A01G25/09

Modular Precision Agriculture System

A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.

Dynamic Reversible Multi-Cross Section Universal Modular Driveline Coupler
20210378189 · 2021-12-09 · ·

Apparatus and method for an improved driveline coupler having a reversible saddle thereon which allows it to be configured to work with different sizes and shapes of shafts. The reversible saddle is configured on one side to work with one size of driveline shaft and configured on the opposite side to work with a different size driveline shaft so that in the field, an operator can modify the driveline coupler from use with a first size of drive shaft to a second size of drive shaft easily and quickly by turning the saddle upside down.

Irrigation pipe liner
11193622 · 2021-12-07 · ·

A pipe liner for lining a fluid-carrying pipe, the pipe liner comprising an elongated flexible conduit and a flexible flange. The flexible conduit includes an outer wall forming an open-ended central channel for allowing fluids to be pumped therethrough. The flexible flange extends radially from one end of the elongated conduit and includes a number of fastener holes. The flexible conduit and the flexible flange are configured to be collapsed and pulled through the pipe such that the flexible flange can be connected to a rigid flange of the pipe via the fastener holes. The pipe liner is less prone to leak and is easier to transport and install.

IoT-based farming and plant growth ecosystem
11195015 · 2021-12-07 ·

An agricultural method includes providing a positive air pressure chamber to prevent outside contaminants from entering the chamber; growing crops in a plurality of cells in the chamber, each cell having multi-grow benches or levels, each cell further having connectors to vertical hoists for vertical movements in the chamber; maintaining pre-set temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, watering and lighting levels to achieve predetermined plant growth; using motorized transport rails to deliver benches for operations including seeding, harvesting, grow media recovery, and bench wash; dispensing seeds in the cell with a mechanical seeder coupled to the transport rails; growing the crops with computer controlled nutrients, light and air level; and harvesting the crops and delivering the harvested crop at a selected outlet of the chamber.

IoT-based farming and plant growth ecosystem
11195015 · 2021-12-07 ·

An agricultural method includes providing a positive air pressure chamber to prevent outside contaminants from entering the chamber; growing crops in a plurality of cells in the chamber, each cell having multi-grow benches or levels, each cell further having connectors to vertical hoists for vertical movements in the chamber; maintaining pre-set temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, watering and lighting levels to achieve predetermined plant growth; using motorized transport rails to deliver benches for operations including seeding, harvesting, grow media recovery, and bench wash; dispensing seeds in the cell with a mechanical seeder coupled to the transport rails; growing the crops with computer controlled nutrients, light and air level; and harvesting the crops and delivering the harvested crop at a selected outlet of the chamber.

DEVICE FOR MOISTENING AND/OR FERTILIZING PLANTS
20210368703 · 2021-12-02 · ·

The invention relates to a device for moistening and/or fertilizing plants (1), comprising a movable spray lance (3) with at least one spray nozzle (4) arranged on the spray lance (3), wherein a preferably linear guide rail (2) is provided, wherein the spray lance (3) is movably guided in the guide rail (2) in a trajectory extending parallel to the guide rail (2) and extends substantially normal to this trajectory, and wherein a drive, preferably a linear drive (11), is arranged for moving the spray lance in the area of the guide rail (2). The invention further relates to a system for cultivating plants without a substrate, comprising the device according to the invention.

DEVICE FOR MOISTENING AND/OR FERTILIZING PLANTS
20210368703 · 2021-12-02 · ·

The invention relates to a device for moistening and/or fertilizing plants (1), comprising a movable spray lance (3) with at least one spray nozzle (4) arranged on the spray lance (3), wherein a preferably linear guide rail (2) is provided, wherein the spray lance (3) is movably guided in the guide rail (2) in a trajectory extending parallel to the guide rail (2) and extends substantially normal to this trajectory, and wherein a drive, preferably a linear drive (11), is arranged for moving the spray lance in the area of the guide rail (2). The invention further relates to a system for cultivating plants without a substrate, comprising the device according to the invention.

Agricultural apparatus and method
11369063 · 2022-06-28 ·

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

Agricultural apparatus and method
11369063 · 2022-06-28 ·

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

Identifying and treating plants using depth information in a single image

A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on the visual information in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.