WO2011005449A1

WO2011005449A1 - Trenching device and system

Info

Publication number: WO2011005449A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/039028
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Peterson
Original assignee: AGCO Corp
Current assignee: AGCO Corp
Priority date: 2009-06-22
Filing date: 2010-06-17
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-22
Also published as: US20100319941A1

Abstract

A device for trenching and a system of controlling trenching at a constant depth and at a speed of more than 12 miles per hour.

Description

TRENCHING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural implements used for in soil banding of fertilizer or seeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern agriculture requires large amounts of fertilizer to be spread over high acreage fields in the quickest, most efficient manner. Two methods are used to spread fertilizer: broadcast and in soil banding.

In soil banding has several advantages. First, in soil banding is often the preferred method because it targets fertilizer near the seed and unlike broadcast fertilizer, in soil banding does not waste fertilizer by placing it away from the seed and in spots where it can fertilize weeds instead of crops. Second, in soil banding can be used in reduced-till or no-till systems. Third, when in soil banding is used instead of tilling, there is reduced soil erosion, better moisture conservation, reduced weed growth, reduced operating cost, and better seed germination and crop establishment.

In soil banding can be accomplished by opening the soil with openers such as discs, knives, sweeps, double discs and single angle discs. The disc or blade is attached to a frame which is pulled behind a tractor to make a furrow in the soil where application material such as fertilizer or seeds can be placed.

In soil banding relies on downward pressure on the disc or blade to achieve a band depth in the soil surface. Pressure is commonly applied to the disc or blade by a single spring or a hydraulic cylinder. This method of in soil banding limits the ground speed of the agricultural machine to less than 10 miles per hour because sufficient time is needed to enable the spring or hydraulic cylinder to adjust to the soil conditions such as uneven terrain, varying soil density, and friction between the disc or blade and the soil. While in soil banding has the advantage over broadcast methods because in soil banding is a targeted approach, broadcast methods are quicker to apply to the soil without dynamic repositioning in real time. The problem is to compete with broadcast methods, equipment using trenching methods need to travel much faster (speeds greater that 12 mph) than equipment currently does and still maintain a precise placement of product at the desired depth.

What is needed therefore is a trenching device and system that utilizes in soil banding techniques, yet can deliver constant band depths at speeds greater than 12 mph. It is to such a device and system that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in preferred form, the present invention is a device for trenching and a system of controlling trenching at a constant depth and at a speed of more than 12 miles per hour. The control system to be used on such a furrow opener can include a height sensing assembly along the main frame of the banding device to determine the absolute implement-to-ground dimension at each row location, a depth sensing assembly to determine the furrow depth in the soil, an actuator or cylinder to apply a varying load to the row unit, a processor to provide a real-time calculation of the dimension requirements, a pressure regulator/driver to control the length of the actuator or cylinder, and a soil condition sensing assembly.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a view of farm equipment with a trenching device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of an implement with a trenching device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a trenching device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side, close-up view of an individual unit of a trenching device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a view of a farm implement with a trenching device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is flow chart describing the control system of the trenching device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the Figs. 1-5.

A device for trenching soil comprising a furrow opening assembly that maintains a near constant depth into the soil when traversing the soil at speeds of 12 miles per hour or greater. Fig. 1 shows a tractor 101 pulling the trenching device 102 across the soil 103. The trenching device 102 maintains a near constant depth of +/- 10% as it is being pulled behind the tractor 101. A near constant depth is very important because it allows for the precise placement of application material 207 at the proper depth in the furrow.

Fig. 2 shows a farm implement 201 that has a horizontal member 205 used to attach a frame 204 to a plurality of row units 202. Optionally attached to the frame is an application device 206 such as a tube or chute that connects on one end to a container 203 of application material 207 and on the other end, the application device 206 is connected to the furrow opener assembly 202. The application material 207 exits the application device behind the furrow opener assembly 202.

The soil 103 that is opened by the furrow opening assembly has a variety of densities. For instance, the soil 103 could be very sandy and easy to open the soil with the furrow opening assembly through. Or the soil 103 could be very thick like clay which makes it very difficult to open with the furrow opening assembly. The furrow opening assembly would also have difficulty opening hard soil

103 that is densely packed together or rocky soil that has a lot of unevenness and rocks.

The soil level is uneven. The soil level itself has often has hills and valleys like the terrain in general. Vegetation left behind from prior plantings can also cause peaks in the soil 103. Very rarely will the soil level be perfectly flat.

An automated adjustment system can dynamically adjust the force the furrow opening assembly applies to the soil to provide the near constant depth into the soil, as the soil varies in densities and level. Fig. 3 shows a closer top view of a farm implement 301 with a plurality of row units 202 attached to a frame 204, which is a straight member made of a durable material connecting a plurality of row units 204 in a straight line. Each row unit 202 has an automated adjustment system 316 and a furrow opening assembly 312. The furrow opening assembly 312 contains a furrow opener 308. A furrow opener 308 can include as discs, knives, sweeps, double discs and single angle discs for use to open the soil. In the present embodiment, the furrow opener 308 is a disc. An automated adjustment system 316 can be used to adjust the downward force on the furrow opener assembly 312 to control the depth that the furrow opener 308 will cut into the soil. The control assembly 316 can include six basic functional blocks for each row unit: a height sensing assembly 303; a depth sensing assembly 304; an actuator 305; an actuator control 306; a processor 307; and a soil condition sensing assembly 309.

Fig. 4 shows a detailed drawing of both the automated adjustment system 316 and the furrow opening assembly 312. The furrow opening assembly 312 can be attached to the frame 204 by an arm 313. The arm 313 includes an actuator 305 and two stabilizing members 311. One stabilizing member 311 can be above the actuator 305 and one stabilizing member 311 is below the actuator 305. The stabilizing members 311 can be connected to the right face of frame 204 on end and can be connected on the other end to the furrow opening assembly 312, which can include furrow handle 314 extending horizontal from the arm 313 and attached on the top end of the vertical member 315 that has the furrow opener 308 at the other end. A furrow opener system is connected to the automated adjustment system 316 by the arm 313, which includes the stabilizing members 311 that are generally horizontal and attached can move up and down relative to the ground 317. - A -

An automated adjustment system 316 can be used to adjust the downward force on the furrow opener 308 to control the depth that the furrow opener 308 will cut into the ground 317. The automated adjustment system 316 can include six basic functional blocks for each row unit: a height sensing assembly 303; a depth sensing assembly 304; an actuator 305; a processor 307; an actuator control 306; and a soil condition sensing assembly 309.

The actuator 305 can be mounted to the furrow opening assembly 312 on one end and the frame 204 on one end. The actuator 305 is a mechanical device used to exert downward force on the furrow opening assembly 312. Some examples of actuators include but are not limited to a spring, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or other force-driven device such as a motor. The actuator control 306 can be mounted on top of the frame 306 or on top of the actuator 305. The actuator control 306 controls how much downward force the actuator 305 will exert on the furrow opening assembly 312. The actuator control 306 receives its instructions from a processor 307.

The processor 307 can be attached above the actuator control 306, on the frame 204, or any location within close enough proximity to the actuator control 306, the height sensing assembly 303; the depth sensing assembly 304; and the soil condition sensing assembly 309 to use a hard wire. The processor 307 can also use a wireless connection to communicate with the actuator control 306, the height sensing assembly 303; the depth sensing assembly 304; and the soil condition sensing assembly 309. The processor 307 can use the output from the height sensing assembly 303 and soil condition sensing assembly 309 to calculate the proper fertilizer depth and compare it with the output of the depth sensing assembly 304. If the proper depth is not being maintained, the processor 307 will send information to the actuator control 306 to adjust the down force exerted by the actuator 305. The processor 307 can also query the height sending assembly 303, depth sensing assembly 304, and soil condition sensing assembly 309.

The height sensing assembly 303, the depth sensing assembly 304 and the soil condition sensing assembly 309 can have specialized jobs. A height sensing assembly 303 can be used to determine the height of the frame from the ground. The depth sensing assembly 304 can be used to determine how deep a furrow the furrow opener would be making in the soil. The output of the depth sensing assembly 304 can be sent into a processor 307. A soil condition sensing assembly 309 would supply information regarding the effect of current ground speed and soil density, or compaction, on the row unit.

The height sensing assembly 303 can be attached to left face of the frame 204. The depth sensing assembly 304 can be attached to the frame 204 or to the lower stabilizing member 311. The soil condition sensing assembly 309 would be attached to the lower stabilizing member 311.

In another embodiment, the stabilizing members 311 can be unnecessary and the actuator 305 connects directly from the frame to the furrow opener. In another embodiment of Fig. 4, one processor 307 for each of the row units 202 on the frame 204 can be unnecessary. Instead, as in Fig. 5, one processor 307 can be located anywhere because the processor wirelessly sends and receives information between itself and the row unit 202.

In Fig. 6, in box 601, the processor queries the sensing assemblies. Then in box 602 the sensing assemblies get input from their surroundings. Next, in box 603 the sensing assemblies send input to the processors. In box 604, the processor determines if the depth is correct using input from sensing assemblies. If no, then in box 605 the processor sends messages to the actuator control. Then in box 607 the actuator control adjusts the actuator and the process starts over at box 601. If yes, then in box 606, nothing is done and the process starts again at box 601.

Claims

What is claimed is:

I . A device for trenching soil comprising a furrow opening assembly that maintains a near constant depth into the soil when traversing the soil at speeds of 12 miles per hour or greater.

2. The device for trenching soil of Claim 1, wherein the soil incorporates a variety of densities.

3. The device for trenching soil of Claim 1, wherein the soil level is uneven.

4. The device for trenching soil of Claim 1, further comprising an automated adjustment system that can dynamically adjust the force the furrow opening assembly applies to the soil to provide the near constant depth into the soil, as the soil varies in densities and level.

5. A device for trenching soil comprising:

a tractor for traversing the soil;

a furrow opening assembly attached to a frame pulled by the tractor, the furrow opening assembly maintaining a near constant furrow depth into the soil; and

an automated adjustment system that can dynamically adjust the force the furrow opening assembly applies to the soil to provide the near constant depth into the soil, as the soil varies in densities and level, and as the tractor traverses the soil at speeds of 12 miles per hour or greater.

6. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises an actuator control assembly for applying the dynamically changing force on the furrow opening assembly, to maintain the near constant furrow depth into the soil depending on changing soil densities and level.

7. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a height sensing assembly for real-time determination of the distance between the frame and the varying soil level.

8. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a depth sensing assembly for real-time determination of the furrow depth into the soil.

9. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a soil condition sensing assembly for real-time determination of the varying character of the soil.

10. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the soil condition sensing assembly.

I I. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the depth sensing assembly.

12. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the height sensing assembly.

13. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from automated adjustment system.

14. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the processor sends and receives information through a wire.

15. The device for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the processor sends and receives information wirelessly.

16. A method for trenching soil comprising a furrow opening assembly that maintains a near constant depth into the soil when traversing the soil at speeds of 12 miles per hour or greater.

17. The method for trenching soil of Claim 1, wherein the soil incorporates a variety of densities.

18. The method for trenching soil of Claim 1 , wherein the soil level is uneven.

19. The method for trenching soil of Claim 1, further comprising an automated adjustment system that can dynamically adjust the force the furrow opening assembly applies to the soil to provide the near constant depth into the soil, as the soil varies in densities and level.

20. A method for trenching soil comprising:

a tractor for traversing the soil;

21. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises an actuator control assembly for applying the dynamically changing force on the furrow opening assembly, to maintain the near constant furrow depth into the soil depending on changing soil densities and level.

22. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a height sensing assembly for real-time determination of the distance between the frame and the varying soil level.

23. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a depth sensing assembly for real-time determination of the furrow depth into the soil.

24. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a soil condition sensing assembly for real-time determination of the varying character of the soil.

25. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the soil condition sensing assembly.

26. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the depth sensing assembly.

27. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from the height sensing assembly.

28. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the automated adjustment system comprises a processor for sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information to and from automated adjustment system.

29. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the processor sends and receives information through a wire.

30. The method for trenching soil of Claim 5, wherein the processor sends and receives information wirelessly.