding machine is disclosed having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface and a rim portion adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine. | 09-27-2012 |
20130068144 | AIR PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SEED METER - A seed meter for a seeding machine has a housing and a seed metering member rotationally mounted to the housing. The metering member has a sidewall with a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface with the inner surface of the sidewall having an outwardly flared rim portion extending both radially outward and axially to an outer edge. The rim portion has a plurality of apertures extending through the sidewall. The metering member is oriented at an angle to the vertical such that an upper portion of the metering member extends beyond a lower portion of the metering member. This orientation allows a seed delivery system to extend into the interior of the metering member and cooperate with the overhanging inside thereof to remove seed therefrom. | 03-21-2013 |
20130174766 | Seed Dispenser Control - Control apparatus for a pneumatic seed meter having a seed disc that uses a pneumatic pressure differential to hold and release seed on a rotating disc. The control apparatus is controlled to disrupt the pressure differential in an area of the rotating disc to selectively disrupt planting of seed by the seed meter to, for example, reduce overlap planting. | 07-11-2013 |
20140026793 | Hopper And Meter Mount for Agricultural Planter - A seed planting apparatus comprises a meter configured to meter agricultural seeds, a meter drive connected to the meter, a drive gear connected to the meter via the meter drive and configured to rotate the meter based on rotational motion imparted to the drive gear, and a hopper, which comprises a hopper body, a seed port connectable to a seed supply, and a meter port connectable to the meter. | 01-30-2014 |
20140076219 | Low Torque And Vacuum Seed Meter - A seed meter is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that includes a seed disk assembly that rotates within a meter housing cavity and that has a seed disk assembly cavity in which a vacuum pressure is applied for pulling seeds into seed pockets of a seed disk of the seed disc assembly. The vacuum pressure is applied to the seed disk assembly by pulling a vacuum airflow through a spindle that supports the seed disk assembly. A wiper seal is arranged in a fixed position within the seed disk assembly cavity and seals against the seed disk assembly as a support plate and seed disk of the seed disk assembly rotate over the wiper seal, so that the wiper seal creates a boundary between a vacuum zone and a non-vacuum zone inside of the seed disc assembly cavity. | 03-20-2014 |
20140109810 | AIR SEED METER HOUSING WITH SEED PATH RELIEF - A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140109811 | AIR SEED METER DISC WITH FLOW DIRECTING POCKETS - A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140109812 | AIR SEED METER WITH INTERNAL DRIVE - A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140109813 | AIR SEED METER WITH ADJUSTABLE SINGULATOR - A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140182496 | Low Torque And Vacuum Seed Meter - A seed meter is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that includes a seed disk assembly that rotates within a meter housing cavity and that has a seed disk assembly cavity in which a vacuum pressure is applied for pulling seeds into seed pockets of a seed disk of the seed disc assembly. The vacuum pressure is applied to the seed disk assembly by pulling a vacuum airflow through a spindle that supports the seed disk assembly. A wiper basket is arranged in a fixed position within the seed disk assembly cavity and seals against the seed disk assembly as a support plate and seed disk of the seed disk assembly rotate over the wiper basket, so that side walls of the wiper basket create a boundary between a vacuum zone and a non-vacuum zone inside of the seed disc assembly cavity. | 07-03-2014 |
20140352588 | DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SEEDS SINGLY - A device is provided for dispensing seeds singly. The device includes a drum, a dispensing disc, a vacuum chamber and a seal of the vacuum chamber, between the drum and the disc. The seal includes a friction insert mounted so as to be immobile in rotation relative to the drum against the periphery of the disc and an elastic seal mounted so as to be immobile in rotation between the drum and the friction insert. The elastic seal maintains the friction insert in a position of leaning against the disc. | 12-04-2014 |
20150289441 | DUAL-SEED METERING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USE - A seed meter comprising a housing including one or more air inlets for receiving pressurized air into the housing. The seed meter additionally includes a first metering disc and a second metering disc, each rotatably received in the housing. Each of the first and second metering discs comprises seed pockets for receiving seeds therein. | 10-15-2015 |
20150305229 | SEED METER - A seed meter for an agricultural planter in which the seed disc is rotatably mounted within a seed meter housing. As the seed disc rotates, the apertures in the disc rotate along a seed aperture path through a horizontally adjacent seed pool area. The seed disc includes cavities disposed along the seed aperture path to agitate the seeds in the seed pool area. A singulator having multiple co-planar singulator surfaces is biased against the seed side surface of the seed disc. | 10-29-2015 |
20160007523 | MAP BASED SEED VACUUM CONTROL | 01-14-2016 |
20160014952 | SOWING HEART AND SINGLE-SEED DRILL - A sowing heart for a single-seed drill, wherein the sowing heart includes a seed disc which can be rotated in one direction (R) of rotation, the seed disc having seed holes in a defined arrangement; a receiving region for receiving the seed into the seed holes and a delivery region for delivery of the seed; a cleaning apparatus located between the delivery region and the receiving region for cleaning of the seed holes during the operation of the sowing heart, wherein the cleaning apparatus is made as a rotating wheel with at least one projection which meshes with the seed holes. The invention is also directed to a single-seed drill with such a sowing heart. | 01-21-2016 |
20160128267 | ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH DUAL SEED METERS - A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and first and second seed meters. The first seed meter has a first metering member for singulating seeds, and the second seed meter has a second metering member for singulating seeds. A conveyor having a conduit defining a path for receiving seeds from the first and second seed meters is configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine. A wall is movably mounted with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position the wall intersects the path of the conduit for guiding a seed into the conduit, and in the second position the wall is spaced from the path of the conduit. | 05-12-2016 |
20160128268 | ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH DUAL SEED METERS - A row unit for a seeding machine includes a first seed meter having a first metering member for singulating seeds and a second seed meter having a second metering member for singulating seeds. A motor is operably coupled to the first and second seed meters to selectively drive the first seed meter or the second seed meter. | 05-12-2016 |
20160128269 | ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH DUAL SEED METERS - A row unit for a seeding machine has a seed meter assembly having first and second reservoirs for holding a first pool of seeds and a second pool of seeds, respectively. The seed meter assembly is operable to selectively transport seeds from the first pool and seeds from the second pool. The row unit also has a conveyor with a conduit for receiving seeds and configured to discharge the seeds from the seeding machine, and a seed loader disposed between the seed meter assembly and the conveyor for directing the seeds from the seed meter assembly to the conveyor. | 05-12-2016 |
20160128271 | SEED METER ASSEMBLY FOR A SEEDING MACHINE - A seed meter assembly for a seeding machine. The seed meter assembly has a metering member mounted for rotation about a meter axis and driven to rotate in a direction of travel, the metering member having an inner surface configured to receive seeds and an outer surface and apertures passing through the metering member between the inner surface and the outer surface at a radial distance from the meter axis. The seed meter assembly also has a loader including at least one loader surface movable into and out of a position in which the loader surface is disposed at the radial distance adjacent one of the apertures. | 05-12-2016 |
20160128273 | ROW UNIT FOR A SEEDING MACHINE WITH DUAL SEED METERS - A row unit for a seeding machine includes a frame and a seed meter coupled to the frame. The seed meter has a metering member for singulating seeds. The metering member has a groove recessed from a surface of the metering member. The row unit also includes a ramp surface for guiding the singulated seeds from the metering member, the ramp surface being at least partially disposed in the groove. | 05-12-2016 |
20160143210 | AIR SEED METER WITH ADJUSTABLE SINGULATOR - A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor. | 05-26-2016 |
20160150722 | AIR SEED METER WITH INTERNAL DRIVE | 06-02-2016 |
20160157416 | SEED METER - A seed meter is disclosed as having resilient tines for eliminating multiple seeds from being disposed for planting. As the seeds are displaced along a seed path, the resilient tines contacts the additional seeds with a force so as to dislodge additional seeds while not dislodging seeds wherein individual seeds are present. This helps in planting the seeds individually and sequentially. | 06-09-2016 |
20160165794 | Twin-Row Multiple Seed-Type Planter | 06-16-2016 |
20160192579 | AIR SEED METER HOUSING WITH SEED PATH RELIEF | 07-07-2016 |