Patent · US Active

Seeding machine with seed delivery system

US8468960B2 · kind B2 · utility

43Cited by
15References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 1, 2011
Grant dateJun 25, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01C7/0445
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.