Agricultural Implement and Method for Feeding Granular Material

Abstract

An agricultural implement (1) for distributing granular material to ground over which the agricultural implement is travelling comprises a container (14) for the material, a fan (16) for producing an air flow in a primary channel (161, 162), a driveable volumetric feeder unit (141): for feeding the material to the primary channel (161, 162), such that a material laden air flow is produced, a plurality of secondary channels (18) for transporting the material laden air flow, and a plurality of output units (17) which are each connected to one of said secondary channels (18) and have an outlet channel (174) for discharging the material to the ground. Each of the output units (17) comprises a singulator (171), which has a singulating part (1714) which is movable in a singulating space and has a plurality of through-holes, and over which a pressure difference can be applied, such that the singulating part has a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side. The singulator (171) has a material inlet (1711) and an air inlet (1712), which connect to the singulating space on the high-pressure side. A material outlet (1713) of the singulator connects to the outlet channel (174).

Claims

1-29. (canceled)

30. Agricultural implement for distributing granular material to ground over which the agricultural implement is travelling, comprising: a container for the material, a fan for producing an air flow in a primary channel, a driveable volumetric feeder unit for feeding the material to the primary channel, such that an material laden air flow is produced, a plurality of secondary channels for transporting the material laden air flow, and a plurality of output units which are each connected to one of said secondary channels and have an outlet channel for discharging the material to the ground, wherein each of the output units comprises a singulator, which has a singulating part which is movable in a singulating space and has a plurality of through-holes or recesses, and over which a pressure difference can be applied, such that the singulating part has a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side, wherein the singulator has a material inlet and an air inlet, which connect to the singulating space on the high-pressure side, wherein a material outlet of the singulator connects to the outlet channel, and wherein said air flow is used for pressurizing the singulator.

31. Agricultural implement according to claim 30, wherein at least some, preferably all, of the output units comprise a separator.

32. Agricultural implement according to claim 31, wherein the separator comprises an inlet connected to one of the secondary channels, a material outlet connected to the material inlet of the singulator, and an air outlet connected to the air inlet of the singulator.

33. Agricultural implement according to claim 31, wherein the separator comprises at least one of: a cyclone separator, a separator of the filter type, and a gravitational separator.

34. Agricultural implement according to claim 31, wherein the separator and the singulator are mounted releasably on each other.

35. Agricultural implement according to claim 31, wherein the separator and the singulator are integrated with each other.

36. Agricultural implement according to claim 32, wherein the separator has a separator space of substantially circular cross section, wherein the inlet is designed such that it produces a direction of flow which is substantially tangential with respect to the separator space, wherein the material outlet is located at a lower part of the separator space, and wherein the air outlet is located at an upper portion of the separator space.

37. Agricultural implement according to claim 36, wherein at least a lower portion of the separator space narrows in a downward direction.

38. Agricultural implement according to claim 31, wherein the separator comprises a channel having a wall portion which is apertured over at least part thereof, such that air but not material can pass through the wall portion to the air outlet.

39. Agricultural implement according to claim 30, further comprising a distributor, which has a distributor inlet connected to the primary channel, and a plurality of distributor outlets, which connect to a respective singulator.

40. Agricultural implement according to claim 30, further comprising a level sensor for measuring a material level at the material outlet of the separator and/or in the singulating space.

41. Agricultural implement for distributing granular material to ground over which the agricultural implement is travelling, comprising: a container for the material, a fan for producing an air flow, a plurality of take-up zones to which the material falls by gravity from the container in order to be taken up by the air flow, such that an material laden air flow is obtained, a plurality of primary channels, each connected to a respective take-up zone, for transporting the material laden air flow, a plurality of output units which each comprise: a separator comprising an inlet connected to one of said primary channels, a material outlet and an air outlet, a singulator, which has a singulating part which is movable in a singulating space and has a plurality of through-holes or recesses, and over which a pressure difference can be applied, such that the singulating part has a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side, a material inlet connected to the material outlet of the separator, and an air inlet connected to the air outlet of the separator, the material inlet and air inlet of the singulator connect to the singulating space on the high-pressure side, wherein the separator comprises a cyclone separator, and a wall portion arranged in the cyclone separator, which wall portion is apertured such that air, but not the material, can pass through the wall portion to the air outlet.

42. Agricultural implement according to claim 41, wherein the wall portion is arranged releasably relative to the cyclone separator.

43. Agricultural implement according to claim 41, wherein the wall portion extends substantially vertically in the cyclone separator, such that an air flow through the material portion can be reduced as the material level increases in the cyclone separator.

44. Agricultural implement according to claim 41, wherein said air flow is used for pressurizing the singulator.

45. Agricultural implement according to claim 32, wherein said connection between the air outlet of the separator and the air inlet of the singulator is the only source the singulator has to a positive air pressure.

46. Agricultural implement according to claim 32, wherein a further source of positive air pressure is connected to the air inlet of the singulator.

47. Agricultural implement according to claim 46, wherein said further source of positive air pressure is a second fan.

48. Agricultural implement according to claim 46, wherein said further source of positive air pressure is a channel which connects to the primary channel upstream of the container.

49. Agricultural implement according to claim 30, further comprising a bypass channel, for selective bypassing of the singulator, such that said material laden air flow is conveyed directly to an outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] FIGS. 1a-b show schematic views of an agricultural implement 1, coupled to a towing vehicle 2.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a eighth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material.

[0065] FIG. 10 shows schematic views of a singulating device.

[0066] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a singulator with separator.

[0067] FIGS. 12a-12c show schematic views of a singulator with separator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] FIGS. 1a-1b show comprising an equipment agricultural implement 1, which is coupled to a towing vehicle 2, the latter being illustrated in the form of a tractor.

[0069] The agricultural implement 1 is illustrated in the form of a seed drill, which in FIGS. 1a-1b is a volumetrically fed seed drill.

[0070] The agricultural implement 1 has a main frame 10 to which a draw bar 11 and a transverse beam 12 are connected. The main frame 10, the draw bar 11 and the beam 12 can be arranged fixed relative to one another. One, two or several wheels 13a, 13b can be arranged to completely or partially support the agricultural implement 1. Alternatively, two or more of the parts 10, 11, 12 can be mounted movably relative to one another. Specifically, the beam 12 can comprise one, two, three, four or five portions which are movable relative to one another and which can be arranged such that the beam 12 can be folded between a work position of large width and a transport position of small width.

[0071] The main frame 10 can support one or more containers 14 for the material that is to be distributed, a fan 16 for generating an air flow that can be conveyed in a primary channel 161, 162, via a feeder 141 for feeding from the container, to a distributor 15 in which the material laden air flow is distributed via secondary channels 18 to a plurality of output units 17.

[0072] As is indicated in FIGS. 1a-1b, the output units can be placed in rows, side by side. Alternatively, adjacent output units can be mutually offset in the work direction F. The latter set-up can be obtained by distributing the output units over two or more frame parts arranged at a distance from one another in the work direction, or by providing every second output unit with a shorter or longer frame coupling. In this way, it is possible to produce a more compact row spacing.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 has a driveable feeder 141 for volumetric feeding of material from the container 14 to the primary channel 161, such that an material laden air flow is generated in a part 162 of the primary channel located downstream of the feeder 141. The material laden air flow is distributed, in a distributor 15, to a plurality of secondary channels 18.

[0074] Such distributors generally comprise a riser pipe which is connected to the primary channel and which extends substantially vertically and opens at the top into a distributor head, from which a secondary channel 18 extends.

[0075] Such distributors are known from WO2018236275 A1, for example.

[0076] The output unit 17 comprises a singulator 171, a separator 172 for separating the material from the material laden air flow, and a return channel 173 for returning the air from which the material has been separated, for pressurizing the singulator 171. The singulator 171 feeds singulated material to a material outlet, which leads the material to an outlet channel 174, such as a furrow opener or a fertilizer opener.

[0077] The singulator 171 can be designed in accordance with what is described in WO 2010059101 A1, for example.

[0078] Alternatively, the singulating part can be designed in accordance with what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,979A, i.e. with a plurality of through-openings at the periphery of the singulating part, optionally in combination with depressions in the surface of the singulating part at each through-opening.

[0079] It is possible to provide the output unit 17 with a bypass valve 175, which allows the singulator 171 and the separator 172 to be bypassed. Such a bypass can convey the material laden air flow from the secondary channel 18 to a separate outlet channel 176 or to a connection to the outlet channel 174 downstream of the singulator 171.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. Instead of having a driveable feeder 141, the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 has passive feeding in the form of a take-up zone 142 to which the air flow from the fan 16 is conveyed, such that material falling down in the take-up zone 142 is entrained by the air flow and thus forms an material laden air flow. A plurality of such take-up zones are arranged at the bottom of the container 14, for example alongside one another, and are each connected to one of a plurality of secondary channels 18 that lead to a respective output unit 17. This results in robust feeding of material to the output units 17, which feeding is controlled by the quantity of material in the singulator.

[0081] Arranged in the separator 172 is an apertured wall portion 17243, which allows air, but not material, to pass through the wall portion 17243.

[0082] The wall portion 17243 can be designed substantially according to the principles that have been described in WO2013180620 A1. For example, the wall portion can be designed with through-slits (which can be formed for example between ribs) which run along a material flow direction at the wall portion. The slits can have a cross-sectional area which increases along the material flow direction, such that material that finds its way into the slits can be moved along the slits and loosen so as to be guided away from the wall portion. Alternatively or in addition, the slits can have a cross-sectional area which increases along an air flow direction through the wall portion and which can make it easier for material to make its way into the slits in order to be moved along the air flow direction and loosen in order to be guided away from the wall portion.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to what has been described with reference to FIG. 1, but with the difference that a separate pressurizing channel 192 is produced, which is coupled to a pressurizing inlet 177 of the singulator 171, such that the singulator can be supplied with extra air flow.

[0084] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the pressurizing channel 192 is connected to a branch 191 from the primary channel 161, such that the pressurizing air flow is collected upstream of the feeder 141.

[0085] A regulator valve 193 can be provided in order to control pressure and/or flow in the pressurizing channel 192. It will be appreciated that the pressurizing channel 192 can be coupled to a manifold (not shown) for distributing the air flow to the plurality of output units 17.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 4, but the pressurizing channel 192 is instead connected to a separate pressure source 194, such as a fan.

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1, but without a bypass valve 175.

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 6, but with an alternative embodiment of the separator 172, the latter having been provided with a separator cage, which will be described in more detail below.

[0089] In the separator 172 shown in FIG. 7, there is also an apertured wall portion 17243 which can be designed in accordance with what has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0090] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to what was shown in FIG. 3, but with an alternative embodiment of the separator 172, the latter having been provided with a separator cage, which will be described in more detail below.

[0091] In the separator 172 shown in FIG. 8, there is also an apertured wall portion 17243 which can be designed in accordance with what has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0092] FIG. 9 shows an eighth embodiment of an arrangement for distributing granular material. The arrangement shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to what was shown in FIG. 5, but with an alternative embodiment of the separator 172, the latter having been provided with a separator cage, which will be described in more detail below.

[0093] In the separator 172 shown in FIG. 9, there is also an apertured wall portion 17243 which can be designed in accordance with what has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0094] FIGS. 10a-10b show schematic views of a singulating device 171 with a separator 172.

[0095] The singulating device 171 comprises a singulating chamber 1710, which has a material inlet 1711, an air inlet 1712, and an outlet 1713 for singulated material. A singulating part 1714, which is shown here in the form of a singulating disc, is arranged movably in the singulating chamber 1710. The singulating part 1714 has a plurality of through-holes 1715 which have a cross section slightly smaller than the material that is to be singulated. By using air fed to the air inlet 1712 to produce a pressure difference across the singulating part 1714 and allowing the high-pressure side of the singulating part 1714 to move in a part of the singulating space 1710 where material has been fed via the material inlet 1711, material comes to be caught at the holes 1715 and to be entrained by the singulating part 1714 to the outlet 1713, where the pressure difference breaks, such that the material falls down into the outlet 1713. By providing the singulator with sufficient air flow, the part of the air flow that does not pass through the singulating part 1714 is conveyed through the outlet 1713 and there contributes to accelerating and entraining the material.

[0096] The singulating part 1714 can be designed as a circular disc or ring which is rotatable about an axis at right angles to the disc, with the holes being present in the base surface of the disc or ring.

[0097] Alternatively, the singulating part can be designed as a cylinder which is rotatable about a central axis of the cylinder, with the holes being present in the lateral face of the cylinder.

[0098] In order to increase the capacity of the singulating part 1714, the holes 1715 can be arranged in two or more rows and/or can be placed closer together. The capacity of the singulating part 1714 can also be increased by a higher speed of rotation of the singulating disc.

[0099] The separator 172 can be designed as a cyclone and can enclose a separator space 1720 that has a substantially circular cross section. An inlet 1721 for the material laden air flow can be present in the upper portion of the separator space. The inlet 1721 can be designed such that it connects tangentially to the separator space 1720, such that an incoming stream of air is deflected. In the lower portion of the separator space, a material outlet 1722 can be present, which can be connected directly to the material inlet 1711 of the singulator 171.

[0100] The separator space 1720 can have a portion that narrows, for example conically, in a downward direction.

[0101] In the upper portion of the separator space, an air outlet 1723 can be present, which can be connected directly to the air inlet 1712 of the singulator 171.

[0102] In the separator 172 shown in FIG. 10b, a channel can be arranged which extends from the inlet 1721 to the material outlet 1722 and which, along at least a part thereof, has an apertured wall portion 17243 that allows air through, such that air, but not material, can pass through said wall portion. The channel can be designed as a part that can be mounted releasably in the cyclone separator.

[0103] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a singulator 171 with separator 172. The separator 172 has an outlet 1723 with an outlet sleeve 17231, which can be substantially circular with solid walls and an opening at the bottom. The outlet sleeve can have an extent in the vertical direction that is greater than the vertical extent of the inlet 1721 of the separator.

[0104] With reference to FIGS. 12a-12c, an embodiment of a singulator 171 with separator 172 will now be described. In this embodiment, a channel 1724 is mounted at the air outlet of the cyclone separator 172, such that it extends down in the cyclone separator towards the material outlet. The channel 1724 can have a solid wall portion 17241 and a solid bottom 17242; the apertured wall portion 17243 can extend between said solid bottom 17242 and the solid wall portion 17241. The solid wall portion can in turn connect, preferably releasably, to the air outlet 1723 of the cyclone separator.

[0105] In the example shown, the channel 1724 is substantially cylindrical; the apertured wall portion 17243 extends as a band around a lower portion of the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, the apertured wall portion 17243 can extend partially around the lower portion of the cylinder.

[0106] The through-holes or slits that have been formed in the apertured wall portion 17243 can have a flow area that increases in an air flow direction through the wall portion, in order to avoid material or residues of material from becoming caught.

[0107] In the separator 172 shown in FIG. 12c, there is also an apertured wall portion 17243, which can be designed in accordance with what has been described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0108] Particularly when used with a volumetric feeder, the separator 172 can be provided with a level sensor 1725 for measuring a material level in the separator 172. Such a level sensor can, for example, use ultrasound, radar or light to measure a material level at the material outlet 1722 of the separator. By means of such measurement, a stoppage in the feeding can be identified, and/or the feeding operation can be controlled in order to maintain a predetermined material level in the outlet 1722.

[0109] Depending on the type of measurement (radar, optical), the design of the bottom (transparent) and signal processing (filtering of echo from the bottom in the case of radar), it is possible to use the same type of measurement sensor in all applications of the singulator.

[0110] When using a level sensor, it is advantageous to control the measurement such that a material level is obtained that is higher than a lower edge of the material outlet 1722 of the separator, since the material then prevents or greatly reduces leakage of air from the separator to the singulator.

[0111] It will be appreciated that the channel 1724 can be designed as an exchangeable part, such that a singulator can be easily modified between the embodiment shown in FIG. 12c and the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 by means of the outlet sleeve 17231 being replaced by or supplemented by a channel 1724, or vice versa.