Abstract:
An improved particulate metering system is provided with variable blend, application rate, and section control. The system includes a plurality of particulate mixing areas, each having an air input and a plurality of particulate inputs. A plurality of particulate sources is provided, each being in communication with a particulate input of a particulate mixing area. A separate type of particulate can be in each of the plurality of particulate sources. The system includes a plurality of operated conveyances, each being in communication with a particulate source and a particulate input. Each of the plurality of particulate mixing areas can receive air from the air input and a separate type of particulate, and can discharge an air-particulate mixture. One or more metering controls operably control one or more of the operated conveyances.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     I. Field of the Disclosure 
     A metering system for solid particulate is disclosed. More specifically, but not exclusively, a metering system with variable blend and variable application rate controls for particulate matter, such as dry fertilizers, is disclosed. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     Particulate metering systems use varied approaches to control the rate at which particulate is metered and/or blended with other particulate types. Particulate metering is complicated by the desire to simultaneously meter at separate discharge points varying rates and blends of different particulate. In such instances where the particulate is fertilizer, there&#39;s a significant interest in controlling the blend and application rate of two or more fertilizers, and specifically controlling a variation in the blend and application rate of two or more fertilizers at separate discharge points, such as at separate rows in a field. Further complications surround the growing desire to independently control variations in both the blend and application rate of particulate for each separate discharge point or for a set of discharge points. Many desire to control the blend and application rate of two or more fertilizers independently at each row unit. In other words, what is desired in at least one application is a dry fertilizer metering system that can make adjustments to both the application rate and blend of two or more fertilizers on a row-by-row basis—one row receiving a blend of fertilizers at a desired rate while another row simultaneously receives the same or a separate blend of fertilizers at the same or another desired rate. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a particulate metering system with variable blend and variable application rate controls for separate discharges or a group of discharges. 
     A particulate metering system with variable discharge control and a flow path is provided. The flow path can include an inlet in communication with one or more intake points and an outlet in communication with one or more discharge points. The system also can include a plurality of particulate storage areas. Each of the plurality of storage areas has different types of particulate. A plurality of separate mixing areas within the flow path is provided. Each of the plurality of separate particulate mixing areas can have a mixture ratio of the different types of particulate. One or more metering controls can be in operable control of metering the different types of particulate into the plurality of separate particulate mixing areas for controlling a variation of the mixture ratio. The mixture ratio can be equally or unequally distributed across the one or more discharge points of the flow path. 
     The system can include a plurality of operated conveyances in communication with one of the particulate mixing areas. Each of the operated conveyances is in communication with one of the particulate storage areas and conveys one of the different types of particulate to the one of the particulate mixing areas. Two or more of the operated conveyances can operate at a different rate. 
     Each of the particulate mixing areas can receive the different types of particulate from the separate particulate storage areas. Further, each of the particulate mixing areas can be in communication with one of the one or more intake points and one of the one or more discharge points. Still further, each of the separate particulate mixing areas can be associated with more than one of the operated conveyances. 
     The system further includes a first set of operated conveyances and a second set of operated conveyances. A conveyance rate of the first set and a conveyance rate of the second set of the operated conveyances are in communication with the same one of the plurality of particulate storage areas. The conveyance rate of the first set of operated conveyances and the conveyance rate of the second set of operated conveyances can be selectively controllable. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the particulate metering system includes a plurality of particulate mixing areas. Each of the particulate mixing areas has an air input and a plurality of particulate inputs. A plurality of particulate sources is provided. Each of the particulate sources can be in communication with one of the particulate inputs of each of the particulate mixing areas. A separate type of particulate can be in each of the particulate sources. The system can include a plurality of operated conveyances. Each of the operated conveyances can be in communication with at least one of the particulate sources and one of the particulate inputs. Each of the particulate mixing areas receives air from the air input, receives a separate type of particulate, and discharges an air-particulate mixture. 
     The system can further include a first subset of the plurality of particulate mixing areas. A first particulate blend is distributed across the first subset of the plurality of particulate mixing areas. A second subset of the plurality of particulate mixing areas is provided. A second particulate blend is distributed across the second subset of the plurality of particulate mixing areas. The first particulate blend and the second particulate blend can contain different metered proportions of particulate. 
     One or more metering controls can be in operable control of the operated conveyances. The one or more metering controls control the particulate blend within each of particulate mixing areas. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method for metering particulate with variable control is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of types of particulate, a plurality of particulate sources, a plurality of particulate mixing areas, and a plurality of operated conveyances associated with each of the plurality of particulate mixing areas. Each of the types of particulate is conveyed from the particulate sources to the operated conveyances. Each of the types of particulate is guided from the operated conveyances to the particulate mixing areas. The method can include controlling a particulate blend of the types of particulate across each of the particulate mixing areas. A flow of air is provided through an inlet on each the mixing areas. The particulate blend is discharged through an outlet on each the mixing areas. 
     The method further includes independently controlling a conveyance rate of each of the operated conveyances associated with each of the particulate mixing areas. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein, and where: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a particulate metering implement in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a particulate container system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a particulate container in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view a particulate container in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the particulate container of  FIG. 2  taken along section line  5 - 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the particulate container of  FIG. 2  taken along section line  6 - 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a bottom tray of a particulate container in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a particulate container and a plurality of particulate handling systems in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a hangar in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of a cartridge in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of a cartridge in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 10C  is a top plan view of a cartridge in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 11A  is a front elevation view of a gearbox in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  is a front perspective view of a gearbox in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a particulate handling system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the particulate handling system at various stages of installation in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of two particulate handling systems and a particulate accelerator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the two particulate handling systems and a particulate accelerator of  FIG. 14  taken along section line  15 - 15 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of two particulate handling systems, a particulate accelerator, and a plenum in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a portion of a particulate container system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a portion of a particulate container system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of a portion of a particulate container system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a particulate metering implement  100 . While the figure shows a particulate metering implement, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure covers other types of implements, including but not limited to, seed meters, seed planters, nutrient applicators, and other agricultural equipment. The implement  100  can be mounted upon a towable trailer or other suitable structure such as a toolbar, or integrally formed with a particulate application system. The implement can include a frame assembly  102 , upon which particulate containers  202  and  204  can be mounted. For user accessibility to the particulate containers  202  and  204 , a platform  104  and ladders  106  can be provided. 
     The particulate containers  202  and  204  can be connected to the frame assembly  102  by frame members  208  having attachment means  218 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a top surface of the particulate containers  202  and  204  can include openings (not shown) covered by one or more lids  216 . The lids  216  can be opened or removed to permit loading of particulate into and/or servicing the particulate containers  202  and  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, an edge of the lids  216  can be pivotally connected to the particulate containers  202  and  204  with one or more hinges  210 . One or more clamps  212  can be mounted on the particulate containers  202  and  204  proximate the opposing edge of the lids  216  to releasably secure the lids to the containers. To assist in opening the lids  216 , a handle  214  can be connected to the lids  216  proximate to the clamps  212 . Upon opening and/or removal of the lids  216 , one or more screens  220  can be disposed within the openings of the particulate containers  202  and  204 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , to prevent debris from entering the same. 
     Further, the clamps  212  can provide an airtight seal between the lids  216  and the particulate containers  202  and  204 . In such an embodiment, the airtight seal can permit the particulate containers  202  and  204  to be pressurized. In one representative example, the particulate containers  202  and  204  can be pressurized to ten, fifteen, twenty or greater inches of water (inH 2 0). The pressurization can assist in guiding the particulate to the particulate handling system  300  ( FIG. 5 ), provide for improved control of quantities dispensed to the particulate handling system  300 , and/or provide for improved control of the environment in which the particulate is housed. 
     In an embodiment, the particulate containers  202  and  204  can be symmetrical in structure and identical in function. In other embodiments, the one or more of the particulate containers can be modified without deviating from the objects of the disclosure. Hereinafter, discussion of particulate container  204  refers to particulate container  204  and its counterpart structure particulate container  202 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , particulate container  204  can include an upper portion  222 , a middle portion  226 , and a lower portion  228 . The upper portion  222  can be a rectangular prism or like shapes to maximize storage capacity above the frame assembly  102  ( FIG. 1 ). The middle portion  226  can be a trapezium prism or like shapes to assist in funneling the particulate to the lower portion  228 . The transition from the upper portion  222  to the middle portion  226  can be generally demarcated by frame members  208  disposed around the perimeter of the middle portion  226  of the particulate container  204 . The particulate container  204  can also have a recessed area  224  on the side wall proximate to opposing particulate container  202 . The recessed area  224  prevents frame member  208  from extending past the plane of the side wall, which maximizes the volume of the particulate container  204  while also minimizing the space required between the two particulate containers  202  and  204 . The lower portion  228  can also be a trapezium prism or like shapes to assist in funneling the particulate to the base of the particulate container  204 . Further, to assist in servicing the inside of the particulate container  204 , a ladder  232  can be provided. 
     The particulate container  204  can include a bottom tray  310 , as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 . The bottom tray  310  can include a plurality of large gates  312  and a plurality of small gates  314  arranged along the length of the bottom tray  310 . The plurality of gates  312  and  314  can be square and/or rectangular, as shown, or can be of any shape to permit particulate to enter the particulate delivery system  300 . Similarly, the plurality of gates  312  and  314  can all be the same shape and/or size, or of varied shapes and/or sizes based on the application. The interstitial portions of the bottom tray  310  can be flat, as shown, or can have a wedged-shape configuration to funnel particulate to the plurality of gates  312  and  314 . The bottom tray  310  can be integrally connected to the bottom portion  228  of the particulate container  204 , or can be removable to permit a user to quickly install a different bottom tray  310  based on the application. As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the plurality of large gates  312  and the plurality of small gates  314  can be separated by a raised portion  316 . The raised portion  316  can funnel the particulate into the plurality of large gates  312  and the plurality of small gates  314  and/or add structural support along the length of the bottom tray  310 . Separating the particulate into pairs of gates (e.g., large gates  312  and small gates  314 ) can minimize undesirable torquing of the screw conveyors  356  ( FIG. 10C ) and auger motor(s)  504  ( FIG. 18 ), particularly during initialization of the particulate handling system  300 . 
     A plurality of movable and/or controllable gate covers (not shown) can be installed on plurality of gates  312  and  314 . The gate covers, when closed, can prevent particulate from filling the short auger tubes and/or long auger tubes. The gate covers can be manually controlled or operatively controlled. The configuration can further increase the modularity of the particulate metering system by limiting which discharge points (e.g., row units), if any, receive one or more of the types of particulate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the particulate delivery system  300  can include a plurality of long auger tubes  304  and a plurality of short auger tubes  302 . The plurality of long auger tubes  304  and the plurality of short auger tubes  302  can be alternately disposed in parallel below the bottom tray  310  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the particulate container  204 . The alternating of the long auger tubes  304  and the short auger tubes  302  can provide for a greater density of additional components disposed between particulate containers  202  and  204 , and more particularly, a plurality of particulate accelerators, which will be discussed below. Each of the plurality of long auger tubes  304  and the plurality of short auger tubes  302  can extend from a cartridge  320  operatively connected to a gearbox  306 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 12, 14 and 16 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 13 , each of the cartridges  320  can be disposed between two hangars  308  affixed to the lower portion  228  of the particulate container  204 . The upper surface  346  of the hangars  308 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , can be welded to the container, or may be affixed by any means commonly known in the art, including but not limited to, nut and bolt, screws, rivets, soldering, and the like. The upper surface  346  of the hangars  308  can comprise a portion of an elongated container attachment member  342 . Extending outwardly from the container attachment member  342  can be two guide surfaces  358  generally parallel to the upper surface  346 . As discussed below, a guide surface  358  from adjacent hangars  308  can be adapted to receive a cartridge  320 . The hangars  308  can include a gearbox attachment member  340  extending perpendicularly downward from the container attachment member  342 . The gearbox attachment member  340  can contain two prongs  318 . The prongs  318  can be cylindrical or can be of any shape commonly known in the art to engage and/or secure a gearbox  306 . Further, while two prongs  318  are shown in  FIG. 9 , the present disclosure contemplates any number of prongs without deviating from the objects of the disclosure. 
     In an another embodiment, the plurality of long auger tubes  304  and the plurality of short auger tubes  302  can be secured below the bottom tray  310  by a support member (not shown) extending the length of the particulate container  204 . The support member can be, for example, a generally U-shaped beam with a plurality of openings to support the cartridges. 
     An embodiment of the cartridge  320  is shown illustratively in  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C . The cartridge  320  can include an input slot  350  sized and shaped to receive particulate passing through the plurality of large gates  312  and the plurality of small gates  314  in the bottom tray  310 . An input slot interface  348  and a gasket (not shown) can seal the cartridge  320  to the inferior side of bottom tray  310 . The seal can prevent particulate from escaping the system, particularly in instances where the particulate containers  202  and  204  are pressurized. The cartridge  320  can be constructed in two halves  352  and  354 . While two halves can provide for ease of manufacturing, the present disclosure also contemplates a unitary cartridge construction. 
     Within the input slot  350  of the cartridge  320  is a screw conveyor  356 . In an illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10C , the screw conveyor  356  can include a shaft and flightings as commonly known in the art. While the embodiment can utilize a screw conveyor, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure covers other means of transmitting the material through a tube, including but not limited to, hydraulic pistons, pneumatics, slides, belts, and the like. External to the two halves  352  and  354  of the cartridge  320 , the screw conveyor  356  can be coupled to an inner shaft  325 . Encircling the inner shaft  325  can be a drive shaft  324 . The inner shaft  325  and the drive shaft  324  can be rotatably engaged with a pin  326 . The axial position of the drive shaft  324  on the inner shaft  325  can be preserved through a pin  328  extending through the inner shaft  325  proximate to an edge of the drive shaft  326 . The drive shaft  324  can be hexagonal to engage a drive shaft opening  330  in the gearbox  306 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . The drive shaft  326  may be hexagonal as shown, or may be of any shape suitable to engage the gearbox  306  and achieve the objects of the disclosure. Further, the present disclosure envisions the inner shaft  325  and the drive shaft  324  being a unitary construction. 
     A gearbox  306  is provided in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . The gearbox  306  can be configured of two connectable halves  336  and  338  to provide for ease of manufacturing. The gearbox  306  can include an input portion  333  and an output portion  331 . The input portion  333  can include a main shaft opening  334  extending through the input portion  333 . The main shaft opening  334  can be adapted to receive and engage a main drive shaft  360  ( FIG. 18 ). In the illustrative embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the main shaft opening  334  is hexagonal, but can be of any shape suitable to achieve the objects of the disclosure. As one or more gearboxes  306  can be connected in parallel, as discussed below, the main drive shaft  360  can span the length of the particulate container  204  and drive multiple gearboxes  306 , as shown illustratively in  FIG. 18 . The output portion  331  can include a drive shaft opening  330  adapted to engage the drive shaft  324  of the cartridge  320 , as discussed above. The drive shaft opening  330  can be orthogonal to main shaft opening  334 , whereby each of the gearboxes  306  transfers the rotational speed and torque provided by the main drive shaft  360  to an associated screw conveyor  356  ( FIG. 18 ) disposed within a cartridge  320 . The gearbox  306  can be connected to the prongs  318  of hangars  308  through mounting holes  332  disposed on each side on the gearbox  306 . 
     In another embodiment discussed in detail below, a motor can be operatively connected to each cartridge, thereby removing the need for gearboxes. In such an embodiment, the plurality of motors can be connected to the plurality of screw conveyors  356  to control each of the plurality of screw conveyors  356 . Each of the plurality of motors can be operatively connected to a control system to produce a desired speed of each screw conveyor  356 , of a group or bank of the screw conveyors  356 , or of all the screw conveyors  356 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , a gearbox  306  can be connected to the cartridge  320 . A long auger tube  304  or a short auger tube  302  can extend from the cartridge  320 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a plurality of particulate handling systems  300  at various stages of installation. Beginning below so-called Sector A, two hangars  308  can be connected to the bottom surface of the particulate container  204 , as discussed above. The hangars  308  may be parallel to one another and spaced to provide for installation of a cartridge  320 . The cartridge  320  may be installed by sliding a lower surface  351  ( FIG. 14 ) along guide surfaces  358 , one from each of the adjacent hangars  308 , as shown illustratively below Sector B. The advantageous design permits for ease of installation as well as removal and reinstallation should a cartridge  320  (and/or screw conveyor  356  ( FIG. 14 )) need to be repaired or replaced with the same or a different component. As illustrated below Sector C, the drive shaft  324  of the cartridge  320  can be installed over the inner shaft  325 . The installation of the drive shaft  324  over the inner shaft  325  can occur either before or after the cartridge  320  has been installed between hangars  308 . Thereafter, a gearbox  306  can be oriented such that the mounting holes  332  ( FIG. 11B ) are aligned with the prongs  318  on the hangars  308 , as shown illustratively below Sector D. In such an orientation, the drive shaft opening  330  ( FIG. 11B ) can also be aligned with the drive shaft  324  of the cartridge  320 . After installation of the gearbox  306  on the drive shaft  324 , a pin  326  may be installed to rotatably engage inner shaft  325  and the drive shaft  324 , and a pin  328  may be installed to axially secure the drive shaft  324  on the inner shaft  325 , as shown illustratively below Sector E. Further, securing means commonly known in the art can be used to secure the gearbox  306  to the prongs  318 . The installation process described above can be repeated for each row unit along the length of each of the particulate containers  202  and  204 . The main drive shaft  360  ( FIG. 18 ) can extend through and engage the main drive shaft openings  334  in each of the cartridges  320 . 
     Each of the gearboxes  306  can have a clutch (not shown) in operable communication with a control system. At the direction of the user or based on instruction from the particulate metering system  100 , the control system may engage/disengage one or more predetermined clutches in order to activate/deactivate the associated one or more screw conveyors. 
     As shown illustratively in  FIG. 13 , and more particularly below Sector D, each of the two prongs  318  of the one hangar  308  can be connected to adjacent gearboxes  306 . In other words, an upper prong of a hangar can be connected to one gearbox while a lower prong of the same hangar can be connected to an adjacent gearbox. The arrangement is due to an advantageous design of the gearbox  306 , which can permit one or more gearboxes  306  to be removed, inverted and reattached to the same two prongs as previously connected. The inversion of a gearbox  306  can provide several advantages over the state of the art. First, in an inverted position, one or more of the gearboxes  306  can be disengaged from the main drive shaft  360  based on the needs of the application (e.g., in at least one instance, where one or more of the rows in the field does not require particulate metering). Second, at least a second main drive shaft (not shown) can be implemented and adapted to engage the one or more gearboxes  306  placed in an inverted position. The second main drive shaft can also extend the length of the particulate container  204  and can be parallel to the main drive shaft  360 . In such an embodiment, the user can invert one gearbox or can invert multiple gearboxes to permit desired groupings of the same (e.g., every four gearboxes, every other gearbox, etc.) based on the needs of the operation/application. Furthermore, together with the same opinion for the companion particulate handling system  300  associated with the second particulate container  202 , the potential configurations can permit precise control over the blends of the particulate from the containers as well as application rates in which the blends are metered, features which are further discussed in detail below. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates companion particulate handling systems  300  connected to a particulate accelerator  400 . In particular, the short auger tube  302  and long auger tube  304  extending from cartridges  320  can interface with a particulate accelerator  400  at interfaces  406 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , a gasket  409  can seal the short auger tube  302  and the particulate accelerator  400  and long auger tube  304  and the particulate accelerator  400 . The gasket  409  can provide the appropriate seal while accounting for the flexing required of the short auger tube  302  and long auger tube  304  within the particulate accelerators due to movement of the cartridges  320  (as the particulate containers  202  and  204  are emptied, experience vibration, and the like). 
     In operation, particulate within the particulate container  204  can pass through the plurality of large gates  312  and a plurality of small gates  314  of the bottom tray  310  and the input slots  350  of a short auger tube  302  and the long auger tube  304 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 14 and 19 . Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 18 , the main drive shaft  360  can be rotatably connected to a drive shaft  324  by the gearbox  306 . Upon receiving an input force from the auger motor  504  via the gearbox  306 , the drive shaft  324  rotates the screw conveyor  356 . The flightings of the screw conveyor  356  can transmit the particulate contained within the short auger tube  302  and the longer auger tube  304  towards interfaces  406 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The speed at which the screw conveyor  356  rotates can be measured by a speed sensor  502  ( FIG. 18 ). The process described above can also occur for each pair of the particulate handling systems along the length of the particulate containers. As discussed in detail herein, the auger motor associated with a subset of particulate handling systems of one particulate container can be independently controlled from the auger motor associated with a separate subset of particulate handling systems of a separate particulate container, thereby providing for variable blend of the types of particulate. Together with inversion of one or more gearboxes and/or auger motors operatively connected to one or more screw conveyors, a user can have precise control over the blend of the types of particulate and the application rate at which the blend is metered into the particulate accelerators. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17 , the particulate accelerator  400  can include an inlet  402  and an outlet  404 . The inlet  402  can be in fluid connection with one of a plurality of output tubes  408  disposed on the bottom wall  418  of a plenum  407 . Further, the outlet tubes  408  can be arranged in two rows along the length of the plenum  407 . The two rows of outlet tubes  408  along the length of the plenum  407  can be staggered longitudinally, as shown illustratively in  FIG. 16 , to maximize compactness of the particulate accelerators  400  disposed below the plenum and/or to impart desired airflow characteristics. Still further, the outlet tubes  408  can be cylindrical in shape; however, the present disclosure envisions other arrangements and/or shapes of the outlet tubes  408  without detracting from the objects of the disclosure. For example, the outlet tubes  408  may be cylindrical in shape, but the disclosure envisions different shapes, including oval, ellipsoid, rectangular, square, and the like. The outlet tubes  408  can be arranged in one row along the length of the plenum  407 , or arranged on multiple surfaces, including on the side wall  412  and/or the cover  416 . 
     The plenum  407  has an intake  410  that is in fluid communication with a blower  420 , as shown illustratively in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , and can be connected via a blower coupler  422 . The plenum  407  and/or blower coupler  422  can be made of steel, but the disclosure contemplates other materials such as aluminum, polymers, composites, ceramics, and the like. The side wall  412  of the plenum  407  can be trapezoidal in shape or another like geometry. In other words, at the edge proximate to the intake  410 , the height of the side wall  412  is greater than the height of the same distal to the intake  410 . The tapering of the plenum  407  can maintain the appropriate pressure and airflow characteristics along its length as air exits the plenum  407  through the outlet tubes  408 . Further, the plurality of outlet tubes  408  can be oriented to impart the appropriate flow characteristics as air transitions from the plenum  407  to the particulate accelerators  400 . 
     After passing through the plenum  407  and outlet tubes  408 , air generated by the blower  420  can enter the particulate accelerators  400 . Further, as discussed above, the screw conveyors  356  can transmit the particulate contained within the short auger tube  302  and the longer auger tube  304  towards interfaces  406 . Upon reaching the interfaces  406 , the particulate blend can descend vertically within the particulate accelerators  400  due to the force of gravity. The air can provide a fluid bed of air upon which the particulate blend is suspended as it exits particulate accelerator  400  through outlet  404 . The particulate blend can then enter a hose (not shown) and be metered to a discharge point in any manner commonly known in the art. The process described above can occur simultaneously in each particulate accelerator  400  disposed along the length of the plenum  407 . 
     The present disclosure permits extraordinary control over the blend of particulate (i.e., the mixture ratio of the types of particulate from each particulate container) for each row unit and the rates in which the blends are metered to each row unit. Regarding the variable blend of particulate, an embodiment of the disclosure provides a plurality of the screw conveyors associated with one of the particulate containers wherein the screw conveyors feed particulate to the particulate accelerator at a different rate than a plurality of the screw conveyors associated with another particulate container. In this embodiment, the blend of particulate can be adjustable but constant across the plurality of row units to be metered. The addition of clutches on one or more of the gearboxes operatively connected to a control system, as discussed above, provides for independent control of one or more sections of the particulate handling subsystems when predetermined clutches disengage the associated screw conveyors. 
     Further, an embodiment of the disclosure provides inverting one or more of the gearboxes to engage a second main drive shaft. The same can occur with one or more gearboxes associated with the companion particulate container. In such a representative example, four auger motors can be operatively connected to four main drive shafts. The rotational speed of the four auger motors can be independently controlled. The user can select which gearboxes are operatively connected to the second main drive shaft from each of the companion particulate containers, resulting in numerous blend combinations. Further, the independent control of the four auger motors provides for numerous combinations of the application rate in which the blend is fed into the particulate accelerators. Subject to the initial gearbox orientation on the main drive shafts, the speed of the auger motors can be adjusted prior to and/or during operation to accommodate the real-time demands of the application. 
     While the representative example above provides for four auger motors, the disclosure contemplates any number of auger motors and main drive shafts consistent with the objects of the disclosure. For example, two auger motors and two main drive shafts can be connected to a front of a particulate container to operate two separate subsets of the gearboxes proximate to the front of the container, and two auger motors and two main drive shafts can be connected to a rear of a particulate container to operate two separate subsets of the gearboxes proximate to the rear of the container. The same configuration can be achieved for the other particulate container. In such an arrangement, the particulate metering system can have eight auger motors and eight drive shafts. Within the separate subsets of the gearboxes, a user can select specific gearboxes to invert to engage the second main drive shaft, resulting in even greater variable blend combinations. Further, the independent control of the eight auger motors can provide for even greater combinations of the application rate in which the blend is metered to the particulate accelerators. Still further, subject to the initial gearbox orientation on the main drive shafts, the speed of the auger motors can be adjusted prior to and/or during operation to accommodate the real-time demands of the application. 
     Moreover, a motor can be operatively connected to each screw conveyor, thereby removing the need for main drive shafts and gearboxes. In such an embodiment, each screw conveyor can be independently controlled by the motor operatively connected to a control system to produce a desired speed of each screw conveyor, of a group or bank of the screw conveyors, or of all the screw conveyors. The configuration can further provide variable blend and variable rate control for each discharge point, such as at a row unit. Further, the configuration can also perform single-row, real-time adjustments during operation of the particulate metering system to accommodate the demands of the operation/application. 
     The disclosure is not to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. In particular, the disclosure contemplates numerous variations in the type of ways in which embodiments of the disclosure can be applied to metering systems with variable blend and variable application rate controls for particulate matter. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects that are considered included in the disclosure. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the disclosure. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the disclosure. For the foregoing, it can be seen that the disclosure accomplishes at least all that is intended. 
     The previous detailed description is of a small number of embodiments for implementing the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in scope. The following claims set forth a number of the embodiments of the disclosure with greater particularity.