The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural implements, and more specifically, to ringed meter rollers and a slide cutoff system.
A range of agricultural implements have been developed and are presently in use for tilling, planting, harvesting, and so forth. Seeders, for example, are commonly towed behind tractors and may cover wide swaths of ground which may be tilled or untilled. Such devices typically open the soil, dispense granular product in the soil opening, and re-close the soil in a single operation. In agricultural implements such as seeders or spreaders, granular products are commonly dispensed from bulk product tanks and distributed to row units by a distribution system. In certain configurations, air carts are towed with the implements to deliver a desired flow of granular products to the row units.
Air carts generally include a seed storage tank, an air source (e.g., a blower) and a metering assembly. The granular products are typically gravity fed from the storage tank to the metering assembly that distributes a desired volume of granular products into an air flow generated by the air source. The air flow then carries the granular products to the row units via conduits extending between the air cart and the agricultural implements. The metering assembly typically includes meter rollers or other metering devices that regulate the flow of granular products based on meter roller geometry and rotation rate. However, some granular products differ in size or desired rate of application, and, thus, different meter rollers may be used for the different products. Replacing meter rollers may be time consuming and inconvenient.
Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.
In a first embodiment, a system includes an agricultural metering system a meter roller configured to meter product from an agricultural product storage compartment to a product distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and a corresponding first plurality of recesses, and a second meter roller segment having a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality of recesses. The first meter roller segment includes a first profile, the second meter roller includes a second profile, and the first profile is different from the second profile. The system also has a dividing ring axially positioned between the first meter roller segment and the second meter roller segment.
In a second embodiment, a system includes an agricultural metering system having a housing configured to receive product from an agricultural product storage compartment, a meter roller disposed within the housing and configured to meter the product to a product distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and a corresponding first plurality of recesses, and a second meter roller segment having a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality of recesses. The first meter roller segment includes a first profile, the second meter roller includes a second profile, and the first profile is different from the second profile. The system also includes a slide configured to selectively block at least a portion of the product flowing from the agricultural product storage compartment to the meter roller.
In a third embodiment, a system includes an agricultural metering system with a housing configured to receive product from an agricultural product storage compartment via an opening in the housing, and a meter roller disposed within the housing and configured to meter the product to a product distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and a corresponding first plurality of recesses, and a second meter roller segment having a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality of recesses. The first meter roller segment includes a first profile, the second meter roller includes a second profile, and the first profile is different from the second profile. The system also includes a dividing ring disposed axially between the first meter roller segment and the second meter roller segment. The dividing ring is non-rotatably coupled to the first meter roller segment and to the second meter roller segment. The system also includes a meter roller sleeve configured to surround the meter roller and to translate axially relative to the meter roller to block the product from flowing through the first meter roller segment, the second meter roller segment, or both.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Turning now to the drawings,
In the illustrated embodiment, the air cart 10 includes a storage tank 12, a frame 14, wheels 16, a metering assembly 18 and an air source 20. In certain configurations, the storage tank 12 includes multiple compartments for storing various flowable particulate materials. For example, one compartment may include seeds, such as canola or mustard, and another compartment may include a dry fertilizer. In such configurations, the air cart 10 is configured to deliver both the seeds and the fertilizer to the implement. The frame 14 includes a towing hitch configured to couple to the implement or tow vehicle. As discussed in detail below, seeds and/or fertilizer within the storage tank 12 are provided (e.g., gravity fed into) the metering assembly 18. The metering assembly 18 includes meter rollers that regulate the flow of material from the storage tank 12 into an air flow provided by the air source 20. The air flow then carries the material to the implement by pneumatic conduits. In this manner, the row units receive a supply of seeds and/or fertilizer for deposition within the soil.
Each meter roller 28 includes an interior cavity 30 configured to receive a shaft that drives the meter roller 28. In the present embodiment, the cavity 30 has a hexagonal cross section. However, alternative embodiments may include various other cavity configurations (e.g., triangular, square, keyed, splined, etc.). The shaft is coupled to a drive unit, such as an electric or hydraulic motor, configured to rotate the meter rollers 28. Alternatively, the meter rollers 28 may be coupled to a wheel 16 by a gear assembly such that rotation of the wheel 16 drives the meter rollers 28 to rotate. Such a configuration will automatically vary the rotation rate of the meter rollers 28 based on the speed of the air cart 10. In some embodiments, the meter rollers 28 coupled to each storage tank 12 may be independently controlled (e.g., may be operated at independent rotation rates).
Each meter roller 28 also includes multiple flutes 32 and recesses 34. The number and geometry of the flutes 32 are configured to accommodate the agricultural product 26 being distributed. The illustrated embodiment includes six flutes 32 and a corresponding number of recesses 34. Alternative embodiments may include more or fewer flutes 32 and/or recesses 34. For example, the meter roller 28 may include 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or more flutes 32 and/or recesses 34. In addition, a depth of the recesses 34 and/or a height of the flutes 32 are configured to accommodate the agricultural product 26 within the storage tank 12. For example, a meter roller 28 having deeper recesses 34 and fewer flutes 32 may be employed for larger seeds, while a meter roller 28 having shallower recesses 34 and more flutes 32 may be employed for smaller seeds. Other parameters such as flute pitch (i.e., rotation relative to a longitudinal axis) and flute angle (i.e., rotation relative to a radial axis) may also be varied in alternative embodiments. For example, as described below with respect to
The rotation rate of the meter roller 28 controls the flow of agricultural product 26 into the air stream 24. Specifically, as the meter roller 28 rotates, material is transferred through an opening 36 in the metering assembly 18 into the conduit 22. The material then mixes with air from the air source 20, thereby forming an air/material mixture 38. The mixture then flows to the row units of the implement via pneumatic conduits, where the seeds and/or fertilizer are deposited within the soil. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, if the flow rate of material from the meter roller 28 is higher or lower than desired for a particular product, the rate of rotation of the meter roller 28 may be changed. In some situations, however, a change in rotation rate may not be enough to achieve the desired output of agricultural product. In such situations, the meter roller 28 may be replaced. However, as noted above, replacing meter rollers may be time consuming. Accordingly, as explained in detail below, present embodiments may include the meter roller 28 having multiple segments and/or multiple divider rings. The meter roller 28 may be separated from the storage tank 12 by a slide, which is positioned over the meter roller 28 to enable selection of various segments of the meter roller 28 to deliver the agricultural product 26 at a desired product flow rate.
The segments 42, 44, 46 of the meter roller 28 may be axially (e.g., along an axial axis 47) divided by dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54. In the illustrated embodiment, a first ring 48 and a second ring 50 define an axial width 56 of the first segment 42 of the meter roller 28. As mentioned above, the first segment 42 has shallow recesses 34, but may also include smaller axial width 56, which may be desirable for products that are metered at a low flow rate. The second segment 44 of the meter roller 28 is bordered by the second ring 50 and a third ring 52, which define an axial width 58. Additionally, the third ring 52 and a fourth ring 54 define an axial width 60 of the third segment 46 of the meter roller 28. The second axial width 58 and the third axial width 60 may be the same, as illustrated, or may be different to enable various product flow rates.
As described in detail below, the metering assembly 18 may include a slide that aligns with the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 to enable accurate flow rate of the agricultural product 26. The meter roller 28 may have a radius 68 measured from the axial axis 47 of the meter roller 28. The radius 68 is the same for each of the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 (e.g., an outer surface of each dividing ring has the same radius 68). A consistent outer radius 68 may facilitate alignment of the slide relative to the dividing rings when the slide shifts from one dividing ring to the next. Each dividing ring 48, 50, 52, 54 may also include an inner radius 70 that is sized to fit over a shaft 72. The shaft 72 is non-rotatably coupled to the segments 42, 44, 46 and to the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54. The dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 are positioned around the shaft 72 and fit between the segments 42, 44, 46 within a gap 74 between each pair of adjacent segments (e.g., between the first segment 42 and the second segment 44, and between the second segment 44 and the third segment 46). This ensures that the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 do not move relative to each other or relative to the roller segments 42, 44, 46.
The second segment 44 of the meter roller 28 may include a medium profile 64 and width 58 to facilitate a medium flow rate of the product 26. For example, as illustrated in
The third segment 46 of the meter roller 28 may include a profile 66 and width 60 for a coarse flow rate of the product 26. As illustrated, the coarse profile 66 includes deep flutes 32 in which there is a relatively large difference between the inner radius 70 and the outer radius 68. The coarse profile 66 thus enables a higher flow rate than either the medium profile 64 or the fine profile 62. In some embodiments, the coarse segment 44 may have a larger width 60 to further increase the amount of product 26 that is delivered. In other embodiments, the widths of each of the segments 42, 44, 46, or any two of the segments 42, 44, 46 may be the same.
In the illustrated embodiment of
In addition, bar adaptors 156 are coupled to each end of the sleeve adjustment bar 154. The sleeve adjustment bar 154 and/or the bar adaptors 156 may be adjusted to cause the sleeves 152 to expose one or more of the segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of its respective meter roller 28. The meter roller sleeves 152 in combination with the various segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of each meter roller 28 may enable the metering assembly 18 to meter a variety of products with a single meter roller configuration (e.g., without replacing the meter rollers 28), as explained above. By combining multiple sleeves 152 to a single sleeve adjustment bar 154, an operator may quickly adjust all the meter rollers 28 to operate using the same segment or segments (e.g., first segment 42 for canola).
In addition to controlling the collective group of meter roller sleeves 152, individual meter roller sleeves 152 may be independently adjusted to deliver more or less product to various locations from the air cart 10. For example, the sleeve adjustment assembly 158 of a particular meter roller sleeve 152 may be adjusted to cause the meter roller sleeve 152 to block various segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of the meter roller 28. Each sleeve 152 is independently adjusted to line up with the dividing ring of the designated segment (e.g., dividing ring 50 for first segment 42). Specifically, each meter roller sleeve 152 may be independently adjusted, for example, by rotating the meter roller sleeve 152 about a threaded rod of the sleeve adjustment assembly 158, thereby extending or retracting the sleeve 152. Alternatively, each meter roller sleeve 152 may be independently adjusted by rotating an adjustment bolt of the sleeve adjustment assembly 158. Such fine tuning may be used to adjust product flow rate to particular groups of row units, thereby compensating for variations in the number of row units per group or variations in desired product application rates across the field, for example.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/932,747, entitled “RINGED METER ROLLERS AND SLIDE CUTOFF SYSTEM”, filed Nov. 4, 2015, which claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/075,202, entitled “RINGED METER ROLLERS AND SLIDE CUTOFF SYSTEM”, filed Nov. 4, 2014. Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
936883 | Garwood | Oct 1909 | A |
1134894 | Newton | Apr 1915 | A |
3489321 | Kirschmann | Jan 1970 | A |
4259912 | Stocks et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
4609131 | Tieben | Sep 1986 | A |
5025951 | Hook et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5109893 | Derby | May 1992 | A |
5549060 | Schick et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5878679 | Gregor et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5924370 | Gregor et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5980163 | Gregor et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6138591 | Horsch | Oct 2000 | A |
6158630 | Mayerle et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
7100522 | Mayerle | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7428874 | Jones et al. | Sep 2008 | B2 |
7472808 | Hanaoka et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
7565871 | Audette | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7765943 | Landphair et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
8166895 | Dean et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8176797 | Henry et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8196534 | Meyer et al. | Jun 2012 | B2 |
8281724 | Snipes | Oct 2012 | B2 |
8336471 | Gilstring | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8375873 | Nelson et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8434416 | Kowalchuk et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
9909914 | Kowalchuk | Mar 2018 | B2 |
10031013 | Gervais | Jul 2018 | B2 |
20120067258 | Maro | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120174843 | Friggstad | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120174844 | Friggstad | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120230779 | Dunstan | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120301231 | Jagow et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20160120112 | Gervais et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
352162 | Jul 1931 | GB |
2162338 | Jan 1986 | GB |
Entry |
---|
U.S. Appl. No. 15/878,732, filed Jan. 24, 2018, Kowalchuk et al. |
U.S. Appl. No. 15/878,958, filed Jan. 24, 2018, Kowalchuk et al. |
U.S. Appl. No. 16/001,708, filed Jun. 6, 2018, Gervais et al. |
U.S. Appl. No. 16/001,783, filed Jun. 6, 2018, Gervais et al. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180149509 A1 | May 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62075202 | Nov 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14932747 | Nov 2015 | US |
Child | 15879104 | US |