129539 results about "Agricultural engineering" patented technology

The present invention provides methods for water conservation with AC, DC, or ambient light powered irrigation controllers without the use of complex ET (evapotranspiration) data or ET related service fees. Programming may consist of the operator entering a preliminary irrigation schedule, and entering the local zip code. The controller then periodically calculates a water budget by comparing current (non ET) local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, and then modifies the preliminary schedule using the water budget. A number of embodiments are possible: stand-alone controllers with a temperature sensor attached directly to the microprocessor within that controller, or as a centrally placed CBM (Central Broadcast Module) which calculates a water budget percentage which is transmitted to one or more field controllers by wired or wireless means. Alternately, a TBM (Temperature Budget Module) that is separate from the controller is connected between the controller outputs and the valves, or mounted at the valves themselves. The TBM periodically calculates the ,water budget, monitors the controller outputs and adjusts the irrigation schedule based upon the water budget ratio. Because of its flexible capabilities with AC, DC, solar, or ambient light powered controllers, as a centrally broadcast water budget ratio in a wired or wireless configuration, or as an add-on to existing controllers or valves, its programming simplicity and close approximation to ET without its complications and cost, the present invention has the potential to save more water and minimize runoff than currently available ET methods.

An agricultural robot system and method of harvesting, pruning, culling, weeding, measuring and managing of agricultural crops. Uses autonomous and semi-autonomous robot(s) comprising machine-vision using cameras that identify and locate the fruit on each tree, points on a vine to prune, etc., or may be utilized in measuring agricultural parameters or aid in managing agricultural resources. The cameras may be coupled with an arm or other implement to allow views from inside the plant when performing the desired agricultural function. A robot moves through a field first to “map” the plant locations, number and size of fruit and approximate positions of fruit or map the cordons and canes of grape vines. Once the map is complete, a robot or server can create an action plan that a robot may implement. An action plan may comprise operations and data specifying the agricultural function to perform.

An agricultural utility vehicle includes a computer to execute the steps of storing data representing steering direction, position and speed of the agricultural vehicle; recognizing repeated drive events wherein each drive event comprises a plurality of serially performed functions including changing steering direction, changing speed and changing lift position of a hitch of the agricultural utility vehicle; displaying each function on a screen and enabling a user to skip functions and execute subsequent functions; executing the functions to automatically control the vehicle on private areas, which are determined in accordance with means for sensing position; blocking execution of the functions in public areas; deactivating control when obstacles are encountered, wherein the obstacles are recognized by way of signals received from cameras mounted on the agricultural vehicle; and periodically prompting a user for input.

Disc openers (14) for use with an air seeder (10), are configured for seeding and fertilizing a field (G). The opener (14b) broadly includes a drawbar assembly (16), a disc assembly (18) including a coulter disc (20) and a gauge wheel (22), a seed boot (24), a fertilizer injector wing (26), a firming wheel assembly (28), and a closing wheel assembly (30). The fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured for fixed attachment to the seed boot (24) and broadly includes a body (48), including an angled outboard portion (56), a toxic fertilizer injector (50), and a non-toxic fertilizer injector (52). The opener (14b) with the fertilizer injector wing (26) is configured to place the seed row (S) and the dedicated fertilizer band (DB) at an optimum geometric positional alignment relative to the seed row (S), in a single, low soil disturbing planting pass without disrupting the seed bed (BS).

An agricultural seeding machine movable in a planting direction includes a frame; a disc opener assembly carried by the frame and having a first axis of rotation; a gauge wheel assembly carried by the frame and having a second axis of rotation, and a press wheel assembly carried by the frame and having a third axis of rotation. The second axis is positioned forward of the first axis relative to the planting direction. The gauge wheel assembly overlaps the disc opener assembly relative to the planting direction. The third axis is positioned rearward of the first axis relative to the planting direction. The press wheel assembly overlaps the disc opener assembly relative to the planting direction.

The present invention provides numerous methods, systems and apparatus that use a novel form of water budgeting technology for water conservation without the use of complex ET (Evapotranspiration) data or methods. Embodiments include incorporating the technology directly into irrigation controllers, into modules added on to existing controllers, or into central units that broadcast a water budget that can alter the schedules of one, many, or selected groups of remotely located controllers or modules. The various methods of the present invention offer the choice of adjusting the station run times, accumulating the water budgets, altering the watering intervals, and / or combining the present water budgeting technology with local watering communities' restricted watering schedules. The result offers residential, commercial, and municipal users a wide range of practical choices for effective water conservation in landscape irrigation with temperature based water budgeting.