Agricultural Implement and Method for Feeding Granular Material

• US 20150189827A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 07/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vaderstad holding ab
• Original Assignee: Vaderstad-Verken AB
• Inventors: Gilstring, Gert
• Granted Patent: US 9,474,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/04 using blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 21/00 Methods of fertilising , sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/042 using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/046 with perforated seeding discs
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/082 Ducts, distribution pipes or details thereof for pneumatic seeders

Abstract

The present document shows an agricultural implement comprising a device for feeding granular material, such as seed, fertilizer or pesticide. The device comprises at least two metering devices (109), a first drive device (101) for generating a pressurizing airflow (FT) for pressurization of the metering devices (109), and a central container (102), which is arranged to, via respective feed ducts (103), with the aid of a respective feed airflow (FI), feed the material to the respective metering device (109). The device also comprises a second drive device (201, 201a, 201b) for generating the said feed airflow (FI) and a merging connection (118, 118′) for merging at least a part (FL) of the said feed airflow (FI) with the pressurizing airflow (FT).

Claims

1. Agricultural tool comprising a device for feeding granular material, such as seed, fertilizer or pesticide, comprising:

at least two metering devices;

a first drive device, which, via a pressurizing air duct, is connected to the metering devices for generation of a pressurizing airflow for pressurization of the metering devices, and

a central container, which is arranged to, via respective feed ducts, with the aid of a respective feed airflow, feed the material to the respective metering device;

wherein the metering devices comprise a respective separator for separating the material from the feed airflow,

characterized by

a second drive device for generation of the said feed airflow; and

a merging connection for merging at least a part (FL) of the said feed airflow with the pressurizing airflow,

wherein the said merging connection comprises a connection for merging an airflow outflowing from the respective separator with the respective pressurizing airflow.

2. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein a pressurizing air duct has a connection for airflow outflowing from the separator, which connection is situated upstream of the connection of the pressurizing air duct to the metering device.

3. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the separator is directly connected to the pressurizing air duct.

4. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the separator is connected to the pressurizing air duct via a merging duct.

5. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device is arranged to produce a greater air pressure than the first drive device.

6. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the metering device comprises a singling device for piece-by-piece dispensing of the material.

7. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the metering device comprises a singling disc, which has a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side, and wherein the connection of the pressurizing air duct to the metering device is located on the high-pressure side of the metering device.

8. Agricultural tool according to claim 7, wherein the metering device comprises an inlet, situated on the high-pressure side, for the granular material.

9. Agricultural tool according to claim 1, wherein the first and second drive devices are drivable independently of each other.

10. Method for dispensing granular material, such as seed, fertilizer or pesticide, in an agricultural implement, comprising:

singling the granular material in the metering device and dispensing a series of individual granules,

with the aid of a first drive device, generating a pressurizing airflow for pressurization of the metering device,

characterized by

from a central container for the granular material, with the aid of a feed airflow, feeding the material to at least two metering devices,

generating the feed airflow with the aid of a second drive device, and

separating the material from the feed airflow, wherein a material flow and an airflow are produced, and merging at least a part of the airflow with the pressurizing airflow (FT).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the airflow is merged with the pressurizing airflow upstream of the inlet of the pressurizing airflow in the metering device.

12. Method according to claim 10, wherein both the pressurizing airflow and the material flow are fed to a high-pressure side of a singling device.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the pressurizing airflow and the material flow are fed via separate inputs.