Patent ID: 8079317
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: A01C

Abstract:
1. A product delivery system for use with an agricultural implement, comprising: a frame; a main hopper mounted to the frame and adapted to hold a dispensable product; a first row and a second row of product dispensing units mounted to the frame; a first auxiliary hopper flow-coupled to the main hopper and adapted to hold product for dispensing by the first row of product dispensing units; a second auxiliary hopper flow-coupled to the first auxiliary hopper and adapted to hold product for dispensing by the second row of product dispensing units; and a splitter interconnected between the main hopper, and the first and the second auxiliary hoppers, wherein the splitter has an inlet flow-coupled to the main hopper, the inlet flow includes an outer perimeter and having an inner perimeter formed by an opening extending therethrough; the inlet flow iconfigured to receive and pneumatically move an air/product mixture therethrough along a first velocity vector; a first splitter outlet flow-coupled to the first auxiliary hopper and to the inlet flow, the first splitter outlet flow formed to receive and hold a product pneumatically moved as air/product mixture through the inlet flow and a second splitter outlet flow including an outer perimeter and having an inner perimeter formed by an opening extending therethrough, the secondary splitter outlet flow coupled to a portion of the inlet at a junction thereof and extending in a non-vertical orientation therefrom, the opening configured to be in pneumatic communication with the opening formed through the inlet flow, the junction of the inlet flow and secondary splitter outlet flow configured such that a first portion of the outer perimeter of the secondary splitter outlet flow forms an acute angle relative to its junction with the outer perimeter of the inlet flow, and a second portion of the outer perimeter of the secondary splitter outlet flow opposite the first portion forms an obtuse angle relative to its junction with the outer perimeter of the inlet, the secondary splitter outlet flow configured to receive and substantially pneumatically move an air/product mixture therethrough along a second velocity vector when product fills the primary outlet and inlet up to the junction of the inlet and the secondary outlet such that the air/product mixture is moved upward through the secondary outlet along the second velocity vector; the second splitter outlet flow-coupled to the second auxiliary hopper, and wherein the first splitter outlet is oriented for a vertical downward flow of air and product to the first auxiliary hopper.