Abstract:
A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along a first flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a second flow path generally in-line with the first flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at a sideward flow path relative to the first and second flow paths. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an angle perpendicular to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipments and, more particularly, to an apparatus to control the delivery of product, such as seed, from a main product storage container, e.g. centralized seed box, to multiple auxiliary storage containers, e.g., row units. 
         [0002]    Modern agricultural seeding machines or seeders are commonly equipped with a main seed hopper that provides seed (or other granular product) in a forced air stream to multiple auxiliary seed hoppers. Each auxiliary seed hopper may be associated with a single seed dispensing unit or with multiple seed dispensing units, generally constituting a row of seed or planting units. In this latter configuration, each seed unit may also have its own seed hopper to which seed is fed from the auxiliary seed hopper for that row of seed units. Generally, the seed is entrained in an air/seed mixture that is delivered from the main seed hopper to the auxiliary seed hoppers. 
         [0003]    In a conventional arrangement, multiple hoses will be run from the main seed hopper to the individual auxiliary seed hoppers. Because the distance from the auxiliary seed hoppers to the main hopper are different for each of the auxiliary seed hoppers, the length of the hoses connecting the auxiliary seed hoppers to the main hopper also varies. This can create an unbalanced air distribution between hose runs of different lengths. More particularly, the shortest hose may get a disproportionate amount of air compared to the longest hose. This can lead to problems with seed delivery on the longest and shortest runs. On the longest runs insufficient air-flow can allow the seed to “fall” out of the air flow. On the shortest runs the extra air flow can result in delivery of too much seed (or other product) resulting in a blockage as the delivery hose jams with seed. 
         [0004]    In addition, for machines having a large number of rows, there can be a relatively large number of hoses connected to the main seed hopper adding to the complexity of the machine. This drawback is exacerbated as the number of rows of seed units increases for larger seeding machines. 
         [0005]    One proposed solution has been to use a single hose to provide an air/seed mixture to more than one auxiliary seed hopper using a splitter or diverter. An example of such a configuration is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,010, which describes a splitter having an inlet that receives an air/seed mixture, a primary outlet, and a secondary from which the air/seed mixture is dispensed. In one embodiment, the splitter is constructed such that the secondary outlet is arranged at an obtuse angle as defined by the angle between the flow velocity vector of the air/seed mixture entering the splitter at the inlet and the flow velocity vector of the air/seed mixture exiting the splitter through the secondary outlet. The patent specifically teaches that an obtuse angle of 120 degrees, and further teaches orienting the secondary outlet vertically and at the obtuse angle so that the flow must turn a sharp angle and slightly reverse itself to flow in the vertical orientation. According to the patent, this geometry helps prevent blockage within the hose. 
         [0006]    While the splitter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,010 may offer some benefits over other conventional splitter designs, it is believed that further performance benefits may be attained with a splitter having a different design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a splitter for use with a bulk fill delivery system of an agricultural seeder, which distributes seed or other granular product from a main hopper (“seed box”), which is typically centrally located on the agricultural seeder, to multiple auxiliary seed hoppers, with an auxiliary seed hopper associated with each row of seed dispensing units. The splitter divides an air/product mixture, e.g., air/seed mixture, from an air-powered distribution line, between two receptacles, e.g., auxiliary hoppers. The splitter has an inlet, a primary outlet, and a secondary outlet. The inlet receives the air/product mixture from the distribution line, which is typically connected to a bulk fill inductor box. The splitter is oriented such that the primary outlet will exhaust nearly all of the air/product mixture into the auxiliary hopper flow-coupled to the primary outlet. When that auxiliary hopper is (nearly) full, product will begin to backload through the primary outlet and into the splitter. When product has built up to the intersection of the primary outlet and the secondary outlet, the air/product mixture will then be exhausted by through the secondary outlet. The secondary outlet is flow-coupled to another auxiliary hopper for another row of seed units, and will begin to pass a non-negligible amount of product to the auxiliary hopper when the auxiliary hopper with the primary outlet is full. 
         [0008]    Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a flow control device is flow-coupled to a pair of distribution channels that provides a primary air/product flow to a first distribution channel and maintains that primary flow until product has built up to a point that blocks further air/product flow to the first distribution channel, and when the first distribution channel is blocked, diverts the air/product flow to a second distribution channel so that a non-negligible amount of product is fed to the second distribution channel. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a product delivery system for use with an agricultural implement is provided. The system includes 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. The splitter has an inlet flow-coupled to the main hopper, a first splitter outlet flow-coupled to the first auxiliary hopper and a second splitter outlet flow-coupled to the second auxiliary hopper, and the first splitter outlet is substantially perpendicular to the second splitter outlet. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the invention, a splitter for use with a bulk delivery system of an agricultural implement includes an annular inlet port, a first annular outlet port, and a second annular outlet port. A T-shaped body interconnects the first and second annular outlet ports to the first annular inlet port. 
         [0011]    Other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout. 
           [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a rear isometric view of a seeder having a bulk fill subsystem that provides seed to a series of spaced row units using air/seed splitters according to one aspect of the invention and shown hitched to a tractor; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a partial rear elevation view of the seeder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an air/seed splitter according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a section view of the splitter shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a section view of the splitter shown in  FIG. 3  shown passing an air/seed mixture from a splitter inlet to a primary splitter outlet; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a section view of the splitter shown in  FIG. 3  shown passing an air/seed mixture from the splitter inlet to a secondary splitter outlet; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the velocity flow vectors for the splitter shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of one seed distribution arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of another seed distribution arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an agricultural work system  10  that includes an agricultural work vehicle, such as tractor  12  that tows an agricultural implement  14 , which is depicted as a multi-row front fold transport seeder. Seeder  14  can include a toolbar  16  with left and right marker assemblies  18 ,  20  that are attached to left and right ends  22 ,  24  of toolbar  16 , respectively. Supports  25  can support marker assemblies  18 ,  20  when in a folded position. 
         [0024]    Seeder  14  can include other elements such as drawbar  26  for connection to tractor  12 , large seed hoppers  28 ,  29  which provide seeds to row or seed units  30 , and platform and gate assembly  32  for accessing and filling large seed hoppers  28 ,  29 . Row or planting units  30  can include a variety of elements for dispensing seed, fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and other agricultural materials. Such elements can include, but are not limited to, a furrow opening apparatus; gauge wheels; a pair of lateral spaced, or staggered, furrow opener discs, or alternatively, and without detracting or departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, a runner opener type for providing a furrow in the ground; a pair of furrow closer discs, a seed meter, a press wheel arranged in fore-and-aft relationship relative to each other; and a agricultural chemical hopper. Additionally, seeder  14  can have planting units  30  with individual seed boxes in addition to the large seed hoppers  28 ,  29 . 
         [0025]    As noted above, the seeder  14  has a pair of bulk fill hoppers  28 ,  29 . Bulk fill hopper  28  holds seed for the seed units  30  mounted to the left wing of frame  16  and bulk fill hopper  29  holds seed for the seed units  30  mounted to the right wing of frame  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the seed units  30  are flow coupled to its bulk fill hopper by supply hoses  34 . Seed is metered from the bulk fill hopper  28  to the hoses by a seed metering assembly  36 , as known in the art. Each seed unit  30  has a seed box  38  and the seed is delivered from the bulk fill hopper to the individual seed boxes  38 . 
         [0026]    In contrast to a conventional seeder, and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, supply hoses  34  from the seed metering assembly  36  are flow-coupled to alternating seed boxes  38 . Jumper hoses  40  and splitters  42  are used to deliver seed to those seed boxes  38  not directly connected to a supply hose  34  flow-coupled to the seed metering assembly  36 . As will be described more fully below, a seed box that is directly flow-coupled to the seed metering assembly  36  is filled in a first fill stage and thus will be designated as seed box  38 ( a ). A seed box that is indirectly flow-coupled to the seed metering assembly  36  via a jumper hose  40  and splitter  42  is filled in a second fill stage and this will be designated as seed box  38 ( b ). In the illustrated embodiment, there are equal number first fill stage seed boxes  38 ( a ) and second fill stage seed boxes  38 ( b ). In this regard, for each pair of seed boxes  38 , one is a first fill stage seed box and the other one is a second fill stage seed box. It is understood however that multiple seed boxes may be daisy-chained together such that one seed box  38 ( a ) is directly coupled to the seed metering assembly  36  and a series of juniper hoses  40  and splitters  42  are successive used to flow-couple the downstream seed boxes to the seed metering assembly. 
         [0027]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 3-4 , splitter  42  has a splitter inlet  44  adapted to engage a quick-connect coupler  46  of a feeder hose  48 . It will be appreciated that the feeder hose  48  may be supply hose  34  or jumper hose  40  depending upon the seed distribution arrangement being used. In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , the splitter inlet  44  is flow-coupled to a supply hose  34 . The splitter  42  also has a primary splitter outlet  50  and a secondary splitter outlet  52 . The primary splitter outlet  50 , which is at lower position than the secondary splitter outlet  52 , is adapted to engage a quick-connect coupler  54  of a seed box  38 ( a ) and the secondary splitter outlet  52  is adapted to engage a quick-connect coupler  56  of a jumper hose  40 . While the preferred embodiment is described and shown as having two splitter outlets, it is understood that the splitter  42  may have more than two outlets. 
         [0028]    The splitter  42  is oriented such that the splitter inlet  44  receives an air/seed mixture along a first flow path, as represented by the velocity flow vector  58 . The air/seed mixture passes from the splitter inlet  44  and is forced under air and gravity to the primary splitter outlet  50 , which passes the air/seed mixture along the same downward flow path, generally represented by the velocity flow vector  60 . The secondary splitter outlet  52  extends from the splitter body  62  at angle in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, and more preferably ninety degrees, relative to the splitter inlet  44  such that the air/seed mixture initially bypasses the secondary splitter outlet  52 . That is, the secondary splitter outlet  52  is configured to pass air and seed along an initially sideward flow path, generally represented by velocity flow vector  64 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4A , air/seed mixture is fed to the splitter inlet  44  along the splitter body  62  and passed through primary splitter outlet  50  to load seed into the seed box  38 ( a ) during a primary fill stage. The air/seed mixture will continue to be fed from the inlet  44  to the primary splitter outlet  50  until the seed box  38 ( a ) fills and seed begin to backfill up through the primary splitter outlet  50 . When seed has backed up past the primary outlet  50  into the splitter body  62  to a level generally adjacent the secondary splitter outlet  52 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , seed, entrained in air, that is passed through the splitter inlet  44  will be directed toward the secondary splitter outlet  52  and passed through the secondary splitter outlet  56  along the secondary velocity flow vector  64 . In this regard, the backed up seed closes off the primary splitter outlet  50  to force any incoming air/seed mixture to the secondary splitter outlet  52  during a secondary fill stage. It will be appreciated that negligible quantities of seed may be passed through the secondary splitter outlet  52  during the primary fill stage, but the sideward orientation of the secondary splitter outlet  52  prevents large amounts of seed from being presented to the secondary splitter outlet  52  until seed has closed off the primary splitter outlet  50 . It will also be appreciated that the use of the terms “primary” and “secondary” connotes only the fill order and does not suggest any difference in function or importance. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the velocity flow vectors representative of the flow of an air/seed mixture is shown. In one preferred embodiment, the angle α formed between the inlet velocity flow vector  58  and the secondary outlet velocity flow vector  64  is preferably 90 degrees. The angle β formed between the inlet velocity flow vector  58  and the primary outlet velocity flow vector  60  is preferably 180 degrees. The angle γ formed between primary outlet velocity flow vector  60  and the secondary outlet velocity flow vector  64  is also preferably 90 degrees. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , as noted above, in one embodiment, a jumper hose  40  and a splitter  42  is used to connect a single second fill stage seed box  38 ( b ) to a supply hose  34  that supplies seed to a first fill stage seed box  38 ( a ). In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7  for example, multiple jumper hoses  40  and multiple splitters  42  may be used “daisy-chain” multiple seed boxes. In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the arrangement of seed boxes results in the aforedescribed first and second fill stage seed boxes  38 ( a ) and  38 ( b ), respectively, but also includes third fill stage seed boxes  38 ( c ). A third fill stage second seed box  38 ( c ) is filled after its associated second fill stage seed box  38 ( b ) is filled. In this regard, a supply hose  34  is flow-coupled to the inlet  44  of a splitter  42 , a seed box  38 ( a ) is flow-coupled to the primary splitter outlet  50 , and a jumper hose  40  is flow-coupled to the secondary splitter outlet  52 . Instead of the other end of the jumper hose  40  being flow-coupled to a seed box  38 ( b ), the jumper hose  40  is flow-coupled to the splitter inlet  44  of another splitter  42 . The primary splitter outlet  50  is flow-coupled to a seed box  38 ( b ) and the jumper hose  40  is flow-coupled at one end to the secondary splitter outlet  52  and an opposite end to a seed box  38 ( c ). The configuration of the splitter  42  interconnected between the second fill stage seed box  38 ( b ) and the third fill stage seed box  38 ( c ) is similar in function to the splitter interconnected between the second fill stage seed box  38 ( b ) and the first fill stage seed box  38 ( a ). As such, the third fill stage seed box  38 ( c ) is not filled with seed until after the second fill stage seed box  38 ( b ) has been filled. Thus, in this embodiment, a single supply hose  34  may be used to deliver seed to three (3) seed boxes. It is understood that additional jumper hoses and splitters may be used to link more than three (3) seed boxes to one another to further reduce the number of hoses flow-coupled directly to the seed metering assembly  36 . 
         [0032]    The invention has been described with respect to delivering seed to a series of seed units. It is understood however that the invention may also be used to deliver other particulate matter, such as granular herbicide, granular fertilizer, or other granular chemicals to a series of dispensing units. 
         [0033]    Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of these changes will become apparent from the appended claims.