FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM
A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural planter row unit. A first one of the multiple actuators is associated with a first implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit. A second one of the multiple actuators is associated with a second implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit. The fluid control system controls fluid flow from a fluid source to each of the first and second actuators. In one embodiment, the fluid control system includes an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a pressure sensor, wherein the inlet valve is in fluid communication with the fluid source and the pressure sensor is disposed to measure fluid pressure in a fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first and second actuators.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/640,252 filed Mar. 8, 2018 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUNDThere is a need for a fluid control system for supply fluid to multiple actuators associated with different implements on an agricultural planter row unit. While fluid may be supplied individually to each actuator associated with each implement on the row unit, it would be a benefit if a single fluid control system supplied fluid to multiple actuators for actuating each of the different implements on the row unit.
All references to patents and patent publications cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a discrepancy or conflict between definitions or descriptions of elements of any patents or printed publications incorporated by reference with definitions or descriptions of elements referred to in this specification, the definitions or descriptions expressly set forth in this specification shall control.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The optional downforce control system 214 includes an actuator having one end operably coupled relative to the toolbar 202 and another end operably coupled to the parallel linkage to apply lift and/or downforce on the row unit 200 such as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. US2014/0090585. The downforce control system 214 may be referred to as a downforce implement 214 of the row unit 200.
The seed trench opening assembly 220 includes a pair of opening discs 222 rotatably supported by a downwardly extending shank member 205 of the frame 204. The opening discs 222 are arranged to diverge outwardly and rearwardly so as to open a v-shaped trench 10 in the soil 11 as the planter traverses the field. The seed delivery mechanism 212, such as a seed tube or seed conveyor, is positioned between the opening discs 222 to deliver seed from the seed meter 210 into the opened seed trench 10. The depth of the seed trench 10 is controlled by a pair of gauge wheels 224 positioned adjacent to the opening discs 222. The gauge wheels 224 are rotatably supported by gauge wheel arms 226 which are pivotally secured at one end to the frame 204 about pivot pin 228. A rocker arm 230 is pivotally supported on the frame 204 by a pivot pin 232. It should be appreciated that rotation of the rocker arm 230 about the pivot pin 232 sets the depth of the trench 10 by limiting the upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 226 (and thus the gauge wheels) relative to the opening discs 222. The rocker arm 230 may be adjustably positioned via a linear actuator 234 mounted to the row unit frame 204 and pivotally coupled to an upper end of the rocker arm 230. The linear actuator 234 may be controlled remotely or automatically actuated as disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. WO2014/186810. The adjustably positional rocker arm 230 may be referred to as a depth adjustment implement 230 of the row unit 200.
An optional downforce sensor 238 is configured to generate a signal related to the amount of force imposed by the gauge wheels 224 on the soil. In some embodiments, the pivot pin 232 for the rocker arm 230 may comprise the downforce sensor 238, such as the instrumented pins disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,472.
An optional seed meter 210 may be any commercially available seed meter, such as a finger-type meter or vacuum seed meter. An exemplary embodiment of one type of vacuum seed meter is the VSet® meter, available from Precision Planting LLC, 23207 Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568.
The seed trench closing assembly 250 includes a frame member 251 that is pivotally attached at its forward end to the row unit frame 204 by a pivot 253. The frame member 251 rotatably supports a pair of closing wheels 254 which are disposed on opposing sides of the open seed trench 10. The closing wheels 254 are supported from the frame member 251 at an angle with respect to the forward direction of travel of the row unit 200 indicated by arrow 201 to push the soil inwardly from each side of the open seed trench to close the open seed trench with soil covering the seed previously deposited in the seed trench. An actuator 256 is supported at one end from the row unit frame 200 and is connected at the other end to the frame member 251 to vary the amount of downforce applied to the closing assembly 250. The seed trench closing assembly 250 may be referred to as a trench closing implement 250 of the row unit 200.
An optional packer wheel assembly 260 comprises an arm 262 pivotally attached to the row unit fame 204 and extends rearward of the closing wheel assembly 250 and in alignment therewith. The arm 262 rotatably supports a packer wheel 264. An actuator 266 is pivotally attached at one end to the arm 262 and at its other end to the row unit frame 204 to vary the amount of downforce exerted by the packer wheel 264 to pack the soil over the seed trench 10. The packer wheel assembly 260 may be referred to as a packer wheel implement 260 of the row unit 200.
An optional row cleaner assembly 270 may be the CleanSweep® system available from Precision Planting LLC, 23207 Townline Rd, Tremont, Ill. 61568. The row cleaner assembly 270 includes an arm 272 pivotally attached to the forward end of the row unit frame 204 and aligned with the trench opening assembly 220. A pair of row cleaner wheels 274 are rotatably attached to the forward end of the arm 272. An actuator 276 is pivotally attached at one end to the arm 272 and at its other end to the row unit frame 204 to adjust the downforce on the arm to vary the aggressiveness of the action of the row cleaning wheels 274 depending on the amount of crop residue and soil conditions. The row cleaner assembly 270 may be referred to as a row cleaner implement 270 of the row unit 200.
Referring to
As used herein, the term fluids includes gases or liquids. Examples of fluids include, but are not limited to, air and hydraulic fluid.
Illustrated in
In another embodiment, any of the first actuator 8110, second actuator 8120, or third actuator 8130 do not need to be on separate implements. For example, an implement, such as trench closing assembly 250, may have both an up actuator and a down actuator (not shown), and the embodiment of the fluid control system 8200 may control both the up and down actuators of that single implement 250.
As illustrated in
Illustrated in
In another embodiment of a fluid control system 8400 illustrated in
In
Each of the valves described herein (e.g., 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104, 8193, 8194, 8417, 8418, 8419, 8422, 8423, 8426) and the pressure sensors (e.g., 8201, 8202, 8203) are in signal communication with monitor 300 to control the opening and closing of the valves and to measure the pressure. Alternatively, there can be a separate control with a single row network, which is described in International Publication WO2014/018717 to which the valves and pressure sensors are connected. Valves 8101, 8102, 8103, 8104, 8193, 8194, 8417, 8418, 8419, 8422, 8423, 8426 may be solenoid valves.
Any actuator described herein can be any actuator that can apply a force. Examples of actuators include, but are not limited to, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, electro-mechanical actuators, and electro-hydraulic actuators.
Downforce System for Trench Closing AssemblyIllustrated in
Various modifications to the embodiments and the general principles and features of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the foregoing disclosure.
Claims
1. A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural planter row unit, comprising:
- a first actuator associated with a first implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit;
- a second actuator associated with a second implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit, the second implement being different from the first implement;
- a fluid control system for controlling fluid flow from a fluid source to each of the first and second actuators, the fluid control system including: an inlet valve in fluid communication with the fluid source; an outlet valve; and a first pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a first fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first and second actuators.
2. The fluid control system of claim 1, wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
- a first control valve disposed in the first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure sensor.
3. The fluid control system of claim 2, wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
- a second pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a second fluid line in fluid communication with the first control valve and the second actuator.
4. The fluid control system of claim 3, wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
- a second control valve disposed in the second fluid line between the first control valve and the second pressure sensor.
5. The fluid control system of claim 1, further comprising
- a third actuator associated with a third implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit, the third implement being different from the first implement and second implement; and
- wherein the first pressure sensor is disposed to measure fluid pressure in the first fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first, second and third actuators.
6. The fluid control system of claim 5, wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
- a first control valve disposed in the first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure sensor;
- a second control valve disposed in a second fluid line between the first control valve and the second actuator;
- a second pressure sensor disposed in the second fluid line between the second control valve and the second actuator;
- a third pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a third fluid line in fluid communication with the second control valve and the third actuator.
7. The fluid control system of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second implements are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel implement; (iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment implement; and (v) a downforce implement.
8. The fluid control system of any of claims 5 to 6, wherein the first, second and third implements are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel implement; (iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment implement; and (v) a downforce implement.
9. The fluid control system of claims 1 and 5, wherein each of the actuators comprise a cylinder having a movable piston connected to a piston rod, the piston separating the cylinder between a down-chamber and an up-chamber; and
- wherein the fluid control system further comprises a down-chamber valve disposed at the down-chamber end of the cylinder and an up-chamber valve disposed at the up-chamber end of the cylinder.
10. The fluid control system of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first implement comprises a trench closing implement, the trench closing implement comprising:
- a mounting bracket rigidly secured to a frame member of the row unit;
- a closing frame member pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket about a pivot axis;
- a bracket member having a first end secured to the mounting bracket; and
- wherein the first actuator is coupled at a first end to the bracket member and a second end of the first actuator is coupled to the closing frame member, whereby actuation of the first actuator causes said closing frame member to pivot with respect to said mounting bracket about the pivot axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 8, 2019
Publication Date: Dec 24, 2020
Inventors: Jason Stoller (Eureka, IL), Jeremy Hodel (Morton, IL)
Application Number: 16/978,689