Seed sorting

US11724287B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Monsanto Technology LLC · US

Inventors

• Louis M. Pompe Van Meerdervoort · Rotterdam, NL
• Eric L. Borrowman · Saint Peters, US
• Jarrett R. Ceglinski · Chesterfield, US
• Govind Chaudhary · Maryland Heights, US
• Leendert De Bruin · Berkel en Rodenrijs, NL
• Johnny J. Kotyk · Chesterfield, US
• Brad D. White · Creve Coeur, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 10, 2019
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 10, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N23/04
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A seed sorting system for sorting seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes an x-ray camera configured to acquire x-ray images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. The x-ray camera is configured to produce high quality images at high line scan rates to accommodate a speed and width at which the seeds are moved by the seed transfer station through the system. A sorting assembly is configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired x-ray images of the seeds.