Patent ID: 12234110

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features.

The disclosed embodiments may, in some cases, be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or stored on one or more transitory or non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied as any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a volatile or non-volatile memory, a media disc, or other media device).

With reference toFIG.1, illustrated therein is mobile agricultural equipment100according to certain embodiments. The mobile agricultural equipment100generally includes a towing vehicle110, which tows a commodity cart120and a distribution trailer200according to certain embodiments. As described herein, the equipment100is configured to distribute granular agricultural product across a plot of land.

The towing vehicle110provides motive power for the equipment100, and may, for example, be provided in the form of a tractor or another towing vehicle. In certain forms, the towing vehicle110may provide electrical and/or mechanical power to the other components of the equipment, for example via a power take-off.

The commodity cart120is towed by the towing vehicle110, and stores agricultural product for distribution by the distribution trailer200. The commodity cart120includes at least one reservoir in which agricultural product is stored, and in the illustrated form includes a plurality of reservoirs, including a first reservoir122and a second reservoir124. The first reservoir122holds a first granular agricultural product (e.g., fertilizer), and the second reservoir124holds a second granular agricultural product (e.g., seed). In the illustrated form, the commodity cart120further includes at least one first meter123, and may further include at least one second meter125. As described herein, the at least one first meter123facilitates the transportation of the first agricultural product to one or more holding tanks300of the distribution trailer200, and the at least one second meter125facilitates transportation of the second agricultural product to at least one distribution tower220of the distribution trailer200. The commodity cart120may further include a least one blower121that facilitates transportation of the first and second agricultural products to the distribution trailer200via separate material conveyance conduits221,301. In certain embodiments, the blower121and/or the meter123may be considered to constitute a conveyance device.

The illustrated distribution trailer200generally includes a plurality of row units210configured to place agricultural product in or on the ground, and in the illustrated form further includes at least one distribution tower220configured to distribute the second agricultural product to the plurality of row units210. As described herein, the distribution trailer200further includes one or more holding tanks300configured to hold the first agricultural product for distribution to the row units210.

Each row unit210is connected with a corresponding one of the holding tanks300via a corresponding first feed line211, through which the first agricultural product is transported to the row unit210. In the illustrated form, each row unit210is also connected with a corresponding one of the distribution towers220via a corresponding second feed line212, through which the second agricultural product is transported to the row unit210. The row units210may be of any type known in the art, and may, for example, include an opening wheel for opening a furrow in the ground, a first distribution mechanism for placing the first agricultural product in the furrow, a second distribution mechanism for placing the second agricultural product in the furrow, and a closing wheel for closing the furrow once the first and second agricultural products have been deposited therein. Alternatively, a shank may be utilized in place of a rolling element to facilitate closure of the furrow.

Each distribution tower220is connected with the second reservoir124via a corresponding first distribution line221such that the second agricultural product is pneumatically conveyed to the distribution tower220by operation of the blower(s)121and the second meter(s)125. The distribution tower220is configured to apportion the incoming agricultural product to the various row units210by directing the agricultural product to the several second feed lines212.

With additional reference toFIG.2, each holding tank300is connected to the first reservoir122via a corresponding distribution line301such that the first agricultural product390is pneumatically conveyed to the holding tank300by operation of the blower(s)121and the first meter(s)123. Extending through an upper region of the holding tank300is a supply line310, an inlet311of which is connected with the distribution line301such that agricultural product390is operable to flow through the supply line310by the blower121. Positioned below the supply line310are a plurality of outlets320, each of which is connected with a corresponding one of the first feed lines211such that agricultural product390flows to the various row units210by operation of one or more delivery devices322, such as volumetric meters and/or commodity system venturis. Also positioned within the holding tank300is a fill sensor330, the function of which is described in further detail herein.

The supply line310generally includes a supply line inlet311connected to the distribution line301, a plurality of supply line outlets312open to the interior of the tank300, a plurality of tubes314that are connected with one another via junctions316,316′, and a vent319positioned at or near a distal end of the supply line310. The plurality of supply line outlets312includes a first supply line outlet312aand a final supply line outlet312d, and in the illustrated form includes a pair of intermediate supply line outlets312b,312c. In the illustrated form, the outlets312are arranged relatively linearly. It is also contemplated that the outlets312need not be in-line with one another, and may, for example, be provided in the geometry of a circle, a square, or another shape, and may be distributed with even spacing between the outlets312and/or with uneven spacing between the outlets312.

The first supply line outlet312ais nearest the supply line inlet311, and the final supply line outlet312dis farthest from the supply line inlet311(as measured along the supply line310). In other words, the first outlet312ais upstream of the final outlet312dsuch that the distance traveled by agricultural product390flowing from the inlet311to the first outlet312ais less than the distance traveled by agricultural product390flowing from the inlet311to the final outlet312d.

In the illustrated form, the supply line310includes a number of junctions316,316′ corresponding to the number of supply line outlets312. More particularly, the illustrated supply line310includes three first junctions316corresponding to the first three supply line outlets312a,312b,312c, and a second junction316′ corresponding to the final supply line outlet312d. More particularly, the first junctions316are provided in the form of Y-shaped junctions, and the second junction316′ is provided in the form of an elbow or L-shaped junction. It is also contemplated that one or more of the junctions316,316′ may be provided in another form. For example, the second junction316′ may be provided in the form of a T-shaped junction or a Y-shaped junction, one outlet branch of which may lead to the vent319.

Each first junction316includes three branches317, including a upper inlet branch317a, an upper outlet branch317b, and a lower outlet branch317cextending downward from the upper branches317a,317b. In each first junction316, the upper inlet branch317ais positioned upstream of lower outlet branch317c, which is positioned upstream of the upper outlet branch317b. The lower outlet branch317cleads to one of the supply line outlets312, and the upper outlet branch317bleads to the next junction316,316′. As described in further detail below, at least a portion of the agricultural product390flowing through the first junction will be directed toward the lower outlet branch317cuntil the corresponding supply line outlet312is blocked, at which point the amount of agricultural product390flowing through the upper outlet branch317bwill increase such that product flows to the next junction316,316′.

In the illustrated form, the second junction316′ is provided in the form of an elbow or L-junction, and is connected with the vent319. It is also contemplated that the second junction316′ may take another form, such as that of a Y-shaped junction or a T-shaped junction, in which one branch is open to the vent319. In order to prevent agricultural product390from flowing out of the vent319, an inlet of the vent319may be provided with a screen or other component that permits air to flow therethrough while blocking the passage of agricultural product390.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to a system100′ for filling the holding tank300. As used herein, the term “filling” indicates that the agricultural product390is flowing into the tank300, and does not require that the tank300be fully filled. In the illustrated form, the system100′ includes the blower121, the meter123, a controller130, the supply line310, and the sensor330, and may further include the vent319. Further details regarding the operation of the system100′ are provided herein.

With additional reference toFIG.3, an exemplary process400that may be performed using the mobile agricultural equipment100, the system100′, and/or the holding tank300is illustrated. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Additionally, while the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process400is described herein with specific reference to the mobile agricultural equipment100, the system100′, and the holding tank300illustrated inFIGS.1and2, it is to be appreciated that the process400may be performed with mobile agricultural equipment, systems, and/or holding tanks having additional and/or alternative features.

The process400generally involves filling a holding tank, such as the holding tank300illustrated inFIGS.1and2. The process400may begin with block410, which generally involves flowing agricultural product390into a supply line including a plurality of outlets open to a holding space of the holding tank. For example, block410may involve flowing agricultural product390into the supply line310, which includes outlets312open to the holding space302of the holding tank300. The plurality of outlets312may include a first outlet312aassociated with a first junction316aand a second outlet312dassociated with a second junction316′. In certain embodiments, block410may involve block412, which generally involves operating a blower121and/or a meter123to thereby flow agricultural product390from a reservoir122into the supply line310.

With additional reference toFIGS.4-7, the process400includes block420, which generally involves flowing agricultural product390through the first junction. For example, block420may involve flowing agricultural product390through the first junction316a, which is associated with the first outlet312a. During block420, the first junction316adirects agricultural product390to flow out of the first outlet312ato thereby form a first pile391of agricultural product390(FIG.4). More particularly, the first junction316adirects agricultural product390to flow out of the first outlet312auntil the first outlet312abecomes blocked (e.g., by the first pile391) as illustrated at block422, and thereafter directs agricultural product390to flow toward the second junction316′, as illustrated at block424.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of outlets312may include one or more intermediate outlets312b,312cpositioned between the first outlet312aand the second outlet312d. Each such intermediate outlet312b,312cmay be associated with a corresponding and respective junction316b,316c. The first junction316aand/or one or more of the intermediate outlet(s)316b,316cmay be provided in the form of Y-shaped junctions, as described above.

In embodiments in which the plurality of outlets312includes at least one intermediate outlet, the process400may include block430, which generally involves flowing the agricultural product390through an intermediate outlet. For example, block430may involve causing agricultural product390to flow out of the second outlet312bto thereby form a second pile392of agricultural product390(FIG.5), wherein the second junction316bdirects agricultural product390to flow out of the second outlet312buntil the second outlet312bbecomes blocked (e.g., by the second pile392) as illustrated at block432, and thereafter directs agricultural product390to flow toward the second junction316′ as illustrated at block434. Block430may then be iterated for each sequential intermediate outlet, for example to form a third pile393(FIG.6).

The process400may further include block440, which generally involves flowing agricultural product through the second junction. Block440may include block442, which generally involves the second junction316′ directing agricultural product toward the second outlet312d, thereby forming a final pile394.

The process400may further include block450, which generally involves stopping the flow of agricultural product390, for example by ceasing operation of the meter123. Block450may, for example, be performed in response to the fill sensor330indicating that the final pile394has reached a predetermined height. The fill sensor330may, for example, comprise an optical sensor or switch, a mechanical sensor or switch, or another type of sensor or switch by which the controller130is operable to determine when the final pile394has reached a predetermined height. It is also contemplated that the fill sensor330may take another form. As one example, the fill sensor may be provided as a load sensor that is positioned below the final pile394. In such forms, the controller130may determine that the fill height has been reached based upon the load sensed by the load sensor.

WhileFIGS.4-7illustrate agricultural product390exiting the outlets312purely sequentially, it should be appreciated that some agricultural product390may flow through two or more of the outlets312simultaneously. For example, during block420, which generally involves flowing agricultural product390through the first outlet312auntil the first outlet312abecomes blocked, some agricultural product390may flow through the upper outlet branch317bof the first junction316aand on toward the second junction316b. In certain embodiments, the first junctions316are configured such that agricultural product390flows at least primarily out of the first outlet312auntil the first outlet312abecomes blocked, and thereafter directs agricultural product390to flow toward the second junction316′.

Referring now toFIG.8, a simplified block diagram of at least one embodiment of a computing device500is shown. The illustrative computing device500depicts at least one embodiment of a controller that may be utilized in connection with the controller130illustrated inFIG.2.

Depending on the particular embodiment, the computing device500may be embodied as a server, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, notebook, netbook, Ultrabook™ mobile computing device, cellular phone, smartphone, wearable computing device, personal digital assistant, Internet of Things (IoT) device, vehicle controller, control panel, processing system, router, gateway, and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein.

The computing device500includes a processing device502that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic508, an input/output device504that enables communication between the computing device500and one or more external devices510, and memory506which stores, for example, data received from the external device510via the input/output device504.

The input/output device504allows the computing device500to communicate with the external device510. For example, the input/output device504may include a transceiver, a network adapter, a network card, an interface, one or more communication ports (e.g., a USB port, serial port, parallel port, an analog port, a digital port, VGA, DVI, HDMI, FireWire, CAT or any other type of communication port or interface), and/or other communication circuitry. Communication circuitry may be configured to use any one or more communication technologies (e.g., wireless or wired communications) and associated protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi®, WiMAX, etc.) to effect such communication depending on the particular computing device500. The input/output device504may include hardware, software, and/or firmware suitable for performing the techniques described herein.

The external device510may be any type of device that allows data to be inputted or outputted from the computing device500. For example, in various embodiments, the external device510may be embodied as the blower121, the meter123, the meter125, the valve319′, the blower322, and/or the fill sensor330. Further, in some embodiments, the external device510may be embodied as another computing device, switch, diagnostic tool, controller, printer, display, alarm, peripheral device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screen display, etc.), and/or any other computing, processing, and/or communication device capable of performing the functions described herein. Furthermore, in some embodiments, it should be appreciated that the external device510may be integrated into the computing device500.

The processing device502may be embodied as any type of processor(s) capable of performing the functions described herein. In particular, the processing device502may be embodied as one or more single or multi-core processors, microcontrollers, or other processor or processing/controlling circuits. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device502may include or be embodied as an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), and/or another suitable processor(s). The processing device502may be a programmable type, a dedicated hardwired state machine, or a combination thereof. Processing devices502with multiple processing units may utilize distributed, pipelined, and/or parallel processing in various embodiments. Further, the processing device502may be dedicated to performance of just the operations described herein, or may be utilized in one or more additional applications. In the illustrative embodiment, the processing device502is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and/or processes data in accordance with operating logic508as defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware) stored in memory506. Additionally or alternatively, the operating logic508for processing device502may be at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware. Further, the processing device502may include one or more components of any type suitable to process the signals received from input/output device504or from other components or devices and to provide desired output signals. Such components may include digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The memory506may be of one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable media, such as a solid-state memory, electromagnetic memory, optical memory, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the memory506may be volatile and/or nonvolatile and, in some embodiments, some or all of the memory506may be of a portable variety, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, and/or other suitable portable memory. In operation, the memory506may store various data and software used during operation of the computing device500such as operating systems, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers. It should be appreciated that the memory506may store data that is manipulated by the operating logic508of processing device502, such as, for example, data representative of signals received from and/or sent to the input/output device504in addition to or in lieu of storing programming instructions defining operating logic508. As illustrated, the memory506may be included with the processing device502and/or coupled to the processing device502depending on the particular embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the processing device502, the memory506, and/or other components of the computing device500may form a portion of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and be incorporated on a single integrated circuit chip.

In some embodiments, various components of the computing device500(e.g., the processing device502and the memory506) may be communicatively coupled via an input/output subsystem, which may be embodied as circuitry and/or components to facilitate input/output operations with the processing device502, the memory506, and other components of the computing device500. For example, the input/output subsystem may be embodied as, or otherwise include, memory controller hubs, input/output control hubs, firmware devices, communication links (i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires, cables, light guides, printed circuit board traces, etc.) and/or other components and subsystems to facilitate the input/output operations.

The computing device500may include other or additional components, such as those commonly found in a typical computing device (e.g., various input/output devices and/or other components), in other embodiments. It should be further appreciated that one or more of the components of the computing device500described herein may be distributed across multiple computing devices. In other words, the techniques described herein may be employed by a computing system that includes one or more computing devices. Additionally, although only a single processing device502, I/O device504, and memory506are illustratively shown inFIG.8, it should be appreciated that a particular computing device500may include multiple processing devices502, I/O devices504, and/or memories506in other embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, more than one external device510may be in communication with the computing device500.

It should be appreciated that the systems and methods described herein may provide one or more advantages over existing techniques. For example, certain existing techniques require that a user stand within the holding tank and manually level the agricultural product during filling. By contrast, certain embodiments of the present application distribute the agricultural product390relatively evenly throughout the holding tank390, thereby obviating the need for manual or machine-controlled leveling. Such embodiments may facilitate the filling of a holding tank during movement of the agricultural equipment. For example, the systems and methods described herein may facilitate the filling of the holding tank300of the second towed vehicle200from the reservoir122of the first towed vehicle120during operation of the mobile agricultural equipment100.

Certain embodiments of the present application involve levelly filling a holding tank whose length is greater than its height and/or its width, which may facilitate that use of holding tanks that are more conducive to compact folding of mobile agricultural equipment on which the holding tank is carried. As noted above, the level fill of a holding tank may be particularly useful in embodiments in which agricultural product is carried from plural outlets320to row units for distribution to the ground, as a non-level fill may result in the row units210exhausting the available supply of agricultural product at different times. In certain embodiments, the supply line310may achieve these and/or other advantages without requiring that the supply line310be provided with moving parts (e.g., valves at the junctions), which may provide for a more robust and/or reliable filling system.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected.

It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.