Planting – Drilling – Having depositor feature
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-10-30
Batson, Victor (Department: 3671)
Planting
Drilling
Having depositor feature
C222S547000, C222S564000, C138S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308646
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to using pneumatic orifices to tune a pneumatic manifold of a seeding machine to better distribute the air pressure between the various seed meters.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern seeding machines use sophisticated seed metering systems for controlling the rate at which seeds are planted. Many of these sophisticated metering systems use air pressure to control the application of seed to the ground. In one system positive air pressure is used. In other systems negative air pressure in the form of a vacuum is used to meter the seeds. This positive or negative air pressure is generated by an air pump in the form of a fan. This air pressure from the air pump is directed to a pneumatic manifold. The pneumatic manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the individual seed meters by hoses. The air pressure supplied to different row units is not identical. Such a condition results in uneven seed meter performance possibly resulting in variations in row-to-row seed populations and row-to-row seed spacing. The positive or negative air pressure is highest at those seed meters pneumatically closest to the source of pressurized air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple pneumatic orifice that can more evenly distribute air pressure to pneumatic seed meters.
A seeding machine is provided with a frame having a plurality of pneumatic seed meters. An air pump located on the frame supplies air pressure to a pneumatic manifold. The pneumatic manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the seed meters by air hoses. Pneumatic orifices are pneumatically positioned between the pneumatic manifold and the portion of the seed meters closest to the air pump. The pneumatic manifold is provided with radially extending tube stubs that are coupled to the air hose. The pneumatic orifices are inserted into the appropriate tube stubs. The pneumatic orifices are formed of plastic and have a cylindrical sleeve portion defining an internal passage and a circular cover portion having a restricted passage. The internal passage being in pneumatic communication with restricted passage. The cover portion is also provided with a radially extending edge extending outward past the sleeve portion.
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Deere & Company brochure entitled “MaxEmerge 2 Planters” front and back covers and pp. 2-6, printed in the U.S.A., 1994.
Deere & Company brochure entitled “MaxEmerge Plus Planters”, front and back covers and pp. 8-9, printed in the U.S.A.
Batson Victor
Deere & Company
LandOfFree
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