BR102018016771B1 - PURGE SYSTEM FOR MULTI-VARIETY SEED METER - Google Patents

Abstract

PURGE SYSTEM FOR MULTI-VARIETY SEED METER. This is a purge system that is provided for a multi-variety seed meter of a multi-variety planter. The purge system includes seed return valves that may be arranged to receive seed that has been removed from the seed meter. Seed return valves return removed seed into the corresponding appropriate seed storage compartments to allow a new variety of seed to be delivered to the seed meter while reducing seed variety mixing in the seed meter. A pipe with a purge passage can extend from the seed meter to a purge hose that delivers the removed seed to the seed return valve (or valves). Each seed return valve can be a vacuum actuated piston air lock valve assembly with a corresponding valve plunger to define the release and seed collection states of the valve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention relates generally to planters, and in particular to planters for planting multiple types or varieties of seeds, and a purge system for a multiple variety seed meter that selectively removes seed from the seed meter to reduce mixing of different seed varieties when introducing a new seed variety into a seed meter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Modern farming practices strive to increase the yield of agricultural fields. Advances in planter technology allow for better agronomic characteristics at planting time, such as providing more accurate seed depth, improved seed depth uniformity across the planter, and improved row seed spacing accuracy. To reduce operating expenses, farm equipment is operated at relatively faster travel speeds, which reduces the amount of operating time needed to complete certain tasks. When operating equipment at faster travel speeds, it can be important to maintain the quality of operation and satisfactory agronomic characteristics that can be achieved when operating at relatively slower operating speeds. This can be particularly difficult to accomplish during planting, which requires exact spacing and precise seed depth placement in order to maintain a satisfactory seed environment. Additionally, a single field can lead to performance inconsistencies between different areas of the field. This is due to the fact that a field can have a wide variety of soil types and zones or management types, such as irrigated and non-irrigated zones in different areas. Seed companies have developed multiple varieties of each of their seed product types to optimize yields in these different areas. Different seed varieties offer improved performance characteristics for different soil types and management practices. Efforts have been made to plant multiple varieties of a particular seed product type in different areas of fields with different soil types or management zones. These efforts include planters that have different mass fill dispensers and require that the reservoir for each seed meter be completely cleaned or planted before a different variety of seed can be delivered to the seed meters. Some planters allow for planting two varieties and include auxiliary row units or two separate and distinct seed gauges in any row unit. Other planters allow the planting of multiple varieties by feeding seeds of different varieties into the seed meters at different times.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[003] The present invention relates to systems for planting row crops that allow you to cultivate or plant multiple varieties of seed while providing fast switching by facilitating the removal of seed from a seed meter with a purge system that removes most Start seeds in a seed meter reservoir before introducing a different type of seed to reduce variety mixing during a switchover case.

[004] According to one aspect of the invention, a purge system is provided for a multiple variety seed meter of a multiple variety planter. The purge system may include arranged seed return valves that receive seed removed from a seed meter through a purge passage. Return valves are configured to direct removed seed to an appropriate seed storage compartment. Each seed return valve can be a vacuum actuated piston air lock valve assembly with a corresponding valve plunger to define the release and seed collection states of the valve.

[005] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a purge system for a multiple variety seed meter for planting multiple varieties of seed in a single planting pass during row crop planting of an agricultural field. The multi-variety seed meter may include a seed meter housing disposed in a row unit of a planter. The seed meter housing defines a compartment that surrounds a housing cavity that can receive seed from a seed storage system to define an array of seeds. The purge system is configured to return a first seed variety from the seed pool to the seed storage system to allow a second seed variety to be introduced into the seed pool. The purge system may include a purge hose that carries the seed out of the seed cluster. A seed return valve can be disposed in the seed storage system and can receive the removed seed and deliver it to the seed storage system. A pneumatic system can provide pneumatic pressure that drives seed removed from the pipe to the seed return valve.

[006] According to another aspect of the invention, a pipe can extend into the housing cavity and deliver seed removed from the housing cavity to the purge hose. The pipe may be a selector pipe with at least one seed delivery passage for delivering seed into the seed array and at least one purge passage for removing seed from the seed array. Changing an angular position of the selector barrel can change between a seed delivery mode and a seed purge mode of the selector barrel.

[007] According to another aspect of the invention, the pneumatic system may include a pneumatic seed purge airflow system that provides vacuum pressure to drive seed removed from the barrel to the seed return valve.

[008] According to another aspect of the invention, the seed return valve may include a valve plunger that is movable between a first position for receiving the seed and a second position for releasing the seed. The seed return valve may include a valve housing arranged to communicate with the seed storage system. When the valve plunger is in the first position, it can set a seed collection position that prevents the flow of seed from the valve housing into the seed storage system. Also, when in the seed collection position, the valve plunger seals the air between the valve housing and the seed storage system so that vacuum pressure can build up inside the valve housing, and the seed storage system is vented to atmosphere. When the valve plunger is in the second position, it can set a seed release position that allows seed to flow from the valve housing into the seed storage system. The valve plunger may include a top plate which is movable by vacuum pressure for actuating the valve plunger within the valve housing. The top plate can be pierced with multiple openings that are configured to allow air to flow through while preventing seed from flowing through.

[009] According to another aspect of the invention, the seed return valve may include a valve housing that communicates with the seed storage system. The valve plunger may include a cone that is movable to selectively engage the valve housing. The cone can engage the valve housing when the valve spool is in the first position. This can set a seed collection position that prevents the flow of seed from the valve housing to the seed storage system and that also seals the air between the valve housing and the seed storage system so that the pressure Vacuum can build up inside the valve housing while the seed storage system remains vented to atmosphere. The cone can separate from the valve housing when the valve plunger is in the second position. This can set a seed release position that allows seed to flow from the valve housing into the seed storage system. The valve housing may include a valve seat and the valve plunger cone may engage with and separate from the valve seat to provide seed release and collection positions. The seed valve housing can be mounted on a manifold cover of a manifold within the seed storage system. The valve housing may include a lower collar that mounts to the distributor cap. A valve housing dome may extend from the bottom collar. At least part of the valve piston may be arranged for reciprocating movement in the dome.

[010] According to another aspect of the invention, the pneumatic seed purge airflow system may include a purge vacuum line operatively connected to the dome. The purge vacuum line can provide a vacuum airflow that removes air from the seed return valve dome to provide an inlet airflow of seed through the purge system.

[011] According to another aspect of the invention, the seed storage system may include a row storage system with multiple compartments arranged in each of the row units for separately storing different varieties of seed. A diverter duct system can be arranged to receive the removed seed and direct the removed seed into an appropriate compartment of the row storage system.

[012] According to another aspect of the invention, a multi-variety planter is provided for planting multiple varieties of seed in a single planting pass during row crop planting of an agricultural field. The planter includes a frame, seed storage compartments for storing different seed varieties, and row units. Each row unit can include a seed gauge to individualize the seed to be planted.

[013] A seed purge system selectively removes seed from the seed meter. The seed purge system may include a pipe that defines a purge passage for removing seed from the seed meter. A pneumatic seed purge airflow system can supply vacuum pressure to the barrel to drive seed removed from the seed meter towards the seed storage bins. Seed return valves can temporarily collect removed seed near a corresponding compartment (or compartments) seed return inlet and direct the removed seed into the corresponding seed storage compartment (or compartments) that store the variety (or varieties). ) particular seed. Each seed return valve can be a vacuum actuated piston air lock valve assembly. The air lock valve assembly may include a valve housing and a valve plunger that shifts within the valve housing to provide a seed collection position that allows seed to be collected in the valve housing, and a seed release that allows collected seed to be released from the valve housing and its seed storage compartment.

[014] Other aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to that version in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[015] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which similar reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the document. Figure 1 is a partially simplified schematic side elevational representation of a multi-variety seed meter planter with segmented feed pipe systems in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially simplified schematic side elevation representation of portions of the planter of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially simplified schematic pictorial view of the multivariate seed meter segmented feed pipe system of the planter of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an isometric view of portions of a multiple variety seed meter purge system of the planter of Figure 1; Figures 5 to 8 are cross-sectional views of portions of the purge system of Figure 4 in different operational states; Figures 9A-10D are cross-sectional views of various selector pipes of the multi-variety seed meter segmented feed pipe system of the planter of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a simplified schematic representation of a variant of the segmented feed pipe and purge systems; Figure 12 is a simplified schematic representation of another variant of segmented feed pipe and purge systems; Figure 13 is a simplified schematic representation of another variant of the purge and segmented feed pipe systems; Figure 14A is a simplified schematic representation of another variant of the purge and segmented feedpipe systems; Figure 15 is a partially simplified schematic side elevation of another variant of the purge and segmented feedpipe systems; and Figure 16 is a simplified representation of a prescription map shown on a multivariate planting trajectory map of a field.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ACHIEVEMENTS

[016] Referring now to the drawings and specifically to Figure 1, a multiple variety seed meter, shown here as seed meter 5, is incorporated into the planter 7, only part of which is shown. As shown in more detail elsewhere herein, a purge system selectively removes seed from a seed meter reservoir prior to introduction of a different variety to minimize variety mixing during a switchover case.

[017] Still referring to Figure 1, the planter 7 may be one of the EARLY RISER® series planters available from Case IH and is typically pulled by a traction device, such as a tractor, schematically represented as tractor 9. A frame 11 of planter 7 supports multiple row units 13, only one of which is shown, which are substantially identical. Each 13-row unit includes various support, measurement and ground engagement components. These may include a sub-frame which is connected to the frame 11 of the planter 7 via a parallel linkage system and furrow closing and opening mechanisms for rear and front ends of the row unit 13. The closing and opening mechanisms may include discs openers and closing discs, respectively, or other ground engaging tools for opening and closing a furrow. Each row unit 13 may include a gauge wheel configured to adjust furrow depth by limiting soil penetration of the furrow opening mechanism while creating the furrow, and a press wheel may be arranged to roll over the closed furrow and to additionally firm the soil over the seed to promote favorable seed-soil contact.

[018] Still referring to Figure 1, seed 17 is held in a seed storage system shown here as a row seed storage system 19. The seed storage system 19 has at least one row dispenser, as at least one row dispenser per row unit 13, shown here as row dispenser 21. The row dispenser 21 is shown with two compartments 23 separated by a partition shown as dividing wall 25, although it is understood that more than two 23 compartments can be provided, the number can correspond to the number of seed varieties that are used for multi-variety or multi-type planting. Additional compartments 23 can be provided in each of the row distributors 21 by additional dividing walls 25 or additional separate distributors. It is further understood that although the seed storage system 19 is shown here as a row storage system, it may instead be deployed as a central mass storage system with at least one filling dispenser in center mass away from row units. Such a central mass storage system can be configured to, for example, pneumatically drive seed from its central mass storage to the row units, which may include a row storage system with mini-distributors or other storage compartments in the central mass storage units. row. Regardless, the different compartments 23 can hold seed 17 of a different plant type or a common plant type, but different varieties such as Variety-A and Variety-B schematically shown as circles and triangles indicated by 17a, 17b for planting in different zones of variety or type of an agricultural field. Agricultural field type or variety zones may be defined at least in part by characteristics relating to at least one of the soil type and management type, or other characteristics such as low/high areas, weed problems, problems with insects, fungus problems, buffer zones in organic fields that are planted next to non-organic fields or others, which can be represented on a prescription map, as is known. Although two different seed varieties 17a, 17b are shown, it is understood that other seed variety numbers, such as a third variety such as C-Variety (not shown) or others, can be stored in and planted by the base planter 7, for example, in the number of compartments 23 in the seed storage system 19 for a particular planter 7. Although seed 17 may be described elsewhere herein as different types or varieties, it is understood that the description of the different types or Seed varieties include different hybrids or products. In other words, the different types or varieties of seed 17a, 17b of seed 17 include not only different hybrids or varieties of the same plant species, but also different seed products, including seeds of different species and coated and uncoated seeds, such as seeds coated without insecticide and coated with insecticide. The different seed products may also include refugium in a bag seed and non-refoule in a bag seed, seed resistant to pest plants and non-resistant seed to pest plants, such as cyst nematode resistant seed and non-parasite resistant seed. cyst nematodes, herbicide tolerant seed and herbicide non-tolerant seed or other different products. The different seed products may additionally include different seed crops such as maize, soybeans, oats and barley, different cover crops such as radishes and rye, or various combinations of these or other combinations.

[019] Still referring to Figure 1, the planter 7 includes pneumatic system 26 that provides pneumatic power for use by various components of the planter 7 through, for example, source (or sources) of positive air pressure and source (or sources) of vacuum to establish positive and/or vacuum pressures and corresponding air flows, depending on the particular configurations of the pneumatic system (or systems) in which they are incorporated. The source (or sources) of positive air pressure and source (or sources) of vacuum may be known pumps, fans, blowers and/or other known airflow system components and include fittings, piping and other components to interconnect components of pneumatic system 26 to each other and/or to components of other planter systems 7. Pneumatic system 26 includes a seed purge airflow system 27 and a seed meter airflow system 28. seed bleed air source 27 provides pneumatic power, such as vacuum pressure, which is used by a bleed system to remove seed 17 from seed meter 5, discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. For seed storage system central bulk fill dispenser deployments 19, a seed drive airflow system (not shown) can pneumatically deliver seed 17 from its central storage to row units 13 and different manifolds 17a, 17b can be selectively routed to corresponding compartments 23 through flow path selection mechanisms, such as gates or valves that select a particular hose or other routing passage for the particular compartment (or compartments) 23. The meter seed airflow system 28 provides negative and/or positive pressure for operation of seed meters 5 in row units 13, explained in more detail elsewhere herein.

[020] Referring now to Figure 2, each seed meter 5 can be a purely mechanical type or a pneumatic type seed meter 5 that receives a variety of selected seed 17a, 17b from the segmented feed pipe system 31 to perform the planting of a multiple variety row crop, which may include selectively removing a seed variety 17a, 17b from the seed meter 5 with the purge system 33. The seed variety 17a, 17b is delivered to or extracted from a collection of seeds as the seed cluster 35 within the seed gauge 5. The seed disk 37 is rotated through at least part of the seed cluster 35 to collect and individualize seeds using seed pockets or fingers in a seed collection region 39 The individual seeds are moved through the seed meter 5 for individual release through a seed delivery system 41, which may include a seed tube (not marked, but schematically shown in Figure 1), a seed delivery conveyor or other seed delivery mechanisms, to an agricultural field seed channel. The rotation of seed disc 37 is carried out by means of a seed disc drive system. The seed disk drive system may include, for example, various electric or hydraulic motors, drive shafts, chains and tracks, clutches, pin and hole drive systems, and/or other arrangements, such as a directly driven arrangement in which a motor directly drives the seed disk on its axis or periphery. Pneumatic seed gauges 5 of negative pressure types are additionally and operatively connected through a vacuum inlet to seed gauge air flow system 28 (Figure 1) of pneumatic system 26 (Figure 1) to provide an air flow vacuum inside a vacuum chamber which establishes a vacuum or negative pressure within the seed gauge 5 opposite the seed cluster 35 which allows the seeds 17 to be held against the seed disk 37 as well as within the seed pockets by pressure vacuum. The pneumatic seed gauges 5 of negative pressure types are operatively connected through a pressurized air inlet (not shown) to the seed gauge airflow system 28 (Figure 1) to provide a positive air flow and a positive pressure corresponding on the seed side of the seed disc 37 within the seed gauge 5, whereby the seeds of the seed cluster 35 are pushed and held against the seed disc 37, as within the seed pockets, by positive pressure.

[021] Still referring to Figure 2, the seed meter 5 includes a housing 43 with first and second covers or side portions. The covers or side portions connect to each other at their peripheries defined by respective circumferential side walls with the open ends facing each other to collectively define a compartment 45 that surrounds the housing cavity 47 in which the array of seeds 35 is defined and the seed disk 37 is at least partially arranged for rotation. Although the seed disk 37 is shown in Figure 2 as completely enclosed within the housing 43 and its housing cavity 47, it is understood that at least a portion of the seed disk 37 may extend outside of the housing 43 and its housing cavity. housing 47. Other components may be disposed within housing cavity 47, such as various seals that engage seed disk 37 to provide positive pressure isolation or vacuum shutoff, and a seed individualizer that is configured to inhibit more than one seed to be unloaded from seed meter 5 per seed unload event. A brush assembly can be disposed within housing cavity 47 to form a barrier which retains seed 17 within housing cavity 47 rather than, for example, spilling out of the meter through the seed delivery system. Reservoir inlet 49 extends through housing 43, which allows access to housing cavity 47 to deliver seed 17 into seed cluster 35.

[022] Referring now to Figure 3, the segmented feed pipe system 31 is configured to deliver a variety of selective seed 17a, 17b (Figure 2) through the reservoir inlet 49 into the seed array 35 (Figure 2). The segmented feed pipe system 31 may define a concentrically recessed arrangement of a receiver housing, such as an outer receiver pipe or sleeve and an inner selector pipe. The outer sleeve is shown here as sleeve 51 which may be formed as an integral part of the seed meter housing or it may be a separate component which is connected to the seed meter housing. Sleeve 51 includes sleeve body 53 having inlet end 55 and outlet end 57. Inlet end 55 of sleeve body 53 is disposed outside of seed meter housing 43 and outlet end 57 is disposed inside. of housing cavity 47. Sleeve 51 is shown here in a tubular configuration with circumferential sidewall 59 and collar 61, shown here with a cutout 63 that provides a groove through collar 61 and sleeve 51. Sleeve inlet ports 65a, 65b provide openings through the circumferential side wall 59 of sleeve 51 through which the seed variety 17a, 17b can selectively flow into the segmented feed pipe system 31. Figure 2 shows compartment outlets 23 extending angularly from the dispenser 21 and overlapping part of the sleeve 51 (Figure 3) with sleeve inlet ports 65a, 65b (Figure 3) to deliver seed 17 into the segmented feed pipe system 31. Again in reference 3, the number of sleeve inlet ports 65a, 65b may correspond to the number of seed varieties 17a, 17b selectively used with the seed meter 5. The sleeve outlet port 67 defines a pipe system outlet of segmented feed 31 providing an opening through circumferential side wall 59 of sleeve 51. Sleeve outlet port 67 is shown here which also extends through a bottom wall of sleeve 51 and defines reservoir inlet 49. reservoir inlet port 68 may be provided and arranged to selectively cover or uncover sleeve outlet port 67 to close or open reservoir inlet 49. An actuator (not shown), which may be an electromechanical actuator, as a base solenoid or other linear actuator or a stepper or other motor such as a rotary actuator, can move reservoir inlet port 68 longitudinally along or rotate about sleeve 51 to selectively close and open reservoir inlet 49.

[023] Still referring to Figure 3, a feed pipe or internal selector pipe shown as the selector pipe 71 which is configured to concentrically and rotatably nest within the sleeve 51 and has various openings and passages that allow the selector pipe 71 to selectively deliver different varieties of seed 17a, 17b into seed meter 5 through sleeve 51. Selector barrel 71 has a tubular configuration and includes selector barrel body 73 with opposing inlet and outlet ends 75, 77. Opposing outlets 75, 77 of selector barrel body 73 are respectively disposed concentrically within the inlet and outlet ends 55, 57 of sleeve 51. Selector barrel 71 is shown here with circumferential sidewall 79 extending over inner selector barrel 81 The selector pipe inlet ports 85a, 85b provide openings through the circumferential side wall 79 through which the seed variety 17a, 17b can flow into the segmented feed pipe system 31 when selectively aligned with a respective selection port. sleeve entry 65a, 65b. The number of selector pipe input ports 85a, 85b may correspond to the number of seed varieties 17a, 17b selectively used with the seed meter 5. The selector pipe output ports 87a, 87b selectively align with the selector pipe output port. sleeve 67 to allow a particular seed variety 17a, 17b to flow through the reservoir inlet 49 and deliver the seed to the seed meter 5. In this way, the selector pipe 71 and its output ports 87a, 87b provide a feed that can be rotated to align a variety output (or outputs) to present a selected seed variety to a seed collection region within the seed meter.

[024] Still referring to Figure 3, the output and input ports of the selector pipe 85a, 85b, 87a, 87b are respectively connected to each other with seed delivery passages of the selector pipe 91a, 91b that are defined with the selector pipe interior 81, separated by the interconnected sorter pipe divider walls 93. The sorter pipe seed purge passages 95a, 95b are also defined between the interconnected selector pipe divider walls 93 to remove seed from the seed meter 5, explained in more detail anywhere in this document. The selector barrel seed delivery and purge passages 91a, 91b, 95a, 95b extend longitudinally along the length of the selector barrel 71 and are shown here arranged in an reciprocating pattern over the quadrants in cross-section of the selector barrel 71.

[025] Still referring to Figure 3, each of the selector pipe seed delivery passages 91a, 91b is shown connected at its inner end by the inner wall 97 that can cover the sleeve outlet end inner wall cutout 57 when the selector barrel outlet port 87a, 87b is aligned with the sleeve outlet port 67, thereby the reservoir inlet 49 as shown. Each of the selector pipe seed delivery passages 91a, 91b may have a sloped bottom wall 99 (shown in seed delivery passage 91b) that provides a ramped surface that directs seed away from the respective pipe exit port. selector 87a, 87b through reservoir inlet 49 and into seed cluster 35 (Figure 2). Each of the selector barrel seed purge passages 95a, 95b is shown with an opening end that defines a purge opening 101a, 101b that aligns with the sleeve outlet end inner wall cutout 57. This allows for removal. of seed from the seed array 35 (Figure 2) through a purge port 101a, 101b and corresponding selector pipe seed purge passage 95a, 95b when the selector pipe 71 is in a position where the pipe outlet ports selector 87a, 87b are misaligned with the sleeve outlet port 67, thus the reservoir inlet 49 is in a closed state with a solid portion of the circumferential side wall of the sleeve 79 blocking the reservoir inlet 49.

[026] Still referring to Figure 3, the seed diverter system 103 is configured to actuate the segmented feed pipe system 31 to deliver the seed to or remove the seed from the seed meter 5. The seed diverter system 103 is shown here with diverter 105 that is attached to the inlet end of selector barrel 75 to reposition selector barrel 71 within housing sleeve 51.

[027] Still referring to Figure 3, the diverter 105 includes diverter body 107 with a circumferential sidewall 109, inner end face 111 that faces the seed meter 5, and outer end face 113 that faces the counter direction of the seed meter 5. The diverter 105 is shown here having a similar hollow container configuration of diverter body 107 with a diverter cavity 115 which is defined as an empty space between the circumferential sidewall 109 and inner end faces and outer end face 111, 113. Bungs 117 provide raised projections extending from inner end face 111 and have perimeter shapes that correspond to those of the selector barrel seed delivery passage openings 91a, 91b at the inlet end of selector barrel 75, as generally triangular segments with a curved outer wall. Bungs 117 nest in seed delivery passages of selector barrel 91a, 91b so that respective surfaces of diverter 105 and selector barrel 71 engage with each other to lock diverter 105 and selector barrel 71 to move in synchrony with each other . Vacuum inlet ports, such as diverter body inlet ports 119, align with selector pipe bleed passages 95a, 95b and are configured to fluidly connect pipe bleed passages 95a, 95b to the rest of the purge system 33 for selectively removing seed from seed meter 5 through pipe purge passage(s) 95a, 95b and corresponding diverter body inlet port(s) 119 into diverter cavity 115. diverter pipe 121 is shown here with an outlet collar 123 extending longitudinally from outer end face 113 and receiving gasket 125 to provide a sealed connection between diverter 105 and a pipe, which is shown here as purge pipe pipe 127.

[028] Still referring to Figure 3, the purge tube piping 127 includes purge tube piping body 129 with rear wall 131 and circumferential side wall 133 extending from the perimeter of rear wall 131, around an empty space shown as the purge tube piping cavity 135. The open side 137 is the opposite rear wall 131 and is configured to receive and retain the diverter 105 so that the diverter 105 can rotate within the purge tube piping 127 to selectively align and fluidly connect the diverter outlet 121 with one of a pair of purge tube piping outlets 139 that provide passages through collars that extend outwardly beyond the rear wall 131. The bleed hoses 141a, 141b are connected to collars of purge tube piping outlets 139 and extend from purge tube piping 127 to compartments 23 (Figure 2) of row dispenser 21 (Figure 2) for returning seed varieties 17a , 17b (Figure 2) to the respective compartment (or compartments) 23 (Figure 2).

[029] Still referring to Figure 3, the diverter drive system 145 is configured to actuate various components of the segmented feed pipe system 31 to deliver a particular seed variety 17a, 17b (Figure 2) and/or remove a particular seed variety 17a, 17b (Figure 2) of the seed meter 5. The derailleur drive system 145 includes an actuator, shown here as a motor 147 with an output shaft that rotates a gear to the drive belt 149 that rotates a gear or toothed surface 151 of diverter 105 extending through or accessible through cutout 63 of sleeve collar 61. This rotates diverter 105 and selector barrel 71 relative to sleeve 51 to selectively deliver a variety of seed 17a , 17b in the seed meter 5 or remove a variety of seed 17a, 17b from the seed meter 5 by lining up the corresponding selector pipe outlet port (or ports) 87a, 87b or purge opening (or openings) 101a, 101b with sleeve outlet port 67 and reservoir inlet 49. It is understood that the derailleur drive system 145 may actuate the segmented feed pipe system components 31 in other ways, such as directly driving the rotation of the derailleur 105 through interlocking gears or the like in order to selectively align corresponding component portions to allow selective flow of seed 17 (Figure 2) through a particular selector pipe seed delivery passage 91a, 91b or purge passage 95a, 95b. In the arrangement shown in Figure 3, the diverter drive system 145 can rotate the selector barrel 71 in 90° degree increments to provide four distinct positions of which its are bleed positions and two are blocked or outlet collar no bleed positions. of diverter body 123 and provide seed delivery positions. The four positions include two purge positions that are angularly spaced 180 degrees apart that align the outlet collar 123 with the purge hose 141a and the purge hose 141b and their piping outlets 139 for purging respectively seed varieties 17a , 17b. The two no-bleed positions are defined by outlet collar positions 123 that are angularly spaced 180 degrees apart and align outlet collar 123 with different pipe body back wall portions 131 between pipe outlets 139, which can block the vacuum airflow through diverter system 103. These non-bleed positions are seed delivery positions that allow seed to flow through selector pipe 71 toward seed meter 5. The particular amount of diverter rotation 105 and selector pipe 71 for delivering a new seed variety or purging a previous seed variety is based on the configuration of the selector pipe 71, such as the number and location of purge passes and seed delivery, with other variations described in more detail elsewhere. part of this document.

[030] Referring now to Figure 4, the purge system 33 includes seed return valves 155 that are arranged between the seed storage system 19 and purge hoses 141a, 141b to direct seeds removed from the seed meter 5 ( Figure 2) into seed storage system 19. Each seed return valve 155 is configured to temporarily retain seed 17 (Figure 2) that is removed from seed meter 5 (Figure 2) until it is released into the compartments 23 (Figure 2) from distributor 21 (Figure 2).

[031] Still referring to Figure 4, the seed return valves 155 can be air lock valve assemblies 157 and are shown here as vacuum actuated piston air lock valve assemblies, although it is understood that air lock valve assemblies can be other types of air lock valve assemblies. It is further understood that the seed return valves 155 can be other valves such as hinged ports, rubber flaps, or ports actively controlled by a pneumatic cylinder or linear actuator. Each of the piston air lock valve assemblies 157 includes valve housing 159 with bottom collar 161 shown attached to row manifold cover 163 21 and dome 165 extending upwardly from collar 161. Valve housing 159 has an inner housing defined by inner collar 167 within collar 161 and inner dome 169 within dome 165. Each piston air lock valve assembly 157 includes valve plunger 171 that moves within valve housing 159, shown with reciprocating motion, to control the flow of seed purge towards seed storage system 19. Purge vacuum line 173 is shown with two elbows 175 attached to the top of domes 165 to draw air from valve housing 159 by pressure from the seed purge airflow system 27 (Figure 1) which is operatively connected to the purge vacuum line 173. Instead of a common purge vacuum line 173, a separate purge vacuum line 173 can attach to each valve housing 159. Activation of the seed purge airflow system 27 (Figure 1) to create vacuum pressure and push air through the purge vacuum line 173 creates valve plunger movement 171 within valve housing 159 to control movement of seed out of seed meter 5 (Figure 1), which may additionally require a particular selector barrel position 71 (Figure 3), depending on the configuration of selector barrel 71 to activate a purge mode.

[032] Still referring to Figure 4, the valve piston 171 can define piston body 177 that includes upper plate 179, shown here as a perforated plate. Apertures through perforated top plate 179 provide intentional leakage through top plate 179, which allows air to flow therethrough as pushed by vacuum pressure in purge vacuum line 173, while providing sufficient surface area to react with the vacuum air flow to push the valve piston 171 up the valve housing 159. The intermediate stem 181 extends vertically and connects the upper plate 179 to the lower cone 183 of the valve piston 171. The cone 183 has a surface tapered outer surface that engages a corresponding tapered inner surface of valve base 185 defined by a tapered transition between collar 161 and dome 165 of valve housing 159 to seal the lower portion of valve plunger 171 against valve housing 159 which prevents seeds from falling off valve plunger 171 through opening 187 in dispenser cap 163 and compartments 23 (Figure 2) of dispenser 21 (Figure 2). In addition, upward movement of valve piston 171 in valve housing 159 shuts off any significant amount of air flow between compartment (or compartments) 23 and interior dome (or domes) 169. This allows the vacuum pressure to is applied to the purge hoses 141a, 141b to remove seed from the seed meter 5 instead of flowing freely through the manifold, which would push any seed through the purge hoses 141a, 141b if the valve plunger 171 does not seal against or engage the valve housing 159. Valve base 185 may be defined by other valve housing 159 and valve plunger 171 engaging surfaces, such as a shoulder or an inner circumferential surface toward the dome bottom 165 that engages an outer perimeter of a lower cone portion 183. Vertical movement of valve plunger 171 is limited at the top by an upper wall 189 of dome 165 and at the bottom by stop bar 191 extending transversely through opening 187 in distributor cap 163. Transverse movement of valve plunger 171 is limited by guide rod 193 which extends concentrically through a longitudinal bore which extends axially through valve plunger 171.

[033] Referring now to Figures 5 to 6, the piston movement restrictions provided by the upper dome wall 189, stop bar 191 (Figure 4), and guide rod 193 (Figure 4) allow the valve piston to 171 translates vertically in an axial direction up and down within valve housing 159 between a recessed seed release position (Figure 5) and an elevated seed collection position (Figure 6). Referring now to Figure 5, the seed release position of valve plunger 171 defines its resting state position, which can be reached when no vacuum is applied through purge vacuum line 173 and valve plunger 171 rests. at stop bar 191 (Figure 4). A seed release passage, shown as an angled or angled span seed release passage 195, is defined between the cone 183 and the valve housing 159, through which seed 17 (Figure 2), removed from the seed meter, seed 5 (Figure 2), can be reintroduced into compartments 23 (Figure 2) of dispenser 21 (Figure 2). Referring now to Figure 6, the seed collection position of valve ram 171 defines its active purge state position, which can be reached when vacuum is applied through bleed vacuum line 173 and valve ram 171 is pushed up in the opposite direction from stop bar 191 (Figure 4) to dome top wall 189. In this state, seed release passage 195 (Figure 5) is closed by engagement of valve plunger 171 and valve housing. valve 159 so that the seed 17 (Figure 2) is unable to flow out of the seed return valves 155 and the entry of air flow into the seed return valves 155 of the compartments 23 is limited. 5 to 6, the valve housing 159 has a valve housing purge inlet 197 to which the respective purge hose (or hoses) 141a, 141b connects to receive seed 17 (Figure 2) which is removed from the meter 5. Valve housing purge inlet 197 extends from a dome sidewall 165 at a position that is below top plate 179 when valve plunger 171 is in its rest state or seed release position recessed (Figure 5) and above a lower edge of cone 183 when in its active purge elevated seed collection position (Figure 6).

[034] Referring now to Figures 7 to 8, collecting the removed seed 17 (Figure 2) and reintroducing the removed seed 17 (Figure 2) into storage are shown with seed variety 17a as the deactivated variety that is removed, collected and stored in its respective compartment 23 of dispenser 21. During collection, as shown in Figure 7, the seed variety 17a is pneumatically run from seed meter 5 (Figure 2) through purge hose 141a. This is done by vacuum pressure pushing air out of the purge vacuum line 173. Air is pushed through the valve spool top plate openings 179, which also raises the valve spool 171 to its collection position. high seed. This also pushes air through valve housing bleed inlet 197 and bleed hose 141a. Since the openings in the valve piston top plate 179 are large enough to allow air to flow through the top plate 179, but small enough to prevent seed 17 from flowing through the top plate 179, the seed 17a that is entrained in the vacuum air flow is collected in the seed return valve 155, shown here collected in the dome 165 while the bottom of the cone valve plunger 183 is sealed against the valve housing 159 as oriented upwardly by the vacuum pressure. Referring again to Figure 2, when the seed 17 in the seed cluster 35 has been sufficiently removed then the next seed variety 17b can be introduced into the seed meter 5. The seed quantity or seed cluster level can be determined by a sensor, such as seed level sensor 199, which operatively communicates with control system 201, which can be used to determine when the seed level has been reduced to an acceptably low level, or a determination of an acceptably low seed level can be based on predicted algorithms based on seed type and planting rate. Referring again to Figures 7 to 8, when it is time to release the seed from the seed return valve 155 for reintroduction into the compartment 23 of the manifold 21, the control system 201 (Figure 2) can coordinate the release of seed from the valve seed return 155 in compartment 23 with the determination of the acceptably low seed level in the seed meter 5. This can be done by stopping the vacuum air flow through the purge vacuum line 173 when the acceptably low seed level of seed meter 5 is determined. Stopping vacuum air flow through bleed vacuum line 173 eliminates the vacuum pressure holding valve plunger 171 in its elevated seed collection position. As shown in Figure 8, this causes the valve plunger 171 to drop into its resting state or seed release position, which allows the seed 17 to fall between the valve and plunger housing 159, 171 and into the seed compartment 23. distributor 21. Coordination of these seed reintroduction and seed purge cases with seed delivery cases at the seed meter 5 is done with the control system 201 (Figure 2).

[035] Again referring to Figure 2, the control system 201 includes tractor control system 203 and planter control system 205 that operationally communicate with each other, for example, through an ISOBUS connection, to coordinate controls of tractor 9 (Figure 1) and planter 7 (Figure 1), which includes which variety (or varieties) of seed 17a, 17b is delivered, based on the variety zones or Variety-A, Variety-B or other of the field agricultural. The Variety-A, Variety-B variety zones may correspond to a seed type or PM variety prescription map as schematically represented in the trajectory map shown in Figure 16. The tractor control system 203 is shown having a tractor 207 and power supply 209, and planter control system 205 is shown having a planter controller 211 and power supply 213. Further referring to Figure 2 and prior to Figure 1, each of the planter controllers and tractor 207, 211 may include an industrial computer or, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC), together with suitable memory and corresponding software for storing such software and hardware, which includes interconnecting conductors for transmitting signal and power to control respective electronic, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components of the tractor 9 and planter 7. The tractor controller 207 is configured to control the functions of the tractor 9 by control, for example, steering, speed, braking, displacement, and other tractor operations , which may include controlling various GPS steering related systems or other GPS related systems, transmission, engine, hydraulic and/or other systems of the tractor 9. A tractor interface system is operatively connected to the tractor controller 207 and includes a display and various input devices to allow an operator to view situations and control various tractor operations 9 from within the tractor cab 9. The tractor interface system may be a MultiControl Armrest™ console available for use with the Case IH's Maxxum™ series tractors. The controller 211 is configured to control planter 7 functions by controlling, for example, transporting product along planter 7, selecting seed variety delivery 17 and delivering seed out of planter 7 to the field. This may include controlling the positive pressure and vacuum pumps and/or other vacuum sources, as well as the fans, blowers, actuators and other components of any seed transport system (or systems) and meter airflow systems. seed and seed purge 27, 28, as well as controlling other seed meter features 5 such as adjusting individualizer and baffle settings by controlling corresponding solenoids, stepper motors, or the like. The planter controller 211 also controls the segmented feed pipe system 31 and the purge system 33 by picking up various status and delivery control signals to automatically control the variety of seed that is in and delivered to the seed cluster 35 by controlling the seed purge airflow system 27, which includes airflow through the purge vacuum line 173, as well as controlling the diverter drive system 145, reservoir inlet port 68, and/or others actuators or components controllable with the segmented supply pipe system 31, purge system 33 and storage system 19, based on the Variety-A, Variety-B or Variety-B zones in the prescription map schematically represented in the trajectory map of the Figure 16. In use, the control system 201 can determine planter position, speed, orientation and/or other motion characteristics by monitoring tractor position and movement through the tractor controller 207. The tractor controller 207 it can evaluate, for example, a speed input signal from a tractor speed sensor together with a GPS signal or data from the tractor GPS against the prescription map. Using such evaluations, the control system 201 determines which row units 13 would plant which variety (or varieties) of seed 17a, 17b and when they would achieve such multi-seed variety planting. The planter controller 211 directs the delivery of the appropriate seed variety to the seed meter 5 through manipulation of the selector barrel 71, which may include removing a disabled variety of seed from the seed meter 5 with the purge system 33, to plant the specific varieties in the specific locations. The particular manner in which the control system 201 directs the switching between seed varieties, including controlling the segmented feed pipe system 31 and/or purge system 33 to selectively define the inlet and/or purge paths through the respective systems, also depends on the particular system and component configurations.

[036] Referring generally to Figures 9A to 9G and 10A to 10D, cross sections of several different configurations of selector barrel 71, with different numbers of purge passages and seed delivery and different exemplary arrangements in relation to each other, are shown . Figure 9A shows a selector pipe configuration 71 without a purge passage and instead two seed delivery passages 91a, 91b to deliver two seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2) and which are separated by a single dividing wall of selector pipe 93. Figures 9B to 9C show selector pipe configurations 71 with three passages separated by three wall segments or divider walls 93. Figure 9B shows selector pipe 71 with a single purge passage 95 and two delivery passages. seed 91A, 91B to deliver two seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2) into the seed meter 5 (Figure 2). Figure 9C shows the selector barrel 71 without a purge pass and instead of three seed delivery passes 91A, 91B, 91C to deliver three seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2), 17c (not shown) into the seed 5 (Figure 2).

[037] Referring now to Figures 9D-9F, each selector pipe body 73 has four passages in which all of its passages are separated by four divider wall segments or two crossing selector pipe divider walls 93. Figure 9D shows a selector pipe configuration 71 like that of Figure 3, with selector pipe seed delivery passages 91a, 91b arranged diagonally to each other and selector pipe purge passages 95a, 95b arranged diagonally to each other, as an alternating arrangement of selection passages. purge and seed delivery from selector pipe. Figure 9E shows a selector pipe configuration 71 with a single purge passage 95 and three seed delivery passages 91A, 91B, 91C, for delivering three seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2), 17c (not shown) into the seed meter 5 (Figure 2). Figure 9F shows a selector pipe configuration 71 without a purge pass and instead four seed delivery passes 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D to deliver four seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2), 17c, 17d ( not shown) in seed meter 5 (Figure 2). Figure 9G shows a selector pipe configuration 71 with six wall segments or three crossing divider walls 93 between which six passages are defined. The six passes are shown here as three seed delivery passes 91a, 91b, 91c, which are arranged in an alternating pattern with three purge passes 95a, 95b, 95c to deliver and remove three seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2 ), 17c (not shown).

[038] Referring now to Figures 10A-10D, each selector barrel 71 is shown with a central purge passageway defined within a circumferential divider wall 93a that is concentrically surrounded by multiple seed delivery passageways. Figure 10A shows the selector barrel 71 with two seed delivery passages 91a, 91b that together define an annular seed delivery passage region of the selector barrel 71 that is outside a central seed purge region. Figure 10B shows three outer seed delivery passages 91a, 91b, 91c with the third passage 91c shown blank or unmarked for the seed variety. Third passage 91c may be capped or capped to define a capped passage through which material cannot flow, although it is understood that third passage 91c may deliver a third variety of seed 17c (unmarked) to seed meter 5 (Figure 2). Figure 10C shows four outer seed delivery passages 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d with the first and second seed delivery passages 91a, 91b arranged relative to each other to deliver the first and second seed varieties 17a, 17b (Figure 2) on seed meter 5 (Figure 2). The third and fourth seed delivery passes are shown stacked against each other and blank or unmarked for the seed variety. These third and fourth passages 91c, 91d may be capped or capped to define capped passages through which material cannot flow, although it is understood that the third and fourth passages 91c, 91d may deliver the third and fourth varieties of seed 17c, 17d (not shown) for seed gauge 5 (Figure 2). Figure 10D shows six outer seed delivery passages 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91e, 91f arranged concentrically outward from central purge passage 95 to deliver six varieties of seed 17a, 17b (Figure 2), 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f (not shown) in seed meter 5.

[039] Again referring generally to Figures 9A to 9G and 10a to 10d, cases of switching and preparation of switching may differ based on the particular configuration of the selector pipe 71. When the selector pipe 71 does not have purge passages such as those shown in Figures 9A, 9C and 9F, or the sections or passageways capped, therefore, initial switch preparation may include moving reservoir inlet port 68 (Figure 3) close to reservoir inlet 49 (Figure 3) in order to of planting at least some remaining seed 17 (Figure 2) from the seed cluster 35 (Figure 2) before actively switching to a different seed variety. When the selector pipe 71 has purge passages, such as those shown in Figures 9B, 9D-9E, 9G and 10A to 10D, then the initial switchover preparation may also include moving the reservoir inlet port 68 (Figure 3) to close to the reservoir inlet 49 to stop delivery of the current seed variety while accelerating the initial switchover preparation by removing the seeds from the seed cluster 35 (Figure 2) and pneumatically returning the removed seeds to the storage system 19 (Figure 1 ) through purge system 33.

[040] Referring now to Figures 11 to 15, these purge systems 33 are variations of those shown in Figures 2 to 3. Referring now to the simplified schematic representation of Figure 11, the segmented feed pipe system 31 and the seed diverter 103 are individually activatable to separately control seed delivery and removal trajectories to and from seed meter 5. This can be done by rotating selector barrel 71 with its own selector barrel drive system 215 which is substantially the same to the derailleur drive system 145. The selector barrel drive system 215 drives the rotation of the selector barrel 71 independently of the derailleur rotation 105 made through the derailleur drive system 145. The derailleur 105 in Figure 11 has no toggles. interlock 117, such as those shown in Figure 3, so that the selector barrel 71 and diverter 105 can rotate freely relative to each other, as controlled by their respective shifter barrel and diverter drive systems 215, 145. the use of a single purge pass or shared purge passes so that any variety of seed that is removed from the seed meter 5 can, for example, flow into a single space of the diverter cavity 115 (Figure 3) and be directed to the correct compartment 23 for the particular seed variety 17a, 17b, 17c by turning the diverter 105 into the purge tube pipeline 127.

[041] Referring now to Figures 12 to 13, these purge systems 33 have a non-selectable or fixed piping arrangement, without diverter 105 between selector pipe 71 and purge pipe piping 127, and with a single purge hose 141 The single purge hose 141 directs the seed 17 removed from the seed meter 5 into the bypass duct system 217 which selectively delivers the seed 17 into a particular appropriate compartment corresponding to the variety of seed 17a, 17b, 17c which is removed from the meter 5. Referring to Figure 12, the diverter duct system 217 is shown mounted to seed return inlets 219, shown here defined by valve housing purge inlets 197 of piston air lock valve assemblies 157 Seed return valves can be defined by seed return inlet ports 221, which provide ports that are moved between open and closed positions by actuators controlled by control system 201 (Figure 2) and are disposed within the system bypass duct 217 to selectively define seed flow paths to the piston air lock valve assemblies 157 that feed the appropriate compartment 23 for the particular seed variety 17a, 17b, 17c. As shown in Figure 12, the piston air lock valve assembly 157 that is furthest from the purge hose 141 does not need a seed return inlet port 221. Closing the remaining seed return inlet ports 221 allows the seed variety 17a to flow through the compartments 23 for the seed varieties 17b, 17c and into the compartment holding the seed variety 17a through its piston air lock valve assembly 157. The left port opening seed return inlet port 221 and closing of the right seed return inlet door 221 allow seed variety 17b to flow through compartment 23 to seed variety 17c and into the compartment holding seed variety 17b through its piston air block valve assembly 157. Opening the right seed return inlet port 221 allows the seed variety 17c to flow into the compartment holding the seed variety 17c through its block valve assembly piston air lock valve assemblies 157. When piston air lock valve assemblies 157 are deployed, valve plunger 171 (Figure 4) can control the flow of seed from valve assembly 157 into compartment 23. Seed into compartments 23 can also be done with compartment entry ports 223 which provide ports that are moved between open and closed positions by actuators controlled by control system 201 (Figure 2). Similar to the valve plunger 171 of the piston versions of air lock valve assembly 157, the compartment inlet port (or ports) 223 on the air lock valve assembly 157 shown in Figure 12 also limits inlet flow. of air into the valve assembly 157 of the compartments 23. In this way, the inlet ports 223 shut off any significant amount of air flow between the compartments 23 and the air lock valve assemblies 157 to prevent the seed from being pushed out. of the compartments 23 and, instead of ensuring that the seed is pushed out of the seed meter 5. Figure 13 shows a purge system 33 that differs from that shown in Figure 12 due to the fact that the purge system 33 in Figure 13 does not have purge vacuum line 173 or piston air lock valve assemblies 157. Instead of using vacuum pressure pushed upstream of compartments 23, purge system 33 of Figure 13 includes an in-line pneumatic conveyor 225 disposed in the bleed hose 141, between the bleed tube piping 127 and the bypass duct system 217. The pneumatic conveyor 225 is driven by compressed air from an air compressor which may be part of a pressure relief system. air and/or seed driving airflow system to create vacuum pressure upstream of conveyor 225 within segmented feed pipe system 31 to pneumatically remove seed from seed gauge 5 and positive pressure downstream of conveyor 225 to pneumatically pull the removed seed towards compartments 23 for storage.

[042] Referring now to Figures 14 to 15, the purge systems 33 are shown without purge pipe piping 127 (Figures 12 to 13). The purge system 33 of Figure 14 has a dedicated common purge hose 141 with ports 221 that can be actuated by the control system 201 to select the compartment 23 to which the seed 17 returns. The ports 21 are shown here disposed within the diverter duct system 217 which may be attached to the common purge hose 141, which removes seed from the reservoir or seed pool and directs the removed seed to the compartments 23 without flowing through the seed collection system. segmented feed pipe 31. The purge system 33 of Figure 15 has a dedicated purge hose 141a, 141b for each variety of seed 17a, 17b that connects directly to and receives seed through purge ports 227a, 227b of sleeve 51 instead of a purge tube line 127 (Figures 12 to 13). The bleed ports 227a, 227b are longitudinally spaced from one another along the sleeve 51 and selectively align with longitudinally and radially spaced bleed selector pipe openings 71 so that the bleed ports and bleed ports 227a, 227b operate similarly to the bleed ports 227a, 227b. sleeve inlet ports 65a, 65b (Figure 3) and selector barrel inlet ports 85a, 85b (Figure 3), just to remove the seed from the seed meter 5 instead of delivering the seed into the seed meter 5.

[043] Instead of removing seed with purge system 33, seed switching can be provided by a switching strategy that minimizes mixing during controlled seed introduction into seed meter 5. This can include using the seed port 5. reservoir inlet 68 to stop the introduction of seed in the seed meter 5 in the preparation of the rotation selector pipe and/or active switching 71 for an inert or covered section that does not allow the passage of seed.

[044] With general reference to Figures 2 to 3 and with additional reference to Figure 16, an example of a control system 201 (Figure 2) that commands seed switching with purge or seed removal with two seed varieties 17a, 17b , in the field with two zones of variety can occur as follows. Referring now to Figure 16, a trajectory map is shown with a simplified schematic representation of a field prescription map 301 showing the two zones of Variety-A and Variety-B respectively shown as zones 303 and 305 for receiving the two different seed varieties 17a, 17b. Tractor 9 (Figure 1) and planter 7 (Figure 1) travel along path 311 through field 301 while traveling through Variety-A zone (or zones) 303 and Variety-B zone (or zones) 305 The seed variety switch cases are shown as circles marked as switch cases 313. As shown in Figure 16, initially, steady-state planting of seed variety 17a occurs until reaching the first seed switch case 313 for change the planting of variety 17b. As the initial preparations for switching, such as when the planter 7 (Figure 7) is a predetermined time or distance from the first case to be encountered of seed switching 313, control system 201 (Figure 2) can command the closing of the entrance door of reservoir 68 (Figure 3) to block further release of seed variety 17a, through reservoir inlet 49 (Figure 3) and/or may include energizing the motor diverter drive system 147 (Figure 3) to rotate the diverter 105 and selector barrel 71 (Figure 3) to cover sleeve outlet port 67 (Figure 3) and inlet ports 65a, 65b (Figure 3). Control system 201 can command the removal of at least some deactivated seed 17a from the seed cluster 35 (Figure 2) of seed meter 5 (Figure 2). This may include further rotating the selector barrel 71 (Figure 3) to align the diverter cap outlet collar 123 (Figure 3) with the purge tube piping outlet 139 associated with the purge hose 141a. This also moves the purge opening 101a into a position to remove the deactivated variety of seed 17a from the seed cluster 35 and transport the removed seed through the purge passage 95a into its purge hose 141a. The removed seed variety 17a can then be collected at the seed return valves and released back into the compartment 23 with seed variety 17a, as shown in and described in relation to Figures 7 to 8. The control system 201 commands further rotating selector barrel 71 to align barrel inlet port 85b (Figure 3) with sleeve inlet port 65b (Figure 3). This allows the seed variety 17b to flow through the seed delivery passage from the selector pipe 91b (Figure 2) into the seed meter 5. In the next seed switching case 313 which corresponds to the output of the Variety-B zone 305 and re-entry of the Variety-A zone 305, the control system 201 commands the switch from seed variety 17b back to seed variety 17a in the same manner as described in connection with the initial switch from seed variety 17a to seed variety 17a 17b, starting only with seed variety 17b as the retired variety to be stopped and removed. The process is repeated in this manner during planting and is modified based on the particular configuration of components of the segmented feed pipe system 31 and purge system 33, including the number of variety zones in the field and the number of seed varieties to be be planted.

[045] Many alterations and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Various components and features of the system 5, for example components or features of the seed storage system (or systems), loading system (or systems) and seed measuring system (or systems) can be incorporated alone or in different combinations in a planter. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the accompanying claims.

Claims (16)

1. PURGE SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-VARIETY SEED GAUGE for planting multiple seed varieties (17a, 17b) in a single planting pass during row crop planting of an agricultural field where the seed gauge (5 ) of multiple variety includes a seed meter housing (43) disposed in a row unit (13) of a planter (7) and defines a compartment (45) that surrounds a housing cavity (47) that can receive seed ( 17) of a seed storage system (19) to define an array of seeds (35), and wherein the purge system (33) is configured to return seed (17) of a first seed variety (17a) from the seed pool (35) to the seed storage system (19) to allow seed (17) of a second seed variety (17b) to be introduced into the seed pool (35), the purge system ( 33) is characterized in that it comprises: a purge hose (141) arranged to transport the seed (17) out of the seed array (35) as the seed (17) is removed; a seed return valve (155) disposed in the seed storage system (19) and configured to receive the removed seed (17) and deliver the removed seed (17) to the seed storage system (17); and a pneumatic system (26) configured to provide pneumatic pressure that drives the removed seed (17) to the seed return valve (155). 2. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a pipe (31) that extends into the housing cavity (47) and delivers the seed (17) removed from the housing cavity ( 47) to the purge hose (141). 3. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrel (31) comprises a selector barrel (71) with at least one seed delivery passage (91a, 91b, 91c) to deliver the seed (17) in the seed array (35) and at least one purge pass (95a, 95b) to remove the seed (15) from the seed array (35). 4. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 3, characterized in that changing an angular position of the selector barrel (71) can change between delivering seed (17) to the seed grouping (35) through at least a seed delivery passage (91a, 91b, 91c), and removing the seed (17) from the seed array (35) through at least one purge passage (95a, 95b). 5. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pneumatic system (26) comprises a pneumatic seed purge air flow system (27) that provides vacuum pressure that drives the seed (17 ) removed from the pipe (31) to the seed return valve (155). 6. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 5, characterized in that the seed return valve (155) comprises a valve plunger (171) which is movable between a first position to receive seed (17) and a second position to release seed (17). 7. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the seed return valve (155) comprises a valve housing (159) arranged to communicate with the seed storage system (19) and wherein: the valve plunger (171) in the first position defines a seed collection position which prevents the flow of seed (17) from the valve housing (159) to the seed storage system (19); and the valve plunger (171) in the second position defines a seed release position that allows seed flow (17) from the valve housing (159) to the seed storage system (19). 8. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve plunger (171) comprises an upper plate (179) which is movable by vacuum pressure to actuate the valve plunger (171) within the valve housing (159). 9. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper plate (179) defines a perforated upper plate with multiple openings that are configured to allow the flow to flow through the perforated upper plate and prevent the seed (17) to flow through the perforated top plate. 10. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the seed return valve (155) comprises a valve housing (159) arranged to communicate with the seed storage system (19), and wherein the valve piston (171) comprises a cone (183) which is movable to selectively engage the valve housing (159) so that: the cone (183) engages the valve housing (159) when the valve housing (159) valve (171) is in the first position to define a seed collection position that prevents the flow of seed (17) from the valve housing (159) to the seed storage system (19); and the cone (183) separates from the valve housing (159) when the valve plunger (171) is in the second position to define a seed release position that allows seed flow (17) from the valve housing (159) ) to the seed storage system (19). 11. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve housing (159) comprises a valve base (185), and in which the valve piston cone (171) engages and engages separates from the valve base (185) when in the seed collection and seed release positions, respectively. 12. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the seed storage system (19) comprises a distributor (21) and a distributor cover (163) that connects to and overlaps the distributor (21), and the seed return valve (155) comprises a valve housing (159), and wherein the valve housing (159) of the seed return valve (155) is mounted on the distributor cap ( 163). 13. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 12, characterized in that the valve housing (159) of the seed return valve (155) comprises a lower collar (161) which is mounted on the distributor cover (163 ) and a dome (165) extending from the lower collar (161), and wherein at least part of the valve piston (171) is arranged for reciprocal movement in the dome (165) of the valve housing (159) to move between the first and second positions. 14. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 13, characterized in that the pneumatic seed purge airflow system (27) comprises a purge vacuum line (173) operatively connected to the dome (165) to supply a vacuum air flow that removes air from the dome (165) of the seed return valve (155). 15. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the seed storage system (19) comprises a row storage system with multiple compartments (23) arranged in each of the row units (13 ) to separately store different seed varieties (17a, 17b). 16. PURGE SYSTEM, according to claim 15, characterized in that it additionally comprises a diverter duct system (217) arranged to receive the removed seed (17) and direct the removed seed (17) into a compartment selected from the multiple compartments (23) of the row storage system.