Monitor for air pressure type seed planter

Claim 2

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum containing superatmospheric air and a supply of seed, and including stationary seed-carrying tubes each positioned to serially receive seeds from inner peripheral apertures in the drum and each seed-carrying tube having an exterior, seeddelivering end to which the seeds are swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, and a continuously acting monitor for detecting air flow in the seed-carrying tubes so as to indicate obstructions therein and comprising vacuum indicators and vacuum transfer tubes, the latter each having one end positioned relative to a respective seed-carrying tube as to produce a vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube in response to the sweep of superatmospheric air through the seed-carrying tube, the other end of each transfer tube communicating with a vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end of each vacuum transfer tube is positioned adjacent the seed-delivery end of a respective seed-carrying tube for production of a vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube in response to the issuance of superatmospheric air from the seed-carrying tube.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein each vacuum indicator comprises a separate U-shaped tube having a liquid therein, the level of which is visible through the tube walls, one end of the U-shaped tube communicating with a respective vacuum tube and the other end communicating with the atmosphere.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein the one end of each U-shaped tube includes an adjustable bleeder valve providing communication between the vacuum transfer tube and the atmosphere, whereby the liquid level in the U-tube may be adjusted by adjustment of the bleeder valve.

Claim 6

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed-releasing station being closed by seeds and those apertures departing therefrom being open, each seed-carrying tube having exteriorly of the drum a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting operation monitor for detecting air flow outwardly through the peripheral drum apertures and comprising a vacuum indicator and a vacuum transfer tube having one end which is stationary and positioned in the air flow from drum apertures to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced.

Claim 7

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed-releasing station being closed by seeds and those apertures departing therefrom being open, each seed-carrying tube having exteriorly of the drum a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting operation monitor for detecting air flow outwardly through the peripheral drum apertures and comprising a vacuum indicator and a vacuum transfer tube having one end which is stationary and positioned in the air flow from drum apertures to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 wherein said one end of the vacuum transfer tube is positioned in the air flow from apertures approaching the seed-releasing station, whereby an indication of vacuum in the transfer tubes sIgnals that such apertures have not been closed by seeds, and hence that the seed supply within the drum has been depleted.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 5 wherein said one end of the vacuum transfer tube is positioned in the air flow from apertures departing from the seed-releasing station, whereby regular fluctuations in the vacuum indicated by the vacuum indicator signal rotation of the drum.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 5 wherein the operation monitor is provided in duplicate, the two monitors detecting air flow from peripheral drum apertures respectively approaching and departing from the seed-releasing station.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 5 including a stationary air flow collection funnel adapted to collect air issuing from the drum apertures as the apertures are carried by the rotating drum through a circumferential distance greater than that of the diameter of a single aperture, and having an opening through which the collected air is funneled, the one end of the vacuum transfer tube being positioned in the flow of collected air from the funnel.

Claim 12

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each having one end positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed releasing-station being closed by seeds and apertures departing therefrom being open, each seed-carrying tube extending outwardly of the drum and terminating in a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting obstruction detecting monitor for detecting obstructions in the seed-carrying tubes comprising vacuum indicators and vacuum transfer tubes, the latter each having one end positioned adjacent the seed-delivery end of a respective seed-carrying tube for production of a vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube in response to the issuance of superatmospheric air from the seed-carrying tube, the other end of each transfer tube communicating with a separate vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced, and a pair of continuously acting operation monitors for detecting air flow outwardly from peripheral drum apertures respectively approaching and departing from the seed-releasing station, each operation monitor comprising a vacuum indicator, an air collection funnel adapted to collect air issuing from the drum apertures as the latter traverse a circumferential distance less than that between adjacent apertures and having an opening through which the collected air is funneled, and a vacuum transfer tube, one end of which is positioned in the air flow emanating from the funnel and responsive thereto to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator, whereby, upon viewing all of the vacuum indicators, an operator may continuously determine whether the seed planter is operating, whether the seed supply has been deleted, and whether the seed-carrying tubes are obstructed.

Claim 13

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each having one end positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed releasing-station being closed by seeds and apertures departing therefrom being open, each seed-carrying tube extending outwardly of the drum and terminating in a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting obstruction detecting monitor for detecting obstructions in the seed-carrying tubes comprising vacuum indicators and vacuum transfer tubes, the latter each having one end positioned adjacent the seed-delivery end of a respective seed-carrying tube for production of a vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube in response to the issuance of superatmospheric air from the seed-carrying tube, the other end of each transfer tube communicating with a separate vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced, and a pair of continuously acting operation monitors for detecting air flow outwardly from peripheral drum apertures respectively approaching and departing from the seed-releasing station, each operation monitor comprising a vacuum indicator, an air collection funnel adapted to collect air issuing from the drum apertures as the latter traverse a circumferential distance less than that between adjacent apertures and having an opening through which the collected air is funneled, and a vacuum transfer tube, one end of which is positioned in the air flow emanating from the funnel and responsive thereto to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator, whereby, upon viewing all of the vacuum indicators, an operator may continuously determine whether the seed planter is operating, whether the seed supply has been deleted, and whether the seed-carrying tubes are obstructed.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 10 wherein each vacuum indicator is separate from each other indicator and comprises a U-shaped tube having a liquid visible through its walls, one end of the tube communicating with a respective vacuum transfer tube, and the other end of the U-shaped tube communicating with the atmosphere.

Claim 15

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum containing air under superatmospheric pressure and a supply of seeds and having a periphery with apertures therein for carrying seeds, and including seed-carrying tubes positioned to receive seeds from the apertures and having exteriorly extending ends through which the seeds are swept by the superatmospheric air through the tubes for planting, the apertures not filled by seeds and the seed-carrying tube ends serving as ports througH which flows superatmospheric air from the drum, and a continuously acting monitor for detecting the flow of air from a given port comprising a vacuum transfer tube having one end positioned relative to the air flow from the latter port so as to product a resulting vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube, the other end of this tube communicating with a vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced.

Claim 16

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum containing air under superatmospheric pressure and a supply of seeds and having a periphery with apertures therein for carrying seeds, and including seed-carrying tubes positioned to receive seeds from the apertures and having exteriorly extending ends through which the seeds are swept by the superatmospheric air through the tubes for planting, the apertures not filled by seeds and the seed-carrying tube ends serving as ports througH which flows superatmospheric air from the drum, and a continuously acting monitor for detecting the flow of air from a given port comprising a vacuum transfer tube having one end positioned relative to the air flow from the latter port so as to product a resulting vacuum in the vacuum transfer tube, the other end of this tube communicating with a vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum so produced.

Claim 17

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed-releasing station being closed by seeds and those apertures departing from the station being open, each seed-carrying tube having exteriorly of the drum a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting operation monitor for detecting air flow outwardly through the peripheral drum apertures and comprising a vacuum indicator, a stationary air flow collection funnel positioned to collect air issuing from the drum apertures as the apertures are carried by the rotating drum through a circumferential distance greater than that of the diameter of a single aperture and having an opening through which the collected air is funneled, and a vacuum transfer tube having one end positioned in the air flow from the collection funnel to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the circumferential distance traversed by an aperture during which air is collected from the aperture by the collection funnel being less than the circumferential distance between two adjacent apertures, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum thus produced.

Claim 18

In combination, a seed dispenser comprising a rotating drum having seed-carrying apertures through its periphery and containing a supply of seeds and superatmospheric air, stationary seed-carrying tubes each positioned to serially receive seeds from the apertures at a stationary seed-releasing station, those apertures approaching the seed-releasing station being closed by seeds and those apertures departing from the station being open, each seed-carrying tube having exteriorly of the drum a seed-delivering end to which seeds are serially swept by the superatmospheric air for planting, a continuously acting operation monitor for detecting air flow outwardly through the peripheral drum apertures and comprising a vacuum indicator, a stationary air flow collection funnel positioned to collect air issuing from the drum apertures as the apertures are carried by the rotating drum through a circumferential distance greater than that of the diameter of a single aperture and having an opening through which the collected air is funneled, and a vacuum transfer tube having one end positioned in the air flow from the collection funnel to produce a vacuum in the transfer tube, the circumferential distance traversed by an aperture during which air is collected from the aperture by the collection funnel being less than the circumferential distance between two adjacent apertures, the other end of the transfer tube communicating with the vacuum indicator for continuous visual readout of the vacuum thus produced.