Pressure supply assembly for an agricultural implement with dense phase product flow

A system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pressure supply assemblies for agricultural implements, especially agricultural implements that use dense phase product flow to deliver a product from a primary container. The invention also relates to pressure supply assemblies for agricultural metering devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural implements, such as planters and seed dispensers, typically include a system of conduits through which a dispensed product, such as seed, is distributed. In addition, a pressurized fluid, such as air, also moves through the system of conduits to move the product. A number of designs currently exist for moving the product to different locations on an agricultural implement using the pressurized fluid. However, most current designs use a fan or blower assembly to provide a large volume of the pressurized fluid at a low pressure. The pressurized fluid moves a relatively low volume of the dispensed product, and therefore, considering the power input requirements of blower assemblies, current designs are relatively inefficient.

In addition, effective agricultural implements accommodate different types of dispensed products, such as seeds of different shape or size. Different types of dispensed products, however, may be better suited to different operating characteristics, such as pressurized fluid flow rate and pressure. For example, a certain type of seed may require increased fluid pressure to move through system conduits due to relatively high friction of the seed within the system conduits. As another example, another type of seed may have a relatively high resistance to airflow due to the shape of the seed. Some current designs can physically accommodate different types of dispensed products while the products are stationary. However, current designs cannot effectively move different types of dispensed products because the operating characteristics of the systems cannot be adjusted.

Further still, many agricultural implements include assemblies or components that have different pressure requirements from the pressurized fluid supplied from, for example, the blower assembly. As a result, some current designs include multiple pressure sources that supply pressurized fluid to individual assemblies or components. Multiple pressure sources, however, add to the overall cost of the agricultural implement.

Considering the limitations of previous agricultural implements, an efficient and inexpensive system is needed in which a pressurized fluid may be supplied to one or more assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pressure supply assembly for distributing a product on an agricultural implement. The pressure supply assembly comprises a pressure source including a piston and a cylinder in which the piston moves. The cylinder includes a bore side, a bore side inlet configured to permit a fluid to enter the bore side there through, a bore side outlet configured to permit the fluid to exit the bore side there through and in fluid communication with another section of the agricultural implement. The pressure supply assembly also includes an actuator connected to the piston to displace the piston within the cylinder.

In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

In some embodiments, the bore side outlet is in fluid communication with a primary container and a delivery conduit that are configured for dense phase product flow.

In some embodiments, the pressure source is in fluid communication with a metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the pressure source is in fluid communication with a metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a pressure supply assembly for distributing a product on an agricultural implement. The pressure supply assembly comprises a pressure source including a compressor, a compressor conduit through which the compressor outputs a pressurized fluid, and a compressor outlet regulator through which the compressor is in fluid communication with another section of the agricultural implement.

In some embodiments, the compressor is in fluid communication with a primary container and a delivery conduit that are configured for dense phase product flow.

In some embodiments, the pressure supply assembly further comprises a receiver vessel positioned fluidly between the compressor and the primary container.

In some embodiments, the compressor further comprises a compressor inlet, further comprising a vacuum metering assembly in fluid communication with the compressor inlet, and further comprising a compressor inlet regulator positioned fluidly between the compressor inlet and the vacuum metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the pressure source is in fluid communication with a metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow.

In some embodiments, the pressure source is a piston assembly.

In some embodiments, the piston assembly includes an actuator connected to a piston to displace the piston.

In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

In some embodiments, the pressure source includes a compressor.

In some embodiments, the pressure supply assembly further includes a receiver vessel positioned fluidly between the pressure source and the primary container.

In some embodiments, the pressure supply assembly further includes an inlet regulator positioned fluidly between the receiver vessel and the primary container.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a low pressure metering assembly in fluid communication with the receiver vessel.

In some embodiments, the pressure supply assembly further includes an inlet regulator positioned fluidly between the receiver vessel and the primary container, and the low pressure metering assembly includes a low pressure delivery device and a low pressure assembly regulator, the low pressure assembly regulator is positioned fluidly between the low pressure delivery device and the receiver vessel.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a vacuum metering assembly in fluid communication with the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the vacuum metering assembly includes a receiver vessel and a vacuum metering device, and the receiver vessel is positioned fluidly between the vacuum metering device and the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the vacuum metering assembly further includes a vacuum assembly regulator positioned fluidly between the receiver vessel and the vacuum metering device.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The pressure supply assembly comprises a piston, a cylinder in which the piston moves, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the piston to displace the piston within the cylinder. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow. The system further comprises a metering assembly in fluid communication with the pressure supply assembly.

In some embodiments, the pressure supply assembly further includes a receiver vessel positioned fluidly between the pressure source and the primary container.

In some embodiments, the metering assembly is a low pressure metering assembly, and the receiver vessel is positioned fluidly between the cylinder and the metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the metering assembly is a vacuum metering assembly in fluid communication with an inlet of the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the vacuum metering assembly includes a receiver vessel and a vacuum metering device, and the receiver vessel is positioned fluidly between the vacuum metering device and the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of distributing a pressurized fluid and moving a dispensed product to different sections of an agricultural implement, comprising the steps of: supplying the pressurized fluid from a pressure source to a primary container to effect movement of the dispensed product within the primary container, moving the dispensed product within a delivery conduit by dense phase flow, and supplying the pressurized fluid from the pressure source to a low pressure metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of supplying the pressurized fluid from a piston assembly of the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of supplying the pressurized fluid from a piston that is displaced by a hydraulic actuator of the piston assembly.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of storing the pressurized fluid in a receiver vessel before supplying the pressurized fluid to the primary container.

In some embodiments, the pressurized fluid is stored at a first pressure in the receiver vessel, the pressurized fluid is supplied to the primary container at a second pressure, and the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.

In some embodiments, the pressure source supplies the pressurized fluid at a pressure of at most 1 bar.

In some embodiments, the pressurized fluid is regulated to enter the primary container at a different pressure than the pressurized fluid is regulated to enter the low pressure metering assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of distributing a pressurized fluid and moving a dispensed product to different sections of an agricultural implement, comprising the steps of supplying the pressurized fluid from a pressure source to a primary container to effect movement of the dispensed product within the primary container, moving the dispensed product within a delivery conduit by dense phase flow, and reducing pressure within a vacuum metering assembly by operating the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of supplying the pressurized fluid from a piston assembly of the pressure source.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of supplying the pressurized fluid from a piston that is displaced by a hydraulic actuator of the piston assembly.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of storing the pressurized fluid in a receiver vessel before supplying the pressurized fluid to the primary container.

In some embodiments, the pressurized fluid is stored at a first pressure in the receiver vessel, the pressurized fluid is supplied to the primary container at a second pressure, and the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.

In some embodiments, the pressure source provides the pressurized fluid at a pressure of at most 1 bar.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description that follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following applications, each having a filing date of Nov. 14, 2008, are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein: U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,618 (“Sectional Distribution of Granular Product”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,679 (“Agricultural Implement with Dense Phase Product Flow from a Primary Container”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,723 (“Device and Method for Dense Phase Transport of Seed”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,745 (“Agricultural Implement with Dense Phase Product Dispensing and Purging”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,765 (“Valve and Method for Dense Phase Flow Control”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,787 (“Dense Phase Distribution Branch”); U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,816 (“Dense Phase Induction System and Method”); and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/271,822 (“Granular Containment Assembly and Method”).

Referring toFIG. 1, the present invention provides a product delivery system10positioned on a frame11of an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement may be an air seeder, as shown inFIG. 1, or another type of agricultural implement, such as a planter or the like. Referring toFIGS. 1-3, the product delivery system10for distributing product to various locations on the agricultural implement includes a pressure supply assembly12that is in fluid communication with a primary container14and a delivery conduit15. The primary container14stores the product before a pressurized fluid from the pressure supply assembly12and/or gravity forces the product through a product exit16of the primary container14. The product flows in a delivery direction proceeding from a first end of the delivery conduit15to a discharge end13(FIG. 1) of the delivery conduit15after exiting the primary container14.

In general, the primary container14includes the product exit16and a primary container inlet20for fluid communication with the delivery conduit15and the pressure supply assembly12, respectively, and a hatch21through which the dispensed product may be added to the primary container14. The primary container14is an otherwise sealed container to prevent the pressurized fluid from leaking to the outside environment. In some embodiments, the primary container inlet20is near an end of the primary container14opposite the product exit16. In the context of the primary container14, the term ‘opposite’ should be understood to mean that the primary container inlet20and the product exit16are non-adjacent, and the primary container inlet20is spaced apart from an upper surface of the product when the primary container14is filled with the product. A conventional hopper (not shown) may be positioned adjacent the hatch21to supply the product to the primary container14before sealing the hatch21. Additionally, and referring toFIG. 1, a product tank23may supply the product to the primary container14through an auger assembly25and the hatch21. The primary container14may be oriented vertically to aid flow of the product into the delivery conduit15, although other configurations are also possible.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the pressure supply assembly12includes a pressure source30that is in fluid communication with the primary container14through a container inlet conduit18. The pressure source30will be described in further detail below. The container inlet conduit18connects to the primary container inlet20of the primary container14. In some embodiments, the container inlet conduit18may connect to a container bypass conduit17that connects to the delivery conduit15proximate the product exit16. The container bypass conduit17may aid flow of the product within the delivery conduit15. The container inlet conduit18may also connect to an inlet regulator22that is operable to adjust the pressure of the fluid entering the primary container14. The inlet regulator22may be in fluid communication with an outlet24of a receiver vessel26that stores the pressurized fluid from the pressure source30. The receiver vessel26may also be advantageous if periods of high output of the pressurized fluid from the pressure supply assembly12are needed. The receiver vessel26, if included, is in fluid communication with the pressure source30through a receiver inlet28.

Referring toFIG. 4, the pressure source30is advantageously a piston assembly that includes an actuator32that moves a piston34within a cylinder36. The actuator32is fed by a different source than the fluid supplied to the primary container14. For example, the actuator32may be a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with a hydraulic pump (not shown) and tank (not shown). The ports of the actuator32may be in fluid communication through an actuator regulator38. The actuator32forces fluid in the cylinder36to exit the cylinder36and move towards the inlet28of the receiver vessel26. Specifically, fluid in a bore side40of the cylinder36is forced through a bore side outlet42. Additionally, the actuator32may also force fluid in a rod side41of the cylinder36through a rod side outlet43, advantageously resulting in a piston assembly that provides pressurized fluid in both directions of movement of the piston34. The cylinder36also includes a rod side inlet44and a bore side inlet45that may be open to the outside environment or connect to other components of the system10as described below. In addition, the outlets42and43and inlets44and45are in fluid communication with check valves47to prevent the pressurized fluid from flowing in two directions. Regarding the dimensions of the piston assembly, the piston34may have a diameter of 10 inches and the cylinder36may accommodate a piston stroke of 12 inches to move the product through the delivery conduit15having a diameter of 2 inches. However, the dimensions of the components of the system10may be modified depending on the type of the dispensed product that is used.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the pressure supply assembly may include an alternative pressure source30′ in place of the piston assembly. The pressure source30′ includes a compressor46in fluid communication with a compressor outlet regulator50through a compressor conduit48. The compressor outlet regulator50may be operable to limit the pressure of the pressurized fluid supplied to the primary container14, or, if included, the receiver vessel26. A compressor inlet72may be in fluid communication with a compressor inlet regulator74and other components of the system10as described below.

The pressure sources30and30′ are advantageously designed to provide a pressurized fluid at a pressure less than 1 bar. Systems operating at a pressure less than 1 bar may not require certification in some jurisdictions, thereby advantageously lowering the cost of the agricultural implement.

The assemblies and components described above advantageously result in the product moving within the delivery conduit15in dense phase flow. Dense phase flow can be described as a flow in which product is extruded from the system10when a threshold pressure has been exceeded within the primary container14. The leading edge of the dispensed product is moved by the pressurized fluid through the delivery conduit15. Frontward portions of the dispensed product constantly move forward, and rearward portions of the dispensed product move forward to occupy the space vacated by the frontward portions. Further still, the product flows at low velocity, for example, 1 m/s or less, in a low volume of pressurized fluid relative to the volume of the product.

Referring again toFIG. 2, in some embodiments, the receiver vessel26optionally includes a second outlet52that is in fluid communication with a low pressure metering assembly54. The low pressure metering assembly54includes a low pressure delivery device56or a low pressure metering device58in fluid communication with the receiver vessel26through a low pressure assembly regulator60. Alternatively and referring toFIG. 1, a low pressure supply, such as a blower55, may be included to provide a low pressure fluid to the low pressure metering assembly54. Low pressure metering assemblies are well known in the art, and may, for example, place metered product behind soil openers of the agricultural implement.

Referring toFIG. 3, in some embodiments, the system10may include a vacuum metering assembly62in fluid communication with the inlet of the pressure source30or30′. The vacuum metering assembly62includes a second receiver vessel64in fluid communication with a vacuum metering device78. The second receiver vessel64includes a first outlet66in fluid communication with one of the bore side inlet45(and optionally the rod side inlet44) and the compressor inlet72(FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively). Flow of the pressurized fluid between the second receiver vessel64and the pressure source30′ may be controlled by the compressor inlet regulator74(FIG. 5). The second receiver vessel64also includes an inlet76in fluid communication with the vacuum metering device78through a vacuum assembly regulator80. Vacuum metering devices are well known in the art, and may, for example, be used to meter the product in a similar manner as a low pressure metering device.

The receiver vessel26and the regulators22,50,60,74, and80advantageously permit the pressure source30or30′ to provide a pressurized fluid to different components of the system10at different pressures. Referring toFIG. 2for example, the pressurized fluid may be provided to the receiver vessel26at a high pressure (which may be greater than the threshold pressure described above). The receiver vessel26may in turn provide the pressurized fluid to the low pressure metering assembly54at a low pressure and the primary container14at an intermediate pressure. In addition, the regulators22,50,60,74, and80are operable to regulate the pressure of the pressurized fluid. Different types of dispensed products may be better suited to different operating pressures, and as a result, the regulators22,50,60,74, and80permit the system10to accommodate various types of dispensed products.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the system10may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the receiver vessel26and the inlet regulator22may be removed from the system10so that the pressure source30is in direct fluid communication with the primary container14. Instead, the pressurized fluid may be regulated by appropriate control of the actuator32. As another example, if the system includes the vacuum metering assembly62, the second receiver vessel64and the vacuum assembly regulator80may be removed so that the pressure source30is in direct fluid communication with the vacuum metering device78. In addition, the system10may also include components for filtration, debris removal, and air relief.

The present invention provides an efficient system in which the pressurized fluid provided from the pressure source may be advantageously regulated and distributed to different assemblies of the system. In addition, the pressure source advantageously includes a pressure source that is relatively efficient compared to current designs. Further still, the present invention advantageously provides a relatively inexpensive design that operates in a manner that may be easily understood by an operator.