SEED METERING GATE OPERATION

MECANISME DE DOSAGE POUR DISTRIBUTEUR DE SEMENCES

English Abstract

Expensive seed wasting and crop stunting are avoided by electronically controlling solenoids to selective supply fluid pressure to double acting cylinders. Rams operate links and roller mounted seed gates. Extending or withdrawing the rams closes or opens the gates. Clips on the rams limit gate openings. A microprocessor stores field dimensions and planting patterns, spacing of seed openers from onboard GPS and travel time of seed through seed distribution tubes to the seed openers. The microprocessor electronically controls solenoids to timely shut seed gates before reaching non-planting areas and headlands and to timely open seed gates before reaching planting areas.

French Abstract

Le gaspillage des semences coûteuses et le retard de croissance des cultures sont évités par commande électronique de solénoïdes pour fournir une pression de fluide dalimentation sélective à des cylindres à double effet. Les vérins font fonctionner les liaisons et les portes de semences montées sur rouleaux. Lextension ou le retrait des vérins ferme ou ouvre les portes. Des pinces sur les vérins limitent les ouvertures de porte. Un microprocesseur stocke les dimensions de terrain et les motifs de plantation, lespacement des ouvertures de semences dun GPS intégré et des distances de déplacement de semences à travers des tubes de distribution de semences vers des ouvertures de semences. Le microprocesseur commande électroniquement des solénoïdes pour fermer en temps opportun des portes de semences avant datteindre des tournières ou des zones non cultivées et pour ouvrir en temps opportun les portes densemencement avant datteindre des zones de plantation.

Claims

CLAIMS
1. Apparatus comprising a seed planter having a seed storage bin, a seed
trough
connected to the seed storage bin for receiving seed therefrom, a seed door
plate connected to
the seed trough, multiple seed ports in the seed door plate, multiple seed
gates connected to the
seed door plate by the seed ports, seed door controller having actuators for
selectively opening
and closing the seed gates at the seed ports between the seed storage bin and
seed meters, further
comprising links between the seed gates and the actuators for moving the seed
gates.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seed gates are constrained for
sliding and
the actuators are double acting actuators adapted for sliding the seed gates
along the seed door
plate to open positions on the seed ports and sliding the seed gates to closed
positions on the
seed ports.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the seed gates slide in tracks on the
seed door
plate near the seed ports, further comprising a pressure source, solenoid
valves connected to the
pressure source, pressure lines connected to the solenoid valves and connected
to opposite ends
of the actuators and power lines connected to the solenoid valves for
controlling positions of the
solenoid valves.
4. Apparatus comprising a seed planter seed gate controller having
actuators for
selectively opening and closing seed gates between a seed storage bin and seed
meters, further
comprising links between the seed gates and the actuators for moving the seed
gates, wherein the
seed gates are constrained for sliding and the actuators are double acting
actuators adapted for
sliding the seed gates to open positions and sliding the seed gates to closed
positions, further
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comprising wheel tracks adjacent the seed gates and wheels connected to the
seed gates and
moving in the wheel tracks.
5. Apparatus comprising a seed planter seed gate controller having
actuators for
selectively opening and closing seed gates between a seed storage bin and seed
meters, further
comprising links between the seed gates and the actuators for moving the seed
gates, wherein the
seed gates are constrained for sliding and the actuators are double acting
actuators adapted for
sliding the seed gates to open positions and sliding the seed gates to closed
positions, wherein
the actuators are double acting air cylinders having rams connected to the
links, and further
comprising a high pressure air compressor, a high pressure air tank connected
to the compressor,
high pressure supply air supply lines connected to solenoid operated air
control valves and
separate high pressure cylinder operating lines connected between each
solenoid operated air
control valve and opposite ends of one of the double acting air cylinders for
driving the rams
inward or outward for opening or closing the seed gates.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein driving the rams inward opens the seed
gates
and driving the rams outward closes the seed gates.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising clamps for applying to the
rams and
adapted for limiting inward travel of the rams and thereby limiting openings
of the seed gates for
passing small seeds from the seed storage bin through the openings of the seed
gates.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a GPS locator for locating
a position
in a field, a microprocessor connected to the GPS locator, the microprocessor
having an input
and storage of dimensions of a field, planting areas, non-planting areas, and
turning areas of the
field and having an input of planting header distances from the GPS locator
and time of travel of
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seeds from the seed gates through seed distributors to seed planting headers
and having an
output for controlling application of power to the solenoid controlled valves
for timely opening
and closing the seed gates for delivering seed from the seed bin through open
seed gates, the
seed meters and the seed distributors to the seed planting headers when the
headers are in the
planting area and timely closing the seed gates when approaching the non-
planting areas and the
turning areas, thereby avoiding over seed planting in the turning areas and
avoiding seed
planting in the non-planting areas.
9. Apparatus comprising a seed planter seed door controller having
actuators for
selectively opening and closing seed gates between a seed storage bin and seed
meters, further
comprising links between the seed gates and the actuators for moving the seed
gates, wherein the
seed bin has a front plate with seed openings and sliding seed gates for
selectively closing and
opening the seed openings in the front plate, legs attached to the front
plate, guide roller
channels connected to the legs, brackets connected to the guide roller
channels, guide rollers
mounted in the channels and connected to the seed gates, U-shaped trunion
mounts hinged to the
brackets, double acting cylinders connected to the U-shaped trunion mounts,
rams connected to
the cylinders, bell cranks connected to the rams and to the seed gates and
pivotally mounted on
the brackets for closing the seed gates as the rams are extended from the
cylinders and opening
the seed gates as the rams are withdrawn into the cylinders, fluid lines
connected to opposite
ends of the cylinders, solenoid control valves connected to the fluid lines, a
fluid pressure source
connected to the solenoid valves, and electric lines connected to the solenoid
valves for
controlling the solenoid valves and thereby controlling delivery of fluid
pressure to opposite
ends of the cylinders for opening or closing the seed gates.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a GPS locator for locating
a position
in a field, a microprocessor connected to the GPS, the microprocessor having
an input and
storage of field dimensions, planting areas and non-planting areas, and
turning areas of a field
and having an input of planter header distances from the GPS located and
length of travel of
seeds from the seed gates through seed distributors to seed planting headers
and having an
output connected for controlling the solenoid controlled valves for timely
opening and closing
the seed gates for delivering seed from the seed bin through the open seed
gates, the seed meters
and the seed distributors to the seed headers when the headers are in or are
approaching the
planting areas and timely closing the seed gates when approaching the non-
planting areas and
the turning areas, thereby avoiding double seed planting in the turning areas
and avoiding seed
planting in the non-planting areas.
11. A method comprising electronically controlling seed planting and
preventing seed
wastage and avoiding over planting and crop stunting comprising storing seed
in a seed bin in a
seed planter, opening seed gates in a plate of the seed bin and depositing
seed in seed meters,
metering spaced seeds, depositing the spaced seeds in air distribution lines
and propelling the
spaced seeds to seed planting headers, closing the seed gates when approaching
a non seeding
area or a turning area of a field and opening the seed gates when approaching
a seeding area,
wherein the closing and opening of the seed gates is by links and fluid
actuating controlled by
electronically controlling solenoid valves and thereby providing pressurized
fluid to selected
opposite ends of double acting actuators and timely electronically controlling
the solenoid valves
and supplying the pressurized fluid to the actuators, and timely closing the
seed gates before

reaching non-planting areas or turning areas and timely opening the seed gates
before reaching
planting areas or before completing turns in the turning areas.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the pressurized fluid
comprises
compressing air, storing compressed air and delivering the compressed air to
the solenoid valves
and where the fluid activating of the seed gates is by supplying the
pressurized air to one or the
other opposite ends of double acting air cylinders and extending rams from the
air cylinders for
closing the seed gates and withdrawing the rams into the air cylinders for
opening the seed gates.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying clips to the rams
for limiting
the withdrawing of the rams and limiting the opening of the seed gates.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the opening and closing of the seed
gates is
provided by opening and closing adjacent seed gates in groups.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing field dimensions and
planting
patterns in a microprocessor, providing a GPS locator, storing distance from
the GPS locator to
seed planting headers, storing distances of seed paths from the seed gates and
the seed meters to
the seed planting headers in the microprocessor, inputting in the
microprocessor GPS locator
position in the field relative to the stored field dimensions and planting
patterns, and timely
closing the seed gates to prevent delivery of seed to the seed paths before
reaching non-planting
areas, opening the seed gates while approaching seed planting areas, and
outputting electronic
signals from the microprocessor for controlling the solenoid valves.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing field dimensions and
planting
patterns in the microprocessor, providing a GPS locator, storing distance from
the GPS locator
to seed planting headers, storing distances of seed paths from the seed gates
and the seed meters
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to the seed planting headers in the microprocessor, inputting in the
microprocessor GPS locator
position in the field relative to the stored field dimensions and planting
patterns, and timely
closing the seed gates to prevent delivery of seed to the seed paths before
reaching non-planting
areas and turning areas and outputting electronic signals from the
microprocessor for controlling
the solenoid valves.
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Description

Seed Metering Gate Operation
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides seed metering gate operation for preventing seed waste
when
lifting or lowering and preventing double planting on point rows and headlands
on multiple
row air seeders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Large bulk seed tanks are positioned above seed metering troughs. Ports in the
meter
door at the base of the troughs admit seed from the tank to pass into the seed
meter. At each
port in the meter door, a rotating volumetric metering wheel dispenses seed
into a venturi
where seed are moved through a flexible tube by pressurized air to a Y-
splitter, from which two
tubes deliver seed to the seed openers in front and rear ranks.
The air seeder is equipped with plates which are used to close or restrict the
size of the
port for smaller seed such as rape or canola, or left open to admit large seed
such as soybeans,
wheat, barley and oats. These original equipment plates are removed with the
installation of the
TramRite* gate system.
Problems arise when lifting the seeder at headlands or point rows as seed is
being
metered during the raise cycle as this wasted seed will be distributed on top
of the soil.
Headlands are previously planted areas, normally around the perimeter of the
field, used as a
turning area when planting the remainder of the field. Point rows are the
intersection of planting
rows and previously planted area, normally encountered at an angle that would
encompass
*trademark
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-04-30

excessive double seeding.
The purpose of this invention is to save seed and facilitate a better crop
stand without
double planting. Over-seeding or double planting causes inferior plants
resulting in lower yields.
This feat is accomplished preferably with the use of a GPS system. However a
manual control
system could be used with a lesser degree of accuracy.
The TramRite* gate system can be coupled with a GPS system to shut gates on
selected
seed meters to eliminate double planting on point rows or to shut all gates
when air seeder enters
the headlands. Tram-lines can also be incorporated into this system by means
of a remote
controller.
The invention prevents seed waste and scattering and provides seed stopping in
individual or groups of rows by closing seed gates and preventing seed flow to
the metering
wheels. When a turn has been completed or an area not to be planted has been
crossed, the
invention opens the seed gates to allow the seed to flow to the metering
wheels to resume
delivering spaced seed through the down tubes to the venturis. The seed is
blown along seed
distribution tubes, through Y-splitters to front and rear rank seed openers. A
seed opener is the
soil engaging apparatus that opens a seed trench, places seed into the trench
and then firms the
soil over top of the seed. The openers are attached to both front and rear
ranks. One opener
plants one row of seed. A typical air seeder could have 48 or more openers.
Seed distribution tubes are long and are filled with moving spaced seed. It is
important
that the seed gates are closed at precise times before the intended
interruption of seeding so that
the tubes will be empty when the intended seeding skip is reached.
*trademark
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-04-30

CA 02841515 2014-02-05
The towing tractor has a GPS system and a microprocessor, which has field
dimensions,
which directs desired planting patterns, and which precisely locates the
tractor in the field.
The air seeder may be thirty feet or more wide, and the seed planting openers
may be placed
about forty feet behind the tractor and the GPS locator.
A software program in the onboard microprocessor calculates tractor speed and
the travel
time of the seed from the seed meter, through the seed distribution tubes to
the seed openers, so
that the shutting and opening of the seed gates occurs precisely to prevent
unintended seeding
and to resume seeding at intended locations.
The invention has one-inch stroke air cylinders or other hydraulic or linear
motor
actuators that are supplied by valves and valve-operating solenoids controlled
by the onboard
microprocessor to open and close the seed gates at the precise times. The
gates are closed and
opened individually or in groups.
Seed hoppers on air seeders have a large seed chamber with sloping bases
leading to a
triangular cross section trough which extends transversely across the air
seeder. The front of the
trough is a heavy meter door with spaced rectangular ports throughout which
seed passes to
metering wheels. The metering wheels are turned by a hexagonal shaft. Metering
wheels have
regular radial teeth between seed holding recesses. Double metering wheels
have teeth which
are angularly offset in pairs to meter spaced seed. The seed meter wheel
rotational relationship
to distance traveled is adjustable by means of a transmission to obtain
desired seeding rate. The
seed is metered through the meter wheel and passes to the forward section of
the seed cup and
falls into the venturi. This forward section of the seed cup is referred to as
the down tube.
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The invention utilizes gates that slide on the meter door in a space provided
by the
removal of the original equipment plates. The meter door ports are closed,
partially opened or
fully opened, by the sliding gates.
The present invention replaces the bolts which separately secure each seed
meter
assembly to the meter door at the port with longer bolts which hold legs of a
bracket against
adjacent seed meter assemblies and to the meter door. The legs underlie and
further support
sides of the seed meter assemblies.
The legs are welded to roller guides for the self-lubricating rollers. The I-
beam roller
guide is used between two slide gate assemblies. Left and right C-channel
roller guides are used
on ends or individual slide gate assemblies. The self-lubricating rollers are
mounted on a slotted
gate tab welded to the gate to insure easy translation of the gate. Triangular
brackets extend
outward from the I-beam guides.
A head of a double acting air cylinder is attached to a U-shaped trunnion
mount, which is
rotatable on the end of the brackets.
A second U-shaped mount rotatable midway on the brackets supports a bell
crank. The
bell crank is connected at one end to a clevis on the end of the air cylinder
ram. The second end
of the bell crank is connected to rotatable links that are connected to the
gate tab that is welded to
a gate. Pulling the ram inward opens the gate. Pushing the ram outward closes
the gate.
Each gate is operated by a similar structure with legs, brackets, U-shaped
rotatable
mounts, a bell crank and rotatable links connected to a gate tab welded to the
gate.
The tractor operator simply drives the tractor. The field pattern control
microprocessor
and GPS system mounted on the tractor are connected to solenoids which operate
air valves that
operate the double acting air cylinders.
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To control partial opening of the seed gates for controlling different sizes
of seed, stops
of a uniform selected length are manually spring clamped to the ram shafts to
limit the pulling of
the rams into the cylinders and thus to control the gate opening travel.
These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent
in the
disclosure, which include the above and ongoing written specification, with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a tractor GP S and microprocessor
which operate
solenoids and valves to operate valves which control the double acting air
cylinders.
Figure 2 shows the gate opening system mounted on a transverse meter door
showing
legs, I-beam roller guides, brackets, U-shaped rotatable trunnion bracket and
an air cylinder and
ram.
Figure 3 is an inside view of the cut-off meter door showing ports and a gate.
The
threaded welded nut above the gate is for detents to hold the original
equipment, air seeder plate
positions. The detent screws and plates are removed and not used in the
present invention.
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the new system.
Figure 5 is a front view of the new system.
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the new system.
Figure 7 is a top view of the new system.
Figure 8 is a detail of a collar stop for mounting on the extended ram shaft
of the air
cylinder to restrict inward movement of the ram to control size of the gate
opening for smaller
seed.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the front and side of a air seeder.

CA 02841515 2014-02-05
Figure 10 is an enlarged view of Figure 9 showing the gate control valve
modules for the
seed metering gates.
Figure 11 is an enlarged view of Figure 10 showing the gate control valve
modules.
Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the air compressor for supplying the gate
control valve
modules.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the seed metering drive train partially
showing seed
distribution tubes and the air tubes and drive cylinders for the seed metering
gates.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the seed metering drive train partially
showing seed
distribution tubes and the air tubes and drive cylinders for the seed metering
gates for one half of
the air seeder shown in Figure 9.
Figure 15 is an enlarged view of part of one assembly of air cylinders for
operating seed
metering gates on the seed hopper leading to the seed distribution tubes.
Figure 16 is a side view of the seed metering gate driving cylinders in one
assembly.
Figure 17 is an opposite side view of the seed metering gate driving cylinders
in one
assembly shown in Figures 15 and 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention prevents seed waste and scattering and provides seed stopping in
selected
groups of rows by closing seed gates and preventing seed flow to the metering
wheels. When a
turn has been completed or an area not to be planted has been crossed, the
invention opens the
seed gates to allow the seed to flow to the metering wheels to resume
delivering spaced seed
through the down tubes to the venturis. The seed is blown along seed
distribution tubes, through
Y-splitters to front and rear rank seed openers.
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The seed distribution tubes are long and are filled with moving spaced seed.
It is
important that the seed gates are closed at precise times before the intended
interruption of
seeding so that the seed distribution tubes will be empty when the intended
seeding skip is
reached.
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a tractor GPS and microprocessor
which operate
solenoids and valves to operate valves which control the double acting air
cylinders.
The towing tractor has a GPS system 10 and a microprocessor 12, which has
field dimensions
display 13, which directs desired planting patterns 14, and which precisely
locates the tractor in
the field.
The air seeder may be thirty feet or more wide, and the seed planting openers
may be
placed about forty feet behind the tractor and the GPS locator.
A software program in the onboard microprocessor 12 calculates tractor speed
and the
travel time of the seed through the seed distribution tubes to the seed
openers behind the GPS
locator 10, so that the shutting and opening of the seed gates occurs
precisely to prevent
unintended seeding and to resume seeding at intended locations.
The invention has air cylinders or other actuators that are supplied by valves
17 from
compressor 16 and valve-operating solenoids 18 controlled by the onboard
microprocessor 12 to
open and close the seed gates at the precise times. The gates may be closed
and opened
individually or in groups.
As shown in Figures 9-17 seed hoppers on air seeders have large seed chambers
with
sloping bases leading to a triangular cross section trough which extends
transversely across the
air seeder. The front of the trough is a heavy meter door with spaced
rectangular ports
throughout which seed passes to metering wheels. The metering wheels are
turned by a
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hexagonal shaft. Metering wheels have regular radial teeth between seed
holding recesses.
Double metering wheels have teeth which are angularly offset in pairs to meter
spaced seed. The
forward section of the seed cup is referred to as the down tube 26.
The invention utilizes gates that slide on the meter door 30 in a space
provided by the
removal of the original equipment plates. The meter door ports are closed,
partially opened or
fully opened by the sliding gates.Figure 2 shows one gate opening system 20
mounted on a
foreshortened heavy meter door 30 with ports 32 that are closed by the gates
56. Figure 2 shows
bracket legs 40, I-beam roller guides 42, triangular brackets 60, U-shaped
rotatable trunnion
support 74, an air cylinder 70 and ram 71 and bell crank 90.
The present invention replaces the bolts which separately secure each I-beam
roller guide
42 and seed cup 26 seed meter assembly 28 to the meter door 30 by each port 32
with longer
bolts 22 which hold legs 40 of a bracket against adjacent seed cup and seed
meter assemblies and
to the meter door. The legs underlie and further support sides of the seed cup
and seed meter
assemblies 28 (Figure 7).
The legs 40 are welded to roller guides for self-lubricating rollers 50
(Figure 7) The I-
beam roller guide 42 is used between two slide gate assemblies. The left and
right, C-channel
roller guides are used on ends or individual slide gate assemblies. The self-
lubricating rollers 50
are mounted on a gate tab 52 welded to the gate 56 (Figure 3) to insure easy
translation of the
gate. Triangular brackets 60 extend outward from the I-beam roller guides 42.
A head 72 of a double acting air cylinder 70 is attached to a U-shaped
trunnion mount 74,
which is rotatable on the ends 62 of the triangular brackets 60.
A second U-shaped mount 80, rotatable midway on the brackets, supports a bell
crank
lever 90 (Figure 7). The bell crank lever is connected at one end to a clevis
76 on the end of the
8

CA 02841515 2014-02-05
air cylinder ram 71. The second end of the bell crank 90 is connected
rotatable links 92
connected to the gate tab 52 that is welded to a gate 56. Pulling the ram 71
inward opens the
gate. Pushing the ram outward closes the gate.
Each gate is operated by a similar structure with legs, brackets, U-shaped
rotatable
mounts, a bell crank and rotatable links connected to a gate tab welded to the
gate.
The tractor operator simply drives the tractor. The field pattern control
microprocessor
and GPS system mounted on the tractor are connected to solenoids which operate
air valves that
operate the double acting air cylinders.
To control partial opening of the seed gates for different sizes of seed,
stops 97 of a
uniform selected length are manually spring clamped 98 (Figure 8) to the ram
shafts to limit the
pulling of the rams into the cylinders and thus to control the gate opening
travel.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the front and side of a air seeder. The
air seeder
100 has a frame 101 mounted on wheels 103 and carrying seed openers 105 in
front and rear
ranks 107, 109. A draw bar 110 tows the air seeder behind a tractor. Folding
cylinder rams 111
lift outer sections of the air seeder for transport. A GPS box 113 locates the
air seeder. A seed
hopper 115 provides seed through seed gates to seed meters, through the
venturi, through seed
distribution tubes and then to the seed openers.
Low pressure high volume air moves the spaced seed through the distribution
tubes. Y-
splitters in the distribution tubes supply seed to the front and rear seed
openers.
When it is necessary to temporarily stop seed flow through the seed meters and
seed
distribution tubes, seed gates adjacent to the seed meters are closed at
precise times and then
opened at precise times.
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High pressure, low volume air from air compressor 120 is delivered to valves
in the gate
control valve module 130 mounted at the front of the seed hopper 115.
Figure 10 is an enlarged view of Figure 9 showing the gate control valve
modules for the
seed metering gates. The GPS box 113 is shown in the foreground. Gate control
valve modules
130 are mounted in front of the seed hopper 115.
Figure 11 is an enlarged view of Figure 10 showing the gate control valve
modules. Each
gate control valve module 130 contains four valves 131. High pressure lines
133 from
compressor 120 supply high pressure air to the valves. Each valve 131 supplies
pressure through
line 135 or 137 to air cylinders to open or close seed gates. Electric
solenoids control the
positions of the valves. The solenoids are connected through electric lines to
the GPS box 103.
Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the air compressor for supplying the gate
control valve
modules. Figure 12 shows compressor 120 and high pressure tank 121 to supply
high pressure
air to the control valves 131.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the seed metering drive train partially
showing seed
distribution tubes and the air lines and drive cylinders for the seed metering
gates. Chain 141
and sprockets 143 drive the seed meter sprag clutches to rotate the seed meter
shafts in step.
Seed distribution tubes 145 extend from the seed meters to distribute seed to
Y-splitters and to
the seed openers.
Air cylinders 70 are served by lines 135 and 137 to open seed gates from the
seed hopper
to the seed meters when air is supplied to lines 135 and to close the gates
when air is supplied to
lines 137. Supplying air to lines 135 pulls the ram 71 into the cylinders to
open the gates.
Placing collars on the cylinder rams limits downward travel of the rams and
thereby limits

CA 02841515 2014-02-05
opening of the seed gates for smaller seed, for example canola and rape seed.
In case of
electrical failure the gates remain in open position.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the seed metering drive train partially
showing seed
distribution tubes and the air lines and drive cylinders for the seed metering
gates for one half of
the air seeder shown in Figure 9. An assembly 160 of air cylinders 70 is
mounted on brackets
74. Air cylinders 70 drive rams 71 and bell crank 90 to move self lubricating
rollers 50 down or
up in tracks. The wheels are on axles which extend through slots on gate tabs.
The gates slide
on roller guides 42.
Figure 15 is an enlarged view of part of one assembly of air cylinders for
operating seed
metering gates on the seed hopper leading to the seed distribution tubes.
Details of the air
cylinders 70 show their connections to triangular brackets 60. The devises 76
on upper ends of
the ram 71 connect the rod ends to bell crank 90.
Figure 16 is a side view of the seed metering gate driving cylinders in one
assembly.
Figure 17 is an opposite side view of the seed metering gate driving cylinders
in one assembly
shown in Figures 15 and 16.
While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments,
modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without
departing from the
scope of the invention.
11

Representative Drawing