System for variable-ratio blending of multiple agricultural products for delivery via a ported opener
First Claim
1. A system for variable-ratio blending of multiple agricultural products for delivery from an applicator into the ground via a multi-ported opener, wherein the opener has opener conduits extending from corresponding ports in the upper end of the opener to corresponding outlets on the lower end of the opener, the system comprising:
- a support frame adapted for mounting to the applicator, and wherein said support frame is adapted for mounting of the multi-ported opener thereto for engagement of the lower end opener into the ground,a plurality of metering assemblies mounted to said support frame, wherein each metering assembly of said plurality of metering assemblies includes a local hopper, an independently actuatable motor and a metering device, wherein said local hopper feeds agricultural product to said metering device and said metering device is driven by said motor so as to controllably meter the agricultural product from said local hopper,a selectively actuatable flow re-director cooperating with said plurality of metering assemblies,a manifold having a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber of said plurality of chambers extends between a corresponding chamber inlet and a corresponding chamber outlet, wherein said plurality of metering assemblies exceeds in number said plurality of chambers in said manifold and wherein flow of the agricultural product from each said metering device is selectively directed by said flow re-director into said chamber inlets of said plurality of chambers in said manifold for blended delivery of the agricultural product from said chamber outlets into the opener conduits when the opener is mounted adjacent to said manifold in cooperation therewith for flow of the agricultural product from said chamber outlets into the parts of the upper end of the opener, anda seeding drill having at least one arm, bulk storage compartments associated with said drill for the bulk storage of separate and different agricultural products, wherein said drill is adapted for selectively conveying the agricultural products from said bulk storage compartments to said at least one arm of said drill, a laterally spaced apart array of said support frames and corresponding said pluralities of metering assemblies, said flow re-directors and said manifolds mounted along said at least one arm and further comprising said multi-ported openers mounted to said support frames, depending downwardly therefrom in said cooperation with said manifolds, wherein said number of metering assemblies in each said plurality of metering assemblies is equal to or less than the number of said bulk storage compartments, and wherein said plurality of chambers in each said manifold equals in number the number of said conduits in said opener.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system to meter multiple agricultural products according to an independently prescribed rate for each in a variable-ratio blend of the agricultural products from a single opener in a plurality of such systems and openers across an applicator such as a drill. Bulk storage compartments associated with the applicator deliver multiple agricultural products to metering assemblies mounted in clusters or pods across the applicator. The agricultural products are fed from the metering assemblies, via a flow re-director, into a manifold, and then into a corresponding single opener having conduits to transport the agricultural product into the soil. Controllers independently regulate metering by the metering assemblies. The flow re-director and manifold provide blending of combinations of the agricultural products for each opener according to a field prescription.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for variable-ratio blending of multiple agricultural products for delivery from an applicator into the ground via a multi-ported opener, wherein the opener has opener conduits extending from corresponding ports in the upper end of the opener to corresponding outlets on the lower end of the opener, the system comprising:
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a support frame adapted for mounting to the applicator, and wherein said support frame is adapted for mounting of the multi-ported opener thereto for engagement of the lower end opener into the ground, a plurality of metering assemblies mounted to said support frame, wherein each metering assembly of said plurality of metering assemblies includes a local hopper, an independently actuatable motor and a metering device, wherein said local hopper feeds agricultural product to said metering device and said metering device is driven by said motor so as to controllably meter the agricultural product from said local hopper, a selectively actuatable flow re-director cooperating with said plurality of metering assemblies, a manifold having a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber of said plurality of chambers extends between a corresponding chamber inlet and a corresponding chamber outlet, wherein said plurality of metering assemblies exceeds in number said plurality of chambers in said manifold and wherein flow of the agricultural product from each said metering device is selectively directed by said flow re-director into said chamber inlets of said plurality of chambers in said manifold for blended delivery of the agricultural product from said chamber outlets into the opener conduits when the opener is mounted adjacent to said manifold in cooperation therewith for flow of the agricultural product from said chamber outlets into the parts of the upper end of the opener, and a seeding drill having at least one arm, bulk storage compartments associated with said drill for the bulk storage of separate and different agricultural products, wherein said drill is adapted for selectively conveying the agricultural products from said bulk storage compartments to said at least one arm of said drill, a laterally spaced apart array of said support frames and corresponding said pluralities of metering assemblies, said flow re-directors and said manifolds mounted along said at least one arm and further comprising said multi-ported openers mounted to said support frames, depending downwardly therefrom in said cooperation with said manifolds, wherein said number of metering assemblies in each said plurality of metering assemblies is equal to or less than the number of said bulk storage compartments, and wherein said plurality of chambers in each said manifold equals in number the number of said conduits in said opener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification