IP Library Granted Patent US 8,145,396
Granted Patent B2
US 8,145,396 · App. 12/984,720 · Granted Mar 27, 2012

Planter assembly with selectively actuated output

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,145,396
App. No.
12/984,720
Granted
Mar 27, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An actuating system for a planting device. The actuating system has an electric motor that provides an actuating force for a seed shaft. A pneumatic acting member is connected to a source of compressed air through a valve and positioned to engage the electric motor to actuate the electric motor. The source of compressed air and electric motor can thus be connected to a controller that operates the source of compressed air and the electric motor in order to provide selective actuation to control planting of the planting device.

Claims (8)

1. An actuating system for a planting device comprising:

more than one electric motor providing an actuating force for more than one seed shaft;

more than one pneumatic actuating member positioned to engage the electric motors to activate the electric motors;

a valve module having more than one valve, the valves connected to the pneumatic actuating members and a source of compress air; and

a controller connected to the source of compressed air, the valve module and the electric motors to operate the valves, the source of compressed air and the electric motors.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the valves are connected to more than one actuating member.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller operates the compressed air, valves and electric motor based on a manual command.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the controller operates the compressed air, valves and electric motor based on a geographic location determined by a GPS system.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2024
From: TRIMBLE INC.
To: PTX TRIMBLE LLC
Reel/Frame 067780/0391 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 22, 2023
From: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
To: TRIMBLE INC.
Reel/Frame 064669/0912 →