Aerodynamic and Centrifugal Seed Orientation System for Agricultural Planters

1 . A seed orientation system for an agricultural planter comprising:

a row unit having an opener configured to open a seed furrow in a soil surface as the agricultural planter advances in a forward direction of travel through a field;

a seed meter configured to discharge singulated seeds; and

a helix having a number of degrees of rotation configured to receive the singulated seeds from the seed meter, the helix comprising:

a seed riding surface configured to engage a face of the seed; and

a seed guide wall that adjoins to said seed riding surface and is configured to engage a side of the seed when the seed is traversing said helix along said seed riding surface.

2 . The seed orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the number of degrees of rotation is a single 360 degree rotation.

3 . The seed orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the seed riding surface is angled radially outward so as to direct the seed to an intersection area where the seed guide wall adjoins to the seed riding surface.

4 . The orientation system of claim 1 further comprising a sub-furrow opener disposed adjacent to an exit of the helix, the sub-furrow opener configured to form a wedge-shaped sub-furrow within the seed furrow.

5 . The orientation system of claim 1 further comprising a seed collector between the seed meter and the helix.

6 . The seed orientation system of claim 1 further comprising an air infeed delivering pressurized air into the helix.

7 . The seed orientation system of claim 6 , wherein the pressurized air is directed parallel along the helix.

8 . The seed orientation system of claim 6 further comprising a vented outer coil having an open interior vent.

9 . The seed orientation system of claim 8 , wherein the open interior vent is covered by an air-permeable surface.