Opposed inductor improvements

• US 7,409,917 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• 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:
  US11/828,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 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 method of conveying a supply of product from a hopper with forced air to a remote location, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a nurse inductor assembly configured to generate a combined stream of air and entrained product, the nurse inductor assembly having a chamber operable to receive the supply of product from the hopper, an inlet tube operable to provide a stream of pressurized air into the chamber to create the combined stream of air and entrained product; and

an outlet tube operable to communicate the combined stream of air and entrained product from the chamber;

providing a selectively adjustable cover assembly between the inlet tube and the outlet tube;

purging product deposited in and downstream of the outlet tube of the inductor assembly toward the remote location; and

preventing product in the chamber from entering the outlet tube during the act of purging of the deposits of the product; and

moving the cover assembly to selectively regulate a position of the supply of product in the chamber relative to either the inlet tube and the outlet tube.