A method for adjusting operating parameters of an agricultural implement during a product-dispensing operation may include monitoring a location of the agricultural implement while performing a product-dispensing pass across a field. The method may further include determining that the agricultural implement will encounter an operating parameter boundary prescribing a change in an operating parameter of the agricultural implement. Moreover, the method may include determining a transition boundary along the product-dispensing pass based at least in part on a propagation delay for the prescribed change, where the agricultural implement will cross the transition boundary before the operating parameter boundary. Additionally, the method may include initiating the change in the operating parameter when the agricultural implement reaches the transition boundary such that the prescribed change in the operating parameter is complete when the agricultural implement reaches the operating parameter boundary.

This document concerns a device for airflow-assisted feeding of granular material in an agricultural implement, comprising an air inlet (1611, 1612), a material inlet (167), and an outlet (162) for material-laden airflow, a roof (163), the horizontal extension of which defines a material pickup zone (160), wherein the material inlet (167), air inlet (1611, 1612) and outlet (162) are connected to the material pickup zone (160), wherein the device furthermore comprises an air inlet valve (164) containing a valve seat (1641) and a valve body (1642). The valve body is rotatable about a geometric axis which is substantially perpendicular to a flow direction at the air inlet. The document also concerns a method for airflow-assisted feeding of material in an agricultural implement, a meter housing, and an agricultural implement comprising such a meter housing. It also concerns a frame for a material pickup module and a method for forming a meter housing.

This document concerns a device for airflow-assisted feeding of granular material in an agricultural implement, comprising an air inlet (1611, 1612), a material inlet (167), and an outlet (162) for material-laden airflow, a roof (163), the horizontal extension of which defines a material pickup zone (160), wherein the material inlet (167), air inlet (1611, 1612) and outlet (162) are connected to the material pickup zone (160), wherein the device furthermore comprises an air inlet valve (164) containing a valve seat (1641) and a valve body (1642). The valve body is rotatable about a geometric axis which is substantially perpendicular to a flow direction at the air inlet. The document also concerns a method for airflow-assisted feeding of material in an agricultural implement, a meter housing, and an agricultural implement comprising such a meter housing. It also concerns a frame for a material pickup module and a method for forming a meter housing.

The present invention provides a plenum configured to evenly separate and distribute airflow generated by a fan into distribution lines of an agricultural machine. The plenum can utilize angled vanes symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged to form plenum chambers to provide a balanced airflow which contributes to maximizing fan efficiency, including power consumption and performance (airflow and static pressure). Accordingly, the plenum can be configured to separate the airflow and minimize imbalance between the lines during sectional control. The plenum height can be maintained for increased manufacturability and to prevent additional expansion. The plenum length can be configured within allowable space constraints of the machine yet allow airflow to develop upon separation into the lines. Vanes throughout the span of the plenum initially divide the airflow from the fan and maintain separation until the outlets.

The present invention provides a plenum configured to evenly separate and distribute airflow generated by a fan into distribution lines of an agricultural machine. The plenum can utilize angled vanes symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged to form plenum chambers to provide a balanced airflow which contributes to maximizing fan efficiency, including power consumption and performance (airflow and static pressure). Accordingly, the plenum can be configured to separate the airflow and minimize imbalance between the lines during sectional control. The plenum height can be maintained for increased manufacturability and to prevent additional expansion. The plenum length can be configured within allowable space constraints of the machine yet allow airflow to develop upon separation into the lines. Vanes throughout the span of the plenum initially divide the airflow from the fan and maintain separation until the outlets.

Device for delivering solid particles on demand, intended for agricultural machine, wherein the delivery on demand of solid particles to a receiving device is regulated, particularly in the field of technology for transporting solid granulated materials by means of an air stream, without being exclusive, in agricultural machinery when an air stream is used to transport seeds or fertilizer granules from at least one central hopper to the dosing/metering equipment located on the sowing unit, and including a source of pressurized air, a distributor of solid particles “S”, a hopper whose bottom feeds solid particles “S” to the distributor and a plate permeable to the passage of air and on which said particles “S” settle.

Device for delivering solid particles on demand, intended for agricultural machine, wherein the delivery on demand of solid particles to a receiving device is regulated, particularly in the field of technology for transporting solid granulated materials by means of an air stream, without being exclusive, in agricultural machinery when an air stream is used to transport seeds or fertilizer granules from at least one central hopper to the dosing/metering equipment located on the sowing unit, and including a source of pressurized air, a distributor of solid particles “S”, a hopper whose bottom feeds solid particles “S” to the distributor and a plate permeable to the passage of air and on which said particles “S” settle.

The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

The invention provides a pneumatic conveying system for an agricultural product applicator, which system comprises multiple fans configured to serve separate boom sections of the applicator to more efficiently conduct airflow with respect to each section. In aspects of the invention, multiple centrifugal fans of the same or similar size can be used, or multiple centrifugal fans of various sizes can be used, such as one or more larger fans and one or more smaller fans. Exemplar aspects could include three small or medium sized centrifugal fans, four small or medium sized centrifugal fans, and five small or medium sized centrifugal fans, thereby allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow. Another aspect of the invention could include configuring one fan to supercharge another fan, in series, also allowing the system to raise outlet air pressure at an elevated flow.

An agricultural machine for dispensing material to be distributed, which agricultural machine comprises at least one metering element having a metering roller for metering the material to be distributed mounted in a metering housing and is rotatably driven. The metering roller has a plurality of metering wheel segments, each metering wheel segment of the metering roller is assigned a separate drive to drive the metering wheel segments independently of each other to ensure exact metering of the material to be distributed within finely subdivided partial widths of the agricultural machine. The drives of the metering wheel segments of the metering roller are arranged in the interior thereof, for example within a tubular hollow body, on which the metering wheel segments are mounted, such that the drives are ideally accommodated with protection from external influences and in a space-saving manner.