Method of seed delivery

Abstract

A seed delivery device has a seed meter (128, 328) having a metering panel (202) configured to receive a seed, and a seed delivery device (202) configured to deliver a seed to the seed meter (128, 328), the seed meter (128, 328). A seed tube (130, 330) coupled to the seed meter (128, 328); and a seed accelerator (200, 300) having an air inlet and a conduit that directs a flow of air from the air inlet in a direction away from the seed meter (128, 328) to the seed tube (130, 330), the flow of air configured to entrain and accelerate seed in a direction away from the seed meter (128, 328) as the seed passes through the seed tube (130, 330).

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 / 434,649 filed on December 22, 2022; No. 4659; 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. Seeds are typically planted in grooves formed by disks or other mechanisms in the planter row unit. The depth of seed placement is important because seeds planted at different depths germinate at different times, which results in uneven crop growth. The spacing of seeds can affect yield because plants that are too close together compete for nutrients, while plants that are too far apart waste space between them.

[0005] Agricultural row crop planters typically include a seed hopper connected to a seed metering system that delivers seed into the furrows formed by the disc opener blades. Multiple such row crop planters are typically mounted in parallel along a tool bar that is attached to a power vehicle, such as a tractor, that travels through the farmland. For example, four, sixteen, twenty-four, thirty-six, or even forty-eight row units are typically 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 metering system. The metering system singulates the bulk seed and will most preferably provide these singulated seeds at very predictable and repeatable time intervals. The row crop planter then delivers the seeds one at a time into the ground, typically into the furrows cut by the opener blades.

[0007] A common prior art method of delivering seed from a seed hopper to the land is a gravity drop system that positions a seed dispensing tube inlet below a seed metering system. The singulated seeds fall from the metering system along the seed dispensing tube and into the furrows prepared by the opener blades disposed in front of the seed dispensing tube.

[0008] There is a need for improved methods for transferring and accelerating seed from a seed meter to a seed dispensing tube for planting. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure provides various embodiments of seed delivery systems, each of which is configured to transfer and accelerate seeds dispensed from a rotatable metering disk of a seed meter to a seed dispensing tube from which the seeds are successively implanted in planting grooves. Some embodiments of the air-operated seed accelerators described herein are constructed and designed to capture and dispense seeds from a seed meter by entraining the seeds in a pressurized air stream. Another embodiment of the mechanically operated seed accelerator described herein is constructed and designed to mechanically dispense seeds from a seed meter via physical removal from the seed meter.

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

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

[0012] Embodiments of mechanically operated seed accelerators include a rotatable accelerator wheel to physically remove seed from a metering disk of the seed meter and distribute it 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 metering disk 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 orienting surface that engages and manipulates the seed to provide a predetermined seed orientation for planting in a planting trench.

[0015] Other technical features will be 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, in which like elements are similarly labeled, and wherein:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0034] Fig.18 This is an enlarged detail view showing Fig.17 a seed capture shield of a seed accelerator and a portion of a seed metering disk of the seed meter, the portion showing a seed hole of the disk entering the shield;

[0035] Fig.19 for Fig.16 A first stereoscopic view of an air-operated seed accelerator;

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

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

[0038] Fig. 22 is a side view of a seed meter with a seed metering disk and a seed dispensing tube, wherein a first embodiment of the seed accelerator is shown in phantom;

[0039] Fig.23 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the metering disk, the portion showing Fig. 22 A first embodiment of a seed accelerator in;

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

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

[0042] Fig.26 Taken from Fig.25 , showing an enlarged detail of a row unit disclosed herein, wherein a sub-groove opener common to all embodiments of the row unit disclosed herein is shown;

[0043] Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail view showing Fig.24 a seed capture shield of a second embodiment of a seed accelerator of the invention and a portion of a seed metering disk of a seed meter, the portion showing a seed hole of the disk entering the shield;

[0044] Fig.28 for Fig.16 A first stereoscopic view of an air-operated seed accelerator;

[0045] Fig.29 a second perspective view of said air operated seed accelerator;

[0046] Fig.30 a third perspective view of said air operated seed accelerator;

[0047] Fig.31 is a side view of a seed meter with a seed metering disk and a seed dispensing tube, wherein a second embodiment of the seed accelerator is shown in phantom;

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

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

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

[0051] Fig.35 is an enlarged detail view showing Fig.34 a portion of a mechanical seed accelerator and a seed metering disk of said seed meter, said portion showing said accelerator wheel and a guide wall of said seed chute;

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

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

[0054] Fig.38 is a side view of a seed meter with a seed metering disk, wherein Figure 36-Figure 37 The mechanical seed accelerator is shown in dashed lines;

[0055] Fig.39 is a side view of the seed meter, wherein the solid line is shown relative to the metering disk. Fig.38 A cross-sectional view of a mechanical seed accelerator; and

[0056] Fig.40 for Fig.39 An enlarged detail showing the accelerator wheel of the guide wall with the seed guiding surface of the seed chute.

[0057] Fig.41 For openers with slotted discs Figure 8 Side view of.

[0058] Fig.42 A perspective view of a notched opener disc.

[0059] Fig.43 for Fig.42 Side view of a notched opener disc.

[0060] Fig.44 for Fig.42 Front view of the notched opener disc.

[0061] Fig.45 for Fig.42 Rear view of the notched opener disc.

[0062] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. Parts shown and / or given reference numerals in one figure may be considered to refer to the same parts where they appear without numerals in other figures for the sake of brevity, unless specifically marked with different part numbers and described herein. References herein to drawings by number (however, the drawings contain multiple drawings sharing the same number with different letter suffixes) shall be considered to be references to all those drawings 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 herein and that in an incorporated reference, the definition herein controls.

[0064] The illustrations provided herein are not actual views of any planter row unit or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations used to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between the figures may retain the same numerical designations.

[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 implemented without adopting many of these specific details. In fact, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not contain all elements that form 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 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 terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also encompass the more restrictive terms "consisting of," "consisting essentially of," and their grammatical equivalents.

[0067] As used herein, the term "may" presented herein with respect to materials, structures, features, or method actions indicates that these are expected to be used in implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, and this term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "are" to avoid any suggestion 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 "configuration" refers 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 operation of the one or more of the structure and device in an intended manner.

[0069] As used herein, the singular forms following "a", "an", and "the" are intended to 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, spatially relative terms, such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "bottom," "above," "upper," "top," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc., may be convenient to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of material in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0072] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is for ease of description only 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", "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.), should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as described later or as shown in the accompanying drawings discussed. These relative terms are for ease of description only and do not require that the device be constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0073] Terms such as "attach", "attach", "connect", "couple", "interconnect" and the like refer to relationships in which structures are fixed or attached to each other directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, as well as removable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0074] As used herein, the term "about" used with 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 endpoint of the range.

[0076] Figure 1-Figure 3 An embodiment of an agricultural planter row unit 100 is illustrated. The row unit 100 has a support frame 110 pivotally connected to a tool bar 112 by a movable linkage arm assembly 114 so that each row unit 100 can move vertically independently of the tool bar 112 and the other row units 100 as the row unit traverses a field. The frame 110 operably supports: one or more seed hoppers 116 of any suitable type and configuration that hold seed for planting; 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 closure assembly 146. The illustrated row unit 100 may 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 Figure 4-Figure 11 ).

[0077] Alternatively, Figure 1-Figure 3The row units may be used with a center-fill planter, in which case the large capacity hoppers 116 previously described herein may be replaced with one or more small hoppers 116' mounted to each row unit as shown. The small hoppers are fluidly coupled to a large central hopper via fill tubes (not shown), which in turn distributes seed to all row units. Such center-fill planters are well known in the art and need no further elaboration.

[0078] Notably, support frame 110 is used to collectively designate a collection of various structural members (e.g., beams, angles, straps, brackets, rods, brackets, and other components) that couple together and cooperate to structurally support some or all of the components and devices of row unit 100 and seed delivery system 200 described herein. To this end, any suitable type and number of structural members may be provided in any suitable configuration.

[0079] Appropriate reference Figure 1-Figure 11 The seed furrow opening assembly 120 includes a pair of furrow opening discs 122 rotatably supported by the frame 110. The furrow opening discs 122 are arranged to separate outwardly and rearwardly so as to open a V-shaped seed furrow or groove 104 (e.g., see FIG. 1 ) in the soil 102 when the planter passes through the field in a forward travel direction D. Figure 8 ). In other embodiments, a seed groove opening assembly is described in U.S. Serial No. 63 / 262415 filed on October 12, 2021, and U.S. Serial No. 63 / 262417 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. Figure 8-Figure 11 (Herein as Figure 42-Figure 45 ) illustrates a slotted opener disk 62. The slotted opener disk 62 has a plurality of slots 63 (63-1 to 63-18). Although illustrated as having 18 slots, the slotted opener disk 62 may have any number of slots 63. Between consecutive slots 63 are teeth 64. As illustrated, there are 18 teeth 64 (64-1 to 64-18). Optionally, the teeth 64 may have tapers 65 (65-1 to 65-18). Although illustrated as having tapers 65 on one side of the teeth 64, both sides of the teeth 64 may have tapers 65. When one taper 65 is present, the slotted opener disk 62 may be oriented on the row unit 14 so that the taper 65 is disposed on the slotted opener disk 62 on a side away from the row unit 14. Although illustrated as being flat, the notched opener disk 62 may be concave. Fig.41 Example Figure 8 The slotted opener disc 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, such as a portion of the frame 110. The sub-groove opener 105 is disposed behind the furrowing disc assembly 60 in the furrow opened by the seed furrow opening assembly 120. The sub-groove opener 105 may optionally include a blade 105-1 extending below the furrowing disc 122 to form an optional portion leading to the sub-groove 104-1 in the soil at the bottom and inside of the planting furrow 104 formed by the sub-groove opener 105. This produces a more compact furrow profile so that the seeds deposited in the sub-groove are prevented from moving laterally or forward / backward in the soil to maintain their preferred orientation in the furrow. The seed dispensing pipe 130 may be arranged and positioned to deposit seeds in the sub-groove opener 105 behind and after the sub-groove relative to the direction of travel D of the row unit 100 through the farmland.

[0081] When the slotted opener disc 62 and the sub-groove opener 105 are combined, the slotted opener disc 62 can form a furrow and the sub-groove opener 105 can form a sub-groove in the furrow without the sub-groove opener 105 having to perform all the work, which would result in more wear on the sub-groove opener 105.

[0082] The seed delivery system 200 includes a seed meter 128, a seed dispensing tube 130, and a seed accelerator 300 of the first embodiment, which work together to deliver seeds from a seed hopper 116 or 116' to the soil at a preselected rate. The seeds are conveyed from the hopper and transferred 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 meter, such as disclosed in the applicant's International Patent Publication No. WO / 2012 / 129442 or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0230846, or any commercially available vacuum-type seed meter, such as but not limited to the VSet® meter available from Precision Planting LLC (address 23333 Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568).

[0083] In operation, the seed meter 128 preferably deposits supplied seed via the 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 through the seed dispensing tube 130 to the planting groove 104. 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 orientation by any selected method, such as the method shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, entitled "Systems, Implements, and Methods for Seed Orientation with Adjustable Singulators During Planting," published on August 1, 2019.

[0085] The discharge opening 130-1 at the bottom end of the seed dispensing tube 130 is positioned between the furrowing discs 122 to deliver seeds from the seed meter 128 to the open seed grooves 104. The depth of the seed grooves 104 is controlled by a pair of gauge wheels 134 positioned adjacent to the furrowing discs 122. The gauge wheels 134 are rotatably supported by gauge wheel arms 136, which are 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 connected to the arm 136 and is configured to form a gauge wheel adjustment mechanism. The handle can be moved forward and backward to raise or lower the gauge wheel 134 relative to the frame and furrowing discs 122. This allows the depth of the seed grooves 104 to be adjusted and set by limiting the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 136 (and therefore the gauge wheel 134) relative to the furrowing discs 122. Thus, the depth gauge wheel adjustment mechanism controls the depth of cut produced by the trenching disc 122 .

[0086] The seed trench closure assembly 146 includes a pair of offset closure wheels 150 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 together back 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 No. 9,848,524, entitled "Agricultural Seed Trench Closing Systems, Methods, and Apparatus," issued December 26, 2017.

[0087] Now the overall reference Figure 3-Figure 16 And with particular reference to Figure 17-Figure 23Further describing aspects and components of the seed delivery system 200, Figure 17-Figure 23 Shown are more details of the seed delivery system components.

[0088] The seed meter 128 includes a circular outer housing 127 and an internal seed metering disc 129 that rotates within the seed meter and receives seeds from the hopper 116. The disc 129 is rotatably mounted to an axle 315 located at the geometric center of the disc and the seed meter 128, the axle defining an axis of rotation RA1 of the disc. The disc 129 rotates in a rotational direction R indicated by a rotational arrow shown (e.g., Fig. 22 Compatible electric motor drive 135 (in Fig. 22 ), such as a gear motor drive, such as the vDrive commercially available from Precision Planting, LLC of Tremont, Illinois, can be used to rotate the metering disk 129 at a desired rotational speed. The circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk includes driven gear teeth 133 that engage with mating gear drive teeth of the motor drive to rotate the disk. Other suitable metering disk drive mechanisms may be used.

[0089] The metering disk of the seed metering disk 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 around the periphery of the peripheral area of ​​the disk. The seed holes extend completely through the metering disk 129 between and through the two opposing major surfaces 129-3, 129-4 of the disk (see, for example, Fig.23 ). In one embodiment shown, the holes 129-2 can be radially spaced slightly inward from the circumferential edge 129-1 of the disk 129. When the metering disk rotates in 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 circumferentially spaced and define pockets in which individual seeds are captured from seeds drawn from the hopper 116 or 116' inside the seed meter 128. A vacuum is drawn from the major surface 129-4 of the metering disk 129 on the seed holes 129-2 by a commercially available vacuum system (not shown) provided for use with a vacuum-type seed meter, such as the vDrive® from Precision Planting, LLC of Tremont, Illinois, which draws and holds the seeds into each seed hole on the opposing major surface 129-3 of the metering disk 120. The seed metering disk 129 may be oriented vertically when in use, and the vacuum may be terminated in one sector of the circular disk (eg, the 3 to 6 o'clock positions) to release seed from the seed holes 129-2.

[0090] As known in the art, the size and spacing of the seed hole 129-2 can be changed and customized based on the specific type of seed to be planted. When the metering disc 129 rotates, the seed meter 128 makes the seed singulation distributed from the hopper 116 or 116 ' and delivers one seed to the seed distribution pipe 130 at a time via the seed accelerometer 300, as further described herein. Accordingly, a plurality of interchangeable customized metering discs 129 are provided, which can be selected for the seed of the particular type planted. For this reason, the metering disc can be removably installed in the seed meter 129.

[0091] Any or each of the seed meter 128, the seed accelerator 300, and the seed dispensing tube 130 may 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 may 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 may include a vision system and a singulator having features (e.g., blades) configured to orient the seed, such as disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, entitled “Systems, Implements, and Methods for Seed Orientation with Adjustable Singulators During Planting,” published on August 1, 2019. Figure 4 A- Figure 4 C. In some embodiments, a separate seed orientation system is provided adjacent to the inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130, or in the middle of the seed dispensing tube 130, or adjacent to 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.

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

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the seed dispensing tube 130 may have a helical configuration defining 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 25-26 ). Fig. 22 A seed distribution tube 130 is shown that combines a plain tubular upper portion coupled to the air outlet tube 302 of the seed accelerator 300 and a lower spiral portion containing an internal spiral seed orienting surface 130 - 3 . Figure 25-26 The lower spiral portion of the seed dispensing tube 130 is shown, comprising a twisted, fully enclosed top portion 130-4 and an open bottom spiral portion 130-2, both of which comprise a spiral seed orienting 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, a variety of variations in the geometry and configuration of the seed dispensing tube are possible to suit the desired application.

[0094] In other embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 can be configured as a seed orientation tube, wherein the seeds travel along the surface of the seed orientation tube, and the air flowing through the seeds orients the seeds to a desired orientation for delivery to the planting grooves. Examples of orientation systems include PCT Publication Nos. WO2018013858A1, WO2018013859A1, WO2018013860A2, and WO2018013861A1. In other embodiments, seed orientation devices such as those described in U.S. Patent Publications Nos. US2020 / 0367425A1 and US2022 / 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 the seed dispensing tube and before they are deposited in the planting grooves.

[0095] The seed meter cover 127 may have a complementary curvature of construction that approximates the curvature of the seed travel path P within the seed meter 128. The seed meter cover 127 allows seeds that exit the desired singulated seed point within the seed meter 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 near the desired seeds or near the seed inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130 will be deflected by the seed meter cover 207.

[0096] Air Entrainment Seed Accelerator - Airflow from the Inside Out

[0097] Figure 16-Figure 23 A first non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 300 is described in more detail and more focused. The seed accelerator 300 includes a curved and generally tubular body 300-1, which is configured to operate via air entrainment to strip and capture singulated seeds from the metering disk of the seed meter 128, and discharge the entrained seeds into the seed distribution tube 130 for delivery to the planting groove. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 300-2 and is therefore configured to capture seeds via air introduction. The seed accelerator 300 generally includes an air inlet tube 301, an air discharge tube 302, and a recurvant bend 303 extending therebetween. As shown, the air inlet tube 301 can be funnel-shaped in one embodiment, having a truncated conical configuration, with an inlet portion larger than the discharge portion adjacent to the tube bend 303. The funnel-shaped shape with a gradually decreasing diameter accelerates the incoming pressurized air supplied to the air inlet tube from the pressurized air source 304A to actively remove and strip the seeds from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed metering disk 129 as the seed metering disk 129 rotates past the seed accelerator 300, which defines the discharge point on the metering disk. The inlet tube 301 is configured to be connected to an air supply conduit 304, such as an air hose or tube connected 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 further includes a seed capture shield 305 configured to cover a portion of the seed metering disk 129. The shield 305 forms a seed capture zone or area through which seeds carried by the metering disk pass as the disk rotates and are entrained in the pressurized air flow flowing through the shield. As shown in one embodiment, the seed capture shield can be disposed in the tube bend 303 between the air inlet tube 301 and the air outlet tube 302.

[0099] The seed capture shield 305 has a non-circular shape, and more particularly, in certain preferred but non-limiting embodiments, may have a polygonal shape. In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the shield 305 may be a three-sided linear structure (e.g., rectangular or square) in one embodiment, the structure including a pair of opposing end walls 305-1 and a transverse wall 305-2 connected to the opposing walls. As shown in the figure, in one embodiment, the shield 305 may be generally U-shaped; however, other shapes may be used. Walls 305-1 and 305-2 are orthogonal arrangements of walls. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, both walls 305-1 and 305-2 may be flat. However, in other embodiments, the transverse wall 305-2 may be arcuately curved and arched between the end walls. The wall 305-1 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129 on one side of the disk. The transverse wall 305-2 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the metering disk 129. The linear inner edge of the wall 305-1 is positioned close to the major surface 129-3 of the metering 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 metering disk 129. The air entrainment chamber 306 defines a portion of the internal passage 300-2 of the seed accelerator 300 through which pressurized air is introduced and flows through the internal passage 300-2. The chamber 306 can have a different cross-sectional shape than the internal passage 300-2 of the air inlet tube 301 and the air outlet tube 302. As shown in the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the chamber 306 can have a polygonal (e.g., linear or other) cross-sectional shape, while the air inlet tube 301 and the air outlet tube 302 forming other portions of the passage 300-2 can have a non-polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a circular or elliptical shape (although they can have different diameters in different portions of the tube).

[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 allowing air to exit the shroud along with seeds entrained in the air flow, which are then delivered to the air discharge duct 302 of the seed accelerator 300. The shroud 305 further 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 through passage 305-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the metering disk 129 and the seeds at least partially disposed therein pass as the disk 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 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 can have a monolithic body 300-1 in which the mounting bracket 310, the air inlet tube 301, the return tube bend 303, the air exhaust tube 302, and the shroud 305 are formed as an integral, unitary 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), manufactured by any suitable method, including casting or molding, depending on the material used.

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

[0105] In operation, as the disk rotates, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed metering disk 129 rotate and pass one by one through the seed capture chamber 306 inside 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 across the hole from another major surface 129-4 of the seed metering disk 129 opposite the major surface 129-3 on which the seed is placed, to pass through the seed accelerator 300.

[0106] Pressurized air enters the interior passage 300-2 of the seed accelerator 300 from outside the peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk 129 via the air inlet tube 301 and flows in the recurved airflow path PA, thereby changing and almost completely (<180 degrees) reversing direction in the passage to then flow back from inside to outside in the airflow path across the metering disk toward the peripheral edge while intersecting the seed travel path P at the air entrainment chamber 306 inside the shield 305 (see, e.g. Fig. 22). The airflow path PA through the internal passage 350-2 is thus summarized as from the outside to the inside of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk 129, and changes direction from the inside to the outside toward the peripheral edge at an edge position different from the edge position 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 shield 305, and flows across and generally parallel to the major surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129, and flows across the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein as the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein successively pass through the shield one by one as the metering disk 129 rotates. The air entrainment chamber 306 of the shield 305 is configured to convey the airflow crosswise with the circular seed travel path P on the metering disk as the metering disk rotates. The cross-flow over the seeds disrupts the seating of the seeds in the seed holes 129-2 to more effectively entrain the seeds in the airflow. The airflow displaces each seed from its respective seed hole, and the seeds are drawn into and entrained in the airflow flowing through the shroud. The airflow sweeps and delivers the air-entrained seeds through the air outlet port 308 of the shroud into the seed distribution tube 130 connected to the air outlet tube 302 of the seed accelerator. The seeds may enter the shroud 305 at approximately the 3 o'clock position on the metering disk 129 (where they are entrained in the airflow), and then be swept outward and discharged from the disk via the air outlet tube 302 at approximately the same 3 o'clock position (see, for example, Fig. 22 ). The seeds are discharged one by one from the bottom end of the seed dispensing 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 seed metering disk 129 is successively stripped from the disk and deposited in the planting groove.

[0107] The pressure and flow of the air passing through the seed accelerator 300 can be controlled to achieve preselected seed and air speeds. Where the ground speed of the row unit is low, a low air speed is desired to prevent the seed from being disturbed once it enters the furrow. Where the ground speed is high, a high seed speed is desired to successfully capture the seed in a selected orientation. The seed speed should be sufficiently greater than the ground speed so that the lateral movement of the seed relative to the ground when it is placed in the planting groove is negligible.

[0108] Air Entrainment Seed Accelerator - Airflow from outside to inside

[0109] Figure 24-Figure 32A second non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 350 is depicted, the seed accelerator 350 comprising a curved and generally tubular body 350-1, the body being configured to operate via air entrainment to strip singulated seeds from the metering disk 129 of the seed meter 128, and discharge the entrained seeds into the seed distribution tube 130 for delivery to the planting groove. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 350-2, and is therefore configured to capture seeds via air introduction. The seed accelerator 350 may function substantially similar to the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein, and include similar parts. However, the embodiment of the present seed accelerator 350 is constructed and arranged to introduce pressurized air in an airflow path from outside the circumferential edge of the seed metering disk 129 across the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129. The air flows across the disk 129 from edge to edge in a lateral direction, rather than in a radially outward direction from the inside of the disk toward the circumferential edge of the disk 129 as in the seed accelerator 300.

[0110] The seed accelerator 350 generally includes an air inlet tube 351, an air exhaust tube 352, and an intermediate tube section 353 extending therebetween. As shown, the air inlet tube 351 can be funnel-shaped in one embodiment, having a generally frustoconical configuration, with its inlet portion being larger than the exhaust portion of the adjacent tube section 353. The funnel-shaped shape with a gradually decreasing diameter accelerates the incoming pressurized air supplied to the air inlet tube from the pressurized air source to actively remove and strip seeds from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed metering disk 129 as the seed metering disk 129 rotates through the seed accelerator 300. The inlet tube 301 is configured to be connected to an air supply conduit 304, such as an air hose or tube connected 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, the air inlet tube 351 and the air outlet tube 352 can both be arcuately curved in one configuration.Other configurations of tubes can be used to deliver pressurized air across the surface of the metering disk 129 in a lateral direction.

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

[0113] Similar to the shield 305 previously described herein, the seed capture shield 355 can be a three-sided linear structure (e.g., rectangular or square) in one embodiment. 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. As shown, the shield 355 can be roughly U-shaped in one embodiment; however, other shapes can be used. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, walls 355-1 and 355-2 can both be flat. However, in other embodiments, the transverse wall 355-2 can be curved in an arcuate shape and arched between the end walls. Wall 355-1 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129 on one side of the disk. The transverse wall 355-2 is oriented parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the metering disk 129. The linear inner edge of the wall 355-1 is positioned close to the major surface 129-3 of the metering 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 metering disk 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 different cross-sectional shape (e.g., linear) than the internal passage 350-2 (e.g., circular) of the air inlet tube 351 and the air outlet tube 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 allowing air to exit the shroud along with seeds entrained in the air flow, which are then discharged into the air discharge tube 352 of the seed accelerator 350. The shroud 355 further 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 through passage 355-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the metering disk 129 and the seeds at least partially disposed therein pass as the disk 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 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 monolithic body 300-1 in which the mounting bracket 360, the air inlet tube 351, the intermediate tube section 353, the air exhaust tube 352, and the shield 355 are formed as an integral, unitary 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), 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 deliver airflow in an outward to inward and downward direction across the metering disk 129 through the air entrainment chamber 356 of the seed capture shield 355 to capture seeds from the seed holes 129-2.

[0119] In operation, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed metering disk 129 rotate and pass one by one through the seed capture chamber 306 inside the seed capture shield 355 as the disk rotates in the rotational direction R. Each seed is temporarily held in its corresponding seed hole 129-2 to pass through the seed accelerator 350 by a vacuum drawn across the hole from another major surface 129-4 of the seed metering disk 129 opposite the major surface 129-3 on which the seed is placed.

[0120] Pressurized air enters the interior passage 350-2 of the seed accelerator 350 from the outer peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk 129 at a first edge location via the air inlet tube 351 and flows generally inwardly along an arcuate curved airflow path PA to a second edge location while intersecting the seed travel path P at an air entrainment chamber 356 inside the shield 355 (see, e.g. Fig.31). Thus, the airflow path PA through the internal passage 350-2 is summarized as from the outside of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk 129 to the inside, across the disk, and then from the inside of the peripheral edge to the outside. 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 roughly parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129, and flows across the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein one by one through the shield when the metering disk 129 rotates. Similar to the shield 305 previously described herein, the air entrainment chamber 356 of the shield 355 is configured to deliver airflow intersecting with the circular seed travel path P on the metering disk when the metering disk rotates. The airflow removes each seed from its respective seed hole, and the seed is introduced and entrained in the airflow. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be used alone or in combination to remove seeds. In one embodiment, a mechanical purge or scooping action such as in FR2414288 may be used. In another embodiment, the seeds may fall from the disk just at the point where the vacuum terminates. The airflow sweeps the air-entrained seeds through the shroud air outlet port 358 and delivers them to the seed distribution tube 130 connected to the air outlet tube 352 of the seed accelerator. The seeds may enter the shroud 355 at approximately the 3 o'clock position on the metering disk 129 (where the seeds are entrained in the airflow), then be swept outward and discharged from the disk via the air outlet tube 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 distribution pipe 130 and deposited in the planting groove.

[0121] Mechanical Seed Accelerator-Wheel Embodiment

[0122] Figure 33-Figure 40 A non-limiting embodiment of a mechanical seed accelerator 400 is depicted that is configured to physically remove singulated seeds from a metering disk 129 of a seed meter 128 and discharge the seeds into a seed dispensing 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 coupled to the wheel and operable to rotate the wheel. The wheel, chute, and wheel drive can be supported by a common housing 405 that is configured to be mounted to a portion of a seed meter and / or row unit frame. The wheel 401 is mounted about its central hub to a drive shaft 401-1 that is coupled to the wheel drive 403, such as via a mechanical coupling link 403-1, such as a commercially available belt or chain (in Fig.35 In other embodiments, the wheel drive system may be a direct drive arrangement, wherein the motor shaft is directly coupled to the drive shaft of wheel 401.

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

[0125] The accelerator wheel 401 includes a plurality of arcuately curved radial fingers 401-2 that are configured to directly engage and displace singulated seeds from their seed holes. In other embodiments, the fingers may be straight. Thus, as the metering disk 129 rotates with the rotation of the accelerator wheel 401, the free ends 401-3 of the fingers are positioned to pass over and intercept the seed holes 129-2 (see, for example, FIG. Fig.40 Examples of acceleration wheels that can be used are described in PCT Publication Nos. WO2013 / 049198, WO2014 / 018717, and WO2017 / 011675, and are available at SpeedTube from Precision Planting LLC of Tremont, Illinois. TM Obtained in the system.

[0126] In one embodiment, at least the drive shaft 401-1 of the accelerator wheel 401 (and concomitantly its axis of rotation RA2) is located inside the seed metering disk 129 (i.e., spaced inwardly from the circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk). In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the drive shaft 401-1 and 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 metering disk 129 and spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge. From another perspective, the accelerator wheel 401 has an axis of rotation RA2 located inside the seed travel path P on the metering disk, and the guide wall 402 is located outside the seed path P. In any of the foregoing embodiments, the accelerator wheel 401 moves out of the metering disk 129 and drives the singulated seeds in a radially outward direction toward the peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk and against the guide wall 402.

[0127] The guide wall 402 cooperates with the accelerator wheel 401 to accelerate the singulated seeds removed 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 successively into the planting groove. As shown in the figure, the seed guide wall 402 can be arcuately curved in one embodiment. The guide wall 402 defines an inwardly facing guide surface 402-1 facing the accelerator wheel 401. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide surface 402-1 can be formed as a continuous portion of the interior surface 404-1 of the seed chute 404, wherein the guide wall 402 and the seed chute 404 are formed as an integral, integral part of the same single monolithic structure (see, for example 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 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 tube 130.

[0128] As the gap between the free end of the finger and the guide surface 401-1 gradually narrows along the rotation direction RW of the wheel 401, the radial fingers 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 press the seed against the wall 402. In certain embodiments, the finger 401-2 can also be elastically deformable to prevent the seed from being crushed against the guide wall 402, while increasing the friction grip on the seed, which is ejected by the wheel when the wheel rotates. Any suitable elastomeric material or other similar materials with elastic memory can be used to construct the finger for this purpose. The bent fingers are separated by radial gaps to allow the fingers to be at least partially nested when deformed and collapsed inwardly by pressing the seed against the guide wall 402. The finger will rebound to its original undeformed state via elastic memory, so that the seed is accelerated 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 growing different types of plants. 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 metering disk 129 (e.g., as Fig.40 ). Thus, the accelerator wheel 401 advantageously operates in concert with the existing rotational speed of the metering disk 129 to further impart additional acceleration to the seeds to deposit them in the seed slots. Viewed from another perspective, the acceleration imparted by the accelerator wheel to the existing speed of the seeds in the seed holes 129-2 rotating with the metering disk is added to the rotational speed of the metering disk. To optimize the acceleration of the seeds, the accelerator wheel 401 is located at a side position (e.g., approximately the 3 o'clock position) of the metering disk 129 to preferably move the seeds out of 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 metering disk (e.g., see Fig.39 ). The seeds move out of their seed holes 129-2 in a generally tangential and downward direction relative to the peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk into the seed chute 404. The additional accelerating thrust applied to the seeds by the accelerator wheel is particularly useful when at least a portion or all of the seed dispensing tube 130 includes a helical seed orientation surface that increases sliding friction on the seeds, thereby slowing the seed velocity.

[0130] It is noteworthy that in one embodiment, the curved seed guide wall 402 can be configured in position and arrangement to not intersect or engage the seed with the seed hole 129-2 as the metering disk 129 rotates until the fingers 401-2 of the accelerator wheel 401 strike the singulated seed and displace the singulated seed from its seed hole. Thus, the guide wall 402 does not function alone or primarily to physically displace the seed from the disk, but rather cooperates with the accelerator wheel for this purpose.

[0131] In operation, the seed holes 129-2 formed in the seed metering disk 129 rotate and pass between the guide wall 402 of the seed accelerator 400 and the accelerator wheel 401. The fingers 401-2 of the wheel (sequentially) remove each seed temporarily held in its respective seed hole 129-2 by drawing a vacuum on the hole from another major surface 129-4 of the seed metering disk 129 opposite the major surface 129-3, on which the seed is placed in the seed meter 128. The accelerator wheel 401 drives the seeds radially outward from the metering disk 129 (see, for example, Figure 39-40 ). The fingers 401-2 squeeze and press each seed against the seed guide wall 402 (i.e., the inner guide surface 402-1) for controlled capture and feeding of the seed. When elastically deformable in structure, 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. The seed slidably engages the guide surface 402-1 of the seed guide wall when the accelerator wheel rotates, and moves downward in the vertical direction into the seed chute 404, and then falls into the seed distribution tube 130 for implantation in the planting groove formed by the row unit in the farmland. When the wheel rotates, the accelerator wheel 401 advantageously feeds the seeds successively in a controlled manner at preselected time intervals to provide appropriate seed spacing in the groove. The seed spacing can be adjusted by selecting the appropriate rotation speed of the metering disk 129 and the accelerator wheel.

[0132] In some embodiments, accelerator wheel 401 may be used in conjunction with air entrainment seed accelerator 300 or 350 to feed seed from metering disk 129 into the accelerator for delivery to 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 illustrated.

[0133] The seed chute 404 and seed distribution tube 130 are illustrated as separate individual components, but may be formed and combined as an integral component, a single monolithic unitary 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 based on the travel speed. The pressure can be matched directly to the implement speed so that when the speed increases, the pressure increases, or when the speed decreases, the pressure decreases. This can be a continuous change, or it can be a step-wise 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 to 3.2 kilometers per hour (1-2 miles per hour), another pressure for a speed range of 3.2 to 4.8 kilometers per hour (2 to 3 miles per hour), and so on.

[0135] Example

[0136] The following are non-limiting examples.

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

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

[0139] Example 3 - The seed delivery system of Example 2, wherein the seed capture shield covers a portion of the metering disk through which the seed holes pass sequentially, one after the other, as the metering disk rotates.

[0140] Example 4 - The seed delivery system of Example 2, wherein the seed accelerator comprises 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 deliver airflow crosswise to the circular seed travel path on the metering disk when the metering disk rotates.

[0142] Example 6 - A seed delivery system according to Example 4, wherein the seed accelerator further includes a return pipe bend, which is disposed between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe and is configured to cause the airflow to reverse direction in the internal channel.

[0143] Example 7 - The seed delivery system of Example 4, wherein the air entrainment chamber is disposed in an interior 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 includes a top opening and a bottom opening that define a seed through-channel, and the seeds on the metering disk pass through the seed through-channel when the metering disk 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 including an air inlet port connected to the air inlet pipe, the second end wall including an air outlet port connected to the air outlet pipe, and the transverse wall extending 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 of Examples 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey an airflow across the metering disk in an inward to outward and downward direction through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield to remove seeds from the seed hole.

[0148] Example 12 - A seed delivery system according to any of Examples 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey an airflow across the metering disk in a direction from outward to inward and downward through an air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield to remove seeds from the seed hole.

[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 metering disk, the metering disk being configured to hold an array of singulated seeds; a seed accelerator, the seed accelerator including an accelerator wheel configured to remove the singulated seeds from the metering disk, and a seed chute configured to receive the seeds removed by the accelerator wheel; wherein the accelerator wheel is rotatable to remove seeds from the metering disk in a radially outward direction and accelerate the distribution of the seeds to the seed chute.

[0151] Example 15 - A seed delivery system according to Example 14, wherein the accelerator wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being spaced inwardly from a circular peripheral edge of the metering disk.

[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 metering disk so that the acceleration of the speed applied to the seeds by the accelerator wheel is added to the rotational speed of the metering disk.

[0153] Example 17 - A seed delivery system according to Example 14 or 15, wherein: the seed chute includes an arcuately curved guide wall disposed near the accelerator wheel, the guide wall defining a guide surface facing inwardly toward the accelerator wheel and leading to an entrance of the seed chute; and the accelerator wheel is operable to press the seed against the guide wall in a radially outward direction and accelerate the seed along the guide wall into the seed chute.

[0154] Example 18 - A seed delivery system according to Example 17, wherein the rotation axis of the accelerator wheel is located within the seed travel path on the metering disk and the guide wall is located outside the seed travel path on the metering disk.

[0155] Example 19 - The seed delivery system of Example 17, wherein the accelerator wheel is positioned to remove seeds from the metering disk at a side position of the metering 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 move seeds out of the metering disk in a tangential direction of the metering disk.

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

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

[0160] Example 24 - A seed delivery system according to Example 23, wherein the fingers are arcuately curved and formed from 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 vertically oriented.

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

[0164] Example 28 - The method of Example 27, wherein the removing step comprises the accelerator wheel pressing the seed against an arcuately curved guide wall 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 that press the seeds 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 seeds via a spring-like action.

[0166] Example 30 - A method according to Example 29, wherein the fingers are arcuately curved and formed from 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 metering disk and the guide wall is located outside of the seed travel path on the metering disk.

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

[0169] Example 33 - The method of Example 28, wherein the discharging step includes sequentially delivering the seeds to the accelerator wheel.

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

[0171] Example 35 - A method according to Example 34, wherein the rotation axis of the accelerator wheel is located inside the circumferential peripheral edge of the metering disk.

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

[0173] Example 37 - The method of Example 28, wherein the accelerator wheel discharges the displaced 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 placed in a circular array of seed holes in the metering disk, the seed holes rotating sequentially past the accelerator wheel.

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

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

[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 direction of travel; a sub-groove opener, the sub-groove opener being arranged in the groove to open a sub-groove; a seed conduit, the seed conduit being configured to deposit seeds into the sub-grooves; and a groove closing assembly for closing the groove and 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 as described in any of Examples 42-44, wherein the first disk is flat.

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

[0183] Example 48 - An agricultural row unit as described in 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 orienting conduit configured to orient the seed as the seed travels along the seed orienting conduit.

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

[0190] Example 55 - A method of operating an implement 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 as the groove opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel; a seed delivery system for delivering seeds to the groove; a gas source, the gas source being used to provide gas to the seed orientation system to propel the seeds through the seed orientation system; and a groove closing assembly for closing the groove, the method comprising: determining a speed of the implement; 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 as the speed changes, the gas pressure changes continuously with the speed.

[0193] Example 58 - The method of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the velocity is divided into multiple 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 directional seed delivery system.

[0196] Example 61 - The method of any of Examples 55 to 60, wherein the seed orientation system further comprises a seed meter for providing singulated seeds to the seed delivery system.

[0197] The foregoing 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 to the preferred embodiments of the apparatus 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 given the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of operating a machine having a seed orientation system, wherein: The seed orientation system comprises: frame; a trench opening assembly configured to open a trench in a soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel; a seed delivery system for delivering seeds to the groove; a gas source for providing gas to the seed orientation system to propel seeds through the seed orientation system; and a trench closure assembly for closing the trench, The method comprises: determining a speed of the implement; and A gas pressure of the gas source is set based on the determined speed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: As speed increases, gas pressure increases, and as speed decreases, gas pressure decreases.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: As the speed changes, the gas pressure changes continuously with speed.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The velocity is divided into sub-ranges, and there is one gas pressure for each sub-range.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The gas is air.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The seed delivery system is a directional seed delivery system.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The seed orientation system further includes a seed meter for providing singulated seeds to the seed delivery system.

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