Agricultural trench depth sensing systems, methods, and apparatus
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a trench opened by an agricultural planter. Sensors are provided for detecting the position of a ground-engaging element of the planter such as a gauge wheel or seed firmer of a row unit of the planter. Apparatus and methods are provided for installing such sensors onto a row unit of the planter. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling downpressure on a row unit based on the trench depth. Methods are provided for mapping trench depth measured by the depth sensors.
1. An agricultural row unit, comprising:
a row unit frame;
a first gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit; and
a first sensor configured to generate a first signal related to the angular position of said first gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame, said first sensor comprising:
a receiver component;
a transmitter component;
wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm for rotation therewith;
wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is fixedly mounted to said row unit frame;
wherein said first signal is related to a distance between said receiver component and said transmitter component.
2. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second gauge wheel arm pivotally mounted to the row unit frame and disposed to limit the depth of a trench opened by the row unit;
a rocker pivotally mounted to said row unit frame, said rocker limiting a relative angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said first gauge wheel arm; and
a second sensor configured to generate a second signal related to the angular position of said second gauge wheel arm relative to said row unit frame.
3. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein said receiver component comprises a Hall-effect sensor.
4. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein said transmitter component comprises a magnet.
5. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted directly to said first gauge wheel arm.
6. The agricultural row unit of claim 1 , wherein one of said receiver component and said transmitter component is mounted to said first gauge wheel arm via a circumferential mounting rim, wherein said circumferential mounting rim is mounted to said gauge wheel arm.
7. The agricultural row unit of claim 2 , further comprising:
a processor, said processor in data communication with said first sensor and said second sensor, said processor configured to estimate the depth of a trench opened by the agricultural row unit based on said first signal and said second signal.
8. The agricultural row unit of claim 7 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate an average of said first signal and said second signal.