US 12,274,200 B2
Seed orientation system for agricultural planters
Mitchell R. Dille, Litchfield, MN (US); and Keith T. Strang, Zimmerman, MN (US)
Assigned to Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/359,046.
Application 18/359,046 is a division of application No. 16/870,548, filed on May 8, 2020, granted, now 11,751,501.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/885,965, filed on Aug. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/845,093, filed on May 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0016078 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. A01C 7/08 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/082 (2013.01) [A01C 5/062 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of planting seed in an oriented position with a planter row unit traveling in a forward direction of travel, the method comprising:
with a furrow opener disposed on the planter row unit, forming a furrow in a soil surface as the planter row unit travels in a forward direction of travel;
collecting the seed in a seed collector from a seed source;
delivering pressurized air into the seed collector to propel the seed from the seed collector into a seed orientation coil assembly, the seed orientation coil assembly defining a curved pathway toward a seed exit path;
with a sub-furrow opener, scoring a wedge-shaped sub-furrow within the previously formed furrow adjacent to the seed exit path;
delivering pressurized air into the seed orientation coil assembly, at least a portion of the pressurized air delivered into the seed orientation coil assembly includes a parallel air flow component directed parallel to the curved pathway, the parallel air flow component propelling the seed toward the seed exit path, whereupon the seed exits through said seed exit path and is captured within the wedge-shaped sub-furrow.