CN117812997A

CN117812997A - Aerodynamic and centrifugal seed orientation system for agricultural planter

Info

Publication number: CN117812997A
Application number: CN202280052407.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·斯特朗; M·R·迪勒
Original assignee: Precision Planting LLC
Current assignee: Precision Planting LLC
Priority date: 2021-07-28
Filing date: 2022-07-07
Publication date: 2024-04-02
Also published as: AR126594A1; CA3226144A1; WO2023007284A1; AU2022320987A1

Abstract

The seed orientation ring assembly (240) is configured to receive randomly oriented seeds (28) from an agricultural row planter and move the seeds through a curved path defining a curved seed riding surface (292). Air flow is generated by spraying air onto the curved seed riding surface via the air injector nozzle (264), and air is removed by venting air radially inward from the curved seed riding surface through the vent (268). Some combination of aerodynamic forces, centrifugal forces, and path geometry is utilized to stabilize the seeds, align the seeds, and entrain the seeds in the air stream. The seed outlet (244) is configured to expel seeds into a wedge furrow, dislodge the seeds from the air stream, and wedge the seeds into the furrow before the seeds are covered by the closure wheel, thereby sowing the aligned seeds into the soil while achieving a downward orientation of the seed tips and the embryos facing adjacent rows.

Description

Aerodynamic and centrifugal seed orientation system for agricultural planter

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/387,778, filed on 7.28, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a seed planting device for an agricultural row crop planter, and more particularly to a seed orientation system, apparatus, and method for placing seeds in soil in a selected growth orientation.

Background

Agriculture is an industry that has and will continue to be deeply shaped and affected by industrialization. The progress is made at an exclamatory pace. Each increase in the speed or reliability of completing a task gives a profound return to the farm by enabling the same number of farmers to cultivate more and more cultivated area in a given time. As productivity has and will continue to achieve these dramatic increases, the cost of basic food necessities has decreased over the past fifty years relative to other components of the general living costs. This brings great benefits to society, as providing a safe and stable food supply to an ever-growing population is critical to the health and well-being of individuals, as well as government and national stability.

To enlarge the area of cultivation to be attended by farm workers, many different needs must be improved. These include faster and more efficient sowing of seeds or seedlings, faster and more efficient care of crops between sowing and harvesting, and faster and more efficient harvesting. It is critical that sowing and harvesting may have a very short and unpredictable time window within which farm workers must complete the work. There are times when more weather conditions than any farm wishes to interfere with sowing. For example, a large amount of rainfall after cold late spring with night cream may cause a field portion to be flooded and become too muddy and soft to allow equipment to enter. The farm is forced to wait for the field to dry, and such a combination will leave the farm for only days to sow the crop. If it fails, valuable land may be forced to sit idle, thereby greatly reducing crop yield and farm income. Similarly, germination rate is also significantly affected by temperature and humidity, so finding the best weather forecast and seeding all land in the best weather window also significantly affects crop yield.

Having recognized these needs, modern agricultural equipment manufacturers have struggled and succeeded in producing larger yet highly reliable machines that allow farm workers to sow more seeds in a shorter time. Modern machinery can plant multiple rows simultaneously and travel at speeds far exceeding what was previously possible, compared to past farmers using cattle or other farm animals to pull a single bottom plow and then seed with hand to plant crops.

Agricultural row crop planters typically include a seed hopper connected to a seed metering system that delivers seed into furrows formed by disk-shaped furrow opener blades. Multiple row crop planters are typically mounted in parallel along a tool bar attached to a tractor. For example, by the time of filing this application, it is common for twenty-four or thirty-six row units to be attached to one tractor.

In order for such large components to function, the device must be extremely reliable. In the case of equipment with twenty-four "clones," there is twenty-four times the probability of failure than a single row planter. When a row crop planter fails, it is also critical for farm workers to repair or replace equipment quickly and easily, since the repair time will not only slow down the failed row, but all 24 rows of plants will stop. When the assembly is a thirty-six row planter, the probability of failure and the impact of maintenance time are even greater.

In a typical prior art row crop planter, seeds are delivered in bulk from a seed hopper to a metering system. The metering system precisely singulates a large number of seeds and most preferably provides these singulated seeds at extremely predictable and repeatable time intervals. Improved metering systems have evolved in length and these have generally proven quite reliable. The row crop planter then delivers one seed at a time into the ground, typically into furrows opened by a furrow opener blade. The rate of release of individual seeds from the metering system is preferably adjustable to properly control the spacing between the seeds based on the speed of the tractor and row crop planter relative to the ground.

The standard method of delivering seeds from a seed hopper to the ground is a gravity descent system that positions the seed tube inlet below the seed metering system. The singulated seeds fall from the seed metering system along the seed tube into furrows formed by a furrow opener blade disposed in front of the seed tube. While this standard method of seed delivery is a great improvement over the prior art, there is still room for improvement in the desired placement of seeds, spacing of seeds, and relative speed at which the seeds strike the ground. A very common problem today is that when seeds fall in furrows, the seeds tend to bounce unpredictably and can roll or tumble in either direction. Some seeds may stick while they land, while others may tumble far. This problem is particularly challenging as the speed of the planter relative to the ground increases, as the tumbling or rolling seed will have more momentum to bring it farther away from the intended target.

In order to obtain a constant, uniform seed spacing at high sowing speeds, devices have been designed for improved seed delivery. Exemplary U.S. patents include: US5,974,988 to Stufflebeam et al; US6,332,413 to Stufflebeam et al; US8,336,471 to Gilstring; and US8,789,482 to gamner et al. Typical row units, such as those set forth by Stufflebeam et al, gilstring and Garner et al, deliver seeds to furrows with more precise control over the time of sowing and thus the spacing of the seeds, even at sowing speeds significantly higher than those commonly used in the prior art. In each of these patents, this is accomplished by controlling seed travel and bounce, although each employs a different technique. The Stufflebeam et al patent provides a specially shaped curvilinear feed tube made of a low coefficient of friction material. Gilstring provides high velocity air delivery through small diameter feed tubes. Gamner et al use brushes to separate seeds and control movement of the seeds. However, none of these patents attempt to orient the seeds, nor provide any means to ensure that the seeds remain oriented in the soil when covered by the soil.

The seed orientation is optimized during sowing so that the seed tips face downward and the embryos face adjacent rows, resulting in faster and more uniform emergence, increased cut-off, and accelerated canopy closure, resulting in reduced weed stress. When the seed tip is pointed down to the ground, the root and coleoptile do not waste time and effort to wrap around the seed. Thus, the crop has faster and more uniform emergence and higher uniformity of plant population.

There are further production advantages when the embryo of the seed is oriented towards the adjacent row (generally perpendicular to the row in which the seed is located). The leaf structure of the maize plant is consistent with the embryo/embryo direction. Where the embryo faces adjacent rows, the leaves are oriented between rows, rather than above adjacent plants within the same row. The plants have a stronger cut-off capacity due to the optimized leaf structure. In addition, the optimized leaf structure provides faster canopy closure, which retains moisture and reduces weed stress.

In contrast, in the case of random orientations, the emergence time of some plants will be earlier or later than that of most crops, and some plants will mask neighboring plants. Numerous studies have demonstrated that both factors contribute to a significant yield drop. An exemplary article written by Tyler d.kaufman at the university of illinois state, 9.12, 2013, entitled "The Effects of Planting Techniques on Maize Grain Yield and Silage Production (effect of sowing technique on corn kernel yield and silage production)" demonstrates that optimal seed orientation can increase yield in a given field by 14% to 19%. Clearly, there are many economic incentives for agricultural row planters to provide such optimal seed orientation.

Some early predecessors designed devices for selectively orienting seeds. Exemplary U.S. patents include: US3,134,346 to Mann; US3,195,485 to Reynolds; and US3,217,674 to Williams. Each of these patents discloses a narrow slot through which the seed passes, forcing the flat major surface of the seed to align with the slot wall. This provides orientation of the flat major surface but does not orient the seed tip downward. Furthermore, the size of the seeds must be predictable, preferably presorting according to the description of Mann. Unfortunately, as also indicated by Mann, even in the case of graded seeds, missized seeds may occur in a batch of seeds. Furthermore, even in the case of perfectly graded seeds, these narrow grooves are prone to clogging by other debris during field sowing and are difficult and time consuming to clean.

Another method of properly orienting the seeds is to use a seed holder. U.S. patent No. 3,636,897 to Brink describes one type of retainer that uses seeds pre-packaged in disc-shaped seed capsules. As long as the seed is properly oriented within the tray, the seed is fed through a gear mechanism that holds and orients the tray. As can be appreciated, the machine is unaware of the orientation of the seed tips, so this provides an orientation of the flat major surface, as just described by Mann and Reynolds, but fails to orient the seeds with the tips down. CN101663935 to Lu et al improves upon Brink by providing a uniquely shaped seed holder to establish orientation. However, these seed encapsulation methods can result in undesirable costs associated with the formation of seed capsules, additional volume required for seed storage prior to sowing, and the possibility of premature germination or seed spoilage due to encapsulation.

Another very common seed holder is an adhesive tape of indefinite length that adheres to the seed. The seed tape very precisely and uniformly spaces the seeds apart, and other substances, such as herbicides or fertilizers, may also be provided on the tape to aid in seed growth and development. Such tapes have been produced for many years, in particular to benefit amateur gardening fans, because the gardening technician can then sow faster and more accurately with little or no seed wastage. An exemplary U.S. published patent application showing a large commercial planter using seed tape is US2013/0152836 to Deppermann et al.

Some skilled artisans have recognized that seeds may be oriented when adhered to tape. Exemplary chinese published patent applications include: CN103609227 of He et al; CN104255130 to He et al, both of which are filed by the university of agriculture in china.

Unfortunately, similar to seed capsules, seed tapes also have the following problems: additional costs associated with the manufacture of seed tape, including additional steps and treatments to be implemented if the seed is to be oriented; the additional volume required for seed storage prior to sowing; and the possibility of premature germination or seed spoilage due to placement on the tape. In addition, the adhesion of seeds to the tape is unpredictable and difficult to adequately control, the tape acts as a sort of waste material that can interfere with seed germination and growth, and it is difficult for the tape to be reliably inserted into the ground and then properly covered at high speed. As described in CN108207212 of Chen et al, university of china agriculture, the above CN103609227 and CN104255130 suffer from the following drawbacks: 1) The seeding strip is difficult to manufacture and deploy and is inefficient; 2) The sowing reel is large in size and inconvenient to store. "

As an alternative to seed tape, CN108207212 proposes a box containing oriented corn seeds. The cassette has been designed to facilitate manufacturing and seed insertion and to reduce the bulk of the seed tape. However, the use of a cassette still requires that seeds be moved from the cassette to the soil while maintaining orientation, and the patent does not disclose how this is accomplished. As mentioned above, moving the seeds without losing orientation has been an impediment that has not been overcome in the prior art. Furthermore, even in the Mann earliest patents, the cartridge still faces the challenges experienced, including: the challenges faced by properly handling and storing seeds with wrong size and geometry in a cassette; blocking and jamming tend to occur during sowing; cleaning is difficult and time consuming; in the case of cassettes, the size is necessarily limited and frequent replacement is required at the time of sowing in a large area.

For scientific testing and laboratory analysis, some technicians apply iron-containing paint to corn seeds that are still in the kernel state. Once the corn is applied, it is separated from the corn cob. The iron-containing coating can then orient the corn seeds by applying a magnetic field. Exemplary U.S. and foreign patents and published applications include: US7,735,626 to Cope et al; US7,997,415 to Mongan et al; and US8,286,387 to Becker et al. This technique is very innovative and useful for various laboratory procedures, but excessive iron in the soil can hinder plant growth and discolor the leaves, making the plants weak and eventually killing the plants. Continuous iron application over multiple seasons also results in iron accumulation in the soil, further complicating the problem. Thus, although this technique was developed for laboratory use, no technique for treating seeds during sowing using this technique is disclosed.

Many technicians have applied robotics (typically using computer vision systems) to orient seeds and plants. Exemplary U.S. and foreign patents and published applications include: US2,935,957 of Denton; US8,245,439 to depppermann et al; US9,924,629 to batteller et al; US2019/0223372 to Koch et al; US 2019/0239846 to Koch et al; US2019/0289778 to Koch et al; US2019/0289779 to Koch et al; US2020/0187410 to Bredeieg; and Leiffer et al, WO2020/247985. Although robotics and vision techniques have advanced, the combination of seed-directed robotic systems with vision systems disposed near the ground is still costly, difficult to operate at high speeds, and prone to failure in harsh seeding environments. As described above, twenty-four or thirty-six rows are planted simultaneously, and the likelihood of failure would be twenty-four or thirty-six times as great. When the crop planter for only one row fails, the whole machine is closed, and planting of all rows is stopped.

Similar to Gilstring described above and less relevant to the present invention, many technicians have moved seeds through air for transport through the planting device. Such planting equipment is sometimes referred to as an air seed planter. Exemplary U.S. patents and published applications include: US2,783,918 to Bramblett; US3,482,735 to Goulter; US3,790,026 to Neumeister; US3,848,552 to Bauman et al; US3,860,146 to Bauman et al; US3,881,631 to Loesch et al; US3,891,120 to Loesch et al; US5,524,559 by Davidson; US5,601,209 to Barsi et al; US5,603,269 to Bassett; US6,148,748 to Bardi et al; US6,827,029 to Wendte; US7,270,064 to Kjelsson et al; US7,509,915 of Memory; US8,757,074 by Cruson; US9,591,798 to Horsch; US10,412,879 by Cruson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,2020/012625 to Rhodes et al. However, the air flow is used only for transport and none of these patents attempt to orient the seeds nor provide any means to ensure that the seeds remain oriented while in and covered by soil.

In addition to the Williams patents cited above, other technicians have devised improved furrowing and forming equipment. Exemplary U.S. patents include: US4,798,151 to Rodrigues, jr et al; and US6,178,901 of Anderson.

Other diverse and less relevant seed and leaf orienting devices are described in U.S. and foreign patents and published applications, including: US2,618,373 to Hathaway; US3,623,595 to Brown et al; US7,814,849 to McOmber; US9,861,025 to Schaefer et al; US10,785,905 to Stoller et al; CN102893723 to Hou et al; CN102918963 to Hou et al; CN107371486 to Chen et al; and CN107439101 by dutan et al. Interestingly, the latter application CN107439101, also filed by chinese university of agriculture, discusses CN102893723 by Hou et al and another application CN102918963, also filed by Hou et al, indicating that the device structure of CN102893723 is complex, the orientation success rate is low, and the corn seeds cannot be operated remotely; and it is pointed out that the device of CN102918963 is relatively complex, the orientation and spacing of the corn seeds being performed separately, so that when the corn seeds oriented in a lay-flat position are positioned (possibly for sowing or other purposes), the original orientation results are easily destroyed and the root tips of the radicles are no longer aligned in the forward direction.

Despite the substantial economic incentives that have been implemented for a long time, long-term cognition and extensive research and development has been conducted (which has been demonstrated by the fact that Kaufman's paper has been for over seven years by the time of this writing, several studies cited by Kaufman have been for over thirty years old, the Mann, reynolds and Williams patents have been for over fifty years old, and many other patents and publications mentioned above), correct and consistent seed orientation has not been successfully and economically implemented in commercial agricultural row-planter. Thus, there remains a need for a seed orientation system that sows seeds in an economical and efficient manner with the seed tip down and the germ facing the next row in the furrow.

Recognizing this need, the present inventors devised a seed orientation system for an agricultural planter, which was first disclosed in the WIPO published application WO2020/227670, which orients seeds during sowing in furrows. The seed orientation system disclosed therein includes a seed orientation collar configured to receive seed from a planter row unit designed to deliver the seed into a furrow. Examples of common planter and row units are shown by the above-referenced Stufflebeam et al, gilstring and Garner et al patents for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. As shown in these patents, the row units are typically mounted to a tool bar that is attached to a tractor or similar towing device along with other identical or similar planting row units. An exemplary row unit may include a seed hopper for storing seeds for sowing. Seeds are moved from a seed hopper to a seed meter that singulates the seeds at a desired pitch for delivery to the ground. The opener blade forms a trench or furrow in the soil in front of the seed tube. The plow wheel controls the depth of the furrow, and the closing wheel then closes the furrow above the seed.

In a typical prior art row unit, seeds are delivered from a seed meter to the surface through a seed tube. Instead, as disclosed by the inventors in WO2020/227670, a seed orienting collar is inserted between the seed tube and the furrow. The seed orientation ring includes a curved seed path and a pressurized air system for directing an air flow to the curved path. The air flow directs the seeds on the flat side of the seeds with the seed tips directed downward and pushes the seeds down the curved path to the seed exit path. The curved path of the preferred embodiment disclosed in WO2020/227670 has a spiral shape and includes a seed guiding wall and a seed riding surface, and the pressurized air system of the preferred embodiment includes a plurality of nozzles to direct a radial component of air flow on the curved path and out a series of external vents.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a seed orientation ring assembly configured to receive randomly oriented seeds from an agricultural row planter and move the seeds through a curved pathway defining a curved seed riding surface. Air flow is generated by spraying air onto the curved seed riding surface via the air injector nozzle and air is removed by exhausting air radially inward from the curved seed riding surface via the vent. Some combination of aerodynamic forces, centrifugal forces, and path geometry are utilized such that seeds are stabilized, aligned, and entrained in the air stream. The seed outlet is configured to discharge seeds into the wedge furrow, dislodge the seeds from the air stream, and wedge the seeds into the furrow before the furrow is covered by the closure wheel, thereby sowing the aligned seeds into the soil while achieving tip-down seed orientation and germ orientation toward adjacent rows.

In one expression, the invention is a seed orienting collar assembly for orienting seeds and delivering the oriented seeds. The seed inlet port is configured to be connected to and receive seed from the agricultural planter. The seed orienting collar defines a curved seed riding surface over which the seed travels and aligns, the curved seed riding surface configured to receive the seed from the seed access port. The air flow has at least a parallel component that travels adjacent to the curved seed riding surface and entrains the seed. The air flow is configured to direct the seed with the seed tip directed downward, wherein the seed is in contact with the curved seed riding surface on a flat side of the seed, and the air flow is configured to push the seed down along the curved seed path to the seed outlet.

In another expression, the invention is a method of sowing seeds in an oriented position within a row of seeds in soil by using a seed orientation ring assembly having a seed path. The seed is transferred from the seed hopper to the seed orientation ring assembly and directed onto a seed path. The seed is pushed through the seed path while the seed is subjected to centrifugal force. An air stream is ejected into the seed path and entrains the seed. The air flow is discharged through at least one vent extending radially inward from the seed path. The seed is aligned to an aligned position relative to the seed path and remains in the aligned position in response to the pushing step. The seed moves in the aligned position from a seed path subjected to centrifugal force to a seed exit path. In the aligned position within the seed exit path, centrifugal force is removed from the seed. Seeds are ejected from the seed exit path in an aligned position entrained in the air stream and into the soil in an oriented position with the seed tip down and the seed embryo directed transverse to the row of seeds.

Drawings

The above and other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1-4 show the seed orientation ring assembly in top, bottom and forward, top and side, and cross-sectional views, respectively, with the cross-sectional view of fig. 4 taken along section line 4' shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5-6 show the seed orientation ring assembly in elevation and in section, respectively, with the section view of fig. 6 taken along section line 6' shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 7-9 show the seed riding surfaces of the first, second and third alternative embodiments in side cross-sectional views.

Fig. 10 shows the individual seed riding surface air jets of fig. 9 in an enlarged side cross-sectional view.

Fig. 11-15 illustrate the seed orientation ring assembly in perspective, side elevation, top plan, bottom plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, with the cross-sectional view of fig. 15 taken along section line 15' shown in fig. 14.

While the various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention as claimed to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter defined by the claims.

Detailed Description

Figures 1-4 illustrate a seed orientation ring assembly 240 designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Air from the central blower/fan is communicated through any suitable coupling to a central system air feed 242 where pressurized air enters the seed orientation ring assembly 240. While air is the most preferred choice because it is readily available, inexpensive, and most equipment is provided with blowers, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments other fluid sources will be provided, including sources such as compressed or liquefied nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other suitable fluids or fluid mixtures for purposes of illustration and non-limitation.

Air enters a central injector core 258 having any suitable geometry for distributing air to one or more air injector nozzles 264. As best shown in fig. 4, the air injector nozzles 264 are each directed toward the spiral passageway 290 and inject air onto the seed riding surface 292 at unique and different locations. The air injector nozzles 264 follow the curvature of the seed riding surface 292 in a spiral pattern. The spiral passageway 290 is defined by a groove or other suitable geometry formed in the ventilated outer coil 260, and as shown, the spiral passageway 290 includes three turns. However, embodiments having fewer or more than three turns are contemplated.

Some portion of the pressurized air jet released from each air injector nozzle 264 will follow a helical path within the helical path 290 and will also be subjected to centrifugal forces as the air flow contacts the helical path 290. Thus, this air flow will interact with any seed 28 traveling along the seed riding surface 292. The seed riding surface 292 uses a smoothing surface to slide and maintain stability and orientation of the seeds 28 to prevent rotation and/or tumbling.

In the seed collar assembly 240, the upper interior region is vented to atmosphere through a vent 268. Thus, some air traveling in the direction of the spiral passageway 290, but located relatively more inward or radially inward of the spiral passageway, will peel off and flow out of the vent 268. In some embodiments, the result is that the highest velocity air flow will travel very close to the seed riding surface 292 within the spiral passageway 290. In such embodiments, there is a reduced lifting of the seed from the seed riding surface 292.

Although the vent 268 is shown as having an open top only, in some embodiments, any kind of protective and air permeable covering or closing means will be used. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, such an air-permeable covering means may include a screen, mesh, microporous material and composition, cap with at least one small gap or covered opening, or any other suitable or equivalent device.

Seed 28 enters helical passageway 290 through seed inlet 266 where the seed is subjected to a combination of forces of air force, centrifugal force and riding surface friction. Such a force combination is configured by design to orient seeds travelling through the seed orientation ring assembly 240 as disclosed by the present inventors in WO2020/227670, for example.

The characteristics of the seed orientation ring assembly 240, including but not limited to, may be controlled or varied by appropriate design and geometry of the injector core 258 and the outer winding 260 to adjust or optimize performance: radius of curvature and number of turns of the spiral seed passage 290; the rate of change of the radius of curvature of the spiral seed passage 290; degree of lateral tilt (binding); seed velocity along the seed riding surface 292; the seed riding surface 292 changes direction along one or more axes; a range of contact surface areas, surface finishes, and coefficients of friction; the extent and geometry of the nozzle 264 and the one or more vents 268; air pressure supplied to the nozzles 264; and the angle of the ejector air flow.

After the seeds are oriented in the seed orientation ring assembly 240, the seeds are then directed to the oriented seed exit path 244 and then sown. The oriented seed outlet path 244 is a non-destructive continuation of the helical passageway 290. Optimally, this ensures that the seeds 28 traverse from the helical passageway 290 to the oriented seed exit path 244 while the flat portion of the corn seeds 28 remain tightly positioned against the exit wall without interfering with the forward tip orientation. In the seed orientation ring assembly 240, the curvature of the helical passageway 290 transitions into the oriented seed exit path and progressively increases in radius along the oriented seed exit path 244, thereby reducing the centrifugal force applied to the seed 28. As the seeds leave the oriented seed exit path 244, centrifugal force is eventually completely removed. The oriented seed exit path 244 eventually proceeds in a downward direction in a gentle arc through a rapidly increasing pitch (pitch) rotating the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the seed 28 to bring the seed tip down and toward the furrow.

After the seeds 28 are oriented in the seed orientation ring assembly 240, the seeds 28 are then directed to the oriented seed exit path 244 before entering into a furrow that is used to capture or wedge the seeds to maintain the orientation and/or position of the seeds. In the seed orienting collar assembly 240, as the seed 28 exits the oriented seed exit path 244, the seed will fly a small distance in the air to maintain its steady state. Seed orientation may be captured and preserved if the seed is urged into an interference fit within a furrow in the soil. In addition to maintaining proper seed orientation, wedging the seeds into intimate contact with the moist soil surrounding both major faces of the seeds also shortens germination time, makes the germination time of the entire field more uniform, and increases germination rate. A very important benefit of the present invention is that the consistency of the germination time is improved. Agrologists indicate that a seed that germinates very slowly will actually be a super weed because it will not be killed by the herbicide, but if it germinates later it will not yield any corn, but will compete with the plant producing the corn for sunlight and nutrients. The germination delay may be due to air pockets around or against the seeds or due to incorrect orientation, both of which are addressed by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The furrow profile preferably needs to be tapered to allow for the capture of seeds of various sizes. The profile will preferably also have an extended bottom to allow the seeds to wedge or friction fit, rather than the seed tips striking the bottom of the seed furrow and ejecting.

Ideally, a laminar air flow greater than the seed velocity will continue to entrain seed within the directed seed outlet path 244 continuing through the air into the furrow. In the furrow, the main air flow will be deflected by the soil and will thus be discharged longitudinally mainly in the furrow. However, the seed will preferably have sufficient inertia and momentum to separate from the main air flow and then wedge into the furrow.

One of the serious shortcomings and challenges faced by the prior art (as described above with reference to) of providing at least temporary orientation is that the orientation is maintained throughout the process of seeds entering the soil and closing the soil around and above the seeds. While it appears intuitive to extend the prior art seed tube down into the furrow, the prior art avoids this geometry because the feed tube with a relatively small orifice required to maintain orientation would be prone to clogging if so extended. Nevertheless, without a suitable air flow substantially equal to or higher than the seed speed, the seed will destabilize almost immediately. If the air flow rate drops below the seed rate, the aerodynamic forces relied upon by the present invention to orient the seed will substantially instantaneously flip the tip orientation of the seed. If this happens suddenly and without stability, i.e. when the seeds are sprayed from the prior art seed tube over the soil, the seeds will essentially immediately tumble in the air, destroying any previous orientation. Even though the air flow leaving the seed tube has a velocity approximately equal to the velocity of the seed, the air flow will decay extremely rapidly due to the air turbulence and turbulence created around the outlet of the seed tube, also undesirably causing the velocity of the air flow to decrease rapidly and causing the seed to tumble.

In contrast to prior art seed tubes that must terminate above the furrow, in the present invention, the oriented seed exit path 244 preferably extends all the way into the furrow. As a result, the air flow exiting the directed seed outlet path 244 entrains the seed 28 through a very short travel distance, which is approximately the depth of the furrow, before the seed separates from the air flow. With this in mind, in some alternative embodiments of the present invention, a seed alignment device such as that shown in the prior art cited above, but not limited thereto, is provided in combination with the teachings of the present invention directed seed exit path 44 and air entrainment and subsequent extraction in furrow to provide a seed alignment device.

While it is beneficial for the seed exit point of the oriented seed exit path 244 to be near the sub-furrow, this is not the only benefit and novelty of the geometry and operation of the oriented seed exit path 244. In addition to being close, locating the seed exit point within the furrow means that the furrow serves to contain and direct the air flow, although not exactly the same, but functionally similar to the containment of the air flow within the helical passageway 290 or within the air-driven seed tube. This also helps the seeds to keep the air flow at a higher velocity only when entrained in the air flow, as the air flow is contained within and directed by the furrow. As the air flow passes through the furrow, the air flow must be deflected by the generally vertical sidewalls of the furrow and sub-furrow opener toward the closure wheel. This means that the direction of the air flow is changed from a mainly vertical path through a sharp curve to a more horizontal path. The momentum of the seeds separates the seeds from the horizontally redirected air flow because the lighter and lower mass air flow creates the sharp curve required for the geometry of the furrow. The seed does not form a sharp curve but continues to move vertically down deeper into the furrow. Preferably, this separation from the air flow will occur as close to the bottom as possible, or even within the sub-furrow, such that the seed inertia is sufficient to maintain the seed orientation fully in wedging engagement with such sub-furrow.

While the oriented seed exit path 244 will in some alternative embodiments sweep or angle back to impart a horizontal velocity component, the actual obtained horizontal velocity component will vary depending on the actual exit velocity of the seed, and is thus largely controlled by the air availability and pressure of the overall system. Additionally, and as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, changing the angle of the oriented seed exit path 244 also changes the overall seed orientation as the seed wedges into the soil. Thus, the choice of exit path angle will take into account both the acceptable target seed orientation and the seed to ground speed differential.

In some alternative embodiments, the angle of the oriented seed exit path 244 will also or alternatively be changed to provide finer control over seed orientation. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, in some alternative embodiments, adjusting the angle of the oriented seed exit path 244 serves to compensate for any effect or influence of the closing wheel that may cause seeds that have been deposited during closing of the soil surrounding the seeds to rotate about an axis transverse to the row. However, in most embodiments and applications, the sub-furrows are not significantly disturbed during closure, which means that the orientation of the seeds is not changed in most cases.

Various embodiments of a device designed according to this invention have been shown in the various figures. Embodiments are distinguished by hundred digits, and the various components within each embodiment are designated by units and tens digits. However, many of the components between the embodiments are similar or analogous, so that numbering of the units and tens digits is preserved as much as possible so that the same, analogous or analogous functions between the embodiments can be more easily identified. If there are no other expressions, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases components having similarly numbered units and tens digits may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accordance with the present teachings, unless such substitution would otherwise disrupt the operation of the embodiments. Thus, those skilled in the art will readily ascertain the function and operation of many of the components shown herein without unnecessary additional description.

Fig. 5-6 illustrate a seed orientation ring assembly 340 that is very similar to the seed orientation ring assembly 240 of the first embodiment. With this in mind, it is understood that most of the components are identical or substantially similar. However, the second alternative embodiment seed orientation ring assembly 340 also includes an injector cartridge outer wall 359 that at least partially encloses the helical passageway 390. As shown in fig. 6, the injector cartridge outer wall 359 completely encloses the helical passageway 390, and in this case, is preferably air permeable, including, for exemplary and non-limiting purposes: one or more inwardly directed ventilation holes, small gaps, microporous materials, and compositions including, but not limited to, porous materials including, but not limited to, mesh or screen, sintered metal, porous carbon graphite, porous carbon silicate, open cell foam of any suitable composition, and other breathable materials and compositions; or any other suitable or equivalent device. Thus, the addition of the injector cartridge outer wall 359 may be used to reduce the need for any dust cap or other protective equipment.

Fig. 7-10 illustrate a plurality of air jets 93, 193, 293 applied to first, second, and third alternative embodiments of a seed riding surface 292. The seed riding surface 292 preferably includes a low friction, low roughness, and/or lubricated surface so as to reduce any tumbling of the seeds. Conversely, a faster air flow will cause the seeds to slide before tumbling or rising, thereby maintaining the oriented position. While material selection and surface finish may reduce surface friction, in the illustrations of fig. 7-10, the air jets 93, 193, 293 of the first, second, and third alternative embodiments are applied to the seed riding surface 292 to obtain similar benefits. The large number of relatively small volumes of air jets 93, 193, 293 have pressure differentials that move the air to and from the seed riding surface 292 to reduce riding surface friction. The air jet 93 includes a generally cylindrical conduit extending perpendicular to the riding surface 292, although the air jet 193 in some alternative embodiments illustrates the option of varying the angular orientation of the conduit relative to the riding surface 292.

Fig. 10 shows the individual seed riding surface air jets of fig. 9 in an enlarged view. As is apparent from the figures, in some embodiments, the seed riding surface air jet 293 may be provided with additional geometry designed to control the flow and swirl of air to achieve a particular desired effect. As can be seen from the figures, the generally cylindrical air jet conduit 298 terminates prior to the seed riding surface 292, wherein the air flow is conveyed through air vortices and flow shaping orifices 299 of any suitable geometry. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, in some embodiments, the air vortex and flow shaping aperture 299 is configured to generate a vortex similar to that generated by a dimple in a golf ball, but those skilled in the nozzle art will recognize other geometries to achieve a desired air flow adjacent the seed riding surface 292 and the seed 28.

Fig. 11-15 illustrate a seed orientation ring assembly 440 of a third embodiment that includes an integrated seed collector 432. The system air feed 442 drives air through the air injector nozzle 464 into the spiral passage 490. In the region adjacent to the system air feed 442, the spiral passageway 490 is completely closed and is unvented. Shortly thereafter, however, the vented outer coil 460 is provided with an open inner vent 468, which may be completely open as shown, or in alternative embodiments it may be covered by an air-permeable surface. Although shown rotated approximately a single 360 degrees, the vented outer wrap 460 may be rotated any angle. The relatively small diameter helps to increase the centrifugal force applied to the seed. After the seeds pass through the vented outer wrap 460, the seeds will then enter and pass through the oriented seed outlet path 444, the oriented seed outlet path 444 functioning in the manner already described above for the oriented seed outlet path 244. The seed orientation ring assembly 440 of the third alternative embodiment shows a combination of a single air injector nozzle 464, a greater centrifugal force generation, a shorter total seed path length from the seed collector 432 to the oriented seed outlet path 444, and a single long internal vent 468.

In some alternative embodiments, the system air feed 442 is positioned lower along the helical path 490, intermediate the position shown in fig. 11-15 and the rear end of the oriented seed outlet path 444. In such an embodiment, the seeds entering the seed collar assembly 440 will most preferably be delivered at a suitable rate to traverse the seed riding path 492 and, where provided, gently engage a seed guiding wall similar to and designed in accordance with the teachings of applicant's published application WO 2020/227670. It will be appreciated herein that in some alternative embodiments, such guide walls will be provided to the seed orientation ring assembly 240, 340, 440. In such embodiments, the primary component of ride surface friction preferably originates from the seed ride surface 292, while only the secondary component of ride surface friction originates from the seed guide wall.

As already mentioned with respect to the seed orientation ring assembly 240, the seed riding surface 292, 392, 492 may be curved, planar, or have other suitable geometries in profile, and the characteristics of the seed orientation ring assembly 240, 340, 440 may be controlled or varied by suitable designs and geometries of the injector core and outer windings, including, but not limited to: diameter and number of turns of the spiral seed passageway; the degree of lateral tilt, which is also described herein as the angle of radially outward tilting of the profile of the seed riding surface 292; seed velocity along the seed riding surface; contact surface area, surface finish, range of coefficients of friction (in some embodiments, the coefficients of friction include different coefficients of friction between the seed riding surface and the seed guiding wall), range and volume of the seed riding surface air jets (such as 93, 193, 293), and plenum, ventilation; the range and geometry of air injector nozzles (such as air injector nozzles 264, 364, 464) and vents (such as vents 268, 368, 468); air pressure provided to the air injector nozzles 264, 364, 464; and the angle of the ejector air flow.

Due to the construction of the seed orientation system 30, even in the event of a failure to orient the seed, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will continue to seed such unoriented seed without interfering with the normal operation of the row unit 10. Thus, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been designed to provide significant benefits in sowing with minimal risk.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety. If there is a conflict between a definition herein and a definition in the incorporated reference, the definition herein controls. Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Aerodynamic and centrifugal seed orientation systems designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention find industrial application in agricultural planter and row units. The seed orientation system delivers the seed with the seed tip down and the germ facing the next row in the furrow. Although the seed type is shown and described as corn, the benefits of properly sown seed orientation are applicable to other crop types as well. Thus, the present invention will increase production and yield for a wide variety of crops where seed orientation for sowing is important and can be controlled using the present teachings.

While the foregoing has described in detail what are considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention in any way. Furthermore, alternatives to features and designs that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and specifically described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A seed orienting collar assembly for orienting seeds and delivering the oriented seeds, the seed orienting collar assembly comprising:

a seed access port configured to be connected to and receive seeds from an agricultural planter;

A seed orienting collar defining a curved seed riding surface over which the seed travels and aligns, the seed riding surface configured to receive seed from the seed access port; and

an air flow having at least a parallel component that travels adjacent to the curved seed riding surface and entrains the seed;

wherein the air flow is configured to direct the seed with the seed tip directed downward, the seed in contact with the curved seed riding surface, and the air flow is configured to urge the seed downward along a curved seed path to a seed outlet.

2. The seed collar assembly of claim 1, wherein the seed collar further comprises at least one vent hole that vents at least a portion of the air flow radially inward from the curved seed riding surface.

3. The seed collar assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one air injector nozzle that injects air onto the curved seed riding surface and thereby defines the air flow.

4. A seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 3 wherein the parallel component of air flow travels adjacent the curved seed riding surface at a velocity greater than the velocity of the seed.

5. A seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 3 wherein the curved seed riding surface further comprises a spiral.

6. The seed collar assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one air injector nozzle further comprises a plurality of air injector nozzles, each air injector nozzle injecting air onto the curved seed riding surface at a unique and different location.

7. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 6, wherein the seed orientation ring further comprises an outer winding including a central bore in which an ejector core is disposed, the ejector core supporting the plurality of air ejector nozzles in a helical configuration aligned with the helical portion.

8. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 7, wherein the ejector core further comprises an air-permeable ejector core outer wall surrounding the seed orientation ring and thereby defining an enclosed spiral path for the seed.

9. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seed orientation ring further comprises:

a plurality of vent holes extending normal to and terminating adjacent to the curved seed riding surface; and

a source of pressurized air configured to release air into the plurality of ventilation holes and into the air stream from the curved seed riding surface, thereby reducing riding surface friction experienced by the seed across the curved seed riding surface.

10. The seed collar assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one vent of the plurality of vents further comprises air swirl and flow shaping apertures adjacent the curved seed riding surface.

11. The seed orientation ring assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one vent of the plurality of vents further includes a longitudinal axis that is orthogonal to the curved seed riding surface.

12. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one vent of the plurality of vents further comprises a longitudinal axis that is offset relative to a direction normal to the curved seed riding surface.

13. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a directed seed outlet path that receives aligned seed from a seed riding surface of the seed directing assembly and is configured to discharge the aligned seed into an air space adjacent a furrow bottom;

the air stream exits the oriented seed exit path and is configured to enter the air space adjacent the furrow bottom in a direction offset relative to a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the furrow;

the air flow is configured to deflect within the furrow to dislodge the aligned seed for delivery to the furrow bottom with the aligned seed pointed downward and the major planar surface oriented toward an adjacent row.

14. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 13 wherein the air flow into the air space adjacent the furrow bottom maintains its velocity at least equal to the velocity of the oriented seed prior to the aligned seed exiting the air flow.

15. The seed orientation ring assembly according to claim 13 wherein the oriented seed outlet path discharges the aligned seed into an air space defined by the furrow.

16. A method for sowing seeds in an oriented position within a row of seeds in soil by using a seed orientation ring assembly comprising a seed path, the method comprising the steps of:

transferring the seeds from a seed hopper to the seed orienting ring assembly;

directing the seed onto the seed path;

pushing the seed through the seed path while subjecting the seed to centrifugal force;

injecting an air stream into the seed path;

entraining the seeds in the air stream;

venting the air stream through at least one vent extending radially inward from the seed path;

aligning the seed to an aligned position relative to the seed path and retaining the seed in the aligned position in response to the pushing step;

moving the seed in the aligned position from the seed path subjected to the centrifugal force to a seed exit path;

removing the centrifugal force from the seed in the aligned position within the seed outlet path; and

the seeds in the aligned position entrained in the air stream are ejected from the seed outlet path into the soil in the oriented position in which the seed tips are directed downward and the seed embryos are directed transverse to the seed rows.

17. The method for sowing seeds in the oriented position as in claim 16, wherein discharging the air stream further comprises discharging the air stream through a plurality of ventilation holes extending radially inward from the seed path.