US 12,137,628 B2
Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus
Todd Swanson, Morton, IL (US); and Dale M. Koch, Tremont, IL (US)
Assigned to Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/818,037.
Application 17/818,037 is a division of application No. 16/254,247, filed on Jan. 22, 2019, granted, now 11,516,959.
Application 16/254,247 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/043565, filed on Jul. 24, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/491,707, filed on Apr. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/365,585, filed on Jul. 22, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0373317 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. A01B 47/00 (2006.01); A01B 63/16 (2006.01); A01B 79/02 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01C 7/20 (2006.01); G01B 7/26 (2006.01); G01B 17/00 (2006.01); G01D 5/14 (2006.01); G01P 15/18 (2013.01)
CPC A01C 7/203 (2013.01) [A01B 47/00 (2013.01); A01B 63/16 (2013.01); A01B 79/02 (2013.01); A01C 5/064 (2013.01); A01C 5/068 (2013.01); G01B 7/26 (2013.01); G01B 17/00 (2013.01); G01D 5/145 (2013.01); G01P 15/18 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An agricultural trench depth sensing system, comprising:
a trench implement for placement in a soil trench opened in a soil surface;
a first ground engaging finger disposed on said trench implement and adapted to engage a first sidewall surface of said soil trench; optionally, a second ground engaging finger disposed on said trench implement and adapted to engage a second sidewall surface of said soil trench; and
at least one sensor disposed on or in said trench implement for generating a signal based on a position of at least one of said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger relative to said trench implement; and one of:
i. said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger not being connected to said trench implement via an arm, and said at least one sensor generating a first signal based on a position of said first ground engaging finger, and optionally for generating a second signal based on a position of said optional second ground engaging finger; and
ii. said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger being connected together via an arm that is connected to said trench implement; and one of:
A. said at least one sensor measuring a height of said first ground engaging finger and wherein said optional second ground engaging finger is above said trench implement, and wherein said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger are connected to said arm through an angular displacement sensor to facilitate rotation about an axis parallel to said trench implement by said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger;
B. said first ground engaging finger and said optional second ground engaging finger connected via a pivot to said arm to facilitate rotation about an axis parallel to said trench implement; and
C. said arm is flexible and is connected to a fixed attachment that is connected to said trench implement, and said at least one sensor measuring a distance of said arm from said trench implement.