Seed delivery system

Abstract

The present application relates to a seed delivery system having: a seed meter (128) comprising a metering panel (129) configured to hold a plurality of seeds; a seed accelerator (300) comprising an internal passage configured to flow an airflow therethrough, the seed accelerator comprising a seed capture shroud (305) defining an inwardly open air entrainment chamber (306) facing the metering panel and forming part of the internal passage; and a seed distribution tube (130) coupled to the seed accelerator; wherein the metering panel is rotatable to move seeds through a seed capture shield configured to extract and entrain each seed in the gas stream.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the following applications: U.S. application No. 63 / 375139 filed on September 9, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 375143 filed on September 9, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 385568 filed on November 30, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 434649 filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 434659 filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 434667 filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 434671 filed on December 22, 2022; U.S. application No. 63 / 501172 filed on May 10, 2023; U.S. application No. 63 / 504352 filed on May 25, 2023, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 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 yields are 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 will germinate at different times, resulting in uneven crop growth. Seed spacing 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 of these 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 across the farmland. 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 batches from a seed hopper to a metering system. The metering system separates the batches of seeds into individual seeds, and most preferably, the metering system provides these individual 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 a furrow created by a furrow opener blade.

[0007] A common prior art method of delivering seeds 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 along the seed dispensing tube and into a furrow opened by a furrow opener blade disposed in front of the seed dispensing tube.

[0008] It would be desirable to improve the method of transferring and accelerating seed from a seed meter to a seed dispensing tube for planting. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure provides multiple embodiments of seed delivery systems, each of which is configured to transfer seeds from a rotatable metering disk of a seed meter to a seed dispensing tube and accelerate seed dispensing, from which the seeds are sequentially planted in planting grooves. Some embodiments of the pneumatic seed accelerators described herein are configured 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 configured and designed to mechanically dispense seeds from a seed meter via physical disengagement from the seed meter.

[0010] The first pneumatic seed accelerator is configured to deliver airflow from inside to outside and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, across the metering disk to capture seeds from the seed holes.

[0011] The second pneumatic seed accelerator is configured to deliver airflow from outside to inside and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, across the metering disk to capture seeds from the seed holes.

[0012] One embodiment of a mechanically operated seed accelerator includes a rotatable accelerator wheel for physically disengaging and dispensing seeds from a metering disk of a seed meter to a seed dispensing tube. The accelerator wheel can be used in conjunction with an associated seed guide wall of the accelerator, which guides and accelerates the dispensed seeds to the seed dispensing tube. The wheel can include a plurality of radial fingers that frictionally engage the seeds and press the seeds against the guide walls to control the dispensing of the seeds.

[0013] The metering disk of the seed meter may be configured to separate individual seeds received from the 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 seed to provide a predetermined seed orientation for planting in the planting furrow.

[0015] Other technical features can be easily seen by those skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions 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 the features of the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings in which like elements are similarly numbered, and in which:

[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 it with one guide wheel 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 This is its upward perspective view;

[0022] Figure 6 is its rear view;

[0023] Figure 7 is its front view;

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

[0025] Fig. 9 This is its right side view;

[0026] Fig.10 This is its top view;

[0027] Fig.11 This is its bottom view;

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

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

[0030] Fig.14 is its first exploded perspective view;

[0031] Fig.15 is its second exploded perspective view;

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

[0033] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A magnified detail of the seed accelerator in Figure 1;

[0034] Fig.18 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 a seed meter showing the seed holes of the disk entering the shield;

[0035] Fig.19 yes Fig.16 A first perspective view of a pneumatic seed accelerator;

[0036] Fig. 20 is its second perspective view;

[0037] Fig.21 This is its third perspective view;

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

[0039] Fig.23 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a metering disk 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 a pneumatic seed accelerator according to the present disclosure;

[0041] Fig.25 This is its exploded perspective view;

[0042] Fig.26 It is taken from Fig.25 , showing a sub-groove opener common to all embodiments of the row unit disclosed herein;

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

[0044] Fig.28 yes Fig.16 A first perspective view of a pneumatic seed accelerator;

[0045] Fig.29 is its second perspective view;

[0046] Fig.30 This is its third perspective view;

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

[0048] Fig.32 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a metering disk 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 a wheeled mechanical seed accelerator embodiment according to the present disclosure;

[0050] Fig.34 This is its assembly perspective view;

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

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

[0053] Fig.37 is its second perspective view;

[0054] Fig.38 is a side view of a seed meter having a seed metering disk, wherein the Figure 36-37 Mechanical seed accelerator;

[0055] Fig.39 is a side view thereof, showing in solid lines relative to the metering disk Fig.38 A cross-sectional view of a mechanical seed accelerator; and

[0056] Fig.40 yes Fig.39 An enlarged detail view showing the accelerator wheel of the guide wall and the seed guiding surface of the seed slot.

[0057] Fig.41 yes Figure 8 Side elevation view of a sprocket having a notched opener disc.

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

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

[0060] Fig.44 yes Fig.42 Front elevation view of a notched opener disc.

[0061] Fig.45 yes Fig.42 2. Rear elevation view of a notched opener disc.

[0062] All drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. For the sake of brevity, parts shown and / or given reference numerals in one figure may be considered to be the same parts appearing in other figures without numerals, unless different part numbers are specifically marked and explained herein. Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this document to a figure by number, but including multiple figures of the same number with different letter suffixes, shall be considered to refer to all of these figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] All other applicable references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If a definition herein conflicts with a definition in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall prevail.

[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, common elements between figures may retain the same numerical reference.

[0065] The following description provides 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 many of these specific details. In fact, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in combination with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all elements that constitute a complete structure or assembly. Only the process behaviors and structures necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below. Other conventional behaviors and structures may also be used. The drawings in the 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" refers to a description of a material, structure, feature, or method behavior in this document that indicates that the material, structure, feature, or method is expected to be able to be used to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure. The use of this term takes precedence over the more restrictive term "is" to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods that can 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 one or more of the structures and devices in a predetermined manner.

[0069] As used herein, the singular forms following "a", "an", "the" and "said" 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 used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature shown in the figure for ease of description. Unless otherwise specified, spatially relative terms include different orientations of materials in addition to the orientations described in the figure.

[0072] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for convenience 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", "up", "down", "top", "bottom" and their derivatives (such as "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be understood to refer to the orientation described at the time or the orientation shown in the drawing in question. These relative terms are only for convenience of description and do not require that the device be constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0073] "Attached," "attached," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected" and similar terms refer to relationships in which structures are fixed or attached to one another, directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, as well as removable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0074] As used herein, the term "about" means that a given parameter includes 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] Throughout use, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each value within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the endpoint of the range.

[0076] Figure 1-3 One 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 other row units 100 as the row unit 100 traverses a field. The frame 110 operably supports one or more seed hoppers 116, which are of any suitable type and configuration, holding seeds for planting, a seed delivery system 200, and a seed groove sealing assembly 146. The row unit 100 shown in the figure can also be used with conventional planter row units, each row unit having a single, separate, large-capacity seed hopper 116 that is individually filled with seeds (e.g., see Figure 4-11 ).

[0077] or, Figure 1-3 The row units in the embodiment of the present invention may be used with a center-fill planter, in which case the large-capacity hopper 116 described previously may be replaced with one or more mini-hoppers 116' mounted on each illustrated row unit. The mini-hoppers are fluidly coupled to a large central hopper via a fill tube (not shown), which in turn distributes seed to all row units. Such center-fill planters are well known and require no further description.

[0078] It is worth noting that support frame 110 is used to collectively refer to a combination of various structural members (e.g., beams, angles, straps, brackets, rods, brackets, and other components) that are coupled together and cooperate with each other 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] refer to Figure 1-11 As described in detail in the related content of the present invention, the seed trenching assembly 120 includes a pair of trenching discs 122 rotatably supported by the frame 110. The trenching discs 122 are arranged to diverge outwardly and rearwardly so as to open a V-shaped seed trench or groove 104 (e.g., see FIG. 1 ) in the soil 102 when the planter traverses the field in the forward travel direction D. Figure 8). In other embodiments, the seed groove furrowing assembly described in U.S. Application Serial No. 63 / 262,415 filed on October 12, 2021 and U.S. Application Serial No. 63 / 262,417 filed on October 12, 2021 may be used. In some embodiments, a notched disk may be used as the furrowing disk 122. An example of a notched disk is disclosed in U.S. Application No. 63 / 385,568 filed on November 30, 2022. Figure 8-11 (reproduced here as Figure 42-45 ) shows a notched opener disc 62. The notched opener disc 62 has a plurality of notches 63 (63-1 to 63-18). Although 18 notches are shown in the figure, the notched opener disc 62 can have any number of notches 63. There are teeth 64 between consecutive notches 63. As shown, there are 18 teeth 64 (64-1 to 64-18). In addition, the teeth 64 can have a tapered portion 65 (65-1 to 65-18). Although the tapered portion 65 in the figure is located on one side of the tooth 64, both sides of the tooth 64 can have a cone 65. When there is one cone 65, the notched opener disc 62 can be oriented on the row unit 14 so that the cone 65 is disposed on the notched opener disc 62 on the side away from the row unit 14. Although the figure is flat, the notched opener disc 62 can also be concave. Fig.41 Shows Figure 8 The notched opener disc 62 in the embodiment of FIG.

[0080] In certain 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 opener disc assembly 60, in the groove opened by the seed groove opener assembly 120. The sub-groove opener 105 may optionally include a blade 105-1 below the opener disc 112 to form an optional portion of the sub-groove 104-1 in the soil at the bottom and within the planting groove 104 formed by the sub-groove opener 105. This forms a more compact groove profile so that the seeds deposited into the sub-groove are constrained from moving 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 seed into the sub-furrows behind and following the sub-furrow openers 105 relative to the direction of travel D of the row unit 100 through the field.

[0081] When the notched opener disk 62 and the sub-groove opener 105 are combined, the notched opener disk 62 can form a groove and the sub-groove opener 105 can form a sub-groove in the groove without the sub-groove opener 105 having to perform all the work that would cause increased 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 first embodiment of a seed accelerator 300, which cooperate with each other to deliver seeds from a seed hopper 116 or 116' to the soil at a preselected rate. The seeds are transferred from the hopper and transferred to the seed meter 128, which is configured to separate the provided seeds into individual seeds. In one embodiment, the seed meter 128 can be a vacuum-type meter, such as the vacuum-type meter disclosed in the 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, the VSet® meter available from Precision Planting LLC, 23333 Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568.

[0083] During operation, the seed meter 128 preferably deposits provided seed via the seed accelerator 300 into the seed dispensing tube 130, which then 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 introduced into and enter 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 orientation by any selected method, such as the method shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, "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 for delivering seeds from the seed meter 128 into the opened seed grooves 104. The depth of the seed grooves 104 is controlled by a pair of gauge wheels 134 positioned near the furrowing discs 122. The gauge wheels 134 are rotatably supported by gauge wheel arms 136, which are pivotally fixed to the frame 110 at one end around a pivot pin 138. An adjustment handle 140 supported by the frame 110 is operably coupled 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. In this way, the depth of the seed grooves 104 can be adjusted and set by limiting the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 136 (thereby limiting the gauge wheel 134) relative to the furrowing discs 122. Thus, the depth of cut produced by the trenching disc 122 is controlled by the depth gauge wheel adjustment mechanism.

[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 arranged at an angle relative to each other to "close" the seed trench 104 by pushing the walls of the opened seed trench back together onto the deposited seeds 106 as the row unit 100 passes. In some embodiments, the seed trench closure assembly 146 can be of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 9,848,524, "Agricultural Seed Trench Closing Systems, Methods, and Apparatus," issued on December 26, 2017.

[0087] Now the overall reference Figure 3-16 Various aspects and components of the seed delivery system 200 are further described, particularly with reference to Figure 17-23 , which shows more details of the components of the seed delivery system.

[0088] The seed meter 128 includes a circular outer shell 127 and an internal seed metering disk 129 that rotates within the seed meter and receives seeds from the hopper 116. The disk 129 is rotatably mounted on an axle 315 that is positioned at the geometric center of the disk and the seed meter 128, which defines an axis of rotation RA1 of the disk. The disk 129 rotates in a rotation direction R specified by the rotation arrow shown (e.g., Fig. 22 Compatible electric motor drives 135 ( Fig. 22The metering disk 129 is rotated at a desired rotational speed by a gear motor drive 130 such as a vDrive commercially available from PrecisionPlanting LLC, Tremont, Illinois. The circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk includes driven gear teeth 133 that engage with matching gear drive teeth of the motor drive to rotate the metering disk. Other suitable metering disk drive mechanisms may also be used.

[0089] 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 along the perimeter around the peripheral area of ​​the disk. The seed holes extend completely through the metering disk between two opposing major surfaces 129-3, 129-4 of the metering disk 129 and extend through both major surfaces (e.g., see Fig.23 ). As shown, in one embodiment, 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 spaced circumferentially and define pockets that capture individual seeds from the seeds in the seed meter 128 removed from the hopper 116 or 116'. The vacuum drawn on the seed holes 129-2 on the major surface 129-4 of the metering disk 129 by a commercially available vacuum system (not shown) used with a vacuum-type seed meter (such as vDrive® by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, Illinois) attracts and holds the seeds in each seed hole on the opposite major surface 129-3 of the metering disk 120. In use, the seed metering disk 129 may be oriented vertically and the vacuum may be terminated at one sector of the circular disk (eg, the 3-6 o'clock position) to release seed 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. When the metering disc 129 rotates, the seed meter 128 separates the seeds distributed from the hopper 116 or 116', and delivers one seed to the seed distribution pipe 130 at a time via the seed accelerator 300, as further described herein. Therefore, a variety of interchangeable custom metering discs 129 are provided, which can be selected according to the specific type of seed to be 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, seed accelerator 300, and seed dispensing tube 130 may be configured to orient seeds to the seed dispensing tube 130 in a preselected orientation by any selected method. In certain embodiments, the seed meter 128 may be configured to orient seeds prior to or during delivery of the seeds 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., lobes) configured to orient seeds, as disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2019 / 0230846, "Systems, Implements, and Methods for Seed Orientation with Adjustable Singulators During Planting," published on August 1, 2019. Figure 4 As shown in A-4C. In some embodiments, a separate seed orientation system is provided near the inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130, at a middle position along 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 may also be used, including but not limited to the systems described in the background section above.

[0092] In some embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 can be generally cylindrical in configuration, with a tubular body including a generally cylindrical interior. In other embodiments, the seed dispensing tube 130 can have other shapes, such as but not limited to a tapered body that tapers downward toward the discharge end (seed outlet) at the bottom of the seed dispensing tube, 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 groove (e.g., see FIG. Fig. 22 and 25 -26). Fig. 22 A seed distribution tube 130 is shown in combination with a generally tubular upper portion coupled to the air outlet tube 302 of the seed accelerator 300 and a lower spiral portion including an inner spiral seed orientation surface 130-3. Figure 25-26 The lower spiral portion of the seed dispensing tube 130 is shown including a twisted, fully enclosed top portion 130-4 and an open bottom spiral portion 130-2, both of which include 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 can extend all the way to the bottom end of the seed dispensing tube and define the discharge opening 130-1. Thus, the geometry and configuration of the seed dispensing tube can be varied in many ways 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 move along the surface of the seed orientation tube and air flows over the seeds to orient the seeds to a desired orientation for delivery to the planting grooves. Examples of orientation systems include PCT publications WO2018013858A1, WO2018013859A1, WO2018013860A2, and WO2018013861A1. In other embodiments, a seed orientation device (such as the device described in U.S. Patent Publications 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 configuration curvature that approximates the curvature of the seed travel path P within the seed meter 128. The seed meter cover 127 allows the seed to fall directly from the desired single seed point within the seed meter 128, through the seed accelerator 300 and into the seed dispensing tube 130 with air assistance, while any other seeds or debris near the desired seed or seed inlet of the seed dispensing tube 130 will be deflected by the seed meter cover 207.

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

[0097] Figure 16-23 A first non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 300 is described in more detail and in a more focused manner. The seed accelerator 300 includes a curved, generally tubular body 300-1 that is configured to operate via air entrainment to strip and capture a single seed from a metering disk of a seed meter 128 and discharge the entrained seed into a seed distribution tube 130 for delivery to a planting groove. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 300-2 that is thus configured to capture seeds via air entrainment. The seed accelerator 300 generally includes an air inlet tube 301, an air discharge tube 302, and a rear curved tube bend 303 extending between the air inlet tube and the air discharge tube. As shown, in one embodiment, the air inlet tube 301 can be funnel-shaped, having a truncated cone-shaped configuration, with an inlet portion larger than a discharge portion adjacent to the tube bend 303. The funnel shape with a gradually decreasing diameter can accelerate the pressurized air supplied to the air inlet tube from the pressurized air source 304A, causing the seeds to be disengaged and peeled from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed metering disk 129 as the seed metering disk rotates through 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 the pressurized air source 304A, which is, for example, an air compressor or a pressurized air tank ( 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 metering disk 129. The shield 305 forms a seed capture zone or area through which seeds carried by the metering disk pass as the metering disk 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 a pipe bend 303 between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe 301, 302.

[0099] The seed capture shield 305 has a non-circular shape, and more specifically, in certain preferred but non-limiting embodiments, the seed capture shield can have a polygonal shape. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the shield 305 can be a three-sided linear structure (e.g., rectangular or square) in one embodiment, including a pair of opposing end walls 305-1 and a transverse wall 305-2 connected to the opposing walls. As shown, the shield 305 is generally U-shaped in one embodiment; however, other shapes can also be used. Walls 305-1 and 305-2 are orthogonally arranged walls. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, walls 305-1 and 305-2 can both be flat. However, in other embodiments, the transverse wall 305-2 can be curved in an arc and arched between the end walls. On one side of the disk, the orientation of the wall 305-1 is parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129. The orientation of the transverse wall 305-2 is 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 the pressurized air is directed and flows. The cross-sectional shape of the chamber 306 can be different from the internal passage 300-2 of the air inlet and air outlet tubes 301, 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 and air outlet tubes 301, 302 forming other portions of the passage 300-2 can have a non-polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a circle or an ellipse (although the diameter of different portions of the tubes may be different).

[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 cavity 306. The other opposing end wall 305-1 includes an air outlet port 308 for air to exit the shroud, wherein the airflow entrains seeds, which are then transported to the air discharge 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 through passage 305-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the metering disk 129 and the seeds at least partially located therein pass as the metering disk rotates so as to be captured by air flowing through the shroud 305.

[0102] The seed accelerator 300 may include one or more mounting brackets 310 configured to be removably and 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 also be used.

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

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

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

[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 metering disk 129 via the air inlet tube 301 and flows in the passage along a backward curved airflow path PA that changes and almost completely (<180 degrees) reverses direction, and then flows back along the airflow path from the inside to the outside through the metering disk toward the peripheral edge, while passing through the seed travel path P at the air entrainment chamber 306 in 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 metering disk 129, and changes direction at a different edge position than the air introduced through the air inlet tube 301, from the inside to the outside back to the peripheral edge. The pressurized airflow enters the air entrainment chamber 306 through the air inlet port 307 on the shield 305, and the pressurized airflow passes through and is generally parallel to the major surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129, and passes through the seed holes 129-2 and the seeds therein, and the seeds pass through the shield one by one in sequence as the metering disk 129 rotates. The air entrainment chamber 306 of the shield 305 is configured to deliver the airflow laterally to the circular seed travel path P on the metering disk as the metering disk rotates. The lateral airflow above the seeds disrupts the position of the seeds in the seed holes 129-2, thereby more effectively entraining the seeds in the airflow. The airflow disengages each seed from its corresponding seed hole, and the seed is sucked and entrained in the airflow to flow through the shield. The airflow sweeps the air-entrained seeds into and delivers them to the seed distribution tube 130 connected to the air discharge tube 302 of the seed accelerator through the shroud air outlet port 308. The seeds can enter the shroud 305 at about the 3 o'clock position on the metering disk 129, where they are entrained in the airflow and then swept outward and discharged from the disk through the air outlet tube 302 at about the same 3 o'clock position (see, for example, FIG. Fig. 22 ). The seeds are discharged one by one from the bottom end of the seed distribution tube 130 and deposited in the planting groove. Therefore, when the seeds pass through the shield 305 in a similar manner as described above, each seed on the seed metering disk 129 is stripped from the disk in turn 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. When the ground speed of the row unit is low, a lower air speed is desired to prevent the seed from being disturbed after entering the furrow. At high ground speeds, a higher planting speed is desired to successfully capture the seed in the selected orientation. The planting speed should be high enough than the ground speed so that the lateral movement of the seed relative to the ground is negligible when the seed is inserted into the planting groove.

[0108] Air Entrainment Seed Accelerator - Outside-In Airflow

[0109] Figure 24-32A second non-limiting embodiment of a seed accelerator 350 is shown, which includes a curved generally tubular body 350-1 configured to operate via air entrainment to strip a single seed from a metering disk 129 of a seed meter 128 and discharge the entrained seed into a seed dispensing tube 130 for delivery to a planting groove. The seed accelerator body defines an internal passage 350-2, which is thus configured to capture seeds via air entrainment. The seed accelerator 350 functions substantially similarly to the seed accelerator 300 previously described herein and includes similar components. However, the seed accelerator 350 of this embodiment is configured and arranged to direct pressurized air through a major surface 129-3 of a seed metering disk 129 from an airflow path outside the circumferential edge of the disk. The air flows through the disk 129 in a lateral direction from edge to edge of the disk 129, rather than flowing radially outward 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 between the air inlet tube and the air exhaust tube. As shown, in one embodiment, the air inlet tube 351 can be funnel-shaped, having a generally truncated cone-shaped configuration, with its inlet portion being larger than the exhaust portion adjacent to the tube section 353. The funnel shape with a gradually decreasing diameter can accelerate the pressurized air supplied to the air inlet tube from the pressurized air source, causing the seeds to detach and peel from each seed hole 129-2 of the seed metering disk 129 as the seed metering disk 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, which is, for example, 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 and air outlet tubes 351, 352 can be curved in one configuration. Other configurations of tubes can also be used to deliver pressurized air across the surface of the metering disk 129 in a lateral direction.

[0112] The seed accelerator 350 also includes a seed capture shield 355 configured to cover a portion of the seed metering disk 129. The function of the shield 355 is similar to the shield 305 of the seed accelerator 300 described previously herein. Thus, the shield 355 forms a seed capture zone or area through which seeds carried by the metering disk pass as the metering disk rotates. As shown in one embodiment, the capture shield can be disposed in the intermediate tube section 353 between the air inlet tube and the air exhaust tubes 351, 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 described previously herein. Therefore, the shield 355 also includes a pair of opposing end walls 355-1 and a transverse wall 355-2 connected to the opposing end walls. Walls 355-1 and 355-2 are orthogonally arranged walls. As shown, the shield 355 is generally U-shaped in one embodiment; however, other shapes can also 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 and arched between the end walls. On one side of the disk, the orientation of the wall 355-1 is parallel to the major surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129. The orientation of the transverse wall 355-2 is parallel to the major 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 configuration of the chamber 356 can be similar to the chamber 306 of the seed accelerator 300 described previously herein. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape (e.g., linear) of the air entrainment chamber 356 of the present embodiment can be different from the internal passage 350-2 (e.g., circular) of the air inlet and air outlet tubes 351, 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 cavity 356. The other opposing end wall 355-1 includes an air outlet port 358 for air to exit the shroud, wherein the airflow entrains the seeds, which are then discharged into the air discharge tube 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 through passage 355-5 through which the seed holes 129-2 on the metering disk 129 and the seeds at least partially located therein pass as the metering disk rotates so as to be captured by air flowing through the shroud 355.

[0116] The seed accelerator 350 may include one or more mounting brackets 360 configured to be removably and 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 also be used.

[0117] In one embodiment, the seed accelerator 350 may have a unitary body 300-1, wherein the mounting bracket 360, the air inlet pipe 351, the intermediate pipe section 353, the air exhaust pipe 352 and the shield 355 are formed as an integral 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 may be manufactured by any suitable method, including casting or molding, depending on the material used.

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

[0119] During operation, the seed holes 129-2 formed on the seed metering disk 129 rotate and pass one by one through the seed capture cavity 356 inside the seed capture cover 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 on the corresponding seed hole from another major surface 129-4 of the seed metering disk 129 opposite the major surface 129-3 on which the seeds are deposited.

[0120] The pressurized air enters the inner passage 350-2 of the seed accelerator 350 from the outer side of the peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk 129 via the air inlet tube 351 at the first edge position and flows inwardly along the arc-shaped curved airflow path PA to the second edge position while passing through the seed travel path P (e.g., see FIG. 1 ) at the air entrainment chamber 356 within the shield 355. Fig.31). Therefore, 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 metering disk 129, through the metering disk, and then from the inside to the outside of the peripheral edge. The pressurized airflow enters the air entrainment chamber 356 via the air inlet port 307 on the shield 355, and the pressurized airflow passes through and is roughly parallel to the main surface 129-3 of the seed metering disk 129, and passes through the seed hole 129-2 and the seeds therein, and when the metering disk 129 rotates, the seeds pass through the shield one by one in sequence. The air entrainment chamber 356 of the shield 355 is configured to deliver the airflow laterally to the circular seed travel path P on the metering disk when the metering disk rotates, similar to the shield 305 described previously in this article. The airflow separates each seed from its corresponding seed hole, and the seed is sucked and entrained in the airflow. In other embodiments, other mechanisms can also be used alone or in combination to remove seeds. In one embodiment, a mechanical sweeping or shoveling action such as FR2414288 can be used. In another embodiment, the seeds may fall off the disk just as the vacuum is terminated. The airflow sweeps the air-entrained seeds through the shroud air outlet port 358 and delivers them to the seed dispensing 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 they are entrained in the airflow and then swept outward and discharged from the disk via the air outlet tube 352 at a different position of approximately 5 o'clock (see, for example, FIG. 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 33-40 A non-limiting embodiment of a mechanical seed accelerator 400 is shown that is configured to physically disengage a single seed from a metering disk 129 of a seed meter 128 and discharge the seed into a seed dispensing tube 130, rather than using pressurized air as a motive force as in the previous pneumatic seed accelerator embodiments disclosed herein.

[0123] The seed accelerator 400 generally includes a rotatable accelerator wheel 401, a seed slot 404 having a seed guiding wall 402, and an electric motor wheel drive 403 coupled to the wheel and operable to rotate the wheel. The wheel, slot, 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 a 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 304-1, such as, in one embodiment, a commercially available belt or chain ( Fig.35In 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 metering disk 129 of the seed meter 128. The rotation axes RA1 and RA2 may be coplanar and lie in the same horizontal reference plane that passes through and includes the rotation axis (e.g., see FIG. 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 configured to directly engage a single seed with its seed hole and to directly disengage a single seed from the seed hole. In other embodiments, the fingers may be straight. Thus, as the metering disk 129 rotates with the rotation of the accelerator wheel 401, the distal free ends 401-3 of the fingers are positioned to pass through and intercept the seed hole 129-2 (e.g., see Fig.40 ). Examples of accelerator wheels that can be used are found in PCT Publications WO2013 / 049198, WO2014 / 018717, and WO2017 / 011675, and are available in the SpeedTube™ system from Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, Illinois.

[0126] In one embodiment, at least the drive shaft 401-1 of the accelerator wheel 401 (and its rotation axis RA2) is located inside the seed metering disk 129 (i.e., spaced inwardly relative to the circumferential peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk). In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 401-1 and the finger 401-2 (i.e., the entire wheel) of the accelerator wheel 401 can be located inside the peripheral edge 129-1 of the seed metering disk 129 and spaced inwardly relative to the peripheral edge. From another perspective, the rotation axis RA2 of the accelerator wheel 401 is 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 above embodiments, the accelerator wheel 401 disengages a single seed from the metering disk 129 and drives it radially outward toward the peripheral edge 129-1 of the metering disk and against the guide wall 402.

[0127] The guide wall 402 cooperates with the accelerator wheel 401 to accelerate the single seed released by the accelerator wheel and distribute the seed into the seed groove 404. The seed groove 404 is then connected to the seed distribution tube 130 for discharging each seed into the planting groove in sequence. As shown in the figure, in one embodiment, 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 shown in the figure, the guide wall 402 and the seed groove 404 are formed as an integrated integral part of the same single integral structure (for example, see Fig.36 ), the guide surface 402-1 can be formed as an adjacent portion with the inner surface 404-1 of the seed groove 404. The guide wall 402 forms a protruding portion extending upward from the inlet 410 of the guide groove 404, which can be an open structure, while the portion of the groove 404 between its top inlet and bottom outlet is completely closed as shown in the figure, for guiding seeds into the adjacent and connected seed distribution pipe 130.

[0128] As the gap between the distal 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 some embodiments, the fingers 401-2 can also be elastically deformed to prevent the seed from being crushed by the guide wall 402, while increasing the friction clamping force on the seed, and the seed is ejected by the wheel when the wheel rotates. To this end, any suitable elastic material or other similar material with elastic memory can be used to manufacture the fingers. The curved fingers are separated by radial gaps so that when the seed is deformed and collapsed inwardly by pressing against the guide wall 402, the fingers are allowed to be at least partially nested. The fingers will rebound to their original undeformed state via elastic memory to accelerate the seed away from the wheel 401 and the guide wall 402, and the seed is ejected. The elastically deformable fingers 401-2 can also allow the accelerator wheel 401 to adapt to seeds of different sizes / diameters to grow different types of plants. However, in other embodiments, the fingers may have a rigid structure where 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, clockwise as shown). Thus, the accelerator wheel 401 works in conjunction with the existing rotational speed of the metering disk 129 to further provide acceleration to the seeds so that they are deposited in the seed slots. Viewed from another perspective, the acceleration applied by the accelerator wheel to the existing speed of the seeds in the seed holes 129-2 that rotate with the metering disk is added to the rotational speed of the metering disk. In order to optimize the acceleration of the seeds, the accelerator wheel 401 is located at a side position of the metering disk 129 (e.g., approximately the 3 o'clock position) so as to disengage 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 metering disk (e.g., see Fig.39 ). The seed is ejected from its seed hole 129-2 in a downward direction substantially tangential to the peripheral edge 129-1 of the disk into the seed slot 404. The additional acceleration provided by the accelerator wheel to the seed is particularly useful when at least a portion or all of the seed dispensing tube 130 includes a helical seed orientation surface, because it increases the sliding friction on the seed, thereby slowing the seed.

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

[0131] During 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 disengage each seed (in turn) temporarily held in its corresponding seed hole 129-2 by the vacuum drawn on the corresponding seed hole from the other major surface 129-4 of the seed metering disk 129 opposite the major surface 129-3 where the seed is deposited in the seed meter 128. The accelerator wheel 401 drives the seeds to move radially outward from the metering disk 129 (see, for example, FIG. 1 ). Figure 39-40). The finger 401-2 squeezes each seed onto the seed guide wall 402 (i.e., the inner guide surface 402-1) to control the capture and feeding of the seed. When the structure of the finger is elastically deformed, the finger collapses inwardly toward the rotation axis RA2 to store potential energy therein, and when the finger returns to an 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 groove 404, and then falls into the seed distribution tube 130 for planting in the planting groove formed by the row unit in the farmland. When the accelerator wheel rotates, the accelerator wheel 401 advantageously feeds the seeds sequentially in a controlled manner at preselected time intervals so as 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 certain embodiments, the accelerator wheel 401 may be used in conjunction with the air entrainment seed accelerator 300 or 350 to feed seed from the metering disk 129 into the accelerator for delivery to the seed dispensing tube 130 for planting. Fig.33 and 34 An air entrainment seed accelerator 900 is shown for use with an accelerator wheel 401 .

[0133] The seed slot 404 and seed dispensing tube 130 are shown as separate discrete components, but may also be formed as an integral component and combined into a single unitary structure to achieve 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 speed of travel. The pressure can be directly matched to the speed of the appliance, so that when the speed increases, the pressure also increases, or when the speed decreases, the pressure also decreases. This can be a continuous change, or it can be a step change so that there are pressures for a sub-range of speeds. For example, there can be one pressure for a speed range of 1.6 to 3.2 kph (1-2 mph), another pressure for a speed range of 3.2 to 4.8 kph (2-3 mph), and so on.

[0135] Example

[0136] The following are non-limiting examples.

[0137] Example 1 - A seed delivery system comprising: a seed meter, the seed meter including a metering disk, the metering disk being configured to hold a plurality of seeds; a seed accelerator, the seed accelerator including an internal passage, the internal passage being configured to allow an air flow to flow through the internal passage, the seed accelerator including a seed capture shield, the seed capture shield defining an inwardly open air entrainment chamber, the air entrainment chamber facing the metering disk and forming a portion of the internal passage; and a seed distribution tube connected to the seed accelerator; wherein the metering disk is capable of rotating to move 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 metering disk comprises a circular array of seed holes, each seed hole 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 metering disk through which the seed holes pass one by one in sequence 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 laterally 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 rear elbow bend, which is disposed between the air inlet tube and the air outlet tube and is configured to cause the airflow to reverse direction in the internal passage.

[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, including a top opening and a bottom opening that define a seed passage channel, and the seeds on the metering disk pass through the seed passage 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 - The seed delivery system of Example 9, wherein the seed capture shield has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

[0147] Example 11 - The seed delivery system of any of Examples 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to direct airflow from the inside out and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, through the metering disk to extract seeds from the seed holes.

[0148] Example 12 - The seed delivery system of any of Examples 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to direct airflow from outside to inside and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, through the metering disk to extract seeds from the seed holes.

[0149] Example 13 - The seed delivery system of Example 12, wherein the internal passage of the seed accelerator is configured such that 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 configured to hold an array of single seeds; a seed accelerator, the seed accelerator including an accelerator wheel, the accelerator wheel configured to disengage single seeds from the metering disk; and a seed slot, the seed slot configured to receive seeds disengaged by the accelerator wheel; wherein the accelerator wheel is capable of rotating so as to disengage seeds from the metering disk in a radially outward direction and accelerate the distribution of seeds to the seed slot.

[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 relative to 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 applied by the accelerator wheel to the velocity of the seeds is added to the rotational velocity of the metering disk.

[0153] Example 17 - A seed delivery system according to Example 14 or 15, wherein: the seed slot includes an arcuately curved guide wall arranged near the accelerator wheel, the guide wall defines a guide surface facing inward toward the accelerator wheel and leading to the entrance of the seed slot; and the accelerator wheel is capable of being operated to press the seeds against the guide wall in a radially outward direction and accelerate the seeds along the guide wall into the seed slot.

[0154] Example 18 - The seed delivery system of Example 17, wherein the rotation axis of the accelerator wheel is located inside 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 disengage seed from the metering disk at a side position of the metering disk.

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

[0157] Example 21 - The seed delivery system of Example 19 or 20, wherein the accelerator wheel is configured to disengage seeds from the metering disk in a tangential direction to the metering disk.

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

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

[0160] Example 24 - The seed delivery system of Example 23, wherein the fingers are arcuately curved and formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0161] Example 25 - The seed delivery system of 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 - The seed delivery system of Example 16, wherein the seed slot is vertically oriented.

[0163] Example 27 - A seed distribution method for planting, comprising: forming a groove in the soil with a row unit; rotating a metering disk holding an array of single seeds; rotating an accelerator wheel; using the accelerator wheel to disengage seeds from the metering disk in a radially outward direction; and delivering the seeds into the groove.

[0164] Example 28—The method of Example 27, wherein the disengaging step includes the accelerator wheel pressing the seed against an arc-shaped 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, which press the seeds against the guide wall and thereby collapse inward to store potential energy therein, and when the fingers return to their unfolded state, the accelerator wheel accelerates the seeds via a spring-like action.

[0166] Example 30 - The method of Example 29, wherein the fingers are arcuately curved and formed of an elastically deformable material having elastic memory.

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

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

[0169] Example 33—The method of Example 28, wherein the disengaging step includes sequentially transferring the seeds onto the accelerator wheel.

[0170] Example 34—The method of any of Examples 27-33, wherein the rotational axis of the accelerator wheel and the rotational axis of the metering disk are located in the same horizontal reference plane.

[0171] Example 35—The method of Example 34, wherein the axis of rotation 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 ejects dislodged seeds into a seed slot that delivers the seeds into the furrow.

[0174] Example 38—The method of Example 37, wherein the guide wall is formed as an integral part of the seed slot.

[0175] Example 39—The method of Example 27, wherein seeds are disposed in a circular array of seed holes on the metering disk that rotate 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 on one side of the metering disk when both the metering disk and the accelerator wheel rotate.

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

[0178] Example 42 - An agricultural row unit comprising: a frame; a trench opening assembly, which is configured to open a trench on the soil surface when the trench opening assembly moves in a forward travel direction; a sub-ditch opener, which is arranged in the trench to open a sub-ditch; a seed guide tube, which is configured to deposit seeds into the sub-ditch; and a trench sealing assembly, which is used to close the trench and the sub-ditch.

[0179] Example 43 - The agricultural row unit of Example 42, wherein the furrow opening assembly comprises a first disk and a second disk.

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

[0181] Example 46 - The agricultural row unit of any of Examples 42-44, wherein the first plate is flat.

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

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

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

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

[0186] Example 51 - The agricultural row unit of 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 - The agricultural row unit of 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 - The agricultural row unit of any of Examples 42 to 53, wherein the sub-groove opener further comprises 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, which is configured to open a groove on the soil surface when the groove opening assembly moves in a forward travel direction; a seed delivery system, which is used to deliver seeds to the groove; an air source, which is used to provide gas to the seed orientation system to push the seeds through the seed orientation system; and a groove sealing assembly, which is used to close the groove, the method comprising: determining the speed of the apparatus; and setting the gas pressure of the air source based on the determined speed.

[0191] Example 56—The method of Example 1, wherein as the speed increases, the gas pressure increases, and as the speed decreases, the gas pressure decreases.

[0192] Example 57—The method of 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 a plurality of sub-ranges, each sub-range having a gas pressure.

[0194] Example 59—A method according to any preceding example, wherein the gas is air.

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

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

[0197] The above description is 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 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but should be given the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seed delivery system comprising: a seed meter, the seed meter comprising a metering disk configured to hold a plurality of seeds; a seed accelerator comprising an internal passage configured to cause an airflow to flow through the internal passage, the seed accelerator comprising a seed capture shield defining an inwardly open air entrainment chamber, the air entrainment chamber facing the metering disk and forming a portion of the internal passage; as well as a seed dispensing tube coupled to the seed accelerator; The metering disk is rotatable to move seeds through the seed capture shield, which is configured to extract and entrain each seed in the air flow.

2. The seed delivery system of claim 1, wherein the metering disk comprises a circular array of seed holes, each seed hole being configured to hold a single seed.

3. The seed delivery system of claim 2, wherein the seed capture shield covers a portion of the metering disk through which the seed holes pass one by one in sequence as the metering disk rotates.

4. The seed delivery system of claim 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.

5. The seed delivery system of claim 4, wherein 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 laterally to a circular seed travel path on the metering disk when the metering disk rotates.

6. The seed delivery system of claim 4, wherein the seed accelerator further comprises a rear elbow bend disposed between the air inlet tube and the air outlet tube and configured to cause airflow to reverse direction in the internal passageway.

7. The seed delivery system of claim 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.

8. The seed delivery system of claim 4, wherein the air entrainment chamber is a U-shaped structure comprising a top opening and a bottom opening defining a seed passageway through which seeds on the metering disk pass when the metering disk rotates.

9. A seed delivery system according to claim 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.

10. The seed delivery system of claim 9, wherein the seed capture shield has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

11. The seed delivery system of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey an airflow from the inside out and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, through the metering disk to extract seeds from the seed holes.

12. The seed delivery system of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the seed accelerator is configured to convey an airflow from outside to inside and downward through the air entrainment chamber of the seed capture shield, through the metering disk to extract seeds from the seed hole.

13. The seed delivery system of claim 12, wherein the internal passageway of the seed accelerator is configured such that airflow flows through the seed accelerator in an arcuate curved path.

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