Fluid control system

Abstract

A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural planter row unit. A first one of the multiple actuators is associated with a first implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit. A second one of the multiple actuators is associated with a second implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit. The fluid control system controls fluid flow from a fluid source to each of the first and second actuators. In one embodiment, the fluid control system includes an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a pressure sensor, wherein the inlet valve is in fluid communication with the fluid source and the pressure sensor is disposed to measure fluid pressure in a fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first and second actuators.

1 . A fluid control system for supplying fluid to multiple actuators associated with different implements disposed on an agricultural planter row unit, comprising:
 a first actuator associated with a first implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit;   a second actuator associated with a second implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit, the second implement being different from the first implement;   a fluid control system for controlling fluid flow from a fluid source to each of the first and second actuators, the fluid control system including:
 an inlet valve in fluid communication with the fluid source; 
 an outlet valve; and 
 a first pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a first fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first and second actuators. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fluid control system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
 a first control valve disposed in the first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure sensor.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid control system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
 a second pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a second fluid line in fluid communication with the first control valve and the second actuator.   
     
     
         4 . The fluid control system of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
 a second control valve disposed in the second fluid line between the first control valve and the second pressure sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The fluid control system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a third actuator associated with a third implement disposed on the agricultural planter row unit, the third implement being different from the first implement and second implement; and   wherein the first pressure sensor is disposed to measure fluid pressure in the first fluid line in fluid communication with the inlet valve and each of the first, second and third actuators.   
     
     
         6 . The fluid control system of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid control system further comprises:
 a first control valve disposed in the first fluid line between the inlet valve and the first pressure sensor;   a second control valve disposed in a second fluid line between the first control valve and the second actuator;   a second pressure sensor disposed in the second fluid line between the second control valve and the second actuator;   a third pressure sensor disposed to measure fluid pressure in a third fluid line in fluid communication with the second control valve and the third actuator.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid control system of any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the first and second implements are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel implement; (iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment implement; and (v) a downforce implement. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid control system of any of  claims 5  to  6 , wherein the first, second and third implements are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a trench closing implement; (ii) a packer wheel implement; (iii) a row cleaner implement; (iv) a depth adjustment implement; and (v) a downforce implement. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid control system of  claims 1  and  5 , wherein each of the actuators comprise a cylinder having a movable piston connected to a piston rod, the piston separating the cylinder between a down-chamber and an up-chamber; and
 wherein the fluid control system further comprises a down-chamber valve disposed at the down-chamber end of the cylinder and an up-chamber valve disposed at the up-chamber end of the cylinder. 
 
     
     
         10 . The fluid control system of any of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the first implement comprises a trench closing implement, the trench closing implement comprising:
 a mounting bracket rigidly secured to a frame member of the row unit; 
 a closing frame member pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket about a pivot axis; 
 a bracket member having a first end secured to the mounting bracket; and 
 wherein the first actuator is coupled at a first end to the bracket member and a second end of the first actuator is coupled to the closing frame member, whereby actuation of the first actuator causes said closing frame member to pivot with respect to said mounting bracket about the pivot axis.