Radar based seed sensor for use with agricultural systems, methods, and apparatus

Abstract

A sensor assembly includes a sensor in the form of a microwave radar device to dispense microwaves in an area where seed or other particulate material is to be sensed. This may be a seed tube of a row unit. The microwaves of the radar provide an accurate determination if a seed or other particulate material has passed through the field of vision of the sensor to provide an accurate sensing of a seed event. This information can be used to determine the rate of planting, skips, doubles, as well as any other information related to the passing of a seed or other particulate material.

1 . A row unit of an agricultural planter, comprising:
 a seed meter;   a seed delivery system operatively connected to the seed meter to deliver seed from the seed meter and towards a furrow; and   a seed sensor assembly operatively connected to the seed delivery system, the seed sensory assembly including a seed sensor comprising a microwave radar device at least partially within a housing, and wherein the housing comprises a radar absorbing material to direct the field of view of the radar device.   
     
     
         2 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed delivery system comprises a housing, and wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises a radar absorbing material. 
     
     
         3 . The row unit of  claim 1 , further comprising an input connected to the seed sensor assembly to provide power thereto and to aid in communicating information therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed delivery system comprises a gravity seed tube. 
     
     
         5 . The row unit of  claim 1 , wherein the seed delivery system comprises a belted seed tube. 
     
     
         6 . The row unit of  claim 1 , further comprising signal processing components, and wherein the signal processing components:
 (a) electronically process the electromagnetic waves according to properties associated therewith, said properties comprising energy, time delay, and frequency shift; and   (b) generate electronic signals that represent the presence of a seed and characteristics associated therewith, said characteristics comprising size, shape, orientation, material, distance, and velocity of the seed.   
     
     
         7 . The row unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a seed tube. 
     
     
         8 . The row unit of  claim 7 , further comprising a microwave radar device associated with the seed tube that generates and receives electromagnetic waves. 
     
     
         9 . The row unit of  claim 8 , further comprising signal processing components, and wherein the signal processing components:
 (a) electronically process the electromagnetic waves according to properties associated therewith, said properties comprising energy, time delay, and frequency shift; and   (b) generate electronic signals that represent the presence of a seed and characteristics associated therewith, said characteristics comprising size, shape, orientation, material, distance, and velocity of the seed.   
     
     
         10 . A row unit, comprising:
 a seed tube;   a microwave radar device is associated with the seed tube and generates and receives electromagnetic waves, said microwave radar device comprising a seed sensor assembly operatively connected to the seed delivery system, the seed sensory assembly including a seed sensor comprising a microwave radar device at least partially within a housing, and wherein the housing comprises a radar absorbing material to direct the field of view of the radar device;   wherein signal processing components electronically process the transmitted and received waves and generate electronic signals that represent the presence of a seed.   
     
     
         11 . The row unit of  claim 10 , wherein the electromagnetic waves have wavelengths of 10 GHz-300 GHz. 
     
     
         12 . The row unit of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical signals generated by the returning microwaves are then manipulated with additional electronic components to filter noise and outside echoes from the signal. 
     
     
         13 . The row unit of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical signal is manipulated with additional electronic components to highlight or exaggerate the effect of the passing of the seed in the seed tube. 
     
     
         14 . The row unit of  claim 13 , wherein the electrical signal is further analyzed by digital signal algorithms running on a microprocessor to determine that a seed or seeds are passing by the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The row unit of  claim 14 , wherein the electrical signal is sent to the planter via an open collector signal. 
     
     
         16 . The row unit of  claim 10 , wherein the microwave radar device comprises multiple radars using the same or different radar processing techniques to assist in accurately identifying seed passage or different physical characteristics about the seed. 
     
     
         17 . A method of sensing seed and other particulate at a planter row unit, the method comprising:
 generating electromagnetic waves with a seed sensor positioned in a seed tube of the row unit;   receiving electromagnetic waves with the seed sensor;   processing the electromagnetic waves according to properties associated therewith, said properties comprising energy, time delay, and frequency shift; and   generating electromagnetic signals that represent the presence of a seed and characteristics associated therewith, said characteristics comprising size, shape, orientation, material, distance, and velocity of the seed.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the electromagnetic waves have wavelengths of 10 GHz-300 GHz. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising manipulating the electromagnetic waves to filter noise and outside echoes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising manipulating the electromagnetic waves to highlight or exaggerate the effect of the passing of the seed in the seed tube.