Monsanto Technology LLC

Johnny J Kotyk

Eric L Borrowman

Govind Chaudhary

Brad D White

Hsin-Chen Chen

Jeffrey Lawrence Kohne

Chi Zhang

Jarrett R Ceglinski

Randall K Rader

Leendert De Bruin

Louis M Pompe Van Meerdervoort

Alfred B Garson, Iii

Donald J Essner

Louis M Pompe Van Meerdevoort

A seed sorting system for sorting seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes an x-ray camera configured to acquire x-ray images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. The x-ray camera is configured to produce high quality images at high line scan rates to accommodate a speed and width at which the seeds are moved by the seed transfer station through the system. A sorting assembly is configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired x-ray images of the seeds.

Seed sorting

A seed imaging system for imaging seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted relative to the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A second camera is mounted relative to the seed transfer station and is configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. The second camera has an imaging modality different from an imaging modality of the first camera. First and second cameras may be disposed above and below the seed transfer stations, such as a transparent belt.

Seed imaging

A cabinet x-ray device for imaging seeds includes an x-ray source configured to transmit an x-ray beam along a beam path. A seed holder is configured to hold seeds and be selectively positioned in the x-ray device such that the beam path crosses the seed holder and the x-ray beam passes through at least some of the seeds. An x-ray detector is configured to detect the x-ray beam after passing through the seeds such that one or more x-ray images of the seeds can be formed. Self-supporting x-ray shielding can extend circumferentially around the x-ray beam to mitigate x-ray transmission outside the device. A drive mechanism can automatically move the seed holder so that discrete x-ray images of subsets of seeds are taken in an automatic seed imaging operation. Various seed evaluations and seed process evaluations can be made using the device.

X-ray seed imaging system, cabinet x-ray device, and methods of evaluating seeds

A method of analyzing seeds including acquiring, using an X-ray machine, X-ray images of the seeds. Analyzing the X-ray images to determine a parameter of each of the seeds. Comparing a parameter determined from analyzing the X-ray image of one seed to a parameter determined from analyzing the X-ray image of another seed. Arranging the seeds relative to each other based on the seed parameters.

Seed analysis

Growing community of inventors

Manchester, MO, United States of America

Johnny J Kotyk