Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR VARYING
THE RATE OF SEED POPULATION
This application claims the benefits of prior co-pending
provisional patent applications Serial Nos. 60/169,637,
60/237,753; and 60/313,834; and prior co-pending non-provisional
patent application Serial No. 09/733,264.
The material in the computer program listed in Appendix A
attached hereto forms part of this application.
The present invention relates generally to systems for
regulating the seed population rates by planters or drills, and
more particularly to a novel apparatus that will vary the rate
of seed population by planters or drills while they are in
motion.
Summary of the Invention
The apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by
planters or drills of the present invention enables farmers to
vary the rate of seed population by planters or drills of the
prior art without stopping the planter to change the well-known
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planter-wheel-driven sprockets that now select the planter's
seed population rate.
For example, a farmer will prefer to plant less corn seed
on lighter soils, which are typically found on hillsides or
slopes, and more corn seed on darker soils to thereby improving
overall crop yields. When planting soybeans, on the other hand,
just the opposite is true. A farmer would want to plant a
heavier population of seeds on lighter soils and less on darker
soils, because there would be less lodging of soybeans on the
better soils.
Varying the seeding rate also enhances soil and water
quality. For example, a stronger, healthier corn stalks on the
hillside result from a lower seed population, and there is less
soil erosion as a result. At the bottom of the hillsides, and
on the flats, where the seed population is higher, water run-off
is slowed because on the darker soils one gets a better plant.
For soybeans, one would prefer having a heavier seed population
on the hills, therefore, slowing water run-off.
The apparatus for varying the rate of seed population of
the present invention accommodates a change from planting corn
to planting soybeans or wheat, or any of the small grains, all
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without changing a sprocket on the planter or drill, as has been
required in the prior art.
The apparatus of the present invention is also very safe
for farmer-operators, because all changes may be made from the
seat of the tractor that is pulling the planter.
The main goal of the present invention is to provide the
farmer with means to place more or less seed in the most
appropriate areas of the field, thereby saving money in seed
cost and creating a better yield with less soil erosion.
A linear actuator that is connected to a hydraulic double
rod cylinder controls the apparatus of the present invention.
This enables the unit to select many different rates of seed
population and to change the seed population rate at any point
in time immediately. The actuator and the cylinder are located
inside a single frame for the apparatus of the present
invention, thereby making a compact unit that may be retrofitted
to existing planters or drills.
The apparatus of the present invention may also be wired to
a switch located in a tractor cab that controls the seeding
population rate, or it can be wired to a seed population monitor
for a planter or drill located in the tractor cab. The
apparatus of the present invention is especially useful on a
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drill because a drill varies its seed population rate frequently
due to the presence of different seed sizes and weights. The
apparatus of the present invention allows the operator to
correct this problem by holding a steady population rate using
the switch or monitor. Therefore, the apparatus of the present
invention can be used to hold the rate of seed population steady
or get unlimited numbers of seed populations.
Another useful way to use the apparatus of the present
invention is with fertilizer applications. Many times
fertilizer population rates are varied according to soil types.
The apparatus of the present invention could be used in many
such applications that require speed variation.
This system could be equipped with a leveler. This would
allow the apparatus to change seed population rates
automatically as percent of ground slope increased and
decreased. The apparatus could also be integrated with GPS
which would allow mappings to illustrate where the apparatus of
the present invention varied seed population rates, or GPS could
be programmed to effect a change in seed population rates
automatically.
One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for
varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills,
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comprising, an apparatus for varying the rate of seed population
by planters or drills, comprising a first and second squeeze
jack variable speed pulleys, each having a top half and a bottom
half, with the first pulley spinning about a first axis and the
second pulley spinning about a second axis, a first oil-actuated
squeeze jack affixed to the bottom half of the first pulley that
moves the bottom half of the first pulley along its axis from a
first position in which the first pulley is closed to a second
position in which the first pulley is opened, and a second oil-
actuated squeeze jack affixed to the bottom half of the second
pulley that moves the bottom half of the second pulley along its
axis from a first position in which the second pulley is closed
to a second position in which the second pulley is opened, and a
belt running around the pulleys; a drive cog affixed to the top
half of the first pulley with a drive chain running around the
drive cog, and a row unit cog affixed to the top half of the
second pulley with a row unit chain running around the row unit
cog; a double-rod oil cylinder in fluid communication in a
closed system with the first and second squeeze jacks and having
a piston therein that is movable between a first position at
which the bottom half of the first pulley is in its second
position and opened, and the bottom half of the second pulley is
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in its first position and is closed, and a second position at
which the bottom half of the first pulley is in its first
position and is closed, and the bottom half of the second pulley
is in its second position and is opened; and means to move the
piston between its first and second positions and to positions
in-between wherein said means includes a linear actuator having
a clevis that is attached to a double-rod cylinder and
controlled by inclinometer monitor means that automatically
actuates the linear actuator in response to changes in the slope
of the apparatus above and below level ground.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus
for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills,
comprising an apparatus for varying the rate of seed population
by planters or drills, comprising a first and second squeeze
jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the
pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on
the second pulley, and a drive chain running around the cog
mounted on the first pulley and a row unit chain running around
the cog mounted on the second pulley; and means to vary
selectively the speed of the row unit chain at any given speed
of the drive chain wherein said means includes a linear actuator
having a clevis that is attached to a double-rod cylinder and
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controlled by inclinometer monitor means that automatically
actuates the linear actuator in response to changes in the slope
of the apparatus above and below level ground.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the following descriptions.
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Brief Description of the Drawing Figures
Figure 1 is a partially segmented top view of the apparatus
for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills of
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the rate controller
circuitry of the preferred embodiment.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment to
date of the apparatus for varying the rate of seed population
(32) of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
The apparatus consists of a first 8.5-inch diameter squeeze
jack variable speed pulley (1) and a second 8.5-inch squeeze
jack variable speed pulley (4). A 7/8-inch belt (5) measuring
44 inches long is used to interconnect and power the two pulleys
(1, 4). An oil actuated squeeze jack (6) on variable speed
pulley (1) has an oil connector (7) through which oil activates
the squeeze jack (6), making the lower half of the variable
speed pulley (1) move either up or down in the view Figure 2. A
plug (31) allows excess oil to be drained from variable speed
pulley (1). Variable speed pulley (4) has a corresponding
squeeze jack (27) and an oil connector (28) that operate in the
same ways.
Variable speed pulley (1) and variable speed pulley (4) are
exactly the same size and operate the same way. A 1/4 inch oil
line (8) connects to the front port hole of double-rod oil
cylinder (19), which has a 3/4 inch bore, a 5/16 inch rod, and a
6 inch stroke, and holds approximately 2.190 cubic inches of
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oil. By contrast, squeeze jacks (6, 27) hold approximately
2.208 cubic inches of oil, each.
When cylinder (19) is charged with oil on both sides, its
piston (30), located inside cylinder (19), should be in the
center of the cylinder (19). Squeeze jacks (6, 27) are charged
half full with approximately 1.104 cubic inches of oil each.
Oil lines (8) and (9) are charged with oil also. A hand screw
adjuster (17), which is a 1/2 inch threaded bolt, 3 inches long,
threaded into a 1/2 inch cylinder with an o-ring, and oil line
(18) connecting the adjuster to squeeze jack (27) through
connector (29), are each charged with oil so that when hand
screw adjuster (17) is tightened down it puts oil pressure on
both squeeze jacks (6, 27), which then move the bottom halves of
variable speed pulleys (1) and (4) (See Figure 2) upward,
closing each, and thereby tightening belt (5) between them.
When linear actuator (20), which is connected to clevis 21,
which in turn is screwed onto cylinder (19), is retracted, there
will be an increase in the seed population rate or speed, and
when actuator (20) is advanced, the seed population rate or
speed will be decreased, fox the reasons that will be more fully
explained below when the operation of the present invention is
explained.
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A drive cog (12), 5 1/2 inch in diameter with 4 holes 5/16
inches each for stud bolts (24), is mounted to the variable
speed pulley (1) on the side thereof opposite to squeeze jack
(6). A drive chain (13) powers drive cog (12), and drive chain
Z3 is powered by a conventional wheel driven cog of a planter or
drill (not shown). Thus, the speed of drive chain (13), and the
corresponding rate of rotation of drive cog (12), will be
directly proportional to the speed of the planter or drill over
the ground. At any given ground speed of the planter or drill,
the speed of drive chain (13) and the corresponding rate of
rotation of drive cog (12) will remain constant.
A row unit cog (10), 5 1/2 inch in diameter with 4 holes
5/16 inches each for stud bolts (22), is similarly mounted to
variable speed pulley (4) and row unit chain (11) around the row
unit cog (10) is connected to a conventional drive cog of the
row units of a planter or drill. It is the rate of rotation of
the conventional drive cog of the row units of a planter or
drill that determines the speed or rate of seed population by
the planter or drill.
A flat steel frame (14, 15) is provided in the preferred
embodiment to date consisting of frame member (14) and frame bar
(15). Frame member (14) is 3/16 inch thick and 3 inches wide
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flat steel that is bent on its four corners to measure 6 3/4
inches deep and 26 3/4 inches long. Frame bar (15) is 3/16 inch
thick and 3 inch wide flat steel that is 26 3/4 inches long,
with two trough holes at each end, one 1 1/2 inches away from
each end and the other 4 inches away from each end, for four
bolts (16), each 5/8 inches wide and 1 inch long with nut sand
lock washers, that hold frame member (14) and frame bar (15)
together. Variable speed pulleys (1, 4) are mounted to frame
bar (15) so as to be within the frame (14, 15), each being 8 3/4
inches from each end of the frame (14, 15), leaving the variable
speed pulleys (1, 4) 10 inches apart. Actuator (20) and
cylinder (19) are also to be mounted within frame (14, 15), but
are shown outside the frame in Figure 2 for clarity. It can be
appreciated that frame bar (15) may be unbolted and taken off to
make assembly and repairs convenient.
The four 5/16 inch stud bolts (22) hold cog (10) to
variable speed pulley (4). One 5/8 bolt (23), threaded on both
ends, holds variable speed pulley (4) to the flat steel frame
(14, 15). Four 5/16 inch stud bolts (24) hold cog (12) to
variable speed pulley (1). One 5/8-inch bolt (25), threaded on
both ends, holds variable speed pulley (1) to flat steel frame
(14, 15). Sleeve (3) is held by 5/8-inch bolt (23) next to
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frame (14, 15) . A 5/8-inch bolt (25) holds sleeve (2) to the
flat steel frame (14, 15) .
Operation of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of
the present invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is as
follows. When actuator (20), which is connected to cylinder
(19), is retracted up to 6 inches, as illustrated in Figure 2,
piston (30) pushes all the oil that had been in the cylinder on
the actuator side of piston 30 through oil line (8) and has
filled squeeze jack (6), which pushes the lower half of variable
speed pulley (1) upwards until variable speed pulley (1) is
fully closed, as illustrated in Figure 2. Belt 5 is then
rotating about the outer circumference of variable speed pulley
(1), as illustrated in Figure 2.
At this point, piston (30) has also pulled oil through (9)
oil line from squeeze jack (27) until all the oil is out of
squeeze jack (27), and the oil is in cylinder (19), which is now
full of oil. The lower half of variable speed pulley (4) moves
downward until variable speed pulley (4) is fully open, as
illustrated in Figure 2. Belt (5) then slips within variable
speed pulley (4), as illustrated in Figure 2, is turning about a
smaller radius, which has the effect of increasing the rate of
rotation of the variable speed pulley (4). This operation in
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turn has the effect of increasing the rate of rotation of row
unit cog 10, while the rate of rotation of drive cog 12 remains
constant, which speeds up row unit chain 11, which in turn
increases the speed or rate of seed population.
To decrease the speed or rate of seed population, actuator
(20) is advanced and piston (30) will travel to the opposite end
of cylinder (19) to that illustrated in Figure 2. This pulls
oil out of squeeze jack (6) through oil line (8) and into
cylinder (19) thereby dropping the lower half of variable speed
pulley (1) and thus opening it. This also pushes oil back
through oil line (9) to squeeze jack (27), pushing the lower
half of variable speed pulley (4) upward. This action closes
variable speed pulley (4). Rs a result, belt 5 is squeezed
outwardly to the outer circumference of variable speed pulley
(4), while belt (5) slips within variable speed pulley (1) and
thus turns about a smaller radius. Whereas variable speed
pulley (1) continues to rotate at a constant rate, the effect of
the foregoing actions is to decrease the rate of rotation of the
variable speed pulley (4), which slows the rate of rotation of
row unit cog (10), which slows down row unit chain 11, which in
turn decreases the speed or rate of seed population.
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In a manner similar to the forgoing examples, the actuator
(20) may be stopped at any intermediary position to those
discussed above to vary the speed or rate of population of seeds
to any desired level between the positions of maximum increase
and decrease discussed above.
An electrical sensor (26) on actuator (20) provides an
electrical connection between the actuator (20) and a control
unit that will enable a farmer to vary selectively the position
of piston (30) within cylinder (19). For examples, the control
unit might be a simple toggle switch, or a seed population
monitor/controller, or a controller that would respond to the
degrees of inclination of the planter or drill, or to a GPS
controller that would vary seed population rates based on the
GPS-determined location of the planter or drill in the field,
any of which would be mounted in the cab of the tractor pulling
the planter or drill.
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Inclinometer Monitor Rate Controller
In view of the fact that lighter soils are on hillsides and
richer, darker soils are on level ground, it is beneficial to
change seeding populations, as previously explained. The change
in population helps limit soil erosion and creates a better
quality crop. The apparatus for varying the rate of seed
population, designed to change seeding rates on the go, can be
equipped with an inclinometer, which is a leveling sensor unit,
wired to a monitor to automatically change transmission rates
according to the degree of slope. The inclinometer will be
leveled with the implement. As the operator travels the fields,
the degree of slope will be determined by the inclinometer and
relayed to the monitor, so the transmission ratio can be changed
automatically. Previously, the apparatus for varying the rate
of seed population was changed by a toggle switch moved by the
operator. Using this manual method, however, is not as accurate
as using an inclinometer. The inclinometer makes the apparatus
for varying the rate of seed population unique because the
operator does not have to constantly look back at the implement
to determine what slope is approaching and estimate exactly
where to change seeding population. With the inclinometer
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attachment of the present invention, the change is determined
and completed automatically, making for less stress and making
the operation more safe.
The inclinometer of the present invention can be programmed
to change at many different slopes. However, in the beginning
it will be factory set two different degrees of slope for the
automatic change. The first factory set level is from 0° to
2.4°, which is nearly level ground. The transmission ratio at
this degree of slope is set by the operator. The second factory
slope setting is 2.5° and above, and the transmission ratio will
also be set by the operator. The transmission ratio
predetermined by the operator is programmed into the monitor.
In the beginning, this will be less confusing for the operation.
There will also be an override so that the operator can change
the transmission ratio manually. When in the automatic mode,
the system changes according to the degree of slope, but when in
the manual mode it is operated by a Rate 1 control pot or a Rate
2 control pot, the different populations being determined by the
settings of the Rate 1 or Rate 2 pot depending on switch
settings. Eventually as the operator gets more acquainted with
the system, alternate levels and/or population rates can be
selected according to preference.
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The inclinometer, alone, can also be used with any piece of
equipment that would be advantageous to control by degree of
slope. The inclinometer connected to a population monitor will
be able to display population changes. By connecting the
monitor to a GPS system, the slope information, along with other
collected data, can be stored and viewed later with mapping
software.
An inclinometer can be put on a combine. When connected to
a yield monitor and/or mapping software, it can provide the
degree of slope data while harvesting. By comparing population
maps during planting and yield maps during harvesting, the
farmer will be able to determine optimal populations for
different slopes. The inclinometer can also be used with
equipment to determine standing population of different slopes.
Also, the inclinometer can be used on planters and drills
that have dual seed hoppers. These planters or drills are
capable of carrying two different types of seed. With an
inclinometer attached, not only can the population rate be
adjusted, but also the operator will have the capability of
changing the type of seed automatically based on degree of
slope. When connected with GPS, the degree of slope data can be
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collected along with population and seed type. This data can
then be compared to collected harvest data.
When soil sampling with a GPS system the inclinometer is
helpful in providing information on the degree of slope where
the soil sample is taken. Also, the inclinometer can be used to
change fertilizer rates and or herbicide rates based on degree
of slope. If fertilizer and herbicide spreading equipment are
equipped to handle more than one type of fertilizer or
herbicide, the inclinometer can provide information to change
not only rates but also types of fertilizer or herbicide.
Referring now to the drawings, the inclinometer (34), which
is a leveling sensor circuit, is comprised of a pair of
electronic clinometers that are mounted on a level plane and
oriented so they are 90 degrees out of phase with each other.
The clinometers output an analog voltage between 1 and 4 volts
that is linear with the degree of slope. The voltage output is
linear with the pitch (36) or yaw (38) of the printed circuit
board (48) which the inclinometer (34) is mounted to. Motor
relays (54) are also mounted on circuit board (48). The maximum
angle that can be measured with the clinometers is a plus or
minus 20 degrees. A microprocessor (42), with a 5-channel
analog to digital converter, reads the analog voltage produced
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by the clinometers and calculates the angle of tilt. This
information is then used by the processor (42) that uses the
data for decision-making calculations. The processor (42)
includes software that averages the analog to digital readings
from inclinometer (34) and calculates the angle. A 5- to 12-
volt regulator circuit (50) is on board to supply regulated
power to the clinometers and the microprocessor (42).
The microprocessor (42) has software program code embedded
into the internal ROM (read only memory). A listing of the
software code is in the computer program listing in Appendix A
hereto.
The microprocessor (42) has a built in 5 channel 8 bit
analog to digital converter. The schematic for the circuit is
shown in Figure 3.
The software is written so that when switch (60) is set to
auto mode (Binary 11) a variable controller (46) will actuate
motor relays (54) that in turn actuate linear actuator (20)
causing piston (30) to change ratio of the apparatus for varying
the rate of seed population (32) so that the apparatus for
varying the rate of seed population (32) will run at the ratio
shown on Rate 1 control pot (58) or Rate 2 control pot (56).
When in auto mode set by switch (60), Rate 1 control pot (58)
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will be selected as the control pot when the signal from
inclinometer (34) is in level condition. When angle of incline
from inclinometer (34) exceeds the trip level set by switch (44)
then Rate 2 control pot (56) will be the control pot.
If switch (60) is set to Rate 1 (Binary 10), then the
inclinometer (34) signal is ignored and the Rate 2 control pot
(56) has no effect. Rate 1 control pot (58) adjusts ratio.
If switch (60) is set to Rate 2 (Binary O1), then the
inclinometer (34) signal is ignored and the Rate 1 control pot
(58) is ignored. The Rate 2 control pot (560 adjusts the ratio.
When installing the system, it is necessary to level the
sensor using a bubble level or device suitable for adjusting the
unit so that the inclinometer (34) is parallel with level
ground.
Typical factory setting of the level trip point switch (44)
would be:
Binary Code Angle
00 0 - 1.5
O1 1.6 - 2
2.1 - 2.9
11 1 3.0 -
The controller console (46) reads the analog signal from
the inclinometer (34) and compares the signal to a lookup table
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set by the operator by switch (44). The controller console (46)
sends a 12-volt signal to control board (48) that actuates motor
relays (54) that in turn adjust the ratio of the apparatus for
varying the rate of seed population (32). The controller (46)
can control the apparatus for varying the rate of seed
population (32) so the ratio of input speed verses output speed
can be decreased down to 50~ and be increased up to +200.
A typical example in auto mode set by switch (60) would be
as follows. The controller (46) is monitoring a piston position
(30) of cylinder (19) of the apparatus for varying the rate of
seed population (32) with a potentiometer (52). The operator
desires Rate 1 control pot (58) setting at a ratio of 120
percent on level ground. The controller would actuate the
linear actuator (20) on the apparatus for varying the rate of
seed population (32) so that the ratio of variable speed pulley
(1) is at 120 percent. When the level sensor (34) is at an
inclination above setting of switch (44), the Rate 2 control pot
(56) is set for 140 percent. Then the variable rate controller
(46) would send a signal to control board (48) that actuates
motor relays (54) to adjust the ratio of the apparatus fox
varying the rate of seed population (32) to match the setting of
Rate 2 control pot (56).
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