Bulk fill delivery recirculation system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for pneumatically transporting particulate material from an air and particulate source into first through Nth metering bins, the apparatus comprising:
- a manifold assembly having supply and return ends, the supply end linked to the source to receive air borne particulate there from and the return end also linked to the source to return particulate thereto, the assembly also forming intermediate ports between the supply and return ends that are linked to the metering bins such that at least a portion of the air born particulate in the manifold duct is directed into each of the metering bins.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A particulate distribution system for transporting seed or other particulate from a source into a plurality of metering bins, the system including a manifold duct that begins and ends at the source and an air delivery system mounted to the duct to transport particulate there through and a plurality of particulate flow diverting structures that extend from the manifold into each metering bin, whereby each metering bin is filled in accordance with the flow of air available thereto.
62 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for pneumatically transporting particulate material from an air and particulate source into first through Nth metering bins, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold assembly having supply and return ends, the supply end linked to the source to receive air borne particulate there from and the return end also linked to the source to return particulate thereto, the assembly also forming intermediate ports between the supply and return ends that are linked to the metering bins such that at least a portion of the air born particulate in the manifold duct is directed into each of the metering bins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for pneumatically transporting particulate material from an air and particulate source into individual first through Nth metering bins, the apparatus comprising:
- a separate diverter structure corresponding to each of the metering bins;
a supply manifold section linked at a first end to the source to receive air borne particulate there from and linked at the second end to a first of the diverter structures;
(N-1) intermediate manifold sections between and linking adjacent first through Nth diverter structures; and
a return manifold section having a first end linked to the Nth diverter structure and a second end opening into the source for delivering air borne particulate back to the source.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
- a separate diverter structure corresponding to each of the metering bins;
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15. An apparatus for pneumatically transporting particulate material from an air and particulate source into individual first through Nth metering bins, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a central particulate supply hopper;
(b) a plurality of individual metering bins mounted on an agricultural implement for movement through a field;
(c) a manifold duct structure connected at an inlet end into the source and extending outwardly there from in a position generally above the metering bins, the duct being comprised of a plurality of interconnected duct sections;
(d) a plurality of diverter structures interconnecting ends of the duct sections at locations above the metering bins; and
(e) a return manifold duct connecting the Nth diverter structure back to the source. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for the sequential filling particulate metering bins mounted on an agricultural implement, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a source of particulate and air;
(b) providing a manifold duct assembly that is operably connected at opposite supply and return ends to the source and that forms intermediate ports there between;
(c) pneumatically transporting particulate from the source through the manifold duct structure to fill a first metering bin with particulate to a level that a corresponding intermediate port is blocked; and
(d) continuing the pneumatic transport of particulate to fill sequentially each of the particulate bins following the first bin by sequential blockage of each subsequent intermediate port. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A conveying apparatus for use in transporting particulate from a central hopper to a plurality of metering bins, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) an elongated manifold duct having opposite supply and return ends, each of the supply and return ends linked to the hopper, the duct having a sinuous shape whereby particulate is transported in a downward direction at locations spaced along the length of the duct; and
(b) a separate feed tube corresponding to each of the metering bins, each feed tube operably connected to the manifold duct to direct particulate into a corresponding metering bin.
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20. An agricultural implement for distributing particulate, the implement comprising:
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(a) a central particulate storage hopper;
(b) a plurality of metering bins to receive particulate from the central particulate storage hopper;
(c) a sinuously shaped manifold duct assembly including opposite supply and return ends, the supply end operably connected to the hopper to receive particulate there from, the return end operably connected to the hopper to return particulate thereto, the assembly having relatively higher and relatively lower nodes wherein each lower node is located above an underlying metering bin and opens there into; and
(d) a source of air operably connected to the central storage hopper to transport particulate from the storage hopper and through the manifold duct to the metering bins. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification