Seed delivery system

Abstract

A seed delivery system, the seed delivery system having: a seed metering device (128), the seed metering device comprising a rotatable seed metering tray (129), the rotatable seed metering tray being configured to hold an array of singulated seeds; a seed accelerator (400) comprising an accelerator wheel (401) configured to eject the singulated seed from the seeding tray, and a seed chute (130) configured to receive the seed ejected by the accelerator wheel; wherein the accelerator wheel is rotatable to eject the seed from the seeding plate in a radially outward direction and to accelerate the distribution of the seed to the seed chute; and a method for distributing seeds for planting, the method comprising: forming a trench in the soil by means of a row unit; rotating a seeding plate holding an array of singulated seeds; rotating the accelerator wheel; the seeds are driven out of the seed metering disc in the radial outward direction by means of the accelerator wheel; and delivering the seed to the trench.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 375,139 filed on September 9, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 375,143 filed on September 9, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 385,568 filed on November 30, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 434,649 filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 63 / 434,649 filed on December 22, 2022 434,659; U.S. Application No. 63 / 434,667, filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 434,671, filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. Application No. 63 / 501,172, filed on May 10, 2023; and priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 504,352, filed on May 25, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to seed delivery systems for use in conjunction with growing crops. Background Art

[0004] Crop yield is affected by many factors, such as seed placement, soil quality, weather, irrigation, and nutrient application. Typically, seeds are planted in grooves formed by the planter row unit or other mechanism. The depth of seed placement is important because seeds planted at different depths emerge at different times, resulting in uneven crop growth. The spacing of seeds affects yield because plants that are too close together compete for nutrients, while plants that are too far apart leave wasted space between them.

[0005] Typically, an agricultural row crop planter includes a seed hopper that is connected to a seeding system that delivers seed into the furrows formed by the disc opener blades. Typically, these multiple row crop planters are mounted in parallel along a tool bar that is attached to a power vehicle, such as a tractor that traverses the farm field. For example, it is common to have four, sixteen, twenty-four, thirty-six, or even forty-eight row units attached to a single tractor.

[0006] In a typical prior art row crop planter, seeds are delivered in bulk from a seed hopper to a seeding system. The seeding system individualizes the bulk seeds and will most preferably provide these individualized seeds at very predictable and repeatable time intervals. The row crop planter then delivers one seed at a time into the ground, typically into a furrow cut by a furrow opener blade.

[0007] A common prior art method of delivering seed from a seed hopper to the ground is a gravity drop system that positions a seed dispensing tube inlet below a seed metering system. Individual seeds fall from the metering system down the seed dispensing tube into a furrow prepared by a furrow opener blade disposed in front of the seed dispensing tube.

[0008] What is desired is an improved method of transferring and accelerating seed from a seed meter into a seed distribution tube for planting. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a seed delivery system, each of which is configured to transfer seeds from a rotatable metering disc of a seed meterer to a seed dispensing tube and accelerate the distribution of seeds from the rotatable metering disc of the seed meterer to the seed dispensing tube, from which the seeds are successively implanted in the planting grooves. Some embodiments of the air-operated seed accelerator described herein are configured and designed to capture and distribute seeds from the seed meterer by entraining the seeds in a pressurized air flow. Another embodiment of the mechanically operated seed accelerator described herein is configured and designed to mechanically distribute seeds via physical dislodgement from the seed meterer.

[0010] A first air operated seed accelerator is configured to direct the airflow across the seed disk in an inward to outward and downward direction through an air entrainment chamber of a seed capture shield to capture the seeds from the seed holes.

[0011] A second air operated seed accelerator is configured to direct the airflow across the seed disk in an outward to inward and downward direction through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield to capture the seeds from the seed holes.

[0012] An embodiment of a mechanically operated seed accelerator includes a rotatable accelerator wheel to physically eject and distribute seed from the seeding disk of the seed meter to the seed dispensing tube. The accelerator wheel can be used in conjunction with an associated seed guide wall of the accelerator that guides and accelerates the distributed seed to the seed dispensing tube. The wheel can include a plurality of radial fingers that frictionally engage the seed and press the seed against the guide wall for controlled dispensing of the seed.

[0013] The seed disc of the seed meter may be configured to singulate seeds received from a seed hopper and provide the seeds to the seed distribution tube in a preselected orientation.

[0014] The seed dispensing tube can have a generally cylindrical interior, and in some embodiments, at least a portion of the tube can include a helical seed orientation surface that engages and manipulates the seeds to provide a predetermined seed orientation for planting in the planting groove.

[0015] Other technical features may be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings, description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example ("exemplary") embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like elements are similarly labeled, and wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crop planter row unit including a seed delivery system according to the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of a crop planter row unit with one of the guide wheels removed;

[0019] Figure 3 is a side view of a row unit;

[0020] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a portion of a row unit having a seed delivery system according to the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 is a bottom-up perspective view of the row unit;

[0022] Figure 6 is the rear view of the row unit;

[0023] Figure 7 is the front view of the row unit;

[0024] Figure 8 is a left side view of the row unit relative to the direction of travel of the row unit;

[0025] Fig. 9 is a right side view of the row unit;

[0026] Fig.10 is a top view of the row unit;

[0027] Fig.11 is the bottom view of the row unit;

[0028] Fig.12 is a rear perspective view of the row unit with the seed hopper removed;

[0029] Fig.13 is a front perspective view of a row unit with the seed hopper removed;

[0030] Fig.14 is a first exploded perspective view of a row unit;

[0031] Fig.15 is a second exploded perspective view of the row unit;

[0032] Fig.16 is a perspective view of a portion of a row unit having a first embodiment of an air-operated seed accelerator according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A magnified detail of the seed accelerator in

[0034] Fig.18 It is shown Fig.17 A seed capture shield of a seed accelerator in FIG. 1 and an enlarged detail view of a portion of a seed disc of the seed meter showing seed holes entering the seed disc of the shield;

[0035] Fig.19 yes Fig.16 A first perspective view of an air operated seed accelerator;

[0036] Fig. 20 is a second perspective view of an air-operated seed accelerator;

[0037] Fig.21 is a third perspective view of an air-operated seed accelerator;

[0038] Fig. 22 is a side view of a seed meter having a seed tray and a seed distribution tube, wherein a first embodiment of a seed accelerator is shown in dotted lines;

[0039] Fig.23 is a side sectional view of a portion of a seed disc, showing Fig. 22 A first embodiment of a seed accelerator in;

[0040] Fig.24 is a perspective view of a portion of a row unit having a second embodiment of an air-operated seed accelerator according to the present disclosure;

[0041] Fig.25 is an exploded perspective view of a row unit;

[0042] Fig.26 is from Fig.25The resulting enlarged detail showing the sub-groove openers common to all embodiments of the row unit disclosed herein;

[0043] Fig. 27 It is shown Fig.24 A seed capture shield of a second embodiment of a seed accelerator in FIG. 1 and an enlarged detail view of a portion of a seed disc of the seed meter showing seed holes entering the shield's seed disc;

[0044] Fig.28 yes Fig.16 A first perspective view of an air operated seed accelerator;

[0045] Fig.29 This is the second perspective of the seed accelerator;

[0046] Fig.30 This is the third perspective of the seed accelerator;

[0047] Fig.31 is a side view of a seed meter having a seed tray and a seed distribution tube, wherein a second embodiment of a seed accelerator is shown in dotted lines;

[0048] Fig.32 is a side sectional view of a portion of a seed disc, showing Fig.31 A second embodiment of the seed accelerator in;

[0049] Fig.33 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a row unit having an embodiment of a wheeled mechanical seed accelerator according to the present disclosure;

[0050] Fig.34 is a perspective view of the assembly of the row unit;

[0051] Fig.35 It is shown Fig.34 A mechanical seed accelerator in FIG. 1 and an enlarged detail view of a portion of a seed metering disc of the seed meter showing the accelerator wheel and the guide wall of the seed chute;

[0052] Fig.36 yes Fig.35 A first perspective view of a mechanical seed accelerator;

[0053] Fig.37 is a second perspective view of the mechanical seed accelerator;

[0054] Fig.38 is a side view of a seed meter with a seed tray, wherein the dashed line shows Figure 36 to Figure 37 Mechanical seed accelerator;

[0055] Fig.39 is a side view of a seed meter with a seed disc, which is shown in solid lines Fig.38A cross-sectional view of a mechanical seed accelerator relative to a seed disc;

[0056] Fig.40 yes Fig.39 an enlarged detail showing an accelerator wheel having a guide wall of a seed guiding surface of a seed chute;

[0057] Fig.41 yes Figure 8 A side view of a notched plate of a furrow opener;

[0058] Fig.42 is a perspective view of the notched disc of the furrow opener;

[0059] Fig.43 yes Fig.42 A side view of a notched plate of a furrow opener;

[0060] Fig.44 yes Fig.42 A front view of a coulter notch plate of the embodiment of the present invention; and

[0061] Fig.45 yes Fig.42 Rear view of the opener notch plate.

[0062] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. Parts shown and / or indicated by reference numerals in one drawing may be considered to be the same as such parts appearing in other drawings, i.e., such parts are not referenced for brevity unless specifically labeled and described herein with different part numbers. References herein to numerals by number (but which include multiple numbers sharing the same number with different letter suffixes) should be considered to be references to all of those numbers unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] All references to other applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If there is a conflict between a definition in this document and a definition in an incorporated reference, the definition in this document shall control.

[0064] The illustrations shown herein are not actual views of any planter row unit or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations for describing example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, common elements between the figures may retain the same reference numerals.

[0065] The following description provides the specific details of the embodiments. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without adopting many of these specific details. In fact, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all elements forming a complete structure or assembly. Only those process actions and structures necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional actions and structures may be used. The accompanying drawings of the present application are for illustrative purposes only and are therefore not drawn to scale.

[0066] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and their grammatical equivalents are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," and their grammatical equivalents.

[0067] As used herein, the term "may" used herein with respect to materials, structures, features, or method actions indicates that such term is intended for use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure and that such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods that may be used in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0068] As used herein, the term "configured" relates to the size, shape, material composition, orientation, arrangement, and other physical properties of one or more of at least one structure and at least one device that facilitates the operation of one or more of the structure and the device in a predetermined manner.

[0069] As used herein, the singular forms following the indefinite article “a”, “an” and the definite article “the” include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0070] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0071] As used herein, for ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "lower," "bottom," "above," "upper," "top," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc. may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to one or more other elements or features, as shown in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of material in addition to the orientation shown in the figures.

[0072] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for ease of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "top", and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as described at the time or as shown in the accompanying drawings being discussed. These relative terms are only for ease of description and do not require that the device be constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0073] Terms such as "attached," "fixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar words refer to relationships in which structures are fixed or attached to each other, either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, and both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0074] As used herein, the term "about" used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (eg, it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).

[0075] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing every value within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range.

[0076] Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of an agricultural planter row unit 100 is shown. The row unit 100 has a support frame 110 that is pivotally connected to a toolbar 112 by a movable linkage arm assembly 114 so that each row unit 100 can move vertically independently of the toolbar 112 and independently of the other row units 100 as the toolbar 112 traverses the field. The frame 110 operably supports one or more seed hoppers 116 of any suitable type and configuration, a seed groove opening assembly 120, a seed delivery system 200 that draws seed from the hopper and distributes the seed to the planting grooves, and a seed groove closing assembly 146, wherein the one or more seed hoppers 116 hold seed for planting. The row unit 100 shown can also be used with conventional planter row units, each having a single, separate, large-capacity seed hopper 116 that is individually filled with seed (e.g., see Figures 4 to 11 ).

[0077] or, Figures 1 to 3The row units may be used with a center-fill planter, in which case the large capacity hopper 116 previously described herein may be replaced with one or more mini-hoppers 116' mounted to each row unit, as shown. The mini-hoppers are fluidly coupled to the large central hopper via fill tubes (not shown), which in turn distribute seed to all row units. Such center-fill planters are well known in the art and need not be elaborated on further.

[0078] It is noted that support frame 110 is used to collectively refer to a collection of various structural members (e.g., beams, angles, straps, brackets, rods, brackets, and other components) that are coupled together and operate in conjunction to structurally support some or all of the components and devices of row unit 100 and seed delivery system 200 described herein. Any suitable type and number of structural members may be provided in any suitable configuration for this purpose.

[0079] Overall reference Figures 1 to 11 The seed furrow opening assembly 120 includes a pair of opening disks 122 rotatably supported by the frame 110 (if applicable). The opening disks 122 are arranged to diverge outwardly and rearwardly to open V-shaped seed furrows or grooves 104 in the soil 102 as the planter traverses the field in the forward travel direction D (see, for example, FIG. Figure 8 ). In other embodiments, the seed groove opening assembly described in U.S. Serial No. 63 / 262,415 filed on October 12, 2021 and U.S. Serial No. 63 / 262,417 filed on October 12, 2021 may be used. In some embodiments, a notched disk may be used as the opening disk 122. An example of a notched disk is disclosed in U.S. Application No. 63 / 385,568 filed on November 30, 2022. Figures 8 to 11 (Reprinted here as Figure 42 to Figure 45 ) shows a trencher notch disc 62. The trencher notch disc 62 has a plurality of notches 63 (63-1 to 63-18). Although 18 notches are shown, the trencher notch disc 62 can have any number of notches 63. Between successive notches 63 are teeth 64. As shown, there are 18 teeth 64 (64-1 to 64-18). Optionally, the teeth 64 can have a tapered portion 65 (65-1 to 65-18). Although the tapered portion 65 on one side of the tooth 64 is shown, both sides of the tooth 64 can have a tapered portion 65. When there is one tapered portion 65, the trencher notch disc 62 can be oriented on the row unit 14 so that the tapered portion 65 is disposed on the trencher notch disc 62 on a side away from the row unit 14. Although the trencher notch disc 62 is shown as flat, the trencher notch disc 62 can be concave. Fig.41Show Figure 8 The trench opener notch plate 62 in the embodiment of FIG.

[0080] In some embodiments, a sub-groove opener 105 may be optionally included. The sub-groove opener 105 is coupled to the row unit 100, for example, a portion of the frame 110. The sub-groove opener 105 is disposed rearwardly from the opening disk assembly 60 in the groove opened by the seed groove opening assembly 120. The sub-groove opener 105 may optionally include a blade 105-1 extending below the opening disk 112 to create an optional portion of the sub-groove 104-1 in the soil at the interior and bottom of the planting groove 104 created by the sub-groove opener 105. This creates a more compact groove profile so that seeds deposited into the sub-groove are constrained to move laterally or forward / backward in the soil to maintain their preferred orientation in the groove. The seed distribution tube 130 may be arranged and positioned to deposit seeds into the sub-furrows behind the sub-furrow openers 105 relative to the direction of travel D of the row unit 100 through the agricultural field following the sub-furrow openers 105 .

[0081] When the opener notch plate 62 and the sub-groove opener 105 are combined together, the opener notch plate 62 can create a furrow in which the sub-groove opener 105 can create a sub-groove without the sub-groove opener 105 having to do all the work, which would cause more wear on the sub-groove opener 105.

[0082] The seed delivery system 200 includes a first embodiment of a seed meter 128, a seed dispensing tube 130, and a seed accelerator 300 that operate together to deliver seeds from a seed hopper 116 or 116' to the soil at a preselected rate. The seeds are conveyed and transferred from the hopper to the seed meter 128, which is configured to singulate the supplied seeds. In one embodiment, the seed meter 128 can be a vacuum-type seed meter, such as, for example, the vacuum-type seed meter disclosed in applicant's International Patent Publication WO / 2012 / 129442 or U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, or any commercially available vacuum-type seed meter, such as, but not limited to, available from Precision Planting, LLC at 23333 Townley Road, Tremont, IL 61568, USA. Seeder.

[0083] In operation, the seed meter 128 deposits a supply of seed, preferably via a seed accelerator 300, into the seed dispensing tube 130, which in turn delivers the seed to the planting furrow 104. The seed dispensing tube 130 may be removably mounted to one or more portions of the frame 110.

[0084] Seeds dispensed from the seed meter 128 by the seed accelerator 300 are directed into the seed dispensing tube 130 and into the planting groove 104 through the seed dispensing tube 130. The seed meter 128 can be configured to receive seeds from the seed hopper 116 or 116' and orient the seeds to the seed dispensing tube 130 in a preselected direction by any selected method, such as the method shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, published on August 1, 2019, and entitled "Systems, Implements, and Methods for Seed Orientation with Adjustable Singulators During Planting".

[0085] The discharge opening 130-1 at the bottom end of the seed dispensing tube 130 is positioned between the open disks 122 to deliver seeds from the seed meter 128 into the open seed groove 104. The depth of the seed groove 104 is controlled by a pair of meter wheels 134 positioned near the open disks 122. The meter wheel 134 is rotatably supported by a meter wheel arm 136, which is pivotally fixed to the frame 110 around a pivot pin 138 at one end. An adjustment handle 140 supported by the frame 110 is operably coupled to the arm 136, and the adjustment handle 140 is configured to form a meter wheel adjustment mechanism. The handle is movable forward and backward to raise or lower the meter wheel 134 relative to the frame and the open disk 122. This allows the depth of the seed groove 104 to be adjusted and set by limiting the upward travel of the meter wheel arm 136 (and thereby limiting the meter wheel 134) relative to the open disk 122. Thus, the depth of cut produced by the opening disk 122 is controlled by the meter wheel adjustment mechanism.

[0086] The seed trench closure assembly 146 includes a pair of offset closing wheels 150 that are rotatably coupled to the frame 110. The wheels 150 are angled relative to each other to "close" the seed trench 104 by pushing the walls of the open seed trench back together over the deposited seeds 106 as the row unit 100 passes by. In some embodiments, the seed trench closure assembly 146 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 9,848,524, issued December 26, 2017, entitled "Agricultural Seed Trench Closing Systems, Methods, and Apparatus."

[0087] Now we will refer to Figures 3 to 16 And especially with reference to Figures 17 to 23 Further describing aspects and components of the seed delivery system 200, Figures 17 to 23Shown are more details of the seed delivery system components.

[0088] Seeder 128 includes a circular housing 127 and an internal seed disc 129 that rotates within the seed meter and receives seeds from hopper 116. Disc 129 is rotatably mounted to shaft 315 located at the geometric center of the disc and seed meter 128, which define an axis of rotation RA1 of the disc. Disc 129 rotates in a direction of rotation R (e.g., Fig. 22 Compatible electric motor drive 135 (in Fig. 22 129 ), for example, a geared motor drive such as vDrive commercially available from Precision Planting, LLC of Tremont, IL, USA, can be used to rotate the seed disc 129 at a desired rotational speed. The circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc includes driven gear teeth 133 that mesh with mating gear drive teeth of the motor drive to rotate the disc. Other suitable seed disc drive mechanisms may be used.

[0089] The seed disc 129 includes a circular array of seed holes 129-2, each of which is configured to hold a seed. The seed holes 129-2 are spaced apart circumferentially around the peripheral area of ​​the disc. The seed holes extend completely through the seed disc 129 between two opposing major surfaces 129-3, 129-4 of the seed disc 129 (see, e.g., Fig.23 ). As shown, in one embodiment, the holes 129-2 may be spaced slightly radially inward from the circumferential edge 129-1 of the disk 129. As the seed disk rotates along the rotational direction R, the seed holes 129-2 define a circular seed travel path P for the seeds. The seed holes 129-2 are spaced circumferentially and define pockets in which individual seeds are captured from seeds within the seed meter 128 that are drawn from the hopper 116 or 116'. A commercially available vacuum system (not shown) provided for use with a vacuum-type seed meter draws a vacuum from the major surface 129-4 of the seed disk 129 over the seed holes 129-2 to attract and retain seeds in each seed hole on the opposing major surface 129-3 of the seed disk 120. When in use, the seed disk 129 can be oriented vertically and the vacuum can be terminated in one sector of the circular disk (e.g., the 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock position) to release seeds from the seed holes 129-2.

[0090] As known in the art, the size and spacing of the seed holes 129-2 can be varied and customized based on the specific type of seed to be planted. As the seeding disc 129 rotates, the seed meter 128 individualizes the seeds distributed to the seed distribution tube 130 from the hopper 116 or 116' via the seed accelerometer 300 and delivers one seed at a time, as further described herein. Therefore, various interchangeable customized seeding discs 129 are provided, which can be selected for the specific type of seed being planted. The seeding disc is removably mountable in the seed meter 129 for this purpose.

[0091] Any or each of the seed meter 128, seed accelerator 300, and seed dispensing tube 130 can be configured to orient the seed to the seed dispensing tube 130 in a preselected orientation by any selected method. In some embodiments, the seed meter 128 can be configured to orient the seed before or while the seed is delivered to the seed dispensing tube 130 via the seed accelerator 300. For example, the seed meter 128 can include a vision system and a singulator having features (e.g., lobes) configured to orient the seed, such as commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, published on August 1, 2019, entitled “Systems, Implements, and Methods for Seed Orientation with Adjustable Singulators During Planting”. Figure 4 A to Figure 4 C. In some embodiments, a separate seed orientation system is disposed near the inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130, along the middle of the seed dispensing tube 130, or near the outlet of the seed dispensing tube 130. Suitable exemplary seed orientation devices and systems are shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2020 / 0367425, entitled “Seed Orientation System for Agricultural Planters”, published on November 26, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2022 / 0192079, entitled “Aerodynamic and Centrifugal Seed Orientation System for Agricultural Planters”, published on June 23, 2022. In alternative embodiments, other types of seed orientation systems are used, including but not limited to those described in the background section above herein.

[0092] In some embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 may be generally cylindrical in configuration with a tubular body including a generally cylindrical interior. In other embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 may have another shape, such as but not limited to a tapered body or a non-cylindrical geometry that tapers downwardly at the bottom (seed outlet) toward the discharge end of the seed dispensing tube.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the seed dispensing tube 130 can have a helical configuration that defines a curved and twisted helical seed orientation surface 130-3 that engages and manipulates the seed to provide a predetermined seed orientation for planting in a planting furrow (e.g., see Fig. 22 and Figure 25 to Figure 26 ). Fig. 22 A seed distribution tube 130 is shown incorporating a generally tubular upper portion coupled to the outlet tube 302 of the seed accelerator 300 and a helical lower portion including an internal helical seed orientation surface 130 - 3 . Figure 25 to Figure 26 The helical lower portion of the seed dispensing tube 130 is shown, comprising a twisted, fully enclosed top portion 130-4 and an open helical bottom portion 130-2, both of which include a helical seed orientation surface 130-3. Fig.26 1 shows an enlarged view of the bottom discharge opening 130-1 at the bottom end of the open spiral portion of the tube 130. In other embodiments, the closed portion may continue all the way to the bottom end of the seed dispensing tube and define the discharge opening 130-1. Thus, there can be a variety of variations in seed dispensing tube geometry and configuration to suit the desired application.

[0094] In other embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 can be configured as a seed orientation tube in which the seeds move along the surface of the seed orientation tube and the air flowing through the seeds orients the seeds to the desired orientation for delivery to the planting grooves. Examples of orientation systems include PCT publications WO2018013858A1, WO2018013589A1, WO2018.013860A2, and WO2018013861A1. In other embodiments, seed orientation devices such as those described in U.S. Patent Publications US2002 / 0367425A1 and US2002 / 0192079A1 can be used in conjunction with the seed dispensing tube 130 to orient the seeds after they are discharged from the seed meter 128 and to orient the seed dispensing tube before the seeds are deposited in the planting grooves.

[0095] The seeder cover 127 may have a complementary configuration of curvature that approximates the curvature of the seed travel path P within the seeder 128. The seeder cover 127 allows seed directly from a desired single seed point within the seeder 128 to enter the seed dispensing tube 130 via the seed accelerator 300 with air assistance, while any other seeds or debris that may be located near the desired seed or the seed inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130 will be deflected by the seeder cover 207.

[0096] Air Entrainment Seed Accelerator - Air Flow from Inside to Outside

[0097] Figures 16 to 23 A first non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 300 is shown in greater detail and emphasis. The seed accelerator 300 includes a curved generally tubular body 300-1 configured to operate via air entrainment to strip and capture individual seeds from a seeding disc of a seed meter 128 and discharge the entrained seeds into a seed distribution tube 130 for delivery to a planting furrow. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 300-2 configured to capture seeds via air entrainment. The seed accelerator 300 generally includes an inlet tube 301, an exhaust tube 302, and a folded tube bend 303 extending therebetween. In one embodiment as shown, the inlet tube 301 may be funnel-shaped having a frustoconical configuration with an inlet portion larger than a discharge portion adjacent to the tube bend 303. The funnel shape with a gradually decreasing diameter accelerates the incoming pressurized air supplied to the inlet tube from the pressurized air source 304A to actively dislodge and strip the seeds from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed disc 129 as the seeds rotate through the seed accelerator 300, which defines a discharge point on the seed disc. The inlet tube 301 is configured for coupling to an air supply conduit 304, such as an air hose or tube coupled to a pressurized air source 304A, such as an air compressor or a pressurized air tank (in Fig.16 As shown, the discharge tube 302 is configured to be coupled to the seed distribution tube 130.

[0098] The seed accelerator 300 also includes a seed capture shield 305 configured to cover a portion of the seed disc 129. The shield 305 creates a seed capture zone or area through which seeds carried by the seed disc pass as the seed disc rotates and are entrained in the pressurized air flow passing through the shield. As shown in one embodiment, the seed capture shield can be disposed in the pipe bend 303 between the air intake pipe 301 and the exhaust pipe 302.

[0099] The seed capture shield 305 has a non-circular shape, and more specifically, in certain preferred but non-limiting embodiments, can have a polygonal shape. In the embodiment shown without limitation, the shield 305 can be a three-sided linear structure (e.g., rectangular or square) in one embodiment, which includes a pair of opposing end walls 305-1 and a transverse wall 305-2 connected to the opposing walls. In one embodiment as shown, the shield 305 can be generally U-shaped; however, other shapes can also be used. Walls 305-1 and 305-2 are orthogonal arrangements of walls. Walls 305-1 and 305-2 can each be flat, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the transverse wall 305-2 can be curved and arched between the end walls. Wall 305-1 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129 on one side of the seed disc 129. The transverse wall 305-2 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129. The linear inner edge of the wall 305-1 is positioned adjacent the major surface 129-3 of the seed disk to minimize the escape of air between the wall and the disk.

[0100] The shield 305 defines an inwardly open air entrainment chamber 306 facing the seed disc 129. The air entrainment chamber 306 defines a portion of the internal passage 300-2 of the seed accelerator 300 for the introduction and flow of pressurized air. The chamber 306 can have a different cross-sectional shape from the internal passage 300-2 of the inlet pipe 301 and the outlet pipe 302. The chamber 306 can have a polygonal (e.g., straight or other) cross-sectional shape as shown in the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, while the inlet pipe 301 and the outlet pipe 302 forming the other portion of the passage 300-2 can have a non-polygonal cross-sectional shape, for example, a circular or elliptical shape (although it can have different diameters in different portions of the pipe).

[0101] One end wall 305-1 on the upstream side of the shroud 305 includes an air inlet port 307 for introducing pressurized air into the chamber 306. The other opposing end wall 305-1 includes an air outlet port 308 for air to exit the shroud with seeds entrained in the air flow, which are then conveyed into the exhaust duct 302 of the seed accelerator 300. The shroud 305 also includes a top opening 305-3 and an opposing bottom opening 305-4, each of which communicates with the air entrainment chamber 306 of the shroud. These openings define a passage 305-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the seed disc 129 and the seeds at least partially disposed therein pass as the seed disc 129 rotates for capture by air flowing through the shroud 305.

[0102] The seed accelerator 300 may include one or more mounting brackets 310 configured to be removably fixedly coupled to any suitable available support surface of the row unit, such as, but not limited to, a portion of the support frame 110 to which the seed meter 128 is mounted and / or the seed meter cover 127. In one embodiment, threaded fasteners may be used to mount the seed accelerator to the support surface. Other mechanical fasteners or clips may be used.

[0103] In one embodiment, the seed accelerator 300 may have a unitary body 300-1, wherein the mounting bracket 310, the air inlet pipe 301, the folded back pipe bend 303, the exhaust pipe 302 and the shield 305 are formed as an integral unified structural part of the body. The seed accelerator body may be formed of a suitable metallic material or a non-metallic material (e.g., a polymer), and the seed accelerator body is manufactured by any suitable method including casting or molding depending on the material used.

[0104] The seed accelerator 300 is configured to direct airflow across the seed disk 129 in an inside-out and downward direction through the air entrainment chamber 306 of the seed capture shield 305 to capture seeds from the seed holes 129-2.

[0105] In operation, as the seed disc 129 rotates, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed disc 129 rotate and pass one by one through the seed capture chamber 306 within the seed capture shield 305. As previously described herein, each seed is temporarily held in its corresponding seed hole 129-2 by a vacuum drawn to the hole from the other major surface 129-4 of the seed disc 129, which is opposite the major surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129 on which the seeds are deposited for the seeds to pass through the seed accelerator 300.

[0106] The pressurized air enters the inner passage 300-2 of the seed accelerator 300 from the outside of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc 129 via the air inlet duct 301 and flows in the passage in a reversed airflow path PA that changes and almost completely (<180 degrees) reverses direction so as to then flow from the inside to the outside in the airflow path across the seed disc back toward the peripheral edge while crossing the seed travel path P at the air entrainment chamber 306 within the shield 305 (see, for example, Fig. 22). Thus, the airflow path PA through the internal passage 350-2 is summarized as from the outside to the inside of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disk 129, and changes direction from the inside to the outside back toward the peripheral edge at an edge location different from the location where the air is introduced via the inlet tube 301. The pressurized airflow is introduced into the air entrainment chamber 306 via the air inlet port 307 in the shroud 305, and flows across and generally parallel to the major surface 129-3 of the seed disk 129 and across the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein, as the seeds pass through the shroud one by one successively as the seed disk 129 rotates. The air entrainment chamber 306 of the shroud 305 is configured to convey the airflow laterally to the circular seed travel path P on the seed disk as the seed disk rotates. The lateral airflow over the seeds disrupts the seating of the seeds in the seed holes 129-2, thereby more efficiently entraining the seeds in the airflow. The airflow dislodges each seed from its corresponding seed hole, and the seed becomes directed into and entrained in the airflow flowing through the shroud. The airflow sweeps and conveys the seeds entrained by the air through the shroud outlet port 308 into the seed distribution tube 130 coupled to the exhaust pipe 302 of the seed accelerator. The seeds may enter the shroud 305 at approximately the 3 o'clock position on the seed disc 129, where they are entrained in the airflow and then swept outwardly, and the seeds are discharged from the disc via the outlet pipe 302 at approximately the same 3 o'clock position (see, for example, FIG. 1 ). Fig. 22 ). The seeds are discharged one by one from the bottom end of the seed distributing tube 130 and deposited in the planting groove. Therefore, when the seeds pass through the shield 305 in a manner similar to the above, each seed on the seeding disc 129 is successively stripped from the disc and deposited in the planting groove.

[0107] The pressure and flow of air through the seed accelerator 300 can be controlled to achieve preselected seed and air speeds. At lower ground speeds of the row unit, lower air speeds are desired to prevent disturbance of the seeds once they are in the furrows. At higher ground speeds, higher seed speeds are desired to successfully capture the seeds in the selected orientation. The seed speed should be sufficiently greater than the ground speed so that lateral movement of the seeds relative to the ground when being buried in the planting groove is negligible.

[0108] Air Entrainment Seed Accelerator – Air Flow from Outside to Inside

[0109] Figures 24 to 32A second non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 350 is shown, the seed accelerator 350 comprising a curved generally tubular body 350-1 configured to operate via air entrainment to strip off individual seeds from a seed disc 129 of a seed meter 128 and discharge the entrained seeds into a seed dispensing tube 130 for delivery to a planting groove. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 350-2 configured to capture seeds via air entrainment. The seed accelerator 350 functions generally similar to the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein and includes similar components. However, the present seed accelerator 350 embodiment is configured and arranged to introduce compressed air in an airflow path from outside the circumferential edge of the seed disc 129 across the main surface 129-3 of the seed disc 128. The air flows across the disk 129 in a lateral direction from edge to edge, rather than flowing in a radially outward direction from the inside of the disk 129 toward the circumferential edge of the disk 129 as in the seed accelerator 300 .

[0110] The seed accelerator 350 generally includes an inlet tube 351, an exhaust tube 352, and an intermediate tube segment 353 extending therebetween. In one embodiment as shown, the inlet tube 351 can be funnel-shaped having a generally frustoconical configuration with an inlet portion that is larger than a discharge portion adjacent to the tube segment 353. The funnel shape with a gradually decreasing diameter accelerates the incoming pressurized air supplied to the inlet tube from the pressurized air source to actively expel and strip the seeds from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed disk 129 as the seeds rotate through the seed accelerator 300. The inlet tube 301 is configured for coupling to an air supply conduit 304, such as an air hose or tube coupled to a pressurized air source 304A, such as an air compressor or a pressurized air tank (e.g., see Fig.25 ). As shown, the discharge tube 352 is configured to be coupled to the seed distribution tube 130.

[0111] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, both the inlet tube 351 and the exhaust tube 352 may be curved in an arcuate configuration.Other configurations of tubes may be used to deliver pressurized air across the surface of the seed disk 129 in a lateral direction.

[0112] The seed accelerator 350 also includes a seed capture shield 355 that is configured to cover a portion of the seed disc 129. The shield 355 functions in a similar manner to the shield 305 of the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein. Thus, the shield 355 creates a seed capture zone or area through which seeds carried by the seed disc pass as the seed disc rotates. As shown in one embodiment, the capture shield can be disposed in the intermediate pipe section 353 between the intake pipe 351 and the exhaust pipe 352.

[0113] In one embodiment, the seed capture shield 355 can be a three-sided linear structure (e.g., rectangular or square) similar to the shield 305 previously described herein. Therefore, the shield 355 similarly includes a pair of opposite end walls 355-1 and a transverse wall 355-2 connected to the opposite end walls. Walls 355-1 and 355-2 are orthogonal arrangements of walls. In one embodiment as shown in the figure, the shield 355 can be roughly U-shaped; however, other shapes can also be used. Walls 355-1 and 355-2 can each be flat, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the transverse wall 355-2 can be curved and arched in an arc between the end walls. Wall 355-1 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed disk 129 on one side of the seed disk 129. The transverse wall 355-2 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed disk 129. The linear inner edge of the wall 355-1 is positioned adjacent the major surface 129-3 of the seed disk to minimize the escape of air between the wall and the disk.

[0114] The shield 355 defines an inwardly open air entrainment chamber 356 facing the seed disc 129. The chamber 356 can be configured similarly to the chamber 306 of the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein. Thus, the present air entrainment chamber 356 can have a cross-sectional shape (e.g., linear) that is different from the internal passage 350-2 (e.g., circular) of the inlet and outlet tubes 351 and 352.

[0115] One end wall 355-1 on the upstream side of the shroud 355 includes an air inlet port 357 for introducing pressurized air into the chamber 356. The other opposing end wall 355-1 includes an air outlet port 358 for air to exit the shroud with seeds entrained in the air flow, which are then conveyed into the exhaust duct 352 of the seed accelerator 350. The shroud 355 also includes a top opening 355-3 and an opposing bottom opening 355-4, each of which communicates with the air entrainment chamber 356 of the shroud. These openings define a passage 355-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the seed disc 129 and the seeds at least partially disposed therein pass as the seed disc 129 rotates for capture by air flowing through the shroud 355.

[0116] The seed accelerator 350 may include one or more mounting brackets 360 configured to be removably fixedly coupled to any suitable available support surface of the row unit, such as, but not limited to, a portion of the support frame 110 to which the seed meter 128 is mounted and / or the seed meter cover 127. In one embodiment, threaded fasteners may be used to mount the seed accelerator to the support surface. Other mechanical fasteners or clips may be used.

[0117] In one embodiment, the seed accelerator 350 can have a unitary body 300-1, wherein the mounting bracket 360, the air inlet pipe 351, the intermediate pipe section 353, the exhaust pipe 352 and the shield 355 are formed as an integral unified structural part of the body. The seed accelerator body can be formed of a suitable metallic material or a non-metallic material (e.g., a polymer), and the seed accelerator body is manufactured by any suitable method including casting or molding depending on the material used.

[0118] Compared to the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein, the present seed accelerator 350 is configured to direct airflow across the seed disk 129 in an outside-to-inside and downward direction through the air entrainment chamber 356 of the seed capture shield 355 to capture seeds from the seed holes 129-2.

[0119] In operation, as the seed disc 129 rotates in the rotational direction R, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed disc 129 rotate and pass one by one through the seed capture chamber 356 within the seed capture shield 355. Each seed is temporarily held in its corresponding seed hole 129-2 by a vacuum drawn to the hole from the other major surface 129-4 of the seed disc 129, which is opposite to the major surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129 on which the seeds are deposited for the seeds to pass through the seed accelerator 350.

[0120] Pressurized air enters the inner passage 350-2 of the seed accelerator 350 from the outer peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc 129 at a first edge position via the air inlet duct 351 and flows inwardly generally following an arcuate curved airflow path PA to a second edge position while traversing the seed travel path P at the air entrainment chamber 356 within the shield 355 (see, for example, FIG. Fig.31). Thus, the airflow path PA through the internal passage 350-2 is summarized as traversing the disc from the outside to the inside of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc 129 and then from the inside to the outside of the peripheral edge. The pressurized airflow is introduced into the air entrainment chamber 356 via the air inlet port 307 in the shield 355, and flows across and approximately parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129 and across the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein, such as the seeds pass through the shield one by one in succession as the seed disc 129 rotates. The air entrainment chamber 356 of the shield 355 is configured to convey the airflow laterally to the circular seed travel path P on the seed disc as the seed disc rotates, similar to the shield 305 previously described herein. The airflow expels each seed from its corresponding seed hole, and the seed becomes guided to and entrained in the airflow flowing through the shield. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be used alone or in combination for seed removal. In one embodiment, a mechanical sweeping or scooping action such as in FR2414288 may be used. In another embodiment, the seeds may fall from the disk at the point exactly when the vacuum terminates. The airflow sweeps and conveys the seeds entrained by the air through the shroud outlet port 358 into the seed distribution tube 130 connected to the exhaust pipe 352 of the seed accelerator. The seeds may enter the shroud 355 at approximately the 3 o'clock position on the seed disk 129, where they are entrained in the airflow and then swept outwardly, and the seeds are discharged from the disk via the outlet pipe 352 at a different approximately 5 o'clock position (see, for example, FIG. 1 ). Fig.31 ). The seeds are discharged one by one from the bottom end of the seed distributing pipe 130 and deposited in the planting groove.

[0121] Mechanical Seed Accelerator—Wheel Embodiment

[0122] Figures 33 to 40 A non-limiting embodiment of a mechanical seed accelerator 400 is shown that is configured to physically dislodge individual seeds from a seed tray 129 of a seed meter 128 and discharge the seeds into a seed distribution tube 130, rather than using pressurized air as a motive force as in prior air-operated seed accelerator embodiments disclosed herein.

[0123] The seed accelerator 400 generally includes a rotatable accelerator wheel 401, a seed chute 404 including a seed guide wall 402, and an electric motor wheel drive 403, which is coupled to the wheel and causes the wheel to operably rotate. The wheel, chute and wheel drive can be supported by a common housing 405, which is configured for mounting to a portion of the seed meter and / or row unit frame. In one embodiment, the wheel 401 is mounted about its central hub to a drive shaft 401-1, which is coupled to the wheel drive 403 (in a conventional manner) via, for example, a mechanical coupling link 304-1 (e.g., a commercially available belt or chain). Fig.35 In other embodiments, the wheel drive system may be a direct drive, where the motor shaft is directly coupled to the drive shaft of wheel 401.

[0124] The drive shaft 401-1 of the accelerator wheel 401 defines a rotation axis RA2 of the wheel, which in some embodiments may be parallel to the rotation axis RA1 of the seeding disc 129 of the seed meter 128. The rotation axes RA1 and RA2 may be coplanar and lie in the same horizontal reference plane passing through and including these rotation axes (e.g., see Fig.39 ). The speed (RPM-revolutions per minute) of the accelerator wheel 401 can be greater than the speed of the seed disc 129.

[0125] The accelerator wheel 401 includes a plurality of arcuately curved radial fingers 401-2 configured to directly engage a single seed and dislodge it from the seed hole. In other embodiments, the fingers may be straight. To this end, as the seed disc 129 rotates with the rotation of the accelerator wheel 401, the distal free ends 401-3 of the fingers are positioned to pass over and intercept the seed hole 129-2 (e.g., see Fig.40 Examples of acceleration wheels that may be used are described in PCT Publication Nos. WO2013 / 049198, WO2014 / 018717, and WO2017 / 011675, and are available as the SpeedTube from Precision Planting LLC of Tremont, Illinois, USA. TM obtained in the system.

[0126] In one embodiment, at least the drive shaft 401-1 of the accelerator wheel 401 (and incidentally its axis of rotation RA2) is located inside the seed disc 129 (i.e., spaced inwardly from the circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the disc). In the non-limiting embodiment shown, both the drive shaft 401-1 and the fingers 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 (i.e., the entire wheel) can be located inside the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc 129 and spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge. From another perspective, the accelerator wheel 401 has an axis of rotation RA2 that is located inside the seed travel path P on the seed disc, and the guide wall 402 is located outside the seed path P. In any of the above embodiments, the accelerator wheel 401 expels and drives a single seed from the seed disc 129 in a radially outward direction toward the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed disc 129 and against the guide wall 402.

[0127] The guide wall 402 operates in conjunction with the accelerator wheel 401 to accelerate individual seeds expelled by the wheel and distribute the seeds into the seed chute 404. The seed chute 404 is in turn connected to the seed distribution tube 130 for discharging each seed sequentially into the planting groove. In one embodiment as shown, the seed guide wall 402 can be curved in an arc. The guide wall 402 defines an inwardly facing guide surface 402-1 facing the accelerator wheel 401. In the embodiment as shown, the guide surface 402-1 can be formed as a portion adjacent to the inner surface 404-1 of the seed chute 404, wherein the guide wall 402 and the seed chute 404 are formed as an integral, unified component of the same single, unitary structure (e.g., see Fig.36 ). The guide wall 402 forms a protrusion extending upward from the inlet 410 of the guide chute 404 and can be an open structure, while the portion of the guide chute 404 between its top inlet and bottom outlet is completely closed as shown in the figure to guide the seeds into the adjacent and connected seed distribution pipe 130.

[0128] As the gap between the terminal free end of the radial finger 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 and the guide surface 401-1 gradually narrows in the rotation direction RW of the wheel 401, the radial finger 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 applies pressure to the seed against the wall 402. In certain embodiments, the finger 401-2 may also be elastically deformable to prevent crushing the seed against the guide wall 402 and incidentally increase the friction clamping of the seed ejected by the wheel when the wheel rotates. Any suitable elastomeric material or other similar materials with elastic memory may be used to construct the finger for this purpose. The bent finger is separated by a radial gap so that when the finger is deformed and collapsed inwardly by applying pressure against the guide wall 402 for the seed, the finger is allowed to become at least partially nested. The finger will rebound to its initial non-deformed state via elastic memory to accelerate the seed to leave the wheel 401 and the guide wall 402 and the seed is ejected. The elastically deformable fingers 401-2 also allow the accelerator wheel 401 to accommodate seeds of different sizes / diameters for different types of plants to be planted. However, in other embodiments, the fingers may have a rigid construction when more appropriate.

[0129] In one embodiment, the accelerator wheel 401 can rotate in the same rotation direction RW as the rotation direction R of the seed disc 129 (e.g., Fig.40 Clockwise as shown). Thus, the accelerator wheel 401 advantageously operates in concert with the existing rotational speed of the seed disk 129 to further impart additional acceleration to the seeds for deposition in the seed chute. Viewed from another perspective, the acceleration imparted by the accelerator wheel to the existing speed of the seeds rotating with the seed disk in the seed holes 129-2 is a superposition of the rotational speed of the seed disk. In order to optimize the acceleration of the seeds, the accelerator wheel 401 is located at a side position of the seed disk 129 (e.g., approximately the 3 o'clock position) to preferably expel the seeds from the disk before the seeds pass under the disk. In some embodiments, the rotational axis RA2 of the accelerator wheel 401 can be located in the same horizontal reference plane as the rotational axis RA1 of the seed disk (e.g., see Fig.39 ). The seeds are ejected from their seed holes 129-2 in a direction substantially tangentially and downwardly to the peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk into the seed chute 404. The additional acceleration imparted to the seeds by the accelerator wheel is particularly useful when at least a portion or all of the seed distribution tube 130 includes a helical seed orientation surface, which increases the sliding friction on the seeds, thereby slowing the seed speed.

[0130] It is noteworthy that in one embodiment, the curved seed guide wall 402 can be configured in position and arrangement to not intersect with the seed hole 129-2 or engage with the seed as the seed disc 129 rotates until the fingers 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 strike the separated seeds and expel the individual seeds from the seed holes. Thus, the guide wall 402 does not act alone or physically expel the seeds from the disc in the first place, but rather operates in conjunction with the accelerator wheel for this purpose.

[0131] In operation, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed disc 129 rotate and pass between the guide wall 402 of the seed accelerator 400 and the accelerator wheel 401. Each seed is temporarily held in its corresponding seed hole 129-2 by a vacuum drawn into the hole from the other major surface 129-4 of the seed disc 129, which is opposite the major surface 129-3 of the seed disc 129 on which the seeds in the seed meter 128 are deposited, and the fingers 401-2 of the wheel (sequentially) eject each seed. The accelerator wheel 401 drives the seeds radially outward from the seed disc 129 (see, for example, Figure 39 to Figure 40 ). The fingers 401-2 squeeze and press against the seed guide wall 402 (i.e., the guide inner surface 402-1) for each seed for controlled capture and feeding of the seed. When the fingers are structurally elastically deformable, the fingers collapse inwardly toward the rotation axis RA2 to store potential energy therein, and when the fingers return to their uncollapsed state, the accelerator wheel accelerates the seed via a spring-like action. When the accelerator wheel rotates, the seed slidably engages the guide surface 402-1 of the seed guide wall, and moves downward in the vertical direction into the seed chute 404 and then falls into the seed distribution pipe 130 for implantation in the planting groove formed by the row unit in the farmland. The accelerator wheel 401 advantageously supplies seeds in a controlled manner in succession at preselected time intervals when the wheel rotates, so as to provide appropriate seed spacing in the groove. The seed spacing can be adjusted by selecting the appropriate rotation speed of the seeding disc 129 and the accelerator wheel.

[0132] In some embodiments, the accelerator wheel 401 may be used in conjunction with the air entrainment seed accelerator 300 or 350 to feed seed from the seed tray 129 into the accelerator for delivery to the seed dispensing tube 130 for planting. Fig.33 and Fig.34 An air entrainment seed accelerator 900 in combination with an accelerator wheel 401 is shown in FIG.

[0133] The seed chute 404 and seed distribution tube 130 are shown as discrete separate components, but may be formed and combined as an integral component, ie, a single unitary unified structure, operable for similar purposes and benefits as described herein.

[0134] In another embodiment, the pressurized air source 304 can be operated to change the pressure according to the travel speed. The pressure can be directly matched to the speed of the appliance so that the pressure increases when the speed increases, or the pressure decreases when the speed decreases. This can be a continuous change, or it can be a step change so that there are pressures for sub-ranges of speeds. For example, there can be one pressure for a speed range of 1.6 km / h to 3.2 km / h (1 mph to 2 mph), another pressure for a speed range of 3.2 km / h to 4.8 km / h (2 mph to 3 mph), and so on.

[0135] Example

[0136] The following are non-limiting examples.

[0137] Example 1 - A seed delivery system comprising: a seed meter including a seed disk configured to hold a plurality of seeds; a seed accelerator including an internal passage configured for air flow to flow through, the seed accelerator including a seed capture shield defining an inwardly opening air entrainment chamber facing the seed disk and forming a portion of the internal passage; and a seed dispensing tube connected to the seed accelerator; wherein the seed disk is rotatable to move the seeds through the seed capture shield, the seed capture shield being configured to extract and entrain each seed in the air flow.

[0138] Example 2 - The seed delivery system of Example 1, wherein the seed disc comprises a circular array of seed holes, each of the seed holes being configured to hold a single seed.

[0139] Example 3 - The seed delivery system of Example 2, wherein the seed capture shield covers a portion of the seed disk, and when the seed disk rotates, the seed holes pass through the portion of the seed disk one by one successively.

[0140] Example 4 - The seed delivery system of Example 2, wherein the seed accelerator includes an air inlet tube connectable to a pressurized air source and an air outlet tube connected to the seed distribution tube.

[0141] Example 5 - According to the seed delivery system of Example 4, the air inlet tube and the air outlet tube are fluidly connected to the air entrainment chamber, and the air entrainment chamber is configured to transmit the airflow laterally to the circular seed travel path on the seed disk when the seed disk rotates.

[0142] Example 6 - A seed delivery system according to Example 4, wherein the seed accelerator also includes a folded-back tube bend, which is disposed between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe and is configured so that the airflow reverses direction in the internal channel.

[0143] Example 7 - A seed delivery system according to Example 4, wherein the air entrainment chamber is disposed in the internal passage of the seed accelerator between the air inlet tube and the air outlet tube.

[0144] Example 8 - A seed delivery system according to Example 4, wherein the air entrainment chamber is a U-shaped structure, the U-shaped structure including a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening and the bottom opening defining a seed passage, and the seeds on the seed disc pass through the seed passage when the seed disc rotates.

[0145] Example 9 - A seed delivery system according to Example 4, wherein the seed capture shield includes a first end wall, a second end wall and a transverse wall, the first end wall includes an air inlet port connected to the air inlet pipe, the second end wall includes an air outlet port connected to the air outlet pipe, and the transverse wall extends vertically between the first end wall and the second end wall.

[0146] Example 10 - A seed delivery system according to Example 9, wherein the seed capture shield has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

[0147] Example 11 - A seed delivery system according to any one of Examples 2 to 4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey the airflow across the seed disc through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield in an inside-to-outside and downward direction to extract the seeds from the seed holes.

[0148] Example 12 - A seed delivery system according to any one of Examples 2 to 4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey the airflow across the seed disc through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield in an outside-to-inside and downward direction to extract the seeds from the seed holes.

[0149] Example 13 - A seed delivery system according to Example 12, wherein the internal passage of the seed accelerator is configured so that the airflow flows through the seed accelerator in an arcuate curved path.

[0150] Example 14 - A seed delivery system comprising: a seed meter, the seed meter including a rotatable seed disk, the rotatable seed disk being configured to hold an array of individualized seeds; a seed accelerator, the seed accelerator including an accelerator wheel and a seed chute, the accelerator wheel being configured to expel the individualized seeds from the seed disk, the seed chute being configured to receive the seeds expelled by the accelerator wheel; wherein the accelerator wheel is rotatable to expel the seeds from the seed disk in a radially outward direction and accelerate the distribution of the seeds to the seed chute.

[0151] Example 15 - The seed delivery system of Example 14, wherein the accelerator wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is spaced inwardly from a circular peripheral edge of the seed disc.

[0152] Example 16 - A seed delivery system according to Example 14 or 15, wherein the accelerator wheel rotates in the same rotational direction as the seed disc, so that the acceleration imparted by the accelerator wheel to the seed velocity is superimposed on the rotational speed of the seed disc.

[0153] Example 17 - A seed delivery system according to Example 14 or 15, wherein: the seed chute includes an arc-shaped curved guide wall arranged near the accelerator wheel, the guide wall defines a guide surface, the guide surface faces inward toward the accelerator wheel and leads to the entrance of the seed chute; and the accelerator wheel is operable to press the seeds against the guide wall in a radially outward direction and accelerate the seeds along the guide wall into the seed chute.

[0154] Example 18 - The seed delivery system of Example 17, wherein the rotational axis of the accelerator wheel is located within a seed travel path on the seed disk and the guide wall is located outside of the seed travel path on the seed disk.

[0155] Example 19 - The seed delivery system of Example 17, wherein the accelerator wheel is positioned to eject seed from the seed disk at a side position of the seed disk.

[0156] Example 20 - A seed delivery system according to Example 19, wherein the side position is at approximately the 3 o'clock position.

[0157] Example 21 - In the seed delivery system of Example 19 or 20, the accelerator wheel is configured to expel the seeds from the seed disc in a direction tangential to the seed disc.

[0158] Example 22 - The seed delivery system of any of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the rotational axis of the accelerator wheel lies in the same horizontal reference plane as the rotational axis of the seed disc.

[0159] Example 23 - The seed delivery system of any of Examples 14 to 22, wherein the accelerator wheel comprises a plurality of radial fingers configured to engage the seeds on the seed disc.

[0160] Example 24 - A seed delivery system according to Example 23, wherein the fingers are curved in an arcuate shape and formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0161] Example 25 - A seed delivery system according to Example 17, wherein the guide wall has an open structure that does not enclose the accelerator wheel and is disposed on an outwardly facing side of the accelerator wheel.

[0162] Example 26 - A seed delivery system according to Example 16, wherein the seed chute is oriented vertically.

[0163] Example 27 - A method for distributing seeds for planting, comprising: forming grooves in the soil with the aid of row units; rotating a seed disk that holds an array of individualized seeds; rotating an accelerator wheel; expelling the seeds from the seed disk in a radially outward direction with the aid of the accelerator wheel; and delivering the seeds to the grooves.

[0164] Example 28 - The method of Example 27, wherein the dislodging step includes the accelerator wheel pressing the seed against an arcuately curved guide wall, the arcuately curved guide wall being disposed outside the accelerator wheel.

[0165] Example 29 - A method according to Example 28, wherein the accelerator wheel includes a plurality of elastically deformable radial fingers, which press the seed against the guide wall and then collapse inward to store potential energy therein, and when the fingers return to their uncollapsed state, the accelerator wheel accelerates the seed via a spring-like action.

[0166] Example 30 - A method according to Example 29, wherein the finger is curved in an arcuate shape and is formed of an elastically deformable material having elastic memory.

[0167] Example 31 - The method of Example 28, wherein the rotational axis of the accelerator wheel is located within a seed travel path on the seed disk and the guide wall is located outside of the seed travel path on the seed disk.

[0168] Example 32 - The method of Example 28, wherein the accelerator wheel is positioned to eject seed from the seed disk at a side position of the seed disk.

[0169] Example 33 - The method of Example 28, wherein the evicting step comprises sequentially passing the seeds to the accelerator wheel.

[0170] Example 34 - A method according to any of Examples 27 to 33, wherein the rotation axis of the accelerator wheel lies in the same horizontal reference plane as the rotation axis of the seed disc.

[0171] Example 35 - The method of Example 34, wherein the rotational axis of the accelerator wheel is located within a circumferential peripheral edge of the seed disc.

[0172] Example 36 - The method of Example 34, wherein the accelerator wheel and the seed disc rotate in the same direction.

[0173] Example 37 - The method of Example 28, wherein the accelerator wheel expels the expelled seeds into a seed chute, which delivers the seeds to the groove.

[0174] Example 38 - A method according to Example 37, wherein the guide wall is formed as an integral part of the seed chute.

[0175] Example 39 - The method of Example 27, wherein the seeds are arranged in a circular array of seed holes in the seed disk, and the circular array of seed holes rotates sequentially past the accelerator wheel.

[0176] Example 40 - A method according to Example 39, wherein the accelerator wheel includes a plurality of arcuately curved fingers that intercept the seed holes at one side of the seed disk when the seed disk and the accelerator wheel each rotate.

[0177] Example 41 - The method of Example 40, wherein the accelerator wheel rotates at a speed faster than a speed of the seed disc.

[0178] Example 42 - An agricultural row unit comprising: a frame; a groove opening assembly, the groove opening assembly being configured to open a groove in the soil surface when the groove opening assembly moves in a forward travel direction; a sub-groove opener, the sub-groove opener being disposed in the groove to open the sub-groove; a seed conduit, the seed conduit being configured to deposit seeds into the sub-grooves; and a groove closing assembly, the groove closing assembly being used to close the groove and the sub-grooves.

[0179] Example 43 - An agricultural row unit according to Example 42, wherein the groove opening assembly includes a first disk and a second disk.

[0180] Example 44 - An agricultural row unit according to Example 43, wherein at least one of the first disk and the second disk is notched and has teeth between the notches.

[0181] Example 46 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 42 to 44, wherein the first disk is flat.

[0182] Example 47 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 43 to 44, wherein the first disk is concave.

[0183] Example 48 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 43 to 47, wherein the teeth on the first disk are tapered.

[0184] Example 49 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 43 to 48, wherein the second disk is flat.

[0185] Example 50 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 43 to 48, wherein the second disk is concave.

[0186] Example 51 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 43 to 50, wherein the teeth on the second disk are tapered.

[0187] Example 52 - The agricultural row unit of any of Examples 42 to 51, further comprising a seed meter connected to the frame and in fluid communication with the seed conduit.

[0188] Example 53 - An agricultural row unit according to any of Examples 42 to 52, wherein the seed conduit is a seed orientation conduit configured to orient the seed as it travels along the seed orientation conduit.

[0189] Example 54 - An agricultural row unit according to any one of Examples 42 to 53, wherein the sub-groove opener also includes a blade extending downwardly from the sub-groove opener.

[0190] Example 55 - A method of operating an apparatus having a seed orientation system, wherein the seed orientation system comprises: a frame; a groove opening assembly, the groove opening assembly being configured to open a groove in a soil surface when the groove opening assembly moves in a forward travel direction; a seed delivery system, the seed delivery system being used to deliver seeds to the groove; a gas source, the gas source being used to provide gas to the seed orientation system to push the seeds through the seed orientation system; and a groove closing assembly, the groove closing assembly being used to close the groove, the method comprising: determining a speed of the apparatus; and setting a gas pressure for the gas source based on the determined speed.

[0191] Example 56 - A method according to Example 1, wherein the gas pressure increases as the speed increases and the gas pressure decreases as the speed decreases.

[0192] Example 57 - A method according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the gas pressure changes continuously with the speed as the speed changes.

[0193] Example 58 - The method of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the velocity is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges and there is a gas pressure for each sub-range.

[0194] Example 59 - A method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the gas is air.

[0195] Example 60 - A method according to any one of Examples 55 to 59, wherein the seed delivery system is a seed oriented delivery system.

[0196] Example 61 - A method according to any one of Examples 55 to 60, wherein the seed orientation further includes a seed meter for providing individualized seeds to the seed delivery system.

[0197] The above description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications of the preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention and the general principles and features of the systems and methods described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seed delivery system, comprising: a seed meter including a rotatable seed disk configured to hold an array of individualized seeds; a seed accelerator, the seed accelerator comprising an accelerator wheel and a seed chute, the accelerator wheel being configured to eject the singulated seeds from the seed disc, the seed chute being configured to receive the seeds ejected by the accelerator wheel; The accelerator wheel is rotatable to expel seeds from the seed disc in a radially outward direction and accelerate the distribution of seeds to the seed chute.

2. The seed delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The accelerator wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is spaced inwardly from a circular peripheral edge of the seed disc.

3. The seed delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The accelerator wheel rotates in the same rotational direction as the seed disc, so that the acceleration imparted by the accelerator wheel to the seed speed is superimposed on the rotational speed of the seed disc.

4. The seed delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The seed chute includes an arcuately curved guide wall disposed proximate the accelerator wheel, the guide wall defining a guide surface facing inwardly toward the accelerator wheel and opening into an inlet of the seed chute; and The accelerator wheel is operable to press seeds against the guide wall in a radially outward direction and accelerate the seeds along the guide wall into the seed chute.

5. The seed delivery system according to claim 4, wherein: The rotation axis of the accelerator wheel is located within the seed travel path on the seed disk, and the guide wall is located outside the seed travel path on the seed disk.

6. The seed delivery system of claim 4, wherein: The accelerator wheel is positioned to eject seed from the seed disk at a side position of the seed disk.

7. The seed delivery system of claim 6, wherein: The side position is at approximately the 3 o'clock position.

8. The seed delivery system of claim 6 or 7, the accelerator wheel being configured to eject the seeds from the seed disc in a direction tangential to the seed disc.

9. The seed delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The rotation axis of the accelerator wheel lies in the same horizontal reference plane as the rotation axis of the seed disc.

10. The seed delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The accelerator wheel includes a plurality of radial fingers configured to engage seeds on the seed disc.

11. The seed delivery system of claim 10, wherein: The fingers are curved in an arc shape and are formed of an elastically deformable material.

12. The seed delivery system of claim 4, wherein: The guide wall has an open structure that does not enclose the accelerator wheel and is provided on a side of the accelerator wheel that faces outward.

13. The seed delivery system of claim 3, wherein: The seed chute is oriented vertically.

14. A method for distributing seeds for planting, comprising: Form furrows in the soil with the help of row units; rotating a seed disk holding an array of individualized seeds; causing the accelerator wheel to rotate; The seeds are driven out of the seed disc in a radially outward direction by means of the accelerator wheel; as well as The seeds are delivered to the grooves.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The dislodging step includes the accelerator wheel pressing the seeds against an arcuately curved guide wall, the arcuately curved guide wall being disposed outside the accelerator wheel.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The accelerator wheel includes a plurality of elastically deformable radial fingers which press the seed against the guide wall and then collapse inwardly to store potential energy therein, and the accelerator wheel accelerates the seed via a spring-like action when the fingers return to their uncollapsed state.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The fingers are curved in an arc shape and are formed of an elastically deformable material having elastic memory.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The rotation axis of the accelerator wheel is located within the seed travel path on the seed disk, and the guide wall is located outside the seed travel path on the seed disk.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The accelerator wheel is positioned to eject seed from the seed disk at a side position of the seed disk.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The ejecting step includes successively passing the seeds to the accelerator wheel.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein: The rotation axis of the accelerator wheel lies in the same horizontal reference plane as the rotation axis of the seed disc.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The axis of rotation of the accelerator wheel is located within the circumferential edge of the seed disc.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The accelerator wheel and the seed disc rotate in the same direction.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The accelerator wheel discharges the dislodged seeds into a seed chute which delivers the seeds to the grooves.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The guide wall is formed as an integral part of the seed chute.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein: The seeds are disposed in a circular array of seed holes in the seed disc which rotate sequentially past the accelerator wheel.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The accelerator wheel includes a plurality of arcuately curved fingers that intercept the seed holes at one side of the seed disk as the seed disk and accelerator wheel each rotate.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The accelerator wheel rotates at a speed faster than the seed disc.

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