Device for distributing a granular or powdery substance
First Claim
1. A device for distributing a granular or powdery substance such as fertilizer, comprising a storage holder for this substance having out flow opening means for flowing the substance therethrough, one or more elevated distributor members, a vertically extending guide tube having a lower end communicating with the outflow opening means and an opposite end communicating with each distributor member, means for generating an air flow from the lower end of the guide tube located at said outflow opening means to the opposite end of said tube, and means for controlling flow of the substance through the outflow opening means between open and shut-off conditions, including sensors arranged close to the discharge path of the distributor member for determining the width and direction of spread of the substance for distribution.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for overhead dusting of a field with fertilizer or particulate material includes an overhead suction impeller having a central annulus receiving a vertical pipe leading from a flow-controlled hoppr discharge. A cover on the pipe confines the discharge of air and entrained material to an angular section of the annulus and a baffle is adjustable around the pipe to increase and decrease the angular section.
17 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for distributing a granular or powdery substance such as fertilizer, comprising a storage holder for this substance having out flow opening means for flowing the substance therethrough, one or more elevated distributor members, a vertically extending guide tube having a lower end communicating with the outflow opening means and an opposite end communicating with each distributor member, means for generating an air flow from the lower end of the guide tube located at said outflow opening means to the opposite end of said tube, and means for controlling flow of the substance through the outflow opening means between open and shut-off conditions, including sensors arranged close to the discharge path of the distributor member for determining the width and direction of spread of the substance for distribution.
- 2. A device for distributing particulate material from an elevated position over the surface of a field which comprises the combination of storage means for containing a supply of the particulate material and having bottom opening means for controllably discharging the particulate material in a direction to flow directly downwardly onto the surface of a field, means for transporting the device along a path on the field to produce a swath of coverage of the particulate material over the surface of the field, distribution means leading from the bottom opening means of the storage means upwardly to a region of discharge located at the elevated position above the storage means for directing material in a generally horizontal direction at said elevated position to create the swath of coverage, said distribution means comprising a conduit having an open bottom end in communication with ambient air and the bottom opening means of the storage means, and rotatable suction means communicating with the conduit at the elevated position above the the bottom end of the conduit for sucking air to flow from the bottom end of the conduit upwardly through the conduit to pick up particulate material discharging through the bottom opening means and entrain such particulate material in the air flow and discharge the air and material entrained in it at the elevated position to create the swath of coverage, said suction means constituting the sole mechanism for conveying the material to said elevated position.
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7. A device for overhead dispensing of a granular or powdery material entrained in air onto the surface of a field, comprising means for traveling the device over the surface of a field, a storage hopper for the material having outflow opening means for discharge of the material and flow control means for controlling the discharge of material through the outflow opening means;
- suction means for picking up and entraining material discharging from the outflow opening means and drive means for continuously driving the suction means during operation of the device so that the amount of material dispensed is controlled solely by said flow control means;
said suction means comprising overhead impeller means having a central inlet for inducting air and passage means for discharging air and any entrained material therein radially from the central inlet, a vertically extending tube having a lower end communicating with ambient air and the outflow opening means to pick up ambient air and entrain material discharging through the outflow opening means, and having an upper end communicating with said central inlet; and
said drive means including a drive shaft connected to said impeller means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- suction means for picking up and entraining material discharging from the outflow opening means and drive means for continuously driving the suction means during operation of the device so that the amount of material dispensed is controlled solely by said flow control means;
Specification