Air Flow Control for Agricultural Distribution Manifolds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional agricultural seeders face challenges in maintaining consistent air flow pressure to row units without requiring lengthy distribution lines, leading to increased manufacturing costs, clutter, and setup time.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes sensors and a controller to measure and adjust air flow pressure in secondary distribution manifolds, allowing for variable air volume supply and minimizing distribution line length by adjusting fan speed and restriction elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If distribution lines are made longer to feed row units closer to the air cart, then air flow pressure consistency is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow pressure consistencyVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the length of distribution lines based on the operational configuration. The distribution lines are stored in a compact state during transport and then deployed to appropriate lengths during operation, allowing the system to adapt line length to the specific drilling distance rather than using fixed excessive lengths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of distribution line length from a fixed excessive value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to the actual distance between the air cart and row units, optimizing both pressure consistency and setup efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If distribution lines are made longer to maintain air flow pressure, then pressure consistency is improved, but the drill becomes cluttered with hoses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow pressure consistencyVSAvoiddrill clutter

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution lines are designed to be dynamically deployable rather than permanently extended, allowing them to be compacted during transport and only extended to the necessary length during operation, reducing clutter while maintaining pressure consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The excess portion of the distribution lines is extracted or removed from the active system by storing only the necessary length in deployed state, separating the functional portion from the excess that would cause clutter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If distribution lines are made longer to feed closer row units, then air flow pressure consistency is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow pressure consistencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the distribution line length from a fixed excessive parameter to a variable parameter optimized for each operational configuration, reducing the total material required and thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate pressure consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution lines are designed with dynamic deployment capability, allowing the system to use only the necessary length for each operation rather than manufacturing and installing excessively long fixed lines, reducing material costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures equal air flow pressure to row units, detects and eliminates plugs, and minimizes distribution line length, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and setup time while maintaining consistent delivery rates.

Implementation Method 1

Seeders commonly use pneumatic systems to transport planting material from a storage hopper to the soil to be deposited. Typically, air flow is provided through tubes or distribution lines to transport product therethrough.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic transport:

Implementation Method 2

The control system includes a sensor disposed within, along, or just before the secondary distribution manifold for measuring an air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold and generating a signal in response to the air flow pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 3

A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and configured to receive the signal and to adjust the air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold in response to the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control:

Data Source

PatentUS9888622B2Air flow control of a distribution head for agricultural products

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

An air flow control system for an agricultural product delivery system includes a sensor. The sensor is disposed within, along, or just before a secondary distribution manifold for measuring an air flow pressure therein. The sensor generates a signal in response to the air flow pressure in the secondary distribution manifold. The air flow control system also includes a controller which is operatively connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal and to adjust the air flow pressure to the secondary distribution manifold in response to the signal.