Aerial granular material distribution device

• US 9,346,545 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Beaugavin Markov
• Original Assignee: Michael Beaugavin Markov
• Inventors: Markov, Michael Beaugavin
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Len
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Tuongminh
• Application Number:
  US14/596,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20150151325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 239/171, 239/462, 239/575, 239/DIG.23, 209/352, 209/353, 209/357, 209/365.1, 209/397, 209/401, 47/14.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 19/008 Accessories or implements for use in connection with applying particulate materials to surfaces; not provided elsewhere in B05C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 19/04 the particulate material being projected, poured or allowed to flow onto the surface of the work B05C19/02 takes precedence; involving spraying or electrostatic projection B05B B05C19/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/16 Dropping or releasing powdered, liquid, or gaseous matter, e.g. for fire-fighting jettisoning fuel B64D37/26

Abstract

A device for distributing granular material to a target area from an aircraft is provided. The device includes one or more electric sifters, and each of the one or more electric sifters includes a motor to distribute the granular material on the target area and a screen on the bottom surface of the electric sifter. The granular material is stored in the one or more electric sifters. The screen includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion allows the granular material to pass through the screen to the target area. The second portion prevents the granular material from passing through the screen. The device also includes a circuit to control the motors, one or more power sources to power the motor and the circuit, and an interface for a human operator to control the circuit.

Claims

1. A device for distributing granular material to a target area from an aircraft, comprising:

one or more enclosures, comprising;

one or more electric sifters, wherein the granular material is stored in the one or more electric sifters, each of the one or more electric sifters comprising;

a motor to distribute the granular material on the target area; and

a screen on a bottom surface of the electric sifter, the screen comprising one of a first portion and a second portion,

wherein the first portion allows the granular material to pass through the screen to the target area, wherein the second portion prevents the granular material from passing through the screen,

a door for each of the one or more electric sifters, the doors being below the bottom surface of each of the one or more electric sifters and hinged toward a side of the enclosure closest to a front of the aircraft, wherein granular material is only distributed when the door is in an open position, wherein each of the doors comprises a cutout on a center forward edge of the door and a flange corresponding to the size and shape of the cutout on a bottom surface of the enclosure; and

an actuator to open and close each of the doors;

a circuit to control the motors and actuators;

one or more power sources to power the motor and the circuit; and

an interface for a human operator to control the circuit.

2. The device for distributing granular material of claim 1, wherein the

one or more enclosures are arranged horizontally symmetrically on the aircraft.

3. The device for distributing granular material of claim 2, each of the one or more enclosures comprising a top lid to add granular material to the one or more electric sifters, wherein the top lid is secured to the enclosure after the granular material is added to the one or more electric sifters.

4. The device for distributing granular material of claim 2, wherein each of the doors comprises the flange projecting in a forward direction when the door is open, wherein the flange gathers a convergent air mass through the cutout to distribute the granular material when the aircraft moves in a forward direction.

5. The device for distributing granular material of claim 4, wherein the first portion of the screen is above the cutout, wherein the second portion of the screen is over at least the rear half of the door when the door is closed.

6. The device for distributing granular material of claim 1, each of the one or more electric sifters further comprising:

one or more springs mounted crosswise diagonally on the inside of the electric sifter between an inside surface of the electric sifter and an outside edge of the screen,

wherein screen movement imparted by the electric sifter causes the one or more springs to vibrate sympathetically thereby causing granular material in contact with the one or more springs to move to the bottom of the electric sifter.

7. The device for distributing granular material of claim 2, wherein the one or more enclosures are positioned on the aircraft so a forward edge of the enclosure top surface is in front of a forward edge of the enclosure bottom surface, wherein the granular material accumulates in a forward portion of the bottom of the one or more electric sifters.

8. The device for distributing granular material of claim 1, wherein the granular material is a mixture of pollen and a carrier, wherein the mix ratio of the mixture is between 1:

1 and 1;

3 of pollen to the carrier.