Opposed inductor improvements

• US 7,387,078 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• 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:
  US11/779,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 335 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, comprising:

a hopper configured to contain a supply of product;

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

a distribution system configured to apply the supply of product in an agricultural environment; 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 the supply of product from the hopper;

a trajectory control assembly having a rotatable inlet tube configured to selectively direct the pressurized air stream into the interior cavity as to generate the combined stream of pressurized air and product;

an adjustable outlet tube assembly disposed opposite the trajectory control assembly, the adjustable outlet assembly having an adjustable outlet tube selectively extendable into the interior cavity of the inductor chamber, the adjustable outlet tube having a first end with a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of a second end of the outlet tube; and

a cover assembly disposed in the interior cavity between the inlet tube and the outlet tube.

2. 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; 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;

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; and

a cover assembly disposed between the inlet and outlet tubes, the cover assembly is selectively adjustable to regulate a disposition of the product relative to the inlet tube and the outlet tube.

3. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 2, wherein the cover assembly is connected to the inlet and outlet tubes.

4. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one side of the cover assembly is selectively moveable.

5. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 2, wherein the cover assembly includes an at least one flap pivotally coupled to a cover member.

6. The product conveyance system as recited in claim 2, including an adjustment mechanism operable to selectively adjust one or more cover assemblies.

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

a distribution system configured to apply the product in the agricultural environment; 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;

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; and

a cover assembly disposed between the inlet and outlet tubes, the cover assembly is selectively adjustable to regulate a disposition of the product relative to the inlet tube and the outlet tube,

wherein the cover assembly is connected to the inlet and outlet tubes, wherein the cover assembly includes an at least one flap pivotally coupled to a cover member, and an adjustment mechanism operable to selectively adjust one or more cover assemblies.