Boom flow control mechanism for pneumatic spreaders

• US 4,964,575 A
• Filed: 05/30/1989
• Issued: 10/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ag-Chem Sales Company Incorporated (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ag-Chem Sales Company Incorporated (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Takata, Harry H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, WILLIAM ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US07/358,666
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 239/654, 239/655, 239/689, 406/131, 406/192, 222/630
• US Class Current: 239/655
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/04 using blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 9/003 Pneumatic field dusters, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted

Abstract

An improved system for pneumatic spreader systems for selective distribution of particulate material onto agricultural fields from selected ones of a plurality of elongated delivery tubes or booms. The improved feature of the present invention comprises a means to interrupt flow of particulate material from certain preselected booms without clogging the system. The system includes a means for substantially completely blocking the flow cross-sectional area from a preselected one or plurality of delivery tubes, along with a line which normally functions as a feed line when the system is in normal operation, but as a recycling line when the delivery tube is in blocked or shut-off disposition. The arrangement provides a means for converting a twin-boom arrangement to a single-boom arrangement for accommodating unusual operation such as less-than-a-full boom width when undertaking the final run of a field application.

Claims

1. In combination with a pressurized pneumatic system for substantially uniform distribution of particulate solids upon the soil from a system mounted upon a self-propelled vehicle and including a reservoir with a source of supply of particulate solids to be distributed, a distribution head means for metering and apportioning particulate solids from said source into a plurality of generally aliquot portions, a plurality of elongated hollow delivery tubes of predetermined and differing lengths extending laterally outwardly of said vehicle from a proximal end to a distal discharge end, a source of compressed air for creating a flow of pressurized air through said hollow elongated delivery tubes, a plurality of tubular feed members, each extending between said distribution head and a selected one of said delivery tubes, for creating a fluid communication link between each of said tubes and said distribution head to accommodate delivery of each of said aliquot portions from the proximal end to the distal discharge end of a boom when operative, a juncture point adjacent the proximal end of each of said hollow elongated delivery tubes for introducing one aliquot portion of particulate solids to the flow of pressurized air moving through each of said delivery tubes when operative, and means adjacent said juncture point for creating a partial vacuum along said delivery tube during times of passage of particulate solids therethrough;

the improvement comprising;

(a) shut-off means operatively coupled to at least a preselected one of said elongated delivery tubes and comprising;

(1) damper means rotatably positioned within said preselected delivery tube and being disposed in spaced relationship and immediately downstream from said juncture point; and

(2) drive means for advancing said damper from a normal open disposition wherein the damper is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said preselected delivery tube to a closed disposition wherein said damper occupies and blocks the flow of air across at least about 75 percent of the inner cross-section of said preselected delivery tube.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said shut-off drive means is a hydraulic cylinder.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said distribution head is equipped with an auger for delivery of particulate solids from said reservoir to said distributor head at a point where aliquot portions are formed therefrom.

4. The system as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a shut-off means is provided along each of said delivery tubes downstream from said means for creating a partial vacuum therewithin.

5. In combination with a pressurized pneumatic system for substantially uniform distribution of particulate solids upon the soil from a system mounted upon a self-propelled vehicle and including a reservoir with a source of supply of particulate solids to be distributed, a distribution head means for metering and apportioning particulate solids from said source into a plurality of generally aliquot portions, a plurality of elongated hollow delivery tubes of predetermined and differing lengths extending laterally outwardly of said vehicle from a proximal end to a distal discharge end, a source of compressed air for creating a flow of pressurized air through said hollow elongated delivery tubes, a plurality of tubular feed members, each extending between said distribution head and a selected one of said delivery tubes, for creating a fluid communication link between each of said tubes and said distribution head to accommodate delivery of each of said aliquot portions from the proximal end to the distal discharge end of a boom when operative, a juncture point adjacent the proximal end of each of said hollow elongated delivery tubes for introducing one aliquot portion of particulate solids to the flow of pressurized air moving through each of said delivery tubes when operative, and means adjacent said juncture point for creating a partial vacuum along said delivery tube during times of passage of particulate solids therethrough;

the improvement comprising;

(a) shut-off means operatively coupled to at least a preselected one of said elongated delivery tubes and comprising;

(1) damper means rotatably positioned within said preselected delivery tube and being disposed in spaced relationship and immediately downstream from said juncture point; and

(2) drive means for advancing said damper from a normal open disposition wherein the damper is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said preselected delivery tube to a closed disposition wherein said damper occupies and blocks the flow of air across at least about 75 percent of the inner cross-section of said preselected delivery tube; and

(b) said distribution head being vented to atmosphere in the zone where said aliquot portions are being created.

6. In combination with a pressurized pneumatic system for substantially uniform distribution of particulate solids upon the soil from a system mounted upon a self-propelled vehicle and including a reservoir with a source of supply of particulate solids to be distributed, a distribution head means for metering and apportioning particulate solids from said source into a plurality of generally aliquot portions, a plurality of elongated hollow delivery tubes of predetermined and differing lengths extending laterally outwardly of said vehicle from a proximal end to a distal discharge end, a source of compressed air for creating a flow of pressurized air through said hollow elongated delivery tubes, a plurality of tubular feed members, each extending between said distribution head and a selected one of said delivery tubes, for creating a fluid communication link between each of said tubes and said distribution head to accommodate delivery of each of said aliquot portions from the proximal end to the distal discharge end of a boom when operative, a juncture point adjacent the proximal end of each of said hollow elongated delivery tubes for introducing one aliquot portion of particulate solids to the flow of pressurized air moving through each of said delivery tubes when operative, and means adjacent said juncture point for creating a partial vacuum along said delivery tube during times of passage of particulate solids therethrough;

the improvement comprising;

(a) shut-off means operatively coupled to at least a preselected one of said elongated delivery tubes and comprising;

(1) damper means rotatably positioned within said preselected delivery tube and being disposed in spaced relationship and immediately downstream from said juncture point; and

(2) drive means for advancing said damper from a normal open disposition wherein the damper is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of said preselected delivery tube to a closed disposition wherein said damper occupies and blocks the flow of air across at least about 75 percent of the inner cross-section of said preselected delivery tube; and

(b) said distribution head being equipped with an auger for delivery of particulate solids from said reservoir to said distributor head at a point where aliquot portions are formed therefrom; and

(c) conveyor means are provided for bringing material to said auger and wherein said conveyor means has variable speed motor drive means with motor control means being provided to vary the speed of said conveyor variable speed motor in response to closing of said preselected boom by said shut-off means.

7. In combination with a pressurized pneumatic system for substantially uniform distribution of particulate solids upon the soil from a system mounted upon a self-propelled vehicle and including a reservoir with a source of supply of particulate solids to be distributed, a distribution head means for metering and apportioning particulate solids from said source into a plurality of generally aliquot portions, a plurality of elongated hollow delivery tubes of predetermined and differing lengths extending laterally outwardly of said vehicle from a proximal end to a distal discharge end, a source of compressed air for creating a flow of pressurized air through said hollow elongated delivery tubes, a plurality of tubular feed members, each extending between said distribution head and a selected one of said delivery tubes, for creating a fluid communication link between each of said tubes and said distribution head to accommodate delivery of each of said aliquot portions from the proximal end to the distal discharge end of a boom when operative, a juncture point adjacent the proximal end of each of said hollow elongated delivery tubes for introducing one aliquot portion of particulate solids to the flow of pressurized air moving through each of said delivery tubes when operative, and means adjacent said juncture point for creating a partial vacuum along said delivery tube during times of passage of particulate solids therethrough;

the improvement comprising;

(a) shut-off means operatively coupled to each of said elongated delivery tubes and comprising;

(1) damper means rotatably positioned within each of said delivery tubes and being disposed in spaced relationship and immediately downstream from said juncture point; and

(2) drive means coupled to each of said delivery tubes for advancing preselected ones of said dampers from a normal open disposition wherein the damper is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of its delivery tube to a closed disposition wherein said damper occupies and blocks the flow of air across at least about 75 percent of the inner cross-section of said delivery tube.

8. The system as defined in claim 7 being particularly characterized in that each of said shut-off drive means is a hydraulic cylinder.

9. The system as defined in claim 7 being particularly characterized in that said distribution head is vented to atmosphere in the zone where said aliquot portions are being created.

10. The system as defined in claim 7 being particularly characterized in that said distribution head is equipped with an auger for delivery of particulate solids from said reservoir to said distributor head at a point where aliquot portions are formed therefrom and wherein conveyor means are provided for bringing material to said auger with variable speed motor drive means being provided to vary the speed of said variable speed conveyor motor in response to closing of one or more of said booms by said shut-off means.

11. In combination with a pressurized pneumatic system for substantially uniform distribution of particulate solids upon the soil from a system mounted upon a self-propelled vehicle and including a reservoir with a source of supply of particulate solids to be distributed, a distribution head means for metering and apportioning particulate solids from said source into a plurality of generally aliquot portions, a plurality of elongated hollow delivery tubes of predetermined and differing lengths extending laterally outwardly of said vehicle from a proximal end to a distal discharge end, a source of compressed air for creating a flow of pressurized air through said hollow elongated delivery tubes, a plurality of tubular feed members, each extending between said distribution head and a selected one of said delivery tubes, for creating a fluid communication link between each of said tubes and said distribution head to accommodate delivery of each of said aliquot portions from the proximal end to the distal discharge end of a boom when operative, a juncture point adjacent the proximal end of each of said hollow elongated delivery tubes for introducing one aliquot portion of particulate solids to the flow of pressurized air moving through each of said delivery tubes when operative, and means adjacent said juncture point for creating a partial vacuum along said delivery tube during times of passage of particulate solids therethrough;

the improvement comprising;

(a) shut-off means operatively coupled to each of said elongated delivery tubes and comprising;

(1) delivery tube blocking means positioned within each of said delivery tubes and being disposed in spaced relationship and immediately downstream from said juncture point; and

(2) drive means coupled to each of said delivery tube blocking means for advancing preselected ones of said damper blocking means from an open disposition to a closed disposition wherein said delivery tube blocking means occupies and blocks the flow of air across at least about 75 percent of the inner cross-section of said delivery tube.

12. The system as defined in claim 11 being particularly characterized in that said distribution head is vented to atmosphere in the zone where said aliquot portions are being created.

13. The system as defined in claim 11 being particularly characterized in that said distribution head is equipped with an auger for delivery of particulate solids from said reservoir to said distributor head at a point where aliquot portions are formed therefrom and wherein conveyor means are provided for bringing material to said auger with variable speed motor drive means being provided to vary the speed of said variable speed conveyor motor in response to closing of one or more of said booms by said shut-off means.