DE2705401A1 - DEVICE FOR SPREADING SEEDS - Google Patents

Description

NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 66-7 * f, Victoria Street
London SW 1 / England

PAT Il JTAIII Ii] LDUI .'C

Device for distributing seeds

The invention relates to a device for distributing seeds with a seed rotor, a housing and a device for rotating the rotor relative to the housing, the rotor being arranged to form a seed chamber which partly by an annular wall with a plurality of extending through it and distributed over it Seed openings is limited, and wherein the rotor is shaped so that it is a centrifugal when rotated by the rotating device Effect on seeds inside the sperm chamber exerts to seed in the seed openings in the annular wall to urge.

Because of the increasing cost of seeds and the need to make the most of available land and labor in general, it has become desirable to develop agricultural implements to harvest seeds more quickly and with regular,

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to distribute precisely controlled distances along a seedbed. Previous experiments have shown increased accuracy if the seed spacing is maintained, in many cases an increased crop yield results.

There are a number of known seed distribution devices, for example cups, bags, wells or grooves formed compartments in movement elements such. B. provide conveyor belts, discs and wheels that come into contact with a Seed supply are brought and take one or more seeds in each of the compartments. The tray is then sent to a drop-off point moved and the seed is moved by gravity, by fluid flow or by a mechanical discharge element removed from the compartment. One factor that limits the speed at which seeds can be accurately distributed is with such arrangements the difficulty of reliably taking individual seeds from the seed supply into the compartments.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type described at the outset, in which the aforementioned Disadvantages are avoided, and this allows seeds to be produced quickly and at regular, precisely controlled intervals along a To distribute the seedbed.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the housing comprises a wall which is relative to the hotation axis of the rotor is fixed and extends around the rotor immediately adjacent to its annular wall in such a way that the Housing wall an exit of seeds from the seed openings in the rotor to the outside blocks except in an outlet section which has an outlet opening for a seed to exit from a The seminal opening defines when the seminal opening is in the area the outlet opening is located, and that the housing contains a control device which is arranged within the rotor and is designed to allow the passage of a seed in

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a seed opening in the rotor prevents or inhibits when calibrated this is located in the area of the outlet opening in the fixed housing wall.

The outlet portion of the stationary housing wall can define more than one outlet opening for the seed to exit the seed openings in the seed rotor, for example the outlet portion of the housing wall define two outlet openings diametrically opposite across the rotor. as well more than one control device can be provided, for example if more than one outlet opening in the fixed housing wall is provided, each outlet opening a separate control device assigned to it exhibit.

It can be seen that although the housing wall is fixed relative to the axis of rotation of the seed rotor during normal operation, a certain movement of the housing wall relative to the Axis of rotation of the seed rotor outside of normal operation of the device can be provided, e.g. for the purpose of adjusting the device.

In this description, the term seed does not only include discrete seeds, whether dry or wet, and be it in a non-germinated or pre-germinated state, but also includes seeds that are in another material such as a protective coating or a fertilizer coating or insect or herbicide embedded bind, to form what is called granulated (pelletted) seeds is well known. The term seed also includes a discrete part such as a granule, such part having more than one individual seed in each may contain discrete beads.

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In some arrangements, the control device may be spaced from the area of the exhaust port in a sense that that it precedes the outlet opening relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor, and can be arranged to deflect the movement of the seeds in the seed chamber away from the area of the outlet opening in the stationary housing wall.

The control device may comprise a rotary element and a device to drive the rotary element in such a way that the seeds in the seed chamber from the area of the Outlet opening are pushed away in the exact wall. That Rotary element can rotate about a substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the seed rotor and from this be arranged spaced axis, and the device for The drive of the rotary element can be designed so that it moves the rotary element in the opposite direction to the rotary member of the seed rotor. The rotating element can be positioned so that its outer circumference of the annular Wall of the seed rotor closely adjacent, but far enough away from it to prevent the rotation of the rotation element pushes seeds away from the seed openings in the annular wall. Advantageously, this can Rotary element have the shape of a wheel.

In many advantageous arrangements, the control device comprises a brush, which can be a rotating brush, or a stationary or otherwise moving brush can.

Furthermore, in many advantageous arrangements, each seed opening of the annular wall of the seed rotor has a size and Shape compared to the seeds to be distributed that it only takes up a single seed during normal operation of the device, although it will be evident that embodiments of the invention can be built, in which each seed opening in the ring-

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shaped wall of the seed rotor has a size and shape in relation to the seeds to be distributed that they only have one receives a predetermined number of seeds, which is greater than a normal operation of the device.

The housing may have an inlet opening into the seed chamber within the perimeter of the annular wall of the seed rotor included for the entry of semen into the seminal chamber. The seed inlet opening can advantageously be spaced from the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Advantageously, the seed rotor can be in the form of a shallow bowl formed by a circular base section and the annular wall extending from the base section, the axis of rotation of the seed rotor passes through the center of the circular base section and is perpendicular to the general plane of the base section.

The housing may have a pair of generally parallel spaced apart walls that are generally congruent circular Having boundaries, and comprising said housing wall arranged to extend between the spaced walls around the boundaries thereof, the seed rotor being spaced apart between said pair Walls of the housing is arranged and its base portion is generally parallel to these walls, and the spermatic chamber being defined by the circular basial section of the seed rotor, defined by the annular wall of the seed rotor and by one of the spaced apart housings will. In one of the spaced apart walls of the housing For example, a semen inlet opening can be provided which faces the seminal chamber within the perimeter of the annular wall of the seed rotor extends.

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In many advantageous embodiments the outlet section defines the housing wall a single outlet opening. Advantageously, the individual outlet opening can be a Include slit, the height of which is parallel to the axis of the seed rotor equal to the width or slightly wider than each seed opening in the seed rotor is parallel to the rotor axis, and its length along the circumference of the housing wall in one Lies between a distance equal to the length of one of the range Seed openings equal in a direction along the circumference of the seed rotor, and a distance equal to three times that Circumferential band - the seed openings around the seed rotor is. Preferably, the length of the outlet slot can be a distance in the range of one and a half times to two times Corresponding space between the seed openings over the seed rotor.

The device may comprise a frame to mount the housing with the axis of rotation of the seed rotor vertically during normal operation, or it may comprise a frame to mount the housing with the axis of rotation of the seed rotor from the vertical at an angle in the range of 0 ° to 60 ° to be mounted inclined during normal operation. In some advantageous arrangements, the housing can be mounted with the axis of rotation of the seed rotor inclined to the vertical at an angle in the range from ko to 50 ° during normal operation. A device for changing the angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of the seed rotor to the vertical can also be provided.

An inclination specified for normal operation is understood to mean the inclination of the seed rotor when the device frame is open is positioned on the horizontal floor.

The seed rotor and the housing can be designed so that they a suspension of seeds in a egg in the seed chamber Contain liquid.

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One or more agitators can be provided which extend into the seed chamber and either stand relative to the rotor or rotate with it and for stirring and Mixing the particles are designed during the rotation of the rotor.

Any seed that is picked up by a seed opening in the rotor can flow from the seed opening at the outlet opening ejected by centrifugal force alone or in conjunction with gravity and / or a mechanical ejector. The latter can e.g. comprise an ejector element, which is arranged in the area of the outlet opening and is in a groove cut in the inner surface of the seed rotor extends, the ejector element being adapted to interacts with a seed enclosed in a seminal opening when the seminal opening exceeds the area of the Reached outlet opening, and pushes the seed from the seed opening at the outlet opening to the outside.

Alternatively, the seed can be displaced by the action of a fluidetrome. Furthermore, the seed can alternatively or additionally be drawn into a stream of liquid, which flows through the outlet opening in the housing.

The invention is particularly applicable where it concerns grain seeds or granulated (pelletted) seeds of sugar beet acts. Application to smaller seeds such as lettuce and carrots is also being considered. As has been mentioned the device according to the invention is applicable to the distribution of seeds both in a dry state in air as well as if they are supplied in an aqueous suspension. There are advantages to sowing seeds in a wet state, that is, » after being allowed to soak up water for a specified time. The main advantage is that the seed partially in furrows before sowing under certain conditions

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4%

or fully sprouted "one can old the result that represents Plant growth more controlled and faster TerlMaft.

Fall the Ausftthrungaform of the invention for furrow sowing la Field is determined, can elae at the opening la housing elae Delivery pipe leading to a Pflugeiaen or Another fora of a seed furrow devicea leads, with the read τοη der AuslaMffnng im das OehMuae la die Fares la Soil by gravity or an air or fiber stream are required

It is an object of the invention to enable the seeds to be set at regular regular intervals along a seed bed ea. This is achieved at a constant ground speed of a vehicle by delivering the regulated rules and intervals that are precisely controlled or, alternatively, by delivering the machine at a constant speed. Changes in the delivery timescale of the lasen kOnaen (eg by changing the "otatlensges4lnrla <ilfkelt" es laaeareters) as the change 1 "in the conditionality of the Maschlae ta kespeaalerea · FaIfIIcIi kaam 41 · Invention either ·" Isaiah rule leitabetäadea Tertellt werdea * der 4 * 1 laaea sit eimer sit the Bodomoamal «kelt der Maseains gehmayelten Oeechwindlgkeit In the 4« r Wels · rerteUt who «« _t am · fmr elaem re «elsäalgea descent of the eatlaag the teateett is weighed.

• ar distrib · *! t · * tarn + · fm Mtl · «* · * Terw + siet wer4ea, .lm «•! • tea fall 4M taftt fart« llmaftarwiss on buckets stationary at hail sjsatiert may 41 · sVablleke uatarhalb des on the iea SaaenTteilfeät rerbel be moved.

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An embodiment of the invention is illustrated below with reference to of the drawings. Ee shows:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the device according to the invention for Distribute τοη sasen;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a section along the lines III - III in FIG. 1; FIG. 1fc shows a section along the lines IV-IV in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a section along the lines V - V in FIG. 1; and Figure 6 is a perspective looks at a k shown in Figure Brush.

By first referring to FIGS. 1 to k , a device according to the invention for distributing τοη seeds comprises a seed rotor 12 which is mounted within a housing 12 for rotation. As shown in particular in Figure 3, the seed rotor 11 has the shape of a flat circular shell, which is formed by a circular base section 13 and τοη an annular wall 1 if which extends τοη the base section 13 perpendicularly upwards. The housing includes a housing wall 15 which extends around the seed rotor 11 immediately adjacent the annular wall 1 it of the rotor, and a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart walls 16 and 17 which generally mate with each other and parallel to the base portion 13 of the seed rotor 11 are. The rotor 11 is designed in such a way that it forms a seed chamber 18 which is bounded by τοη the annular wall 14 of the seed rotor 11, τοη the Basisabaohnitt 13 of the seed rotor 11 and τοη the upper wall 16 of the housing 12.

The base section 13 of the seed rotor 11 is mounted on a drive shaft 19 which is attached to the base section 13 extends downward through a bearing housing 20 formed in the lower part of the housing wall 17. Wave 19 is in

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the bearing housing Zo is mounted in conventional bearings, which have been omitted in the drawings for the sake of simplicity, and connected to a drive motor (not shown) for rotating the rotor 11 relative to the housing 12 about an axis 21. The housing wall 15 extends around the seed rotor 11 immediately adjacent to the annular wall 14 of the rotor 1f and has a clearance which is just sufficient to allow the rotor 11 to rotate relative to the housing 12. The housing wall 15, the annular wall 11f and the circular housing walls 16 and 17 are all coaxial with the axis of rotation 21 of the rotor 11.

In the annular wall 14 of the seed rotor 11, a plurality of seed openings 22 are formed, which extend through the annular wall 14 and are evenly distributed around the rotor 11. In the example shown, twenty seed openings 22 are provided. Each seed opening 22 is in the form of a circular hole, the inner edge of which is fluted as shown at 23 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper housing wall 16 has a circular recess 2h around its circumference which cooperates with the upper part of the annular wall 14. The play between the annular wall 14 and the recess 2h is sufficient to allow free rotation of the seed rotor 11, but is small enough to prevent seed loss from the seed chamber 18. The upper side of the wall 16 bears a flange 25 all around its upper circumference. The flange 25 cooperates with the corresponding flange at the upper end of the housing wall 14, and these two are screwed together with screw caps indicated schematically at 27. The base of the housing wall 15 is attached to the lower precision wall 17 with screws indicated visually at 27 '.

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As shown in FIGS. 2 and k , the housing wall 15 extends continuously aa the rotor 11 aafier »el of an AaslaBabseaBltt, which is indicated generally at 28. This analysis section 28 la of the nrtiiaagsaaamag 15 defines a single foreign opening 29 la item «las slit, the longest extension of which is generally aligned with the direction of the QeaMuae and 15 Twice the starting distance of the 13-emBffaaagem 22 round as, the rotor 11, «ad the giant of the slot 29 parallel to the axis of the Saaearotors 11 is arranged so that it is a bit greener than the width of a seed effaaag222, sat ia elasr sur llotorashse 21 parallel Right mag.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the eberen wall 16 there is a SameaelnlaMffauag 3 · YCrgcsshoa, which generally introduces the Saaemkamaer 18 inside the rlagforalgca Bmadung tk · The HaIaB 3 · i * t ia Flgmr $ ia Flgmr $ ia Flgmr $ ia Flgmr shown mad mat an axis 31 · «* ·« * t «r elmsm oblique hook ·! is inclined to Hstoraease 21, vebd «he Baasiifilmi 3 · ▼ ·> the Botoraehse 21 beabetamdet let. In the form of the form shown in the dchmumgom, the prayer 1I ₉ ia flfmr 1 is observed, ia Qegeauhrzelgeralaa «mgetrl« bem, ami the EImUB-opening mag 3xl «t in the" lsr such Hehtmag added that the semen occurs in the Baaemmmmmer 1 $ ia «ami der Btngaag dea Rotors 11 opposite Maa« lmtretsa · ^ edsch amaae> in other laerdaeagea the FIaIiBl ff «mat« la «zmrrBeterashee parallel axis onweleen eder« kmam ssgmr in isa am the lake ■ set ca Fiaarwa f ami f gsielgt— geasigt aela. BMa is «he WH ammg.,« Aft ü · ta «aa Ftgmna 1« ad f shown «Beigmag fmr dme isiiri fafteiiaag« sr Baamm im «er saaenkaemter 18 waaread the wsa« «« on the «« n ti

As shown in FIG. 3, is generally

flat of the Botorbeelseamittss 15 ilaiisatisii drive shaft

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32 wedged, which is mounted in the upper Gehliusewandung 16 in conventional bearings, which are again omitted from the drawings for the sake of simplicity. As shown in Figure 2, a first gear 33 is mounted on the upper part of the shaft 32, which meshes with a second gear 3k, which is mounted for rotation about a shaft 35, which is also in bearings (not shown) in the upper housing wall 16 is stored. The wave

35 extends through the upper housing wall 16 in the Seed chamber 18 and carries at its lower end within the Seed chamber 1ö a brush 36 in the form of a wheel. The brush

36 serves as a control device for directing the movement of the seeds in the seed chamber 18-, as will be described further below. The shafts 35 ^and 32 are mounted parallel to one another for rotation, but spaced from one another transversely to the seed chamber 18. The shaft 35 of the brush wheel 36 is arranged diametrically opposite the inner opening of the seed inlet opening 3o and forms an angle of 35 ° on the axis in the center of the shaft 32 bit to the center of the slot 29. The gears 33 and 34 are arranged ao that the brush 36 is opposite to that Direction of rotation de * seed rotor 11 is rotated, and at a higher speed of rotation.

In use, the annular wall 11+ can be made easily interchangeable with other annular walls which have seed openings of different dimensions. An advantageous fastening of the annular wall 14 to the base section 3 is provided by means of four screws, two of which are identified by 37 and 30 in FIG. Preferably, in use, the size and shape of the seed opening in relation to the seeds to be distributed is chosen so that only a single seed is accommodated in each seed opening during normal operation of the device. Preferably, the seed openings 22 are disposed adjacent the top surface of the base portion 13, as shown in FIG.

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The height of the brush wheel 36 can be specified so that it is only slightly less than the height of the seed chamber 18, with just enough clearance being left between the brush 36 and the upper housing wall 16 and the base section 13 for easy rotation of the Brush 36 to allow. The length of the slot 29 along the circumference of the wall 15 is preferably in the region of one to three times the spacing of the seed openings ZZ around the annular wall 11 *. In a tortuous arrangement, as shown in the figures, the length of the slot is slightly less than twice the distance between the seed openings ZZ around the rotor 11.

The operation of the apparatus shown in the figures will now be described. Seeds are fed into the seed chamber 18 through the seed inlet opening 3 ° either in a dry state or in a liquid such as water, and the rotor 11 is rotated by the shaft 19 relative to the housing 12, this relative to the axis 21 of the rotor 11 is certain. The rotation of the rotor 11 gives the seeds a rotary motion in the seed chamber 18, and the speed of the rotor 11 is adjusted in such a way that seeds are forced outward into the seed openings ZZ by centrifugal force.

In order to provide a reliable mechanism for filling the seed openings with one seed each, it is found that each seed must have two components of velocity relative to each seed opening ZZ . In order to move outward into the seminal opening, the semen must have a radial component of velocity on the cell. In order to ensure that the seed openings are filled with seeds after the seeds have exited the seed openings (as will be described below), it is also necessary that the general dimension of the seeds have a circumferential component of the velocity relative to the seed openings 22 so that the mass of

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Seed moved to the rotating seed openings door · This can be achieved by providing a stirring member in the sperm chamber 18 can be reached, e.g. a pole, which also corresponds to the upper one Housing wall 16 protrudes into the seed chamber 18. However has been found in the present case that by the stationary top wall 16 and by the presence of the brush 36 sufficient resistance is exerted on the rotating seed mass to provide the required degree of slip between the provide rotating seeds and the rotating annular wall lif.

As mentioned, it is usually arranged so that each seed opening 22 receives a single seed. Because of the presence of the surrounding housing wall 15, the seed in the seed opening 22 is not able to escape during the rotation of the rotor 11 until the seed opening 22 comes into the region of the outlet opening 23. At this time, the seed τοη of the seed opening 29 is released by centrifugal force on the seed alone or in conjunction with gravity. In the example shown, the axis of rotation 21 of the rotor 11 is vertical and the seeds are distributed by gravity alone. However, the device can be operated with a horizontal axis of rotation 21, in which case the seed is disengaged from the seed opening by a combination of centrifugal force and gravity. In such an arrangement it is preferred that the slot 29 is located between the lowest point of the housing wall and the level of the axis of the seed rotor, preferably closer to the level of the axis of the seed rotor. The position of the slot 29 relative to the lowest point of the housing wall is preferably a preceding position relative to the rotational axis of the seed rotor, and is such that the remaining tangential speed

a seed leaving the slot carries it to the required planting position. In other arrangements, the The axis of rotation 21 of the rotor 11 may be inclined to the vertical,

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and a preferred angle of inclination is if5 °. In such a Arrangement, the slot 29 is preferably arranged so that it is in a corresponding position between the lowermost Point of the housing wall 15 and the level of the center of the seed rotors is.

If an embodiment such as that shown in the figures is operated with an unobstructed interior of the seed chamber 18, it will be noted that sometimes more than the required number of seeds is distributed from the seed chamber during the passage of a seed opening 22 at the outlet opening 29. For example, where the seed opening ZZ is set up in such a way that it only receives one seed each time, it can happen that two seeds are distributed while the seed opening ZZ passes the slot 29, which happens because a second seed may enter the seed opening 22 can enter and exit during the period in which the opening 22 is in the region of the slot 29. In order to avoid that more than the required number of seeds is distributed during the period in which a seed opening is in the area of the outlet opening, a control device is provided according to the invention, which is arranged inside the rotor and is set up so that the passage of a seed into a Seed opening in the rotor is avoided or inhibited when this opening is located in the area of the outlet opening in the stationary housing wall. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the control device comprises a brush wheel 36 which acts as a means for shielding the inner openings of the seed openings ZZ in the area of the outlet opening 29 during the short period of time in which the seed opening is opposite the outlet opening. The effect of the buret wheel 36 is therefore to create a "dead" area in the seed chamber 18 in the area of the outlet opening 29 so that seeds do not enter this area. This shielding effect is provided by the rotation of the buret wheel 36 in the; Hegeneinn for the doping of the

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Reached seed rotor 11, that is, the brush 36 rotates clockwise in Figure / f, while the Hotor 11 rotates counterclockwise. The rotating brush 36 sweeps the seeds away from the inner surface of the annular wall and directs them across the seed chamber 18 to a position on the other side of the outlet opening 2.9 * The brush 36 is arranged so that the outer periphery of the brush is the annular wall Uf is closely adjacent, but far enough away from it to prevent the rotation of the brush 36 from driving seeds away from the seed openings ZZ in the annular wall. The brush wheel 36 does not actually contact the annular wall 1 / f, but sweeps the seeds away from the annular wall IJf by causing movement of the air or water in which the seeds are held.

It will be understood that other control devices could be provided within the sperm chamber 18 to achieve the same effect bring about, to divert seeds away from the area of the outlet opening in the fixed housing wall, and to another way to prevent or inhibit the passage of a seed into a seed opening during the time during which the seed opening of the outlet opening in the stationary housing wall opposite is.

In addition to the two described effects by which a seed is released from a seed opening at the outlet opening, ie centrifugal force and gravity, a mechanical ejector for ejecting seeds from the seed openings at the outlet opening 29 can be provided. For example, this can have the form of a thin sheet steel band that runs in a groove made in the inner surface of the annular wall, the effect of the steel band is that it forces the seeds out of the seed openings ZZ in the wall 11f at the outlet opening 29 .

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After the seed has left the outlet opening 29, can he can be brought to the ground either by placing the implement close to the ground and relying on gravity, or by using a conventional plow and gravity tube arrangement, or by using an air drive through a bore adjacent the outlet opening and connects with this and leads to the ground. Alternatively, the seed from the outlet opening 29 through a Flood flow to be carried away

The device can be mounted on a frame for movement over the land to be sown with a horizontal or vertical or inclined axis 21 to be appropriate. When the axis 21 is aligned in the vertical, the outlet opening 29 is preferably at the Rear of the device arranged. A seed hopper is used preferably arranged vertically above the seed distribution device in order to fill seeds into the seed inlet opening 3 °. The drive of the shaft 19 can preferably be coupled to the ground speed of the device via suitable gears so that small changes in the ground speed of the device can be compensated for by corresponding changes in the speed of rotation of the rotor 11.

Ale example of sizes of elements required for an execution of the invention and are suitable for application to grain seeds, the following dimensions are given. It is understood that slots of different sizes and different diameters of the circular elements can be used for different seeds and different sowing speeds.

Outside diameter of the annular rotor wall 1if: 1o9 Inner diameter of the housing wall 15: Ho mm Number of openings 22 on the Kotor 11: 2o Thickness of the annular wall 11 * 5.5

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Height of the seed chamber 18: 5 mm Diameter of each seed opening ZZ : if, ο mm Length of the semen outlet opening 29: 29 mm

Axial height of the outlet slot 29: 5 mm Total angle spanned by the outlet slot 29: 30 ° Inner diameter of the seed inlet opening 3o transversely

to the axis: 19 mm

Brush wheel 36 diameter: 3b $ 5 ■■

In typical operation, the rotor 11 can be in the range of 300 Revolutions per minute are rotated (with the dimensions shown) a seed spacing of approximately 36 mm at a Bring a ground speed of about 13 km / h. The device can go down to a driving speed in the range of 15o revolutions / minute for further distances or lower ground speeds are operated. For smaller distances or greater ground speeds the rotor can be rotated up to a speed in the range of 500 revolutions / minute.

In normal operation it is preferable not to drop the stationary speed below 150 revolutions per minute permit. With a seed area of 36 mm, this would result in a ground speed of 6.5 km / h. If necessary is to work at a lower ground speed, two more adaptations are available. First, you can suitable combinations of gears between the ground wheels and the öamenrotor for a certain number of holes be set up on the seed rotor. Alternatively or additionally it is possible to change the number of used on the seed rotor To change holes by replacing the annular wall of the rotor, as has been described.

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Although the device shown has been described so that it provides seeds which are distributed through a single outlet port 29, it will be appreciated that more than one outlet can be fed by a single rotor 11, or that alternatively, a series of rotor and gear assemblies can be provided along a common shaft to accommodate to provide a number of seed outlets. In such a series arrangement, seeds can be delivered to a plurality of inlet ports 30 from a single seed hopper.

Claims :

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Claims (1)

Expectations Apparatus for distributing seeds comprising a seed rotor, a housing, and means for rotating the rotor relative to the housing, the rotor being adapted to define a seed chamber partially defined by an annular wall having a plurality of extending therethrough and seed openings distributed around it, and wherein the rotor is shaped so that, when rotated by means of the rotating device, it exerts a centrifugal effect on seeds within the seed chamber in order to force seeds into the seed openings in the annular wall, characterized in that the housing (12) comprises a housing wall 0 5) which is fixed in normal operation relative to the axis of rotation C21) of the rotor (11) and extends around the rotor (11) immediately adjacent to its annular wall (IJf) in such a way that the Housing wall (15) blocks an exit of seeds from the seed openings (22.) in the rotor (11) to the outside, except in an outlet section (28) which defines an outlet opening (29) for a seed to exit from a seed opening (22) when the seed opening (22) is in the region of the outlet opening (29), and in that the housing (12) contains a control device (j> 6) , which is arranged inside the rotor (11) and is designed so that it prevents or inhibits the passage of a seed into a seed opening (22) in the rotor (11) if this is in the area of the outlet opening (29) in the stationary housing wall ( 15) is located. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the control device (36) is spaced from the region of the outlet opening (29) in a sense that it the outlet opening (29) precedes relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor (11), and that it is designed to facilitate the movement 709833/0298 of seeds in the seed chamber (10; from the area of the outlet opening (29) to steer away in the stationary housing wall (12). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that g e k e η η - ζ eichnet that the control device (3b) has a Kotationseiement (36) and a device (33, 34, 35) for driving the rotary element (3b), such that seeds in the seed chamber Uö) from the area of the discharge opening (29) in the fixed housing wall Ob) are pushed away. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotary element (36) is mounted for rotation about an axis which is essentially parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation (21) of the seed rotor (11), and that the device (33, 34, 35) for driving the rotary element (j> b) is set up so that it drives it in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the seed rotor (11). Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 »characterized in that the rotary element (36) is arranged so that its outer periphery is closely adjacent to the annular wall (14) of the seed rotor (11), but spaced sufficiently therefrom to avoid that the rotation of the rotary element (36) drives seeds out of the seed openings (ZZ) in the annular wall (14). b. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (36) has a brush (36). 709833/0298 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each seed opening (Za) in the annular wall (14) of the seed rotor (11) is of such a size and shape. Has relationship to the seeds to be distributed, that it only takes up a single seed when the device is in operation. ö. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the housing (12) has an inlet opening (3o) which leads into the seminal chamber (18) within the circumference of the annular wall (IZf) of the seed rotor (N) for the entry of seeds into the seed chamber U8). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that that the inlet opening (^ o) from the axis of the cation (21) of the hotors (11) is spaced apart. 0o. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (29) has a contactor (2y), the height of which is parallel to the axis (21) of the seed rotor (11) equal to the width or slightly wider than each seed opening {22.) im The seed rotor (11) is parallel to the Kotor axis (21), and its length along the circumference of the wall (15) lies in an area between a distance which is equal to the length of one of the seed openings (22) in the circumferential direction of the seed rotor (11) , and a distance which is three times the circumferential distance of the seed openings (2.2.) around the seed rotor (11). 11. Apparatus according to claim 1o, characterized in that the length of the slot (29) corresponds to a distance in the range of one and a half times to two times the circumferential distance of the seed openings (22). 709833/0298 '* - 2705A01 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the axis of rotation (21) of the seed rotor (11) is vertical during normal operation. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the axis of rotation (21) of the seed rotor (11) is below the vertical during normal operation is inclined at an angle in the range from o ° to bo °. 1if. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the seed rotor (11) is inclined to the vertical at an angle in the range from ko to 50 °. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a device for changing the angle of inclination of the axis of rotation (21) of the Seed rotor »(11) is provided relative to the vertical. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the seed rotor (11) and the housing (12) accommodate a suspension of seeds in a liquid within the seminal chamber (18) are adapted. The patent attorney