Compartment distributor for a pneumatic feed transport system

Abstract

Fan distributor (100; 100') for a pneumatic feed transport system, for distributing an airflow loaded with feed to several feeding stations in an animal barn, with a distributor housing (11; 11') with at least: - a housing top (12; 12') with a feed inlet opening (17; 17'), - a case side panel and - several feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) characterized by, - that the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) are formed in a distributor base (13; 13') of the distributor housing (11; 11') below the feed supply opening (17; 17'); - that in the center of the arrangement of the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) a distribution pyramid (30; 30') with a polygonal base (32; 32') with several base edges and several obliquely oriented pyramid faces (31; 31') or a distribution cone with a round base edge is arranged, the apex of which is located on a central axis of the feed supply opening (17; 17'); - that the base edge(s) of the distributor pyramid (30; 30') or distributor cone is located above the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fan distributor for a pneumatic feed transport system with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From the applicant's German patent application DE 20 2024 106 507 U1, a fan distributor for a pneumatic feed transport system is known, which can divide an airflow loaded with feed arriving in an animal barn into several feeding stations. The fan distributor is used such that a feed inlet opening is located on the top of the distributor housing, and the conveyed airflow introduced there is directed within the distributor housing to several feed dispensing openings arranged side by side in a horizontal plane. Since the fanning also involves a 90° deflection, the known fan distributor is very space-saving and can distribute feed to several adjacent feeding stations. On the other hand, the 90° deflection creates flow resistance, which slows down the conveyed airflow.Therefore, the fan distributor is better suited for use with short outgoing lines, but not as a distributor that is to be positioned at a distance from the feeding places or in the ceiling area above them.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to create a fan distributor for a pneumatic feed transport system in which the central axes of the supply line and the outlet lines are aligned in a straight position relative to each other and the flow resistance is reduced.

[0004] This problem is solved by a fan distributor with the features of claim 1.

[0005] In the fan-shaped distributor of the invention, the central axes of the inlet and outlet nozzles form an angle of 150° to 170°. This creates a vertical-to-vertical distributor, meaning that the flow comes from above and, after fanning out, is directed downwards, with the partial flows directed slightly obliquely outwards.

[0006] The function of the invention is essentially based on the fact that in the center of the arrangement of a regular, ring-shaped arrangement of feed dispensing openings in a distributor housing a distributor element is arranged that points upwards, the tip of which is arranged on a vertical central axis of the feed supply opening.

[0007] As the feed passes through the fan distributor, it is subjected not only to the airflow but also to the forces of gravity. The conveyed feed falls through the fan distributor and is additionally accelerated by gravitational forces. This at least partially compensates for any reduction in the airflow velocity that can occur due to turbulence and flow resistance within the housing. Therefore, the feed streams can exit the fan distributor at approximately the same velocity after fanning out as they entered.

[0008] The fan distributor of the invention can also be used in applications other than animal feeding for the pneumatic conveying of free-flowing bulk materials. This enables uniform distribution to multiple outlets without additional sensors, actuators, or the like.

[0009] The distributor element can therefore be designed as a distributor cone with a round base, the cone angle of which is preferably between 10° and 20°.

[0010] The distributor element can alternatively be designed as a distributor pyramid with a polygonal base and several obliquely oriented pyramidal faces. In this case, too, a slender, pointed shape is chosen. Preferably, the pyramid angle, i.e., the angle measured at the apex between two opposing faces, is between 10° and 20°.

[0011] A distributor pyramid is inexpensive and easy to manufacture from several sheet metal blanks and is therefore preferred, whereas a distributor cone would only be possible to manufacture either as a turned part or as a complicated sheet metal development.

[0012] The base of the distribution pyramid or cone is each large enough and arranged in such a way that one or more base edges extend at least partially across the clear cross-section of the feed dispensing openings in the distributor base. In other words, they are positioned so that feed moving along the cone's surface or along the pyramid's surfaces falls directly into one of the feed dispensing openings and does not remain on flat sections of the distributor base in between.

[0013] In a first preferred embodiment, a distribution pyramid is provided, which divides the feed into four partial flows. Accordingly, four feed dispensing openings are formed in the base, and the distribution pyramid has a square base and four pyramidal faces, each with one of the four feed dispensing openings located below it.

[0014] According to a second preferred embodiment, the flow is divided into six partial streams by a distribution pyramid. For this purpose, the distribution pyramid has a hexagonal base and six pyramidal faces, under each of which one of six feed dispensing openings is arranged.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous not to simply design a housing side wall as a cylinder or polygon, but rather to shape it so that at least half the circumference of each feed outlet opening in the base is enclosed by a section of the housing side wall adapted to the shape of the opening. This ensures that swirling material falls into the feed outlet openings and prevents the formation of areas within the housing where stagnant material could accumulate.

[0016] A tailored shape is preferably achieved by polygonal housing side wall sections, which are easier to manufacture and connect together, although an arc-shaped shape, which is even better adapted to the circular shape of the feed dispensing openings, is also conceivable in principle.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1 a fan distributor according to a first embodiment in perspective view; Fig. 2. The fan distributor in a perspective section view; Fig. 3. the compartment distributor from above; Fig. 4 a fan distributor according to a second embodiment in side view Fig. 5 the subject distribution according to Fig. 4 in perspective section view and Fig. 6 the subject distribution according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 from the top.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a fan distributor 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention in a perspective view. It is intended for use in a pneumatic feed transport system in an animal barn. An airflow arriving in the animal barn and laden with feed is deflected within it and distributed into several partial flows for supplying multiple feeding stations.

[0019] The fan distributor 100 comprises a distributor housing 11 with a housing top 12 in which a feed inlet opening 17 is formed. The feed inlet opening 17 is extended upwards by an attached inlet nozzle 20. The air-feed flow arriving there is symbolized by the large block arrow at the top.

[0020] A housing side wall is provided beneath the upper housing surface 12, covering the entire circumference of the distributor housing 11 and extending to a distributor base 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing side wall is formed from several housing side wall sections 14.1, ..., 14.4, which are open to the inside and each have a polygonal cross-section.

[0021] The distributor base 13 has four feed dispensing openings (not visible here), each connected to an outlet nozzle 21, ..., 24. The four outlet nozzles 21, ..., 24 are each angled downwards and form an angle of 10° to 30° with a vertical central axis. Their ends serve, for example, to connect to a hose or pipe supplying a feeding station. The partial flow of air and feed to this station is symbolized by one of the small block arrows at the ends of the outlet nozzles 21, ..., 24.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 shows the fan distributor 100 in a perspective sectional view to illustrate its internal structure and function. Each of the housing side wall sections 14.1, ..., 14.4 partially encloses one of the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4 in the distributor base 13 13' and extends almost to its edge. This prevents dead spaces from forming in the distributor housing 11 where feed could accumulate that is not picked up by the flow running through the interior of the fan distributor 100.

[0023] The four feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4 are arranged on a common partial circle 34. A distribution pyramid 30 is positioned on the distribution base 13 at the center of the arrangement. Its apex 33, as well as the center of the feed inlet opening 17, are aligned on a vertical central axis. The distribution pyramid 30 has a square base 32 and four obliquely oriented pyramid faces 31. The angle between the central axis and the pyramid faces 31 is between 10° and 20°, meaning that the pyramid faces 31 extend steeply upwards from the base 32 on the distribution base 13 to the apex 33.

[0024] The feed flow, directed through the feed inlet opening 17 into the distributor housing 11, reaches the apex 33 of the distributor pyramid 30 and is there fanned out into four partial flows. These partial flows run along the pyramid faces 31 into the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4. The base 32 of the distributor pyramid 30 extends above the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4 such that the entire width of one edge of the base 32 lies within the clear cross-section of the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4. Thus, the vast majority of the partial flow directed along a pyramid face 31 falls directly into one of the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows the fan distributor 100 from above, with the dashed lines indicating the position of the base 32 of the distributor pyramid 30 and the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4, which are concealed inside the distributor housing 11, as well as the course of the housing side wall with the polygonal housing side wall sections 14.1, ..., 14.4 around the feed dispensing openings 15.1, ..., 15.4.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a fan distributor 100' according to a second embodiment of the invention in a side view. It is designed to divide the flow into six partial flows and therefore has six laterally exiting outlet nozzles, of which four outlet nozzles 21', 24', 25', 26' are visible here.

[0027] The fan distributor 100' comprises a distributor housing 11' with a housing top 12' in which a feed inlet opening is formed. An inlet nozzle 20' is mounted on the housing top 12' at the feed inlet opening. The air-feed flow arriving there is symbolized by the large upper block arrow.

[0028] Beneath the upper housing 12', a housing side wall is provided, enclosing the entire circumference of the distributor housing 11' and extending to a distributor base 13'. The distributor base 13' contains six feed dispensing openings (not visible here), each connected to an outlet nozzle 21', 24', 25', 26'. The six outlet nozzles 21', 24', 25', 26' are each angled downwards and outwards, forming an angle of 10° to 30° with a vertical central axis. Their ends serve to connect to a hose or pipe through which a feeding station is supplied. The partial flow of air and feed to this feeding station is symbolized by one of the small block arrows at the respective ends of the outlet nozzles 21', 24', 25', 26'.

[0029] Fig. Figure 5 shows the fan distributor 100' in a perspective sectional view to illustrate its internal structure and function. Each of the polygonal housing side wall sections 14.1', ..., 14.4' partially encloses one of the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4' in the distributor base 13' and extends almost to its edge to avoid dead spaces in the distributor housing 11. At the center of the arrangement of the six feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4' in the distributor base 13', four of which are visible in the sectional drawing, is a distributor pyramid 30' with a hexagonal base 32'. Its apex 33', as well as the center of the feed inlet opening 17', are arranged on a vertical central axis. The distributor pyramid 30' has six obliquely oriented pyramidal faces 31'.The angle between the central axis and the pyramid faces 31' is between 15° and 30°, meaning that the pyramid faces 31' rise steeply upwards from the base 32' at the distributor floor 13 to the apex 33'.

[0030] The downward flow of feed, directed through the feed inlet opening 17' into the distributor housing 11', reaches the apex 33' of the distributor pyramid 30' and is fanned out there into six partial flows. These partial flows run along the pyramid faces 31' into the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4' at the base of the distributor pyramid 30'. The base 32' is positioned above the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4' such that the entire width of each edge of the base 32' lies within the clear cross-section of the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4'. Thus, the feed, pneumatically conveyed into the distributor housing, slides along the pyramid faces 31' directly into the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.4' located below.

[0031] Fig. Figure 6 shows the fan distributor 100' from above, with the dashed lines indicating the position of the base 32 of the distributor pyramid 30', concealed inside the housing 11, the six feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.6' and six outlet nozzles 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', 26', as well as the course of the housing side wall with the polygonal housing side wall sections 14.1', ..., 14.6' around the feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.6'. The feed dispensing openings 15.1', ​​..., 15.6' are arranged on a common pitch circle 34', in the center of which the distributor pyramid 30' and the feed inlet opening 17' are located. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2024 106 507 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Fan distributor (100; 100') for a pneumatic feed transport system, for distributing an airflow loaded with feed to several feeding stations in an animal barn, with a distributor housing (11; 11') with at least: - a housing top (12; 12') with a feed inlet opening (17; 17'), - a case side panel and - several feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) characterized by , - that the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) are formed in a distributor base (13; 13') of the distributor housing (11; 11') below the feed supply opening (17; 17'); - that in the center of the arrangement of the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) a distribution pyramid (30; 30') with a polygonal base (32; 32') with several base edges and several obliquely oriented pyramid faces (31; 31') or a distribution cone with a round base edge is arranged, the apex of which is located on a central axis of the feed supply opening (17; 17'); - that the base edge(s) of the distributor pyramid (30; 30') or distributor cone is located above the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6). [2] Divider (100; 100') according to claim 1, characterized by , that the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6) are arranged on a common partial circle (34; 34') in the center of which the distribution pyramid (30; 30') or distribution cone and the feed supply opening (17; 17') are arranged. [3] Divider (100; 100') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the base edge(s) extend partially across the clear cross-section of the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4, 15.5, 15.6). [4] Divider (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a distribution pyramid (30) with a square base (32) and four pyramid faces (31) is provided, below which one of four feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4) is arranged. [5] Fan distributor (100') according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a distribution pyramid (30') with a hexagonal base (32') and six pyramid faces (31') is provided, below which one of six feed dispensing openings (15.1', ​​..., 15.6') is arranged. [6] Divider (100; 100') according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the pyramid angle measured at the apex, enclosed by two opposite lateral faces, is between 10° and 20°. [7] Fan distributor (100; 100') according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the feed inlet opening (17; 17') is formed in or on an inlet nozzle (20; 20') connected to a housing top (12; 12') of the distributor housing (11; 11'). [8] Fan distributor (100; 100') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the feed dispensing openings (15.1, ..., 15.4; 15.1', ​​..., 15.6') are each formed on an outlet nozzle (21, ...,24; 21', ..., 26') connected to the distributor base (13; 13') of the distributor housing (11; 11'). [9] Fan distributor (100') according to claim 8, characterized by , that the outlet nozzles (21, ..., 24; 21'..., 26') are each oriented diagonally downwards and outwards from the distributor base (13; 13'). [10] Fan distributor (100; 100') according to one of the preceding claims , characterized by, that the housing side wall comprises several housing subsections (14.1, ..., 14.4; 14.1', ..., 14.6') which each surround at least half the circumference of each feed dispensing opening (15.1, ..., 15.4; 15.1', ​​..., 15.6') in the distributor base (13; 13') and which are connected to each other to form a fully enclosed distributor housing (11; 11'). [11] Divider (100') according to claim 10, characterized by , that the housing sections (14.1, ..., 14.4; 14.1', ..., 14.6') each have a polygonal cross-section.

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