Opposed inductor improvements

• US 7,093,547 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2004
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Canada Limited (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Mayerle, Dean J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US10/772,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 111/175, 111/174, 111/173, 111/170, 221/211, 222/630, 222/408, 222/529, 222/547, 406/141, 406/142, 406/144, 406/146
• US Class Current: 111/174
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/081 Seeders depositing seeds in rows using pneumatic means

Abstract

The inductor assembly of the present invention is configured with an agricultural implement to enhance conveyance of product from a storage hopper to a remote location. The inductor assembly includes an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive the supply of product from the storage hopper, an inlet tube configured to direct the stream of pressurized air so as to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product, and an outlet tube configured to pass the combined stream of pressurized air and product from the inductor chamber to a distribution system application of the product in an agricultural environment. The improved inductor assembly can further include a selectively extendable outlet tube assembly, a trajectory control assembly coupled to the inlet tube, and an adjustable cover assembly configured to regulate agitation of the product and to purge deposits downstream of the inductor assembly.

Claims

1. An inductor assembly configured to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product, comprising:

an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive a supply of product, the inductor chamber including a forward sidewall, a rearward sidewall, and a bottom wall therebetween;

an inlet tube extending through the forward sidewall and configured to direct a stream of pressurized air toward the supply of product in the interior cavity of the inductor chamber so as to generate the combined stream of pressurized air and product; and

an outlet tube extending through the rearward sidewall opposite the inlet tube, the outlet tube being configured to discharge the combined stream of air and product from the inductor chamber, the outlet tube having an first end and an second end, the first end of the outlet tube having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the second end of the outlet tube.

2. The inductor assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein

the inlet tube includes a first end configured to receive the pressurized air stream and a second end configured to discharge the steam of pressurized air into the interior cavity;

the first end of the outlet tube is disposed in the interior cavity opposite the second end of the inlet tube and the second end of the outlet tube is configured to discharge the stream of pressurized air and product; and

the outlet tube includes a conical shape portion between the first end and the second end of the outlet tube.

3. The inductor assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising a cover assembly disposed in the interior cavity between the inlet tube and the outlet tube, the cover assembly being adjustable to selectively regulate entrainment of the product into the air stream.

4. The inductor assembly as recited claim 3, wherein the cover assembly includes:

a cover generally aligned with an upper portion of the second end of the inlet tube and an upper portion of the first end of the outlet tube; and

at least one flap member pivotally coupled to the cover.

5. The inductor assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one flap member has a first position configured to purge product deposited in and downstream of the outlet tube while simultaneously preventing product from entering the outlet tube.

6. The inductor assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the cover and the at least one flap member in a first position directs discharge of the stream of pressurized air from the second end of the inlet tube toward the first end of the outlet tube and simultaneously prevent product from entering the outlet tube.

7. An inductor assembly configured to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product comprising:

an inductor chamber tat defines an interior cavity configured to receive a supply of product;

a trajectory control assembly movable to selectively direct a pressurized air stream into the interior cavity of the inductor chamber so as to generate the combined stream of air and product; and

an outlet tube configured to discharge the combined stream of air and product from the inductor chamber;

wherein the trajectory control assembly includes;

a trajectory tube extending into the inductor chamber along a central axis;

at least one deflector disposed inside the trajectory tube at an angle relative to the central axis of the trajectory tube; and

a handle coupled to the trajectory tube, the handle operable to selectively move the deflector to change direction of the pressurized air stream discharged from the trajectory tube.

8. An inductor assembly configured to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product, comprising:

an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive a supply of product, the inductor chamber including a forward sidewall, a rearward sidewall, and a bottom wall therebetween;

an inlet tube that extends through the forward sidewall and configured to direct a pressurized air stream toward the supply of product so as to generate the combined stream of air and product; and

an adjustable outlet assembly that extends through the rearward sidewall opposite the inlet tube and configured to discharge a combined stream of pressurized air and product from the inductor chamber, the adjustable outlet assembly including an adjustable first outlet tube selectively extendable inward and outward relative to the interior cavity, the adjustable first outlet tube including a first end having a cross-sectional area that is smaller relative to a cross-sectional area of a second end of the first outlet tube.

9. The inductor assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising second outlet tube extending into the inductor chamber, the adjustable outlet assembly slidably disposed inside the second outlet tube.