Method and means for evenly distributing particulate fertilizer

• US 5,775,585 A
• Filed: 04/12/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis E. Duello
• Original Assignee: Dennis E. Duello
• Inventors: Duello, Dennis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US08/630,695
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 239/654, 239/655, 239/8, 239/76, 73/861.73
• US Class Current: 239/8
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/04 using blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/102 Regulating or controlling the seed rate

Abstract

A bin for holding a granular material has a conveyor belt in the bottom thereof. A plurality of separate conduits are in communication with the bin with each of the conduits having a discharge end. The conveyor belt meters the granular material from the bin into the conduits. A fan is provided for supplying flowing air through the conduits to blow granular material towards the discharge ends. Each conduit has a curved portion formed therein upstream from the discharge ends. Sensors are located in each of the curved portions to measure the centrifugal force of granular material moving through the conduits towards the discharge ends. Pivotal walls are provided in each conduit to adjust the flow of granular material therethrough. A microprocessor is connected to the sensors and the actuator to sense variations in the centrifugal force measured by the sensors, and to adjust the pivotal walls in one or more of the conduits to equalize the flow of granular material through the conduits. The method comprises the use of a microprocessor to determine the quantity of flow of granular material through each of the conduits by the input of sensors in the conduits, then comparing the quantity of flow of granular material for each of the conduits to determine variations of flow among the conduits; and adjusting the flow of granular material through the conduits to cause a substantially equal quantity of granular material to flow out of the discharge ends.

Claims

1. A method of distributing a quantity of granular material of varying particulate mass from a plurality of distribution points, comprising,

providing a plurality of separate distribution conduits having discharge ends and adjustable side walls,

providing a curved portion in each of said conduits,

forcing air through said conduits in a direction towards said discharge ends,

metering granular material into said conduits upstream of said curved portions and said discharge ends,

sensing the magnitude of the pressure of granular material being blown by said forced air through the curved portions of said conduits,

conveying the sensed pressure information occurring in each conduit to a microprocessor,

comparing the pressure data caused by flow of granular material through each of said conduits to sense variations in pressure data, and hence variations of flow among said conduits,

adjusting the flow of granular material through one or more of said conduits to cause a substantially equal quantity of granular material to flow out of said discharge ends,

by having control means including linear actuators controlled by said microprocessor to pivot said side walls to adjust the amount of granular material being blown therethrough.

2. A distribution device for granular material, comprising,

a bin for holding a quantity of granular material,

a plurality of separate conduits in communication with the bin, with each conduit having a discharge end,

means for metering granular material from said bin into said conduits,

a source of flowing air connected to said conduits to blow granular material towards said discharge ends,

a curved portion of approximately 90°

formed in each conduit upstream from said discharge ends,

pressure sensors within each of said curved portions substantially in the direct path of granular material passing through said conduits to sense the magnitude of the pressure of granular material moving through the curved portion of said conduits towards said discharge ends,

control means in each conduit to adjust the flow of granular material therethrough,

and a microprocessor connected to said sensors and said control means to sense variations in the impact measured by said sensors, and to actuate said control means in one or more of said conduits to equalize the flow of granular material through said conduits and to equalize the pressure exerted on said sensors by the flow of granular material.

3. A distribution device for granular material, comprising,

a bin for holding a quantity of granular material,

a plurality of separate conduits in communication with the bin, with the each conduit having a discharge end,

means for metering granular material from said bin into said conduits,

a source of flowing air connected to said conduits to blow granular material towards said discharge ends,

a curved portion formed in each conduit upstream from said discharge ends,

sensors in each of said curved portions to measure the pressure of granular material moving through said conduits towards said discharge ends,

control means in each conduit to adjust the flow of granular material therethrough,

a microprocessor connected to said sensors and said control means to sense variations in pressure measured by said sensors, and to actuate said control means in one or more of said conduits to equalize the flow of granular material through said conduits and to equalize the pressure exerted on said sensors,

said conduits being comprised of pivotal side walls, and control means includes linear actuators controlled by said microprocessor to pivot said side walls to adjust the amount of granular material being blown therethrough.

4. A method of distributing a quantity of granular material of varying particulate mass from a plurality of distribution points, comprising,

providing a plurality of separate distribution conduits having discharge ends,

providing a curved portion in each of said conduits,

forcing air through said conduits in a direction towards said discharge ends,

metering granular material into said conduits upstream of said curved portions and said discharge ends,

sensing the magnitude of the pressure of granular material being blown by said forced air through the curved portions of said conduits,

conveying the measured pressure information occurring in each conduit to a microprocessor to determine the quantity of flow of granular material through each of said conduits,

comparing the quantity of flow of granular material through each of said conduits to determine variations of flow among said conduits,

adjusting by linear actuators controlled by said microprocessor to adjust the flow of granular material through one or more of said conduits to cause a substantial equal quantity of material to flow out of said discharge ends.