Agricultural seeding apparatus and method for seed placement synchronization between multiple rows
US7726251B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S111/922
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seeding machine having a plurality of row units and a processing circuit. Each of the row units have a seed metering device, a seed placement device and a sensor suitable to detect a parameter related to seed placement. The seed metering device includes a metering member providing a metering action to a plurality of seeds. The seed placement device receives the seeds from the seed metering device. A seed meter drive controller receives an index signal from the sensor on the row unit as well as a reference pulse signal. The processing signal of the drive controllers compares the index signal to the reference signal. Each drive controller is selectively programmable to control an associated motor of the meter drive to produce a desired relationship between the row unit index signal and the reference signal thereby synchronizing the seed placement among two or more rows. block diagram illustrating an alternative arrangement of the meter drive and control system components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.