US 11,839,171 B2
Seed trench depth detection systems
Michael Strnad, Delavan, IL (US); Jeremy Hodel, Morton, IL (US); Dale Koch, Tremont, IL (US); Todd Swanson, Morton, IL (US); and Dillon Sloneker, Danvers, IL (US)
Assigned to Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed by Precision Planting LLC, Tremont, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/998,693.
Application 16/998,693 is a continuation of application No. 16/190,101, filed on Nov. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,874,042.
Application 16/190,101 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/032456, filed on May 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/465,134, filed on Feb. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/425,978, filed on Nov. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/336,069, filed on May 13, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0375085 A1, Dec. 3, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01B 76/00 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01B 79/00 (2006.01); A01B 49/02 (2006.01); A01B 49/06 (2006.01); A01B 63/32 (2006.01); A01C 7/04 (2006.01); G01B 7/26 (2006.01); G01B 15/00 (2006.01); A01C 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 76/00 (2013.01) [A01B 49/027 (2013.01); A01B 49/06 (2013.01); A01B 63/32 (2013.01); A01B 79/005 (2013.01); A01C 5/064 (2013.01); A01C 5/066 (2013.01); A01C 5/068 (2013.01); A01C 7/042 (2013.01); A01C 7/203 (2013.01); A01C 7/205 (2013.01); G01B 7/26 (2013.01); G01B 15/00 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A row unit downforce system comprising:
a. a row unit comprising opening discs;
b. a downforce actuator in operational communication with the row unit and constructed and arranged to apply supplemental downforce to the row unit and opening discs;
c. an appurtenance connected to the row unit and disposed between the opening discs;
d. a monitoring system comprising at least one furrow depth sensor constructed and arranged to generate furrow depth values, wherein the at least one furrow depth sensor is disposed on the appurtenance; and
e. control system module, wherein the control system module is constructed and arranged to generate actuator command signals in response to the furrow depth values.