Opposed inductor improvements

• US 7,258,070 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Novosad; Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US11/428,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20060236907A1
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 111173-175, 111/170, 221/211, 222/408, 222/529, 222/547, 222/630, 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. A product conveyance system for distributing a supply of product in an agricultural environment, comprising:

a hopper configured to contain the supply of product;

a pressurized air source operable to provide a stream of pressurized air;

a distribution system configured to apply the product in the agricultural environment, the distribution system including a distribution line having a cross-sectional area; and

an inductor assembly configured to provide a combined stream of pressurized air and product to the distribution system, the inductor assembly including;

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 and conveyed in the distribution line of the distribution system, 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 crosssectional area of the second end of the outlet tube and the distribution line.

2. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a trajectory control assembly coupled to the inlet tube and movable to selectively direct the pressurized air stream into the interior cavity of the inductor chamber.

3. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 2, wherein the inlet tube extends along a central axis and the trajectory control assembly includes at least one deflector disposed at an angle relative to the central axis.

4. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 3, wherein the trajectory control assembly further includes:

a trajectory tube disposed inside the inlet tube;

the at least one deflector disposed inside the trajectory tube; and

a handle coupled to the trajectory tube and extending through a slot disposed in the inlet tube, the handle configured to selectively direct the discharge of pressurized air into the interior cavity.

5. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable outlet assembly slidably coupled to the outlet tube, the adjustable outlet assembly including an adjustable outlet tube selectively positionable inward and outward relative to the interior cavity of the inductor chamber.

6. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustable outlet tube includes a first end and a second end, the first end having a cross-sectional area smaller relative to a cross-sectional area of the second end of the adjustable outlet tube.

7. A product conveyance system for distributing a supply of product in an agricultural environment, comprising:

a hopper configured to contain the supply of product;

a forced air source operable to provide a stream of forced air;

a distribution system configured to apply the product to the field; and

an inductor assembly, including;

an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive the supply of product;

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

an outlet tube configured to pass the combined stream of air and product from the interior cavity of the inductor assembly to the distribution system;

wherein the trajectory control assembly includes;

an inlet tube extending into the inductor chamber;

a trajectory tube slidably coupled inside the inlet tube along a central axis;

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

a handle coupled to the trajectory tube, the handle selectively moves the deflector to selectively direct the pressurized air stream into the interior cavity of the inductor chamber.

8. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 7, wherein the inlet tube directs the forced air stream in a substantially downward and inward direction relative to the inductor chamber, and wherein the outlet tube is disposed opposite the inlet tube and configured direct the combined air stream in a substantially upward and outward direction relative to the inductor chamber.