Modular system for agriculture field operations
Some embodiments may include a multi-product management system including a modular container for re-supplying partially or fully automated agricultural operations. The modular container may include a liquid-holding portion, a granular solid-holding portion, and, optionally, an add-on portion. In some embodiments, the liquid-holding portion may be formed of a plurality of liquid-holding portions. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
1 . A modular container for use by a small equipment platform (SEP) in a partially or fully automated agricultural application, the modular container comprising:
a liquid-holding portion configured to store a first liquid related to an agricultural application;
an add-on portion that is coupled with the liquid-holding portion, the add-on portion configured to store a second liquid related to the agricultural application;
a solid-holding portion configured to store a granular solid related to the agricultural application, the granular solid is prevented from intermixing with the first liquid while stored in the modular container;
a first port coupled with the liquid-holding portion, wherein the first port is selectively operable to allow the first liquid to flow from the liquid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application; and
a second port coupled with the solid-holding portion, wherein the second port is selectively operable to allow the granular solid to flow from the solid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application.
2 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the add-on portion is coupled with the liquid-holding portion at a side of the liquid-holding portion that is opposite a side of the liquid-holding portion that is to couple with the SEP during execution of the agricultural application.
3 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the add-on portion has a shape such that, when the add-on portion is coupled with the liquid-holding portion, the add-on portion does not prevent access by an operator of the SEP to a lid of the solid-holding portion or a plug of the liquid-holding portion.
4 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-holding portion further includes:
a third port; and
a channel coupled with the add-on portion, the channel is configured to allow the second liquid to flow from the add-on portion to the third port;
wherein the third port is selectively operable to allow the second liquid to flow from the add-on portion, through the channel, and from the third port during execution of the agricultural application; and
wherein the second liquid and the first liquid do not intermix when the second liquid is in the add-on portion or the channel.
5 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the liquid-holding portion or a volume of the solid-holding portion is based on the agricultural application.
6 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the agricultural application is a fertilizing application, a planting application, a tillage application, or a spraying application.
7 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the granular solid includes seed or fertilizer.
8 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the liquid includes a diesel fuel, a diesel exhaust fluid, a fertilizer, a carrier, or a pesticide.
9 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the SEP is a tractor.
10 . A multi-product management system for performing or re-supplying a partially or fully automated agricultural operation, the system comprising:
a small equipment platform (SEP) to perform an agricultural operation in a partially or fully automated manner based at least in part on a modular container that includes a solid-holding portion to hold a granular solid related to the agricultural operation and a liquid-holding portion to hold a liquid related to the agricultural operation; and
a satellite transfer vehicle (STV) to convey, from a tender truck (TT), a modular container to the SEP for usage in the agricultural operation in the partially or fully automated manner;
wherein the STV or the SEP includes an auto-connect boom to transfer the modular container between the SEP and the STV.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein a volume of the liquid-holding portion or a volume of the solid-holding portion is based on the agricultural operation.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the volume of the solid-holding portion and the volume of the liquid-holding portion are selected such that the modular container empties of the granular solid at approximately the same time as the modular container empties of the liquid during execution of the agricultural operation.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the SEP is a tractor.
14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the SEP includes an attachment structure into which the modular container is placed by the auto-connect boom during transfer of the modular container from the STV to the SEP.
15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the STV is further configured to convey the modular container to the TT after use of the modular container during performance of the agricultural operation by the SEP.
16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the liquid is a first liquid and wherein the modular container further comprises an add-on portion that is coupled with the liquid-holding portion;
wherein the add-on portion is configured to store a second liquid related to the agricultural operation.
17 . A multi-product management system for use in an agricultural application that is partially or fully automated, the multi-product management system comprising:
a modular container including:
a first liquid-holding portion configured to store a first liquid related to the agricultural application; and
a solid-holding portion configured to store a granular solid related to the agricultural application, wherein the granular solid is prevented from intermixing with the first liquid while stored in the modular container; and
an attachment structure configured to removably receive the modular container, the attachment structure including:
a first port coupled with the liquid-holding portion when the modular container is seated within the attachment structure, wherein the first port is selectively operable to allow the first liquid to flow from the first liquid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application; and
a second port coupled with the solid-holding portion when the modular container is seated within the attachment structure, wherein the second port is selectively operable to allow the granular solid to flow from the solid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application.
18 . The multi-product management system of claim 17 , wherein the modular container further includes a second liquid-holding portion configured to store a second liquid related to the agricultural application, and the attachment structure further includes a third port coupled with the second liquid-holding portion, the third port is selectively operable to allow the second liquid to flow from the second liquid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application.
19 . The multi-product management system of claim 17 , wherein the attachment structure includes a seating mechanism to guide the modular container onto supports of the attachment structure.
20 . The multi-product management system of claim 17 , wherein the attachment structure is an element of a small equipment platform (SEP).