PNEUMATIC SEED METERS

Abstract

The disclosed pneumatic seed meters for small seeds and fine grains may include a rotational disk with a plurality of radially disposed holes. The holes may define a seed path when the rotational disk rotates. The seed meters may also include a sealing structure that is positioned and configured to inhibit seed leakage from the seed meter. The sealing structure may define a seed containment chamber. Various other related methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A pneumatic seed meter, comprising: a rotational disk including a plurality of radially disposed holes, wherein the holes define a seed path when the rotational disk rotates; and a sealing structure located adjacent to and against the rotational disk in a position to prevent seed leakage, wherein the sealing structure at least partially defines a seed containment chamber for containing seeds therein.

2. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 1, wherein the sealing structure is coupled to the rotational disk by a support element, forming a unitary, integral device.

3. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises a shell structure including a concave chamber, wherein the concave chamber is positioned against a front surface of the rotational disk to define the seed containment chamber within the concave chamber and against the front surface of rotational disk.

4. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises air passage openings each having dimensions smaller than an average diameter of seeds to be deposited by the pneumatic seed meter.

5. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 1, further comprising a seed meter housing, wherein the sealing structure is further coupled to the housing.

6. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises sealing elements located along on edge portions of the sealing structure, wherein the sealing elements are positioned to abut and slide against a front surface of the rotational disk.

7. A pneumatic seed meter, comprising: a seed feed inlet positioned to convey seeds into the pneumatic seed meter; and an air exhaust element positioned at the seed feed inlet, wherein the air exhaust element comprises a sidewall that is configured to allow passage of air therethrough while inhibiting the passage of seeds therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the sidewall is non-parallel.

8. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 7, wherein the air exhaust element comprises has an upper aperture having an upper perimeter and a lower aperture having a lower perimeter, wherein the upper perimeter is larger than the lower perimeter.

9. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 7, further comprising a protective casing at least partially surrounding a periphery of the air exhaust element.

10. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 7, wherein the air exhaust element comprises vertically oriented apertures in the sidewall that are sized to convey airflow while inhibiting the passage of seeds therethrough.

11. A pneumatic seed meter, comprising: a rotational disk including a plurality of radially disposed holes, wherein the holes define a seed path when the rotational disk rotates; and a seed ejector disposed adjacent to a front face of the rotational disk over a portion of the seed path, wherein at least a portion of the seed ejector is positioned over a low-pressure region of the rotational disk.

12. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein the seed ejector is removable and replaceable according to the type of seed to be deposited by the pneumatic seed meter.

13. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein the seed ejector has a curved interface that is positioned over the front face of the rotational disk such that the curved interface gradually enters the seed path when the rotational disk rotates.

14. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 13, wherein the curved interface of the seed ejector has a predefined geometry according to a circular trajectory of the seed path.

15. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein the seed ejector is located within the low-pressure region.

16. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the seed ejector is located in a border region of the low-pressure region.

17. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the seed ejector is located in a region of transition from the low-pressure region to a seed-release region.

18. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the seed ejector is located within a seed release region.

19. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 11, wherein the seed ejector is coupled to the rotational disk via a guide system.

20. A pneumatic seed meter, comprising: a rotational disk including a plurality of holes disposed radially in a peripheral region of the rotational disk; and a debris remover including protrusions, wherein each of the protrusions exhibits a complementary shape relative to at least a portion of the holes of the rotational disk, and wherein each of the protrusions comprises a tip made of an abrasion-resistant material.

21. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, each of the tips of the debris remover comprises a base portion and an end portion, wherein the end portion of each of the tips is angled relative to the corresponding base portion.

22. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein each of the tips of the debris remover is curved.

23. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein the tips of the debris remover have a sufficient length to traverse the holes of the rotational disk when removing debris from the holes.

24. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein the abrasion-resistant material of the tips comprises at least one of: a metal material or a ceramic material.

25. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein each of the tips is attached to the debris remover.

26. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein the tips of the debris remover are interconnected to each other, forming a metal scaffold located inside the debris remover.

27. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein each of the tips is made of a same material as the debris remover.

28. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 20, wherein each of the tips of the debris remover has a tip diameter that is at least 10% smaller than a hole diameter of each of the holes of the rotational disk.

29. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 28, wherein each of the hole diameters of the holes of the rotational disk is in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm.

30. The pneumatic seed meter of claim 28, wherein each of the hole diameters of the holes of the rotational disk is predetermined for capturing canola seeds.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of example embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these appendices demonstrate and explain various principles of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a seed meter, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the seed meter with a lid thereof open, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a sealing member of a seed meter, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the sealing member, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 0.5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembly of seed meter, including a sealing element, a rotational disk, and a sealing structure, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an air exhaust element positioned on the rotational disk and showing a seed containment chamber, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the air exhaust element, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view of the air exhaust element, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view of the air exhaust element, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of a protective casing of the air exhaust element, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the air exhaust element and corresponding protective casing, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a side view of an inner conveyor tube, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 13 is a front view of the inner conveyor tube, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembly including the inner conveyor tube, the rotating disk, and the sealing structure, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an assembly including the inner conveyor tube and a portion of a seed meter housing, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 16 is an upper perspective view of a seed ejector, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 17 is a lower perspective view of the seed ejector, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of an assembly including the rotational disk and the seed ejector, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the seed ejector mounted on the seed disk, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the seed ejector positioned at least partially in an interface region between a vacuum region and a non-vacuum region, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the seed ejector positioned within the vacuum region, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the seed ejector positioned within the non-vacuum region, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a debris remover, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an assembly including the rotational disk and debris remover positioned on a rear face of the rotational disk, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 25 is a longitudinal section view of the debris remover with tips thereof inserted in corresponding holes of the rotational disk, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 26 is a front view of the debris remover with tips curved radially, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 27 is a front view of the debris remover with tips angled radially, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 28 is a front view of the debris remover with tips curved axially, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 29 is a front view of the debris remover with tips angled axially, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 30 is a side view of an inner portion of a debris remover having a metal frame, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 31 is a side view of a crimping structure of the debris remover tips in a spherical variant, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 32 is a side view of a crimping structure of the debris remover tips in a textured variant, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0072] The present disclosure will now be described with respect to certain example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. In the figures and the following description, like parts are marked with like reference numerals. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of the present disclosure may be shown in an exaggerated scale or in some schematic way. Additionally, details of conventional elements may not be shown in order to more clearly and concisely illustrate features of this disclosure.

[0073] Embodiments of the present disclosure are susceptible to implementation in a variety of different ways. Specific embodiments are described in detail and shown in the figures, with the understanding that the description is to be regarded as an exemplification of the principles disclosed herein. These specific embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure only to what is illustrated and described. It will be recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable and technically feasible combination to produce the same or similar technical effects.

[0074] The present disclosure relates to pneumatic seed meters, which may use pneumatic systems for capturing seeds in holes of a rotational seed disk, leading the seeds to a position where the airflow is cut, causing the seeds to fall (e.g., by gravity) once the seeds are withdrawn from the holes and to be directed to planting grooves in soil. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pneumatic seed meter 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure in a closed state and open state, respectively.

[0075] In general, the feeding of these seed meters with seeds from a central hopper is accomplished by pipes that connect an outlet opening of the central hopper to a seed supply opening 12 of the seed meter 1. In these pipes, a jet of air may be used to drag the seeds from the hopper to the seed meter 1, causing the seeds to accelerate and travel at a high velocity, which may conventionally result in the troubles of seed turbulence inside the seed meter 1 (absent the provision of certain counteracting elements described herein).

[0076] In order to inhibit (e.g., reduce or eliminate) the problems arising from the excess of airflow into seed meters 1 during the seed supply operation, the seed meter 1 of the present disclosure may include an air exhaust element 13 connected to the feed inlet 12 of the seed meter 1, as shown in the FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-11.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 7-11, the air exhaust element 13 may include a hollow structure provided with vertical apertures 15 in its sidewall, the dimensions (e.g., lateral width) of which are smaller than the average diameter of the seeds of the species to be deposited by the seed meter 1. Such apertures 15 in the air exhaust element 13 may be configured, positioned, and dimensioned to allow passage of air through the sidewall of the air exhaust element 13 while inhibiting the passage of seeds through the sidewall and thus into undesired regions of the seed meter 1.

[0078] The air exhaust element 13 of the present disclosure may have a particular geometry that is configured to direct airflow outwardly while maintaining seed flow into the seed meter 1. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the perimeter of an upper aperture 16 of the exhaust element 13, which is intended to receive seeds from the hopper through the seed conveyor pipe, may be larger than the perimeter of a lower aperture 17, which is coupled to the feed inlet 12 of the seed meter 1. In some examples, the upper aperture 16 may be circular and the lower aperture 17 may be generally rectangular. In other words, at least a portion of a sidewall of the air exhaust element 13 may be non-parallel, such as having funnel geometry, but not necessarily with a circular base.

[0079] The non-parallel geometry of the air exhaust member 13 may increase a surface area of the sidewall of the air exhaust member 13, compared to a parallel geometry. The increased surface area of the sidewall may provide a larger area for the vertical apertures 15, which may result in a larger portion of air escaping through the vertical apertures 15 of the air exhaust element 13.

[0080] In addition, the non-parallel shape of the air exhaust member 13 may enable the airflow to be directed out through the vertical apertures 15 because of the natural tendency of the airflow to proceed along the surface of the conductor, to terminate in the vertical apertures 15, and to follow the outer surface of the air exhaust element 13.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air exhaust element 13 may include a protective casing 14 positioned over at least a portion of the body of the air exhaust element 13 (e.g., over a region where the vertical apertures 15 are located), as shown in FIGS. 9-11.

[0082] This protective casing 14 may serve as a cover for the air exhaust element 13, having the function of protecting the air exhaust element 13 against mechanical shocks and against the entry of foreign bodies, such as: small bugs, dust, sand, dirt, agglomerates of earth, or pieces of branches or leaves. In addition, the protective casing 14 of the air exhaust element 13 may also prevent direct entry of water (e.g., from rainfall or washing of the equipment) into the seed meter 1 through the supply opening 12.

[0083] In addition to the air exhaust element 13, the seed meter 1 may also include an inner seed conveyor tube 18, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. This inner conveyor tube 18 may interconnect the seed feed inlet 12 of the seed meter 1 to an internal seed reservoir 32 (shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 14) of the pneumatic seed meter 1. The assembly of the inner seed conveyor tube 18 to other components of the seed meter 1 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0084] The presence of an internal seed reservoir 32 may facilitate the controlled release of seeds into a seed containment chamber 6 (see FIG. 6), which may be a location where seeds are held for singulation by the rotational disk 2. Without the internal seed reservoir 32, the seeds would fall directly in a seed singulation chamber, increasing the chances of failures and duplicated seeds as a consequence of the turbulent movement of the seeds inside the seed singulation chamber.

[0085] The inner conveyor tube 18 of the present disclosure may include a tubular structure provided with apertures 19 in its walls for exhausting air. This inner conveyor tube 18 may function to regulate a level of seeds within the internal seed reservoir 32 of the seed meter 1.

[0086] The inner conveyor tube 18 may reduce the volume of seeds stored within internal chambers of the seed meter 1. This may facilitate handling and cleaning of the seed meter 1, as the amount of seeds to be removed in these cases is less.

[0087] The pneumatic seed meter 1 of the present disclosure may also inhibit seed leakage, which is often a problem in conventional seed meters that are used to deposit small seeds. The leaks may be inhibited (e.g., reduced or eliminated) by employing an inner sealing structure 5 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), which may be configured to act in conjunction with the rotational disk 2. The sealing structure 5 may be installed inside the singulation chamber and against the rotational disk 2. The seed containment chamber 6 may be defined by an interior of the sealing structure 5 and a front surface of the rotational disk 2.

[0088] This sealing structure 5 may be shaped as a shell structure provided with a concave chamber 7, which may be installed toward the front face of the rotational disk 2. The sealing structure 5 may have air inlet holes 8, the inner dimensions of which may be smaller than the average seed diameter of the species to be deposited. The sealing structure 5 may be fixed to the meter housing within in the inner portion (e.g., singularization chamber) of the meter housing. The sealing structure 5 may be positioned and oriented to remain substantially parallel to the front face of the rotational disk 2.

[0089] In some embodiments, the rotational disk 2 may be supported within the seed meter 1 by a support structure 29 (see, e.g., FIG. 18) including an upper support and a lower support. The rotational disk 2 may be located between these two supports. A system of guides on the support structure may constrain movement of the rotational disk to rotational movement. In such examples, the sealing structure 5 may be coupled to the support structure 29 to form a single assembly that may be removed from the seed meter and replaced as a whole unit.

[0090] In additional embodiments of the present disclosure, the sealing structure 5 may be a part that is separate from the support structure 29 and rotational disk 2. In this example, the sealing structure 5 may be installed in the seed meter 1 by coupling the sealing structure 5 to a meter housing of the seed meter 1.

[0091] As noted above, the sealing structure 5 may act in conjunction with the seed disk 2 to define the seed containment chamber 6, as is shown in FIG. 5. Resilient sealing elements 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the sealing structure 5 may be coupled to peripheral edges of the sealing structure 5. The sealing elements 11 may be or include bristles, fibers, felts, and/or elastomeric materials. The sealing elements 11 may be in contact with the front surface of the rotational disk 2, inhibiting the occurrence of seeds passing through the interface between the edges of the sealing structure 5 and the front face of the rotational disk 2 when the rotational disk 2 is rotated.

[0092] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the seed meter 1 may include debris remover 24, variants of which are shown in FIGS. 23-29. The debris remover 24 may provide a solution for the problem of holes becoming obstructed with debris. The debris remover 24 may be a rosette-type debris remover 24. The debris remover 24 may be configured to efficiently remove debris from small holes, such as the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 that may be sized for containing small seeds.

[0093] The debris remover 24 may function similar to a gear, such that the distances between one tip 26 of the debris remover 24 and an adjacent tip 26 coincide with the distance between the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2. By synchronizing rotation of the rotational disk 2 with the rotation of the debris remover 24, the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 may enter the holes 3 of the seed disk 2 to remove debris as illustrated in FIG. 23.

[0094] Particularly, the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 may traverse (e.g., pass through) the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 completely, thereby ensuring the removal of debris deposited therein.

[0095] In some examples, the debris remover 24 may include tips 26 of a small cross-section in the shape of curved rods. The tips 26 may be curved in the direction of rotation of the debris remover 24, as shown in FIG. 26. In additional embodiments, the tips 26 may be rods provided a base portion and an end portion, with the end portion angled relative to the base portion. The angle may be in the direction of rotation of the debris remover 24, as is shown in FIG. 27.

[0096] The curvature 27B or angles 27A of the tips 26 may allow a better engagement between the tips 26 and the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2. The curvature 27B or angles 27A may reduce the friction between the tips 26 and the rotational disk 2, which may increase the lifespan of the rotational disk 2 and of the debris remover 24. In addition, there is a greater chance of removal of any materials trapped within the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2, as a result of the curvature 27B or angles 27A, since the tips 26 may be initially directed into the holes 3 as the rotational disk and the debris remover 24 are rotated.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, the tips 26 may also be curved or angled towards the axis of the debris remover 24, so that when the debris remover 24 is mounted on the rotational disk 2, the curvature or angle of the tips 26 direct the tips 26 toward a center of the rotational disk 2 to compensate for the curvature of the rotational disk 2, as respectively shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. This configuration may improve the positioning of the debris remover 24 on the surface of the rotational disk 2.

[0098] In some embodiments, in order to provide a longer lifespan to the equipment and to reduce the occurrence of failures, the rosette-type debris remover 24 may include protrusions 25 to hold the base portions of the tips 26. The tips 36 may include an abrasion-resistant material, such as one or more of steel, hard metal alloys, high-hardness ceramics, and/or another material exhibiting a similar abrasion resistance.

[0099] The rod-shaped geometry of the tips 26 may allow the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 to have a considerably smaller cross-section than conventional wiper tips. This geometry may enable the tips 26 to transverse (e.g., pass through) the holes 3 in the rotational disk 2 to improve the removal of potential debris deposited therein.

[0100] In some embodiments, the rotational disk 2 and the rosette-type debris remover 24 may be sized, shaped, and configured for canola planting. For example, the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 may have a diameter of between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm, and the tips 26 may have a diameter that is at least about 10% smaller than the corresponding holes 3. In one example, the holes 3 may have a diameter of approximately 1 mm and the tips 26 may have a cross-sectional diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the disk holes, such as approximately 0.9 mm.

[0101] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 may be held in their corresponding protrusions 25 by means of anchoring structures, such as balls, hooks, bosses, and/or recesses, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. In additional examples, the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 may be interconnected by a scaffold structure, as shown in FIG. 30.

[0102] In some embodiments, the rosette-type debris remover 24 may include a body made of the same material (e.g., an abrasion-resistant material) of the tips 26.

[0103] As discussed above, the tips 26 of the debris remover 24 may have a curved or angled configuration in the direction of rotation of the rotational disk 2. This curved or angled configuration may reduce a wear of the disk holes and/or of the tips 26 by allowing the tips 26 to enter and/or pass through the holes 3 more accurately and with reduced contact with the edges of the holes 3.

[0104] In addition, the seed meter 1 of the present disclosure may achieve improvements related to the operation of releasing seeds from the rotational disks 2 of pneumatic seed meters 1. Thus, in some embodiments, the seed meter 1 of the present disclosure may employ a seed ejector 20, shown in FIGS. 16-22.

[0105] In some examples, the seed ejector 20 may be interchangeable (e.g., removable and replaceable) and may therefore be susceptible to variations and adaptations depending on the type (e.g., size) of seed to be planted.

[0106] Conventional seed ejectors are typically positioned in the portion seed meters where there is no applied vacuum. In other words, such conventional structures often act as drivers for the seeds after they have dislodged from the rotational disk, exerting little or no mechanical action on the seeds to help in their release of the seed disk.

[0107] In some embodiments, the seed ejector 20 of the present disclosure may be sized and positioned to mechanically release the seeds from the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 by contacting the seed when the seed is still under the influence of an applied vacuum in a vacuum region 21 (FIGS. 20-22) until the moments after the vacuum is cut (e.g., in a non-vacuum region 22).

[0108] The seed ejector 20 of the present disclosure may include an arched surface 32, in which there may be a recess throughout the extent of its outer curvature. The seed ejector 20 may have a geometry similar to that of a knife.

[0109] The seed ejector 20 may be positioned on the front face of the rotational disk 2 and, in some embodiments, may be held in a pre-defined position by a guide system 28 (e.g., a protrusion and a corresponding groove) existing at an interface between the seed ejector 20 and the rotational disk 2 (FIGS. 19-22). However, in additional embodiments, such a guide system 28 may be omitted (e.g., as shown in FIG. 18).

[0110] The outer curvature of the seed ejector 20 may have a specific geometry to match its performance to the circular trajectory of the seeds on the disk. With the curved geometry, the seed ejector 20 may be positioned to gradually enter the seed path 4 of the rotational disk 2, covering the area of the holes 3 in a linear way and avoiding the abrupt decoupling of the seeds from the holes 3.

[0111] In some examples, the guide system 28 of the seed ejector 20 may include a recess on the front face of the seed disk 2 (seed deposition face) and the seed ejector 20 may have a corresponding protuberance at its end (see FIG. 31). This protuberance may be positioned within a path defined by the recess, which may also serve as a support for the seed ejector 20 as the rotational disk 2 rotates.

[0112] In additional embodiments, the guide system 28 of the seed ejector 20 may include an extension on the front surface of the rotational disk 2. A cavity at the end of the seed ejector 20 may be complementary to the extension, allowing for the accurate placement of the seed ejector 20 as the rotational disk 2 rotates. For example, the extension of the guide system 28 may include a pin or rail and/or combinations of pins and/or rails arranged radially. In addition, the extension of the guide system 28 may be continuous along its circumference.

[0113] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the seed ejector 20 may be positioned within the low-pressure region 21 (“vacuum”) of the meter 1. This configuration may ensure that the seed will be pushed out of the disk hole as the seed ejector 20 enters the seed path 4 even if the seed remains attached to the hole 3 of the rotational disk 2 after the vacuum has been cut off. Another, different portion of the seed ejector 20 may be located within a region where there is no vacuum, which may ensure the gradual removal of the seeds from the hole 3. This configuration for the seed ejector 20 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 20.

[0114] In some embodiments, the seed ejector 20 may be positioned on the front face of the rotational disk 2 via an arm 30. The arm 30 may connect the seed ejector 20 to some attachment point in the meter structure, in addition to or in lieu of the aforementioned guide system 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the arm 30 may be attached (e.g., removably attached) to the support structure 29. Alternatively, the arm 30 may be attached (e.g., removably attached) to a meter housing.

[0115] In additional examples, the seed ejector 20 may be fully positioned in the low-pressure region 21, as shown in FIG. 21.

[0116] In additional examples, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the seed ejector 20 may be positioned in a seed release region 22, where there is no applied vacuum and the seeds are over the seed exit aperture 23 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0117] The release region 22 may be positioned over the exit aperture 23 so that the loose seeds in the release region 22 can follow a direct and unimpeded path to the exit opening of the seeds 23. This arrangement may improve an accuracy in the spacings between the seeds in soil, since any obstacle or deviation in the seed path may cause a disordered movement of, or spacing between, the seeds, which may counteract the efforts of organizing and precisely spacing the seeds in the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2.

[0118] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 19, the seed ejector 20 may completely cover at least one hole 3 of the rotational disk 2 as the hole 3 passes under the seed ejector 20. In additional examples, as shown in FIGS. 20-22, the seed ejector 20 may cover only a portion of the hole 3 as the hole passes under the seed ejector 20.

[0119] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the disclosed pneumatic seed meter 1 may be capable of eliminating or at least reducing the limitations and problems of conventional seed meter technologies.

[0120] The present disclosure provides a number of potential improvements for pneumatic seed meters. These improvements may be achieved at various portions of the seed path inside the seed meters, including from the seed supply to the seed deposition stage.

[0121] In some examples, the concepts of the present disclosure may be employed for greater control of seed movement in the singularization stage. This control in the seed supply may be achieved by the actuation of the air exhaust element 13 in conjunction with the inner conveyor tube 18. For example, the air exhaust element 13 and/or the inner conveyor tube 18 may inhibit airflow of the feed pipes of the planter from reaching the singulation chamber of the seed meter 1, which may inhibit the turbulent flow of seeds and may reduce or eliminate the occurrence of doubles and failures.

[0122] In addition, the sealing structure 5, which may be a single, unitary piece, may act in conjunction with the rotational disk 2 to define the seed containment chamber 6. The seed containment chamber 6 at least partially defined by the sealing structure 5 may not only prevent leakage of seeds from the seed meter 1, but may also facilitate coupling of the seeds to the rotational disk 2, since the seed containment chamber seeds 6 may restrict the movement of the seeds into peripheral regions of the seed path of the rotational disk 2.

[0123] In addition, as discussed above, the seed meter 1 of the present disclosure may also include a debris remover 24 with pins 26 that may be configured for applications with small seeds and/or brittle seeds. The debris remover 24 of the present disclosure may include tips 26, which may be formed of an abrasion-resistant material. The tips 26 may have curved or angled geometries to penetrate the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 to remove potential debris trapped in the holes 3, which might otherwise impair the coupling of the seeds in the holes 3 and lead to failures. The abrasion-resistant material of the tips 26 may enable the tips 26 and/or the rotational disk 2 to have a longer life.

[0124] As further described above, the seed ejector 20 may be provided to improve the decoupling of the seeds from the disk at the appropriate time, which precedes the deposition of the seed in the soil. The curved geometry of the seed ejector 20 may correspond to the circular trajectory of the seeds on the rotational disk 2, thus inhibiting the abrupt removal of the seeds from the holes 3 that might otherwise occur with a linear penetration of the hole by an ejector. These potential improvements may reduce or eliminate spacing problems in the stage of seed deposition in the soil.

[0125] In addition, the seed ejector 20 of the present disclosure may be installed and effectively operated at several points in the seed meter 1. For example, the seed ejector 20 may be installed in the low-pressure region 21, at the interface of the low-pressure region 21 with the seed release region 22, or in the seed release region 22.

[0126] Therefore, the disclosed seed meter 1 may achieve a number of improvements over conventional seed meters. These potential improvements may influence the operation of the meter over one or more portions of the entire seed path 4 therein, from the time of entry of the seeds and their storage in the meter, via the air exhaust element 13 and the inner conveyor tube 18, through step of coupling the seeds into the holes 3 of the rotational disk 2 by means of the sealing structure 5 and finally, in the step of depositing the seeds, which may be improved by the action of the seed ejector 20 and the debris remover 24 as described above.

[0127] These solutions may considerably improve the effectiveness of seed meters compared to conventional seed meters, especially when it comes to the deposition of small seeds. Although particular examples have been disclosed and shown herein, the elements and concepts described in the present disclosure may be adapted for use with other pre-existing seed meters.

[0128] Specifically, for canola, which has a relatively high-cost compared to other seeds, the potential improvements described herein and achieved by embodiments of the present disclosure may provide significant financial benefits, such as to farmers.

[0129] Thus, the present disclosure may have certain advantages over conventional seed meters and may contribute to the technological development in agriculture, such as in the industry of precision planting of small seeds and fine grains.

[0130] While the present disclosure has been specifically described with respect to particular embodiments, it should be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described, but is limited only by the appended claims, the scope of which must include all equivalents.