Patent Publication Number: US-2019174668-A1

Title: Method and device for distributing granular material to multiple lines

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines, in particular seed lines, according to the preamble of claim  1 , and to a device suitable for carrying out such a method according to the preamble of claim  6 . 
     PRIOR ART 
     Effective conservation of resources is achieved in agriculture by means of metering as precisely as possible and by means of positionally-precise placement onto or into the ground during spreading. This applies to substances discharged both in liquid and solid form. For example, when spreading seed, optimal growing space allocation of the individual plants, along with low seed consumption can be achieved in this manner. 
     For example, with row seeding, which is also known as seed drilling, and with strip tilling and direct seeding, it is necessary to supply seed grains in equal proportions and with a uniform number to multiple parallel sowing furrows or strips. The uniform number here relates to a substantially steady ratio of seed grains supplied to the individual sowing furrows and deposited therein over time. 
     From field sprayers comprising a plurality of arms projecting transverse to the direction of travel of an agricultural machine, it is common knowledge to temporarily activate and deactivate individual or groups of nozzles individually, for example when these project over an already processed ground section, or the ground section located under said nozzles does not need to be processed. 
     For distributing substantially granular material comprising grains, for example seed, to a plurality of spreading members or devices, such as sowing coulters, temporary activation and deactivation of individual spreading members is likewise desirable, for example to keep machine tracks free or to avoid uneconomical duplicate grain depositing in the case of overlapping with ground sections on which seed has already been deposited, for example. 
     To distribute granular material to a plurality of spreading members or devices, for example sowing coulters, it is common knowledge to meter granular material comprising grains from a reservoir, accommodating a supply, into an air flow for example by means or a cellular wheel and/or a Venturi nozzle. The thus obtained mixed flow of the air flow used as the carrier medium and the metered granular material is then fed to a distributor. A plurality of distributor lines branch off from the distributor. Each of these distributor lines leads to spreading members, for example sowing coulters, arranged on one of a plurality of arms projecting, for example, transversely to the direction of travel of an agricultural machine. 
     Document DE 198 14 030 C1 discloses spreaders for granular material that operate in accordance with the above-described principle, wherein a deflection of the mixed flow leads to an irregular concentration of the granular material at the outer wall of the deflection arc. As a result of this, the uniform distribution of the granular material to the distributor lines branching off from the distributor is disturbed without further intervention since more granular material is fed to distributor lines in the region of high concentration compared to distributor lines in opposite regions of low concentration. This significantly limits design options and leads to large required dimensions for counteracting an irregular concentration of this kind again. 
     DE 4411 240 C2 discloses the provision of pivotable flaps or vertically moveable slides in a distributor in order to block individual distributor lines branching off from the distributor. In the open position, the flaps or sliders close flush with a wall forming a channel leading to a distributor line, without projecting into the distributor chamber. In this case as well, the shut-off in the distributor changes the concentration of the granular material discharged into the distributor lines that remain open. Switching off can thus ensure neither a constant discharge amount nor an even distribution to the lines remaining open. 
     DE 102 10 010 A1 discloses the provision of a shut-off in or at the end or at the start of the distributor lines branching off from a distributor, or in the distributor. A shut-off in the distributor allows for a plurality of distributor lines branching off from a distributor to be shut off at the same time in that a slider is slid into a distributor chamber accommodated in the distributor in the direction parallel to the inflow direction of the mixed flow of air flow, used as the carrier medium, and of metered granular material. This slider is arranged at a radial distance with respect to the connections of the distributor lines, said connections branching off from the distributor chamber. For this purpose, the distributor has a greater internal diameter at the connections of the distributor lines to the distributor chamber than in an inlet cross-section of the mixed flow, wherein an annular space remains around the slider, from which the connections of the distributor lines branch off outwardly, as viewed radially with respect to the inflow direction of the mixed flow. The slider has the form of a cylinder concentric with the annular space. The shut-off in the distributor changes the concentration of the granular material discharged into the distributor lines that remain open. By means of the shut-off it is not possible to ensure a constant discharge amount through the lines that remain open. 
     DE 196 13 785 C2 discloses a spreader in which blocking means are provided in order to prevent, as required, the discharge of granular material to individual or groups of spreading members connected to distributor lines branching off from the distributor. Granular material fed to a shut-off distributor line is discharged via a diversion connection piece. The diversion connection piece is connected to a return line, which feeds the granular material back to the reservoir or mixes same back into the mixed flow. 
     DE 10 2009 031 066 A1 discloses a distributor comprising a plurality of these branching-off distributor lines. The distributor lines are connected halfway up, spread evenly over the circumference, to a hollow-cylindrical outer ring that is open at its opposing end faces. The outer ring is displaceably arranged concentrically with a hollow-cylindrical distributor housing comprising an inlet opening along its hollow-cylinder axis. In a housing wall connecting the opposed end faces of the distributor housing to each other, discharge windows are arranged in two discharge cross-sections, lying offset along the hollow-cylinder axis, perpendicular to the hollow-cylinder axis and parallel to each other, and in a distributed manner over the circumference, in line with the circumferential positions of the distributor lines, on the outer ring. A number of discharge windows corresponding to the number of distributor lines is arranged in a first discharge cross-section. A smaller number of discharge windows is arranged in a second discharge cross-section. By displacing the outer ring along the hollow-cylinder axis, either the discharge windows of the first discharge cross-section are brought into alignment with the distributor lines connected to the outer ring, wherein a discharge window is associated with each distributor line and thus a discharge takes place to all distributor lines, or the discharge windows of the second discharge cross-section is brought into alignment with just one part of the distributor lines connected to the outer ring, wherein a discharge window is not associated with every distributor line and thus a discharge only occurs to those distributor lines with which a discharge window is associated in the second discharge cross-section. 
     What is common with the prior art is the unsolved problem of the blocking of branches of the distributor lines from the distributor and/or of the distributor as a whole if individual distributor lines or groups of distributor lines are shut off, this being accompanied by inadequate detection of such a blocking, unsatisfactory assembly conditions both in respect of the required overall dimensions and in respect of a necessary orientation (to be maintained) of the distributor in relation to the branching distributor lines, considerable sensitivity to gravitational influences, inadequate consistency of the concentration of discharged granular material to the active distributor lines when the number of distributor lines that are open or remain open changes, and an inadequate uniform distribution of granular material to the active distributor lines. 
     OBJECT 
     One object of the invention is to provide a method, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines, in particular seed lines, as well as develop a device suitable for carrying out such a method. In particular, one object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines which, in conjunction with individual or groupwise disconnection and reconnection as required, enable uniform distribution to lines as well as a uniform discharge amount to the individual lines, for example, leading to spreading members. 
     SOLUTION 
     The above object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the dependent claims. 
     Advantages in relation to the prior art, in addition to a complete solution to the stated problem, are provided by maintaining a uniform concentration of granular material per active distributor line when the proportion of shut-off and open distributor lines changes, and by a particularly high quality of uniform distribution of the granular material to the active distributor lines, accompanied by improved seed distribution and growing space allotment and a lower consumption of granular material. 
     The invention can comprise one or more of the features mentioned above in relation to the prior art or the documents cited in this regard. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the method can comprise one or more of the features described in relation to the device, and similarly the device can comprise one or more features described in relation to the device, or can comprise one or more units forming said device. 
    
    
     
       The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. The proportions of the individual elements to each another in the figures do not always correspond to real proportions since some forms are simplified and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration. Identical reference symbols are used for identical or identically functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference signs needed for describing the figure in each case are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments are only examples of how the separating unit according to the invention can be designed and do not constitute a definitive limitation. The drawings provide a schematic representation: 
         FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines in perspective view. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines comprising lines that can be shut off, and a rotor, which for this purpose is longitudinally displaceable along its axis of rotation, in a first operating position of the rotor along the axis of rotation, in which all discharge openings are open. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the device from  FIG. 2  in a second operating position of the rotor along the axis of rotation, in which the discharge openings associated with one of a total of three discharge cross-sections are shut off and the discharge openings of the remaining two discharge cross-sections are open. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the device from  FIG. 2  in a third operating position of the rotor along the axis of rotation, in which the discharge openings associated with two of a total of three discharge cross-sections are shut off and the discharge openings of the remaining one discharge cross-section are open. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines comprising lines that can be shut off and a slider, which for this purpose is displaceably arranged in a concentric manner with the rotor and parallel to the axis of rotation, in a first operating position of the slider along the axis of rotation, in which all discharge openings are open. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the device from  FIG. 5  in a second operating position of the slider along the axis of rotation, in which the discharge openings associated with one of a total of three discharge cross-sections are shut off and the discharge openings of the remaining two discharge cross-sections are open. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines, comprising lines that can be shut off and a slider, which for this purpose is displaceably arranged in a concentric manner with the rotor and parallel to the axis of rotation, in a first operating position of the slider along the axis of rotation, in which the discharge openings associated with one of a total of three discharge cross-sections are shut off and the discharge openings of the remaining two discharge cross-sections are open. 
         FIG. 8  shows a partial longitudinal section of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines in perspective view. 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic diagram of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines connected to discharge openings arranged in two discharge cross-sections, in normal operation in a longitudinal section extending along the axis of rotation. 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic diagram of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines connected to discharge openings arranged in two discharge cross-sections in the case of a prevailing blockage in a line, in a longitudinal section extending along the axis of rotation. 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic diagram of a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines connected to discharge openings arranged in two discharge cross-sections, comprising lines that can be shut off and a slider, which for this purpose is displaceably arranged in a concentric manner with the rotor and parallel to the axis of rotation, in a first operating position of the slider along the axis of rotation, in which the discharge openings associated with one of two discharge cross-sections are shut off and the discharge openings of the remaining discharge cross-section are open, in a longitudinal section extending along the axis. 
         FIG. 12  shows a device for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines as part of a spreader. 
         FIG. 13  shows a first flow diagram of a method for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines. 
     
    
    
     According to a method, the sequence of which is shown in  FIG. 13 , for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines  02 , said lines being formed, for example, by tubes and communicating permanently or in a temporally clocked manner with a distributor chamber, in a first method step I, a mixed flow is generated by adding granular material comprising grains to an air flow used as a carrier medium. 
     In a second method step II, according to the method, the mixed flow generated previously in the first method step I, in a transfer cross-section, enters a hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber having at least one outlet opening. 
     The transfer cross-section can span a plane lying, for example, perpendicular to a main flow direction of the mixed flow. In principle, the transfer cross-section can span an area extending arbitrarily in space, for example emulating or occupying part of a cylinder wall. 
     The hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber has opposite, circular end faces. 
     The hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber can have a lateral surface connecting the end faces to one another. 
     The hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber can have a constant but also a varying cross-section parallel to its end faces. 
     The at least one outlet opening is disposed for example in at least one of the end faces and/or in the vicinity thereof, for example between the lateral surface of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber and at least one end face. 
     If the outlet opening is disposed in an end face or occupies an end face, it can thus span a plane extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
     If the outlet opening is disposed between the lateral surface of the hollow-cylindrical distributor space and at least one end face, it occupies an annular section, adjacent to an end face, of the lateral surface of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber. 
     The outlet opening can partially or fully occupy an end face and/or an annular section of a lateral surface, for example of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, adjacent to an end face. If the mixed flow enters at or in the vicinity of one of the end faces of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, the least one outlet opening is disposed as far away as possible from the transfer cross-section, for example at or in the vicinity of the end face distant from the transfer cross-section, for example opposite the transfer cross-section. 
     In the second method step II, the mixed flow upon entry into the distributor chamber is transferred into a bundle of a number or integer multiple thereof of partial flows corresponding to the number of individual lines and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines, said bundle of partial flows rotating about an axis of rotation coinciding with the hollow-cylinder axis of the distributor chamber, and said partial flows tending toward the outlet opening or at least one outlet opening of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber in each case. Here, each partial flow runs within its own sector channel extending on one side along the axis of rotation. Together, all sector channels and sector partition walls separating these channels jointly surround the axis of rotation, wherein each sector channel surrounds the axis of rotation only in part. For example, the sector channels and the partial flows flowing therethrough can run parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation. Here, each partial flow, in the transfer cross-section, has a partial flow inlet cross-section, with each partial flow inlet cross-section of each partial flow sweeping over the transfer cross-section during a revolution of the partial flows, occurring as a result of the rotation of the bundle about the axis of rotation, about the axis of rotation or during a revolution of the bundle. 
     There is thus no fixed associated location of the partial flow inlet cross-sections in the transfer cross-section. On the contrary, each partial flow inlet cross-section rather occupies every point of the transfer cross-section at least once during a revolution about the axis of rotation. As a result, a uniform distribution of the granular material contained in the mixed flow to the individual partial flows is achieved irrespective of an inhomogeneous concentration of granular material in the mixed flow. 
     Clearly, as a result of the division of the mixed flow, for example, into partial flows running parallel to one another and parallel to the axis of rotation, tending from the transfer cross-section to the outlet opening and rotating about the axis of rotation, a bundle of partial flows is achieved, wherein the axis of rotation about which the bundle rotates extends in the centre of said bundle. Each partial flow tending from the transfer cross-section to the outlet opening performs a revolution about the axis of rotation during a rotation of the bundle in each cross-section lying between the transfer cross-section and outlet opening. 
     The bundle of partial flows can widen conically along the axis of rotation from the transfer cross-section to the discharge cross-sections and/or to the outlet opening. With increasing distance from the transfer cross-section along the axis of rotation and increasing proximity to the discharge cross-sections and/or towards the outlet opening, the distance inwards towards the axis of rotation can also increase. In this case, each partial flow runs within a sector of a truncated cone ring. 
     The partial flows therefore do not run concentrically with one another, but instead each partial flow is offset eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation and, for example, runs around said axis of rotation parallel thereto. 
     The mixed flow is transferred into the individual partial flows of the bundle either simultaneously or in a cyclically recurring temporal sequence. A combination is also possible. In the case of the simultaneous transfer, the mixed flow in the transfer cross-section leads into all partial flows of the bundle, or the mixed flow transitions into all partial flows of the bundle. In the case of the cyclically recurring temporal sequence, the mixed flow, considered momentarily, leads only into one partial flow or part of all partial flows of the bundle, or the mixed flow transitions into only one partial flow or one part of all partial flows of the bundle, wherein the mixed flow, as a result of the rotation of the bundle, leads or transitions temporally successively into one partial flow after the other or into one part of all partial flows of the bundle after the other. 
     The axis of rotation extends centrally through the bundle. The axis of rotation, for example, can run parallel to an above-mentioned main flow direction of the mixed flow prevailing in the transfer cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the axis of rotation can extend perpendicular to a plane spanned by the transfer cross-section. 
     The distributor chamber, for the transfer of the mixed flow, may be divided, by means of partition walls rotating about the axis of rotation, into the bundle of partial flows rotating about the axis of rotation. 
     In other words, the mixed flow in the transfer cross-section, as it enters the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, is transferred simultaneously and/or in a cyclically recurring temporal sequence into a number or integer multiple thereof of partial flows corresponding to the number of individual lines and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines, said partial flows tending toward the outlet opening and revolving in a circle, for example about a common axis of rotation which coincides with the hollow-cylinder axis of the distributor chamber, for example runs parallel to the main flow direction and/or, for example, is arranged perpendicular to a plane spanned by the transfer cross-section, and said partial flows, for example, running parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation, for example divided by partition walls rotating about the axis of rotation, wherein each partial flow in the transfer cross-section has a partial flow inlet cross-section, each partial flow inlet cross-section of each partial flow sweeping over the transfer cross-section during a revolution of the partial flows about the axis of rotation so that there is no fixed associated location of the partial flow inlet cross-sections in the transfer cross-section, but rather each partial flow inlet cross-section occupies each point of the transfer cross-section at least once during a revolution about the axis of rotation. 
     In principle, outlet openings can also be provided in, on, or towards both opposite end faces. For example, both opposite end faces can be provided with outlet openings or can have outlet openings or can comprise areas spanned by outlet openings. 
     In the case of outlet openings provided on or at both end faces of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, a first partial flow can tend toward the outlet opening on one end face and the two adjacent partial flows on both sides thereof in the circumferential direction can tend toward the outlet opening on the opposite end face. The transfer cross-section is preferably located here in the middle of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber on the inner wall surrounding said chamber. 
     It is important to highlight in this regard that, in contrast to the term shaft, the term axis in this document describes a geometric axis and not a machine element. 
     It is likewise important to highlight that the sum of the areas of the partial flow inlet cross-sections of the partial flows can correspond together to the area of the transfer cross-section, wherein the partial flow inlet cross-sections rotate about the axis of rotation in the transfer cross-section. Alternatively, the area of the transfer cross-section can be smaller than at least the sum of the areas of the partial flow inlet cross-sections, wherein the partial flow inlet cross-sections, for example, sweep one after the other over the transfer cross-section during the rotation about the axis of rotation. 
     In a third method step III according to the method, a concentration of the granular material is generated within each partial flow radially away from the axis of rotation at a wall which surrounds the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber concentrically with the axis of rotation at least in some sections. This concentration is obtained by the rotation of the bundle about the axis of rotation. 
     For example, the wall can be an inner wall of an outer ring of a rotor designed at least in some sections as a drum rotor and occupying or forming the distributor chamber. 
     Alternatively, the wall may be a housing wall of a distributor housing, accommodating a distributor housing interior and a rotor which is mounted therein rotatably about an axis of rotation and occupies the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber with the hollow-cylinder axis coinciding with the axis of rotation, which housing wall delimits the distributor housing interior radially away from the axis of rotation and surrounds the rotor at least in some sections. 
     In a fourth method step IV according to the method, finally each partial flow tending toward at least one of the at least one outlet openings reaches, on its way there, a discharge cross-section associated with said partial flow. A line or a group of a plurality of lines is associated with each discharge cross-section. A number of parallel discharge cross-sections corresponding to the number of individual lines or the number of groups of a plurality of lines is thus provided, each of said discharge cross-sections spanning its own plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. At least one discharge opening leading into a line or into a group of a plurality of lines is arranged in each discharge cross-section in the wall mentioned previously in relation to third method step III. As a result of the centrifugal forces generated by means of the rotation, granular material contained at least in the partial flows is discharged through the discharge opening into a line and/or group of lines. 
     If a number of partial flows, for example, running parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation and tending toward at least one of the at least one outlet openings of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, said number corresponding to the number of individual lines and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines, is provided, a discharge cross-section is associated with each partial flow, said discharge cross-section being different from the discharge cross-sections associated with the remaining partial flows. In other words, a partial flow is associated with each discharge cross-section associated with a line and/or a group of a plurality of lines. 
     If an integer multiple of a number of partial flows, for example, running parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation and tending toward at least one of the at least one outlet openings of the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber, said number corresponding to the number of individual lines and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines is provided, a discharge cross-section is associated with each group of a number of partial flows corresponding to the integer multiple. Here as well, the discharge cross-section associated with a group of a number of partial flows corresponding to the integer multiple is different from the discharge cross-sections associated with the remaining groups of a number of partial flows corresponding to the integer multiple in each case. In other words, a number of partial flows corresponding to the integer multiple is associated with each discharge cross-section associated with a line and/or a group of a plurality of lines. 
     Here, it is important to note that only a partial flow associated with a discharge cross-section can discharge the granular material transported along to the line or group of lines associated with this discharge cross-section. 
     If a partial flow tending toward the outlet opening or at least one outlet opening sweeps over the at least one discharge opening in the discharge cross-section associated with said partial flow and associated with a line or a group of a plurality of lines during the rotation of the bundle of partial flows about the axis of rotation, the granular material contained in the partial flow is thus fed, jointly with or separately from the air flows used as a carrier medium, through the discharge opening to the line and/or group of lines connected thereto, and is thus discharged into the line and/or group of lines associated with the corresponding discharge cross-section. 
     At least some of at least the air flow used as a carrier medium can exit here through the outlet opening. 
     In the event of a blockage and/or shut-off of one or more lines or one or more groups of lines, the partial flow affected or the partial flows affected can exit, together with the granular material transported by said air flows, through the outlet opening. 
     The discharge amount to the individual lines or groups of a plurality of lines thus remains unaffected even if one or more lines or one or more groups of lines is/are blocked or shut off. A constant discharge amount is thus ensured to the lines remaining open, for example, leading to spreading members. 
     The method, in a supplementary method step V, shown with dashed lines and to be performed, for example, before the first method step I or after the fourth method step IV or at any point between the first method step I and the fourth method step IV, can provide an individual or groupwise disconnection and reconnection of at least one line and/or at least one group of a plurality of lines as required. To this end, according to the method, the lines leading, for example, to spreading members and/or the discharge openings, to each of which a line or a group of a plurality of lines is connected, can be shut off individually or in groups as required. A partial flow associated with a discharge cross-section is associated with a discharge cross-section having one or more discharge openings leading into a shut-off line and/or into a shut-off group of a plurality of lines and exits through the outlet opening together with the granular material transported by said partial flow. 
     In the supplementary method step V, one or more lines or one or more groups of a plurality of lines can be shut off and/or reconnected as required as frequently as necessary until the supply of granular material has been used up. 
     Therefore, according to the method, at least one line and/or at least one group of a plurality of lines and/or the at least one discharge opening, which leads to said at least one line or said at least one group of a plurality of lines or is connected by a line and/or at least one group of a plurality of lines, can be shut off, for example can be closed, as required. A partial flow fed to a discharge cross-section associated with a closed line and/or group and/or discharge opening associated therewith exits through the outlet opening together with the granular material transported by said partial flow. 
     The shut-off can be provided here at the least one discharge opening of the discharge cross-section associated with a closed line and/or a group of a plurality of lines or in the line or the lines, without influencing a uniform distribution or a consistency of the used amount of granular material in the lines that remain open as a result since a partial flow associated with a discharge opening affected by a shut-off then exits through the outlet opening together with the granular material transported by said partial flow. 
     Alternatively, the shut-off can be provided in the partial flow inlet cross-section, wherein here, in order to keep consistent the spread amount of granular material in the lines that remain open, the metering of the added granular material comprising grains to the air flow used as a carrier medium has to be changed. 
     The shut-off is provided particularly preferably by at least one, for example, tubular or tube-section-like slider, which is slid along the axis of rotation over the discharge openings of one discharge cross-section after another. In conjunction with an association of the lines or groups of lines, leading, for example, to spreading members arranged on an arm, for example from the outside inwards and/or from the inside outwards and/or from left to right and/or from right to left on the arm, individual lines or groups of a plurality of lines can thus be shut off and thus closed one after the other temporarily, as required, by moving the slider in and out, and as soon as closure is no longer required, can be opened again and thus brought back into operation for spreading granular material. 
     According to the method, in an additional method step VI, shown with dashed lines and preferably performed after the fourth method step IV, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is detected, for example by counting the grains. This can be used, for example, to detect a blockage, which, for example, can be used in conjunction with the generation, transmission and output of a signal to stop the operator of a spreader in order to clear the blockage. A resultant advantage is avoided wastage, both of potential growing space and of granular material. 
     If a rotary angle measurement of the rotor is additionally performed here, it is thus possible to identify the discharge cross-section and thus the line or group of a plurality of lines associated therewith. A blockage can thus be detected and its occurrence and the associated options for clearing it can be indicated precisely. 
     Particularly advantageously, according to the method, in an optional method step VII occurring, for example, after the fourth method step IV, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is collected. As a result, it is possible for granular material to be handled in a particularly resource-conserving manner. This optional method step VII, as indicated by the arrow A, can take place immediately after the fourth method step IV, or, as indicated by arrow B, after an optionally provided detection of granular material exiting from the outlet opening in an additional method step VI. 
     Particularly preferably, according to the method, in a further method step VIII, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is added back to the air flow and is supplied to the distribution system. 
     In addition to particularly resource-conserving handling of granular material, the number of empty journeys until a reservoir carried by a spreader is replenished with a supply of granular material is thus also reduced since, during normal operation, the amount of granular material provided at the feed of a shut-off line is also fed back to the supply and is distributed among the lines remaining open. The supply thus lasts for longer. 
     A further, optionally provided method step VIII of this kind, shown by dashed lines, can be performed immediately after the fourth method step IV as indicated by arrows C and D, and before the first method step I until the supply of granular material has been exhausted. 
     If, according to the method, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is added back to the air flow in a further method step VIII and is supplied to the distribution system, and the granular material exiting from the outlet opening is detected in an additional method step VI, the further method step VIII is thus performed only after the additional method step VI, as shown by arrows B and E. 
     If, according to the method, in an optional method step VII, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is collected, and if, furthermore, granular material exiting from the outlet opening is added back to the air flow in a further method step VIII and is supplied to the distribution system, the further method step VIII, as shown by arrows A and F, is thus performed after the optional method step VII immediately following the fourth method step IV. 
     In a method according to which granular material exiting from the outlet opening is added back to the air flow in a further method step VIII, this can occur in a supplementary method step V, as required, without any individual or groupwise shut-off and reconnection of at least one line and/or at least one group of a plurality of lines, as shown by an arrow D, or, as required, in conjunction with individual or groupwise shut-off and reconnection of at least one line and/or at least one group of a plurality of lines, as shown by an arrow G. In the supplementary method step V, as already mentioned, one or more lines or one or more groups of a plurality of lines can be shut off and/or reconnected as required as frequently as necessary until the supply of granular material has been used up. 
     An above-described method can be implemented by a device  01  for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines  02  formed, for example, at least partially by tubes, said device being shown wholly or partially in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12  and suitable for carrying out an above-described method. 
     The device  01  for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines  02  formed, for example, by tubes comprises means  04  for generating a mixed flow of an air flow used as a carrier medium and granular material added to said air flow, said means for example comprising a unit for generating an air flow, such as a fan  40 , and a unit for adding granular material to the air flow, for example comprising a cellular wheel and/or a Venturi nozzle. 
     The device  01  additionally comprises a distributor housing  06  accommodating a rotor  05  mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation  100 . 
     The distributor housing  06  has a housing wall  07  surrounding the rotor  05  at least in some sections. 
     The distributor housing  06  has an inlet opening  10  spanning a transfer cross-section, and at least one outlet opening  11 . 
     The inlet opening  10  can be provided on at least one of the two end faces of the distributor housing  06  which are arranged opposite along the axis of rotation  100 . The outlet opening  11  can be provided on the opposite end face, as shown in  FIG. 8 , or can be arranged as an annular, radial outlet at the transition between an end face and a lateral surface connecting the opposite end faces to one another and formed, for example, by the housing wall  07 , as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 . 
     The rotor  05  occupies a hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber  03  having a hollow-cylinder axis which coincides with the axis of rotation  100 . A number of discharge openings  08  corresponding to the number of lines  02  and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines  02  are arranged in the housing wall  07  in different discharge cross-sections  09  arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation  100 . Here, each line  02  or each group of a plurality of lines  02  is associated with its own discharge cross-section  09  arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation  100 . 
     For example, a group of a plurality of lines  02  can be formed by lines  02  connected to a plurality of discharge openings  08  situated in the same discharge cross-section  09 , as is the case in the at least two different discharge cross-sections  09  in each of the devices  02  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 . 
     Each discharge cross-section  09  associated with a line  02  or a group of a plurality of lines  02  is different from the discharge cross-sections  09  associated with the remaining lines  02  or a group of a plurality of lines  02 . The different discharge cross-sections  09  associated with the different lines  02  groups of a plurality of lines  02  are arranged in parallel with one another in an offset manner along the axis of rotation  100 . 
     A line  02  or a group of lines  02  is connected or can be connected to each discharge opening  08 . 
     The device  01  additionally has suitable drive means  12 , for example, connected or connectable to the rotor  05  so as to set the rotor  05  in rotation about the axis of rotation  100 . 
     The device  01  also has a feed line  13  connecting the means  04  for generating the mixed flow to the inlet opening  10 . 
     The device  01  is characterised in that the rotor  05  has a number or integer multiple thereof of sector partition walls  14 , said number or integer multiple thereof corresponding to the number of lines  02  and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines  02 , said sector partition walls protruding radially from the axis of rotation  100  and dividing the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber  03  into a number or integer multiple thereof of sector channels  15 , said number of integer multiple thereof corresponding to the number of individual lines  02  and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines  02 , said sector channels jointly surrounding the axis of rotation  100 , each running along the axis of rotation  100  on one side, for example parallel to one another, extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation  100  when the rotor  05  is rotated, and for example being in the form of circular cylinder sectors and therefore in the form of wedges of cake. 
     Each sector channel  15  extends on one side from the axis of rotation  100  and along said axis. 
     Together, all sector channels and sector partition walls  14  separating said channels jointly surround the axis of rotation  100  in a bundle-like manner, wherein each sector channel  15  surrounds the axis of rotation  100  only in part. 
     The sector channels  15  separated from one another by the sector partition walls  14  transfer the mixed flow entering the hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber  03  in the transfer cross-section into a bundle of partial flows rotating about the axis of rotation  100 . 
     Each sector channel  15  divides a partial flow from the mixed flow. A partial flow of the mixed flow flows through each sector channel  15 . Each partial flow runs within its own sector channel  15 . 
     For example, the sector channels  15  and the partial flows flowing therethrough can thus also run parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation  100 . 
     The bundle of sector channels  15  can widen conically along the axis of rotation  100  from the inlet opening  10  to the discharge cross-sections  09  and/or to the outlet opening  11 . With increasing distance from the inlet opening  10  along the axis of rotation  100  and increasing proximity to the discharge cross-sections  09  and/or towards the outlet opening  11 , the distance inwards towards the axis of rotation  100  can also increase. In this case, the sector channels  15  extend within a truncated cone ring. 
     The sector channels  15  in principle can have any cross-sectional form perpendicular to the axis of rotation  100 . The cross-sectional form is provided here in principle by the shaping of the sector partition walls  14 . 
     The rotor  05  can be open towards one end face or towards both end faces of the distributor housing  06 , which are arranged opposite along the axis of rotation  100 , and towards the at least one outlet opening  11  arranged, for example, in at least one of the end faces. 
     The rotor  05  can protrude from the distributor housing  06  through the outlet opening  11 . Here, the rotor  05  cannot eject granular material, discharged to the lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02  connected to the discharge openings  08 , radially away from the axis of rotation  100  via said discharge openings. 
     The drive means  12  can comprise an independent drive motor  120 , by means of which the motor shaft of the rotor  05  is directly or indirectly connected via a transmission. Alternatively, the drive means  12  can comprise a connection of the rotor  05  to a motor, for example a unit for generating an air flow, such as a fan  40 , of the means  04  for generating the mixed flow. A connection of this kind can be produced by a connecting shaft  41 . 
     The rotor  05  can be formed at least in some sections as a star rotor which is open radially outwards away from the axis of rotation  100  and has sector partition walls  14  which separate the adjacent sector channels  15  from one another and protrude radially from the axis of rotation  100 . 
     The sector partition walls  14  can be formed here fixedly, for example by plate-like wall elements protruding radially from the axis of rotation  100 , or can be formed resiliently—this being gentle on the granular material—for example at the entry to the rotor  05 , for example by means of brush-like bristle rows protruding radially from the axis of rotation  100 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, the rotor  05  can be designed at least in sections as a drum rotor  50  closed radially outwards away from the axis of rotation  100 , having a hollow-cylindrical, tubular or tube-section-like outer ring  51  or an outer ring wall, and having sector partition walls  14  which separate the adjacent sector channels  15  from one another and protrude radially from the axis of rotation  100  to the outer ring  51 . 
     The outer ring  51  is provided in each case with a discharge window  52  per sector channel  15 . The discharge windows  52  are arranged in an offset manner along the axis of rotation  100  according to the association of the sector channels  15  with the various discharge cross-sections  09 . 
     Discharge windows  52 , offset along the axis of rotation  100  and each associated with a sector channel  15 , are therefore arranged in the outer ring  51  or in the outer ring wall in the various discharge cross-sections  09  for the individual sector channels  15 , and in an offset manner along the axis of rotation  100  according to the discharge openings  08  arranged in the various discharge cross-sections  09  in the housing wall  07 . 
     Alternatively, the rotor  05  can thus be designed as a drum rotor  50 , closed radially outwards away from the axis of rotation  100 , having a hollow-cylindrical outer ring  51  provided with discharge windows  52  arranged according to the various discharge cross-sections  09  of its sector channels  15 , and having sector partition walls  14  which separate the adjacent sector channels  15  from one another and protrude radially from the axis of rotation  100  to the outer ring  51 . Discharge windows  52  of the sector channels  15  are arranged in an offset manner in the outer ring  51  according to the various discharge cross-sections  09  along the axis of rotation  100 . 
     If the discharge window  52  of a sector channel  15  sweeps over a discharge opening  08  associated with this sector channel  15  by matching the discharge cross-section  09  during the rotation of the drum rotor  50  about the axis of rotation  100 , said discharge opening being connected by a line  02  or a group of a plurality of lines  02 , at least the granular material transported by a partial flow flowing through the corresponding sector channel  15  is discharged to this line  02  or this group of a plurality of lines  02 . 
     The drum rotor  50  here surrounds or forms the distributor chamber  03 . The drum rotor  50  itself is arranged rotatably about the axis of rotation  100  in a distributor housing interior accommodated in a distributor housing  06  and which itself can be hollow-cylindrical with a hollow-cylinder axis extending along the axis of rotation  100 , or which in the individual discharge cross-sections  09  can have a geometry which, when swept over by a discharge window  52  during a revolution of the drum rotor  50  about the axis of rotation  100 , widens, for example, continuously towards a discharge chamber  80  and, for example, transitions a connected line  02  tangentially to the direction of rotation. For example, the connection of the line  02  to the discharge chamber  80  can form the discharge opening  08 , or an outlet cross-section of a line  02  connected to a discharge chamber  80  can form a discharge opening  08 . 
     In order to shut off individual lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02  by closing the discharge openings  08  or windows  52  of a discharge cross-section  09  one after the other, the rotor  05 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4  by double-headed arrows H, and/or, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  by double-headed arrows J, a slider  17  arranged concentrically with the rotor  05  and having a tubular or tubular portion-shaped form can be movably arranged parallel to the axis of rotation  100 . 
     For example, the inner diameter of a slider  17 , arranged movably parallel to the axis of rotation  100  in order to shut off individual lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02 , can correspond substantially to an outer diameter of the rotor  05 . The slider  17  in this case can be introduced between the rotor  05  and the housing wall  07  into a distributor housing interior enclosed by the distributor housing  06 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 , the outer diameter of a slider  17  arranged movably parallel to the axis of rotation  100  in order to shut off individual lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02  can match the inner diameter of the outer ring  51  of a rotor  05  in the form of a drum rotor  50 . The slider  17  provided with longitudinal slots for the sector partition walls  14  is slid here into the inside of the rotor  05  and closes, in succession, the discharge windows  52  of a discharge cross-section  09  arranged in the outer ring  51 . 
     Alternatively or in addition to a shut-off by a slider  17  formed in a tubular or tube-section-like manner and movable along the axis of rotation  100 , the rotor  05 , when in the form of a drum rotor  50 , can be arranged longitudinally displaceably along the axis of rotation  100 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4  by double-headed arrows H. As a result, a new association of the discharge windows  52  of the sector channels  15  and of the discharge cross-sections  09  defined by the discharge openings  08  associated with the individual lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02  is obtained, likewise in order to shut off individual lines  02  or groups of a plurality of lines  02 . The discharge windows  52  of a sector channel  15  can be slid out here in succession from the region of the housing wall  07  of the distributor housing  06 , or of a distributor housing interior surrounded by said housing, provided with discharge openings  08  defining discharge cross-sections  09 . Portions of the rotor  05  in which there are no discharge windows  52  in the outer ring  51  thus overlap the discharge openings  08  of a discharge cross-section  09  in succession. A sector channel  15  which was associated previously with one or more discharge openings  08  of a discharge cross-section  09  other than the one considered last in the displacement direction now discharges the granular material, transported by the partial flow flowing through said sector channel, through discharge openings  08  associated with the next discharge cross-section  09 . A partial flow flowing through a sector channel  15  and associated previously with one or more discharge openings  08  of a discharge cross-section  09  considered last in the displacement direction, by contrast, exits through the outlet opening  11  together with the granular material transported by said partial flow. 
     Granular material discharged through the outlet opening  11  can be detected, for example, by means of a sensor  16  arranged, for example, at the outlet opening  11  or in a collection channel  110  adjoining the outlet opening  11  and shown in  FIGS. 1, 9, 10 and 11 . 
     By measuring the rotary angle of the rotor  05 , not only can a blockage be detected or a shut-off confirmed, but it is also possible to determine which sector channel  15  and therefore which discharge cross-section  09  is blocked or shut off. 
     As already mentioned, the distributor housing  06  can accommodate a distributor housing interior. The housing wall  07  delimits such an, optionally provided, housing interior radially away from the axis of rotation  100 . The hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber  03  occupied by the rotor  05  occupies the optionally provided distributor housing interior, at least in part. 
     It is important to note that a unit already provided, for example a fan  40  of the means  04  for generating the mixed flow, can be coupled to the rotor  05  in order to drive the rotor  05 . To this end, a connecting shaft  41  can be provided between the fan  40  and the rotor  05 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6  and in  FIG. 12 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 7, 9, 10 and 11 , a separate drive motor  120  can be provided, the output shaft of which sets the rotor in rotation about the axis of rotation. 
     An additional variant is shown in  FIG. 8 . This utilises the air flow of the mixed flow or a partial air flow branched off from a unit for generating an air flow of the means  04  for generating the mixed flow, in order to drive the rotor  05 . To this end, a turbine  90 , of tangential design in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , is connected to the rotor  05  or is coupled thereto via a connecting shaft. 
     According to method that can be carried out by means of an above-described device  01 , a mixed flow is firstly generated by adding granular material comprising grains to an air flow used as a carrier medium. The mixed flow then, in a transfer cross-section  10 , enters a hollow-cylindrical distributor chamber  03  comprising at least one outlet opening  11 . Here, the mixed flow is transferred into a bundle, rotating about an axis of rotation  100  which coincides with the hollow-cylinder axis of the distributor chamber, of a number or integer multiple thereof of partial flows, said number of integer multiple thereof corresponding to the number of lines  02  and/or the number of groups of a plurality of lines  02 , said partial flows, for example, running parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation  100  and tending towards the outlet opening  11 . Each partial flow in the transfer cross-section has a partial flow inlet cross-section, which in each case sweeps over the transfer cross-section during a revolution about the axis of rotation  100 . As a result of the rotation of the bundle, a concentration of the granular material is then generated within each partial flow, radially away from the axis of rotation  100 . Lastly, each partial flow tending towards the outlet opening  11  reaches a discharge cross-section  09  associated with said partial flow, in which discharge cross-section at least one discharge opening  08  is arranged which leads into a line  02  or a group of a plurality of lines  02 . A line  02  or a group of a plurality of lines  02  is associated with each discharge cross-section  09 . As a result of the centrifugal forces generated by means of the rotation, granular material contained at least in the partial flows is discharged through the discharge opening  08  into a line  02  and/or group of a plurality of lines  02 . 
     Both the method and a device  01 , for example in conjunction with a reservoir for storing granular material comprising grains and adding granular material taken from this reservoir to an air flow, make it possible to even out the distribution to a plurality of lines  02  that can be shut off and reconnected individually or in groups. 
     The device  01  is intended in particular for use in conjunction with a spreader  20  for granular material, such as a sowing machine. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a spreader  20  for granular material is shown in  FIG. 12 . For the sake of clarity, however, no spreading members have been shown at the ends of the lines  02 . 
     The spreader  20  comprises a funnel-shaped supply container  22  arranged on an undercarriage  21  and accommodating a reservoir of granular material comprising grains. Means  04  for generating a mixed flow of a device  01  for distributing granular material to a plurality of lines  02  are arranged at the end of the funnel beneath the supply container  22 . A connecting shaft  41  couples the rotor  05  accommodated in the distributor housing  06  to a unit, in the form of a fan  40 , for generating an air flow of the means  04  for generating a mixed flow. The drive means  12  of the device  01  comprise the motor of the fan  40  and the connecting shaft  41 . 
     The invention is industrially applicable, particularly in the field of manufacturing agricultural machinery and units, especially spreaders, such as sowing machines, particularly for drill or mulch seeding, and/or for fertiliser distributing machinery and distributor devices for such distributing machinery. 
     The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable to a person skilled in the art for modifications or changes to be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the claims below. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           01  Device 
           02  Line 
           03  Distributor chamber 
           04  Means for generating a mixed flow 
           05  Rotor 
           06  Distributor housing 
           07  Housing wall 
           08  Discharge opening 
           09  Discharge cross-section 
           10  Inlet opening 
           11  Outlet opening 
           12  Drive means 
           13  Feed line 
           14  Sector partition wall 
           15  Sector channel 
           16  Sensor 
           17  Slider 
           20  Spreader 
           21  Undercarriage 
           22  Supply container 
           40  Fan 
           41  Connecting shaft 
           50  Drum rotor 
           51  Outer ring 
           52  Discharge window 
           80  Discharge chamber 
           90  Turbine 
           100  Axis of rotation 
           110  Collection channel 
           120  Drive motor 
         I Method step 
         II Method step 
         III Method step 
         IV Method step 
         V Method step 
         VI Method step 
         VII Method step 
         VIII Method step 
         A Arrow 
         B Arrow 
         C Arrow 
         D Arrow 
         E Arrow 
         F Arrow 
         G Arrow 
         H Double-headed arrow 
         J Double-headed arrow