Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-03-06
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S241000, C700S244000, C111S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198986
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to crop input application implements used in site specific farming. More particularly, this invention relates to a crop input applicator capable of applying multiple crop inputs. The applicator has crop input reservoirs that are pre-charged with crop inputs from a remote source. Because the reservoirs on the implement are pre-charged, crop inputs are moved much closer to the dispensing point on the implement, and the time from when a crop input is released from the reservoirs until it reaches the ground is almost negligible. Furthermore, there is no need to stop the applicator to refill the crop input reservoirs and because the reservoirs hold multiple crop inputs, the applicator can apply multiple crop inputs at a desired prescriptive rate.
To compete in the global economy, farmers have been forced to become as cost effective as possible. In doing so, farmers have increasingly turned to high technology in the form of precision farming. Precision farming uses a locating system, such as a global positioning system (GPS), and site specific data. In addition, modern tractor vehicles are equipped with an onboard computer and a GPS receiver to locate the vehicle's position in the field. The computer uses the site specific data and information from the global positioning system to apply crop inputs in precise amounts at the precise desired location.
To improve efficiency, farmers have started using larger implements in an attempt to cover more ground in one pass. Likewise, more than one implement may be towed so that more than one product can be applied in one pass through the field. Often, a tractor vehicle tows a different crop input storage tank or container for each type of crop input applied. In these “mule train” type set ups, there may be a significant delay in time from when the crop input is dispensed from any storage tank to when it reaches the agricultural field. Such delays can defeat precision farming goals.
It is possible for control systems to compensate for this delay, and one such system is set forth in Delay Coordinating System for a System of Operatively Coupled Agricultural Machine, set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/165,251 filed on Oct. 1, 1998 by Alvin E. McQuinn, and Delay Coordinating System for Agricultural Machines, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/766,420, filed on Dec. 12, 1996 by Alvin E. McQuinn. Absent such a delay control system, decreasing the time from metering the crop input until applying it to a field can also serve to aid in precision farming. Thus, there is a need in the art for a crop input applicator which has little or no delay from the time the crop input is metered to when it is applied.
Other crop input applicator implements do not tow a storage tank, but carry crop inputs on the implement itself. The storage containers on these type of implements are necessarily limited in size and number. Because of the limited size, a farmer must stop and refill the storage containers each time a crop input is emptied. This becomes even more time consuming when multiple crop inputs are applied at different rates, which may cause the farmer to stop and refill different crop inputs at different times. Thus, there is a continuing need in the industry for a crop input applicator capable of applying multiple crop inputs which stay pre-charged thus not requiring a farmer to refill the crop input storage containers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pre-charged multi-variable rate crop input implement that carries several crop input reservoirs. These reservoirs are configured so that the reservoirs supply the crop inputs to be released at each row and are in close proximity to the dispensing point of the crop inputs. Because of this, the reservoirs are necessarily of limited capacity. The limited capacity of the reservoirs is not a problem, however, because the reservoirs are continually filled or charged with crop inputs from a remote source. Because the reservoirs are charged from a remote source, the farmer need not stop to make frequent refills often required by other implements.
The remote source can be either a towed crop input storage bin, or a variable payload vehicle. The remote source may charge the crop input reservoirs on the implement in a variety of ways. One way to move crop inputs from the remote source to the reservoirs is by using an air assisted system with fans, augers, or conveyor belts. Other configurations of conveyor belts, augers, pumps, or other crop input moving devices or combinations thereof are also possible.
Once the reservoirs are charged with crop inputs, the crop inputs are discharged via a dispensing point to the ground. The rate at which crop inputs are dispensed to the ground is controlled by a control system. The control system controls the rate of discharge through the dispensing points based on site specific data so that multiple crop inputs are applied at a precise prescriptive amount at a precise location. Furthermore, the control system also has sensors at each reservoir. These sensors serve to notify the control system as to the level of crop inputs at each reservoir. Thus, when the crop inputs are low in a particular reservoir, the sensor alerts the control system so the remote source can recharge the reservoir. The sensor again notifies the control system once the reservoirs have been properly charged, or filled, so that the flow of crop inputs is stopped and no overfilling occurs.
The reservoirs are located on the implement in close proximity to the dispensing points. Because the crop inputs are stored much closer to the dispensing points, there is only a negligible delay from when the control system calls for a desired crop input to when it is applied. Eliminating any delay makes the implement much more responsive to precision farming applications.
When discharged through the dispensing points, the multiple different crop inputs may all be discharged in one row. It is also possible for the different crop inputs to be discharged so that some crop inputs are slightly offset and are not placed directly in the same row. For instance, it may be desirable to place fertilizer beside a seed row, rather than in same row as the seed.
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Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.
Ellis Christopher P.
Kinney & Lange , P.A.
Tran Khoi H.
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