WO2014025999A2 - Wind barrier device for a seed tube with a seed sensor - Google Patents

Description

WIND BARRIER DEVICE FOR A SEED TUBE WITH A SEED SENSOR

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to the provisional application with serial number 61/681 ,367, and filing date of August 9, 2012 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Wind movement moving up a seed tube on a planting apparatus causes several different problems. For low density or small seeds, this air movement up the dispensing or deposition tube can disrupt the normal gravity fall of the seed, thereby affecting seed placement. A second issue involves dust that is generated in the area at the bottom of the tube. Dust particles of various sizes can be swept up in the dispensing tube with some finding a short-term equilibrium status. Since the dispensing tube in most cases flares outward in moving from the bottom of the tube to the top, the wind velocity decreases in going from the bottom to the top of the tube. Some dust particles of a given size will find equilibrium when the gravity force downward is equal to the draft force upward. Such dust particles will not be permanently stable since lateral movement in the tube will affect the air velocity supporting the particle and the wind source itself will be variable. Further these particles can "dance" around in the tube and can collectively or possibly singularly affect a seed counting sensor that is integrated into the seed tube and is exposed to the inside seed tube cross section in which the seed travels.

[0003] K B Manufacturing LLC currently sells a shield device for the control of wind affecting insecticide application comprised of a brush-like device that is mounted near the insecticide depositing nozzle. However the challenges are different when depositing seeds in a field compared with applying insecticide. Schaffert Manufacturing sells an aftermarket rebounding seed deflector (see U.S. Patent Nos. 6,386,127; 6,892,656) that can be placed at the end of the seed tube to keep seeds in the trench, especially in dry conditions, however it appears too narrow to effectively deal with dust and windy conditions.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one example embodiment of our invention, we provide a shield or deflector that would be positioned on a row unit on a row-crop planter that would block the wind from the area around the bottom on the seed dispensing tube. The disc openers and gauge wheels form somewhat of a closed cavity with the back side open to collect the wind. A back wind will create a pressure head in this cavity area and will cause an up-ward wind draft in the dispensing tube. With high wind velocities, this upward air velocity in the dispensing tube can be significant compared with the initial horizontal wind velocity. In a related embodiment, the shield or deflector, in the form of a sleeve that creates a horizontal opening to the ground for the seed tube, is configured to be retrofitable on the seed tube to substantially reduce wind and dust coming up the tube that interferes with planting and the seed counting sensor. In yet another related embodiment, the shield is made of a brush-like material, a solid material plate or a device configured in flexible fingers to also serve to disrupt the wind at the end of the tube and up near the seed sensor.

[0005] In another example embodiment, a seed planting assembly is provided that includes a seed tube disposed on a planter assembly, said seed tube having a tube end disposed proximate to the ground, with the tube end having an opening that is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The assembly further includes a wind deflecting assembly located adjacent said seed tube end opening and configured to reduce a head pressure force formed about the seed tube end. In a related embodiment, the wind deflecting assembly comprises a brush assembly that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said brush assembly having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening. In yet another related embodiment, the wind deflecting assembly comprises a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

[0006] In another example embodiment, a seed tube assembly is provided that includes a seed tube have a main body portion, an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being adapted to be proximate the ground. The tube assembly also includes a sleeve portion operatively coupled to said seed tube outlet and having a sleeve opening configured to be substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground. In a related embodiment, the seed tube portion and said sleeve portion are configured as a unitary unit.

[0007] in another example embodiment, there is provided an assembly for deflecting wind from an end of a deposition device, the deposition device configured to deposit an agricultural material while the deposition device is moved about a farming area, wherein the end of the deposition device is proximate to the ground. The wind deflecting assembly is configured to reduce a head pressure at the end of the deposition device, thereby reducing dust particles from traveling up the deposition device and facilitating agricultural material travel down the deposition device.

[0008] In yet another example embodiment, a method is provided of improving seed spacing in a seed planting system that includes the steps of providing a seed deposition chute configured with an opening located proximate to the ground; and configuring a wind deflecting assembly adapted to reduce a pressure force formed around the chute opening and reduce an updraft within the chute. Finally, the wind deflecting assembly is located or disposed about the chute opening.

[0009] The various embodiments of the invention reduces significantly the pressure head created in the area around the bottom of the dispensing or seed tube and prevents or reduces challenges associated with seed count and seed spacing, especially for small and light seeds. Some debris or trash guards exist that appear to protect the disc opening as shown in U.S. Patent 4,878,443, but these may not be effective in seed planting operations as they do not control or reduce up-draft wind in the seed dispensing tube. This invention prevents the strong up-ward wind draft in the tube allowing the seeds to fall by gravity without being significantly affected by such wind draft. Various embodiments of this invention also prevent dust particles from being swept up the tube by this up-ward wind draft. This eliminates any problems associated with the seed counting sensor due to dust traversing around the seed sensing location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts the measured relationship between wind velocity near the gauge and press wheels and the velocity in the seed tube near the seed sensor location.

[0011] FIGS. 2A-2B depict an inventive embodiment of a wind barrier device used with a planter runner frame

[0012] FIGS. 3A-3E depicts a seed tube guard or tip coupled to a seed tube which covers the seed tube opening thereby blocking air from being forced into and up the seed tube.

[0013] FIG, 4 depicts a wind guard plate member that fills in the opening at the rear of the gauge wheels and near the seed tube opening.

[0014] FIG. 5 depicts placing a sheet of rigid material, {e.g., metal or plastic) behind the gauge wheels at a forward angle thereby directing the air upwards away from the seed tube opening or exit. [0015] FIG. 6 depicts a graph of the seed tube air flow analysis with and without the various seed tube guards or deflectors, individually and in various combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0017] In order to better understand the effects of dust on the counting performance of optical seed sensors, tests were performed to measure the wind speed present within the seed tube at various levels of a tail wind. During planting, this area of the planter is rife with dust particles ranging from fine to large being churned and thrown into the air by both the separating disks and the inner lip of the gauge wheels. In one test, dusty conditions along with a tail wind of roughly 30 mph cause false counts from certain seed sensors thereby resulting in population spikes and poor measured singulation on seed monitoring equipment. In one test setup to simulate the presence of a strong tail wind behind a John Deere planter, a squirrel cage blower fan was placed behind the planter, with the flow directed at the bottom of the row unit. Wind speed measurements were taken from a location halfway between the gauge and press wheels at roughly the same height above the ground as the seed tube opening. Measurements were taken, varying the blower speed from 0 to 65 MPH in increments of roughly 10 MPH. In this experiment, a sensor was then placed near the seed tube exit and within the seed tube at the mid-tube sensor location. At the mid- tube location, a bushing was placed behind it to block any airflow from escaping the tube at the sensor mounting location. The blower was again run from 0 to 65 MPH in increments of roughly 10 MPH. During these tests, the row unit seed meter was installed and the vacuum was operating with the seed disk filled.

[0018] Referring now to the figures, a chart 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 illustrates recorded wind speeds from behind the gauge wheels of a planter unit and from inside a seed tube at each blower motor speed increment. Note that with no external wind blowing, a small amount of airflow is present in the seed tube due to the vacuum meter. From this data we can see that at a reported 30 mph tail wind condition, the seed tube is experiencing upward airflow of 20 mph. This airflow is significant enough to support relatively large dust particles that are disruptive of seed count and seed placement in the trench.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is illustrated an example embodiment a wind shield/barrier/deflector 220/222 for use with a seed planter runner assembly 200. In particular, there is illustrated a set of disc soil openers 202 having a seed tube 204 mounted therebetween, a gauge wheel 210, a deflector assembly 220 and a set of closing wheels 240 (closes the soil over the seed that is dropped into the trench). Seed tube 204 has a body 205 and a tube end or exit 206 that is located close to the ground and nestled within disc blades 202. In this example embodiment, the rear end of planter runner 200 is being attacked by a wind blowing 232 toward the rear of the planter, thereby creating a high pressure area 234 around tube end 206. The two disc openers 202 also form somewhat closed cavity that forces air upward into tube 204. Such a closed cavity causes pressure head 234 to form that forces air up seed tube 204, thereby disrupting a flow of seeds 207 down tube body 205 and past a seed counting sensor. An example of a seed counting sensor and system that can be used in the various embodiments described herein is disclosed in U.S. Patent no. 5,635,91 1 to Landers et al, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0020] In this example embodiment, a brush assembly 220 having brush hair or bristles 222 is mounted to the planter runner frame and provides a shield (or barrier or deflector) to a wind blowing 232 toward the rear of the planter, where seed tube end 206 is located. In this example embodiment, wind shielding member 220 is comprised of a brush with bristles 222 pointing downward and secured to a frame member 220 of the planter frame and with the brush extending downward to the ground or close thereto. The width of the brush member is configured to be sufficient to block the wind from directly entering the cavity formed by the two disc openers. Brush 220 is resilient enough to allow dirt clods and debris to pass. One skilled in the art would recognize that there are a number of possible structures that can serve as a wind shielding or deflecting device and they are not limited to those structures disclosed herein. The brush approach is simply one implementation of such a wind shielding device or member.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, there is illustrated another example embodiment of a wind or dust deflecting assembly 300 for seed tube 304 having an inlet 305 and an outlet 306. In this example embodiment, a seed tube guard or tip or sleeve member 320 is formed and coupled to tube 304 which covers the seed tube opening 306, blocking the air from being forced into and up the seed tube. In this example embodiment, sleeve member 320 includes a sleeve or cuff 321 mounting arm 322 used to attach member 320 to tube 304 and an opening 308. FIGS. 3B-3E illustrate a perspective, side and top views respectively, of sleeve member 320. A horizontal opening 308 at the bottom is left open to allow seeds to flow out from the tube normally and has the added benefit of directing seeds downwards and into the trench instead of rolling out of the tube end as in FIG. 2A. In another related embodiment, sleeve member 320 is configurable to convert a round tube or chute to have a horizontal opening parallel to the ground. In addition, seed spacing is improved with all types of seeds, especially small and light seeds. In a related embodiment, seed tube 304 is formed with sleeve 320 as a unitary construction, either from molded plastic or metal or any material suitable for seed tubes or other dispensing chutes. [0022] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated another example embodiment of a wind or dust deflecting device 420 that forms part of an assembly 400. in this embodiment, a guard or plate 420 is located about the opening at the rear of the gauge wheels to fill in this open cavity area described above. This arrangement prevents or disrupts the high pressure area from forming between the separating disks and at the seed tube exit. In this example embodiment, a sheet of rigid material (metal or plastic or other like material) was formed and adhered to the back of the gauge wheels to confirm effectiveness.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another example embodiment of a wind or dust deflecting device 460 that forms part of an assembly 450. In this embodiment, a guard or plate 460 is located about the opening at the rear of the gauge wheels to cover the open cavity area described above. This arrangement disrupts the high pressure area from forming between the separating disks and at the seed tube exit. A sheet of rigid material forms guard 460 (e.g., metal or plastic) which is located behind the gauge wheels at a forward angle, which directs the air upwards away from the seed tube exit. This configuration made a substantial improvement in reducing the updraft in the seed tube.

[0024] In various example embodiments, the various components are configurable to improve wind deflection and reduction and improve seed count accuracy and seed placement in the trench or field. In one example embodiment, the wind deflecting assembly includes a seed tube and sleeve member 320 configured to be coupled to the seed tube opening, thereby forming a seed tube opening that is parallel to the ground. In another related embodiment, the seed tube includes sleeve member 320, and brush assembly 220, that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, the brush assembly having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

[0025] In yet another related embodiment, the wind deflecting assembly includes a seed tube, sleeve member 320 and includes a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening. In yet another related embodiment, the wind deflecting assembly includes a seed tube wind deflecting assembly further includes a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, the plate member having a lateral dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening and a longitudinal dimension that extends up from the seed tube opening such that a cavity pressure from the planter assembly is reduced.

[0026] As can be seen from the chart of FIG. 6, the seed guard sleeve 320 showed some reduction in wind speed when compared with the no- guard test. However, it can be reasoned that due to the high pressure area that forms within the space between the separating disks and gauge wheels, air is still being forced up the seed tube. In one example embodiment, a wind guard assembly comprised of sleeve 320 and plate 460 provided the most amount of improvement in reducing wind speed at the seed tube end. In another example embodiment, a wind guard assembly comprised of sleeve 320 and plate 420 provided another effective approach in reducing wind speed at the seed tube end.

[0027] The following patents that relate to deflector devices are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and constitute part of the disclosure herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,199,030; 5,413,055; 6,024,033; 4,878,443; 6,386,127; and 6,892,656.

[0028] Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present invention to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. An seed planting assembly comprising: a seed tube disposed on a planter assembly, said seed tube having a tube end disposed proximate to the ground, the tube end having an opening that is substantially perpendicular to the ground; and a wind deflecting assembly located adjacent said seed tube end opening and configured to reduce a head pressure force formed about the seed tube end, thereby improving seed passage through said seed tube.

2. The seed planting assembly of claim 1 wherein said wind deflecting assembly comprises a brush assembly that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said brush assembly having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

3. The seed planting assembly of claim 1 wherein said wind deflecting assembly comprises a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

4. The seed planting assembly of claim 1 wherein said wind deflecting assembly comprises a plate member that is parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening and a longitudinal dimension that extends up from the seed tube opening such that a cavity pressure from the planter assembly is reduced.

5. The seed planting assembly of claim 1 wherein said wind deflecting assembly comprises a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the seed tube opening, thereby forming a seed tube opening that is parallel to the ground.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said wind deflecting assembly further includes a brush assembly that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said brush assembly having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

7. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said wind deflecting assembly further includes a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening.

8. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein said wind deflecting assembly further includes a plate member that is disposed parallel to the seed tube opening, said plate member having a lateral dimension that is greater than the seed tube opening and a longitudinal dimension that extends up from the seed tube opening such that a cavity pressure from the planter assembly is reduced.

9. A seed tube assembly comprising: a seed tube have a main body portion, an inlet and an outlet, said outlet adapted to be proximate the ground; and a sleeve member operatively coupled to said seed tube outlet and having a sleeve opening configured to be substantially horizontal and parallel to the ground.

10. The seed tube assembly according to claim 9, wherein said seed tube portion and said sleeve member are configured as a unitary unit.

11. The seed tube assembly according to claim 9, wherein said sleeve member includes a sleeve portion and a mounting arm extending therefrom, said mounting arm configured to hold sleeve portion to the seed tube end.

12. The seed tube assembly according to claim 9, wherein said seed tube portion and said sleeve portion are configured as a unitary unit.

13. An assembly for deflecting wind from an end of a deposition device, the deposition device configured to deposit an agricultural material while the deposition device is moved about a farming area, wherein the end of the deposition device is proximate to the ground.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wind deflecting assembly is configured to reduce a head pressure at the end of the deposition device, thereby reducing dust particles from traveling up the deposition device and facilitating agricultural material travel down the deposition device.

15. A method of improving seed spacing in a seed planting system comprising the steps of: providing a seed deposition chute configured with an opening located proximate to the ground; configuring a wind deflecting assembly adapted to reduce a pressure force formed around the chute opening and reduce an updraft within the chute; and locating said wind deflecting assembly about the chute opening.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of locating a second wind deflecting assembly adjacent the chute opening.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of disposing the second wind deflecting assembly in an angle with respect to the chute opening that reduces the pressure force at the chute opening.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of configuring the wind deflecting assembly in response to a type of seed being deposited by the planting system.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of locating said wind deflecting assembly includes providing a brush assembly that is disposed parallel to the chute opening, said brush assembly having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the chute opening.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of locating said wind deflecting assembly includes providing a plate member that is disposed parallel to the chute opening, said plate member having a lateral and a longitudinal dimension that is greater than the chute opening.