Air Seeder Tank Replenishment Venturi Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air seeder systems cause damage to fragile agricultural products like canola seeds during replenishment and result in non-uniform distribution within tanks, leading to uneven application in the field.
Innovation Solution
An air conveying system that uses a venturi effect to create a region of increased air velocity and reduced pressure, allowing for gentle ingestion of seeds from a hopper and distribution through multiple spaced outlets within the tank for uniform distribution and reduced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical seed handling equipment (screw auger or belt conveyor) is used to feed material to the tank, then the tank can be replenished efficiently, but the seeds may be damaged due to physical contact and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical seed handling equipment (screw augers, belt conveyors) with a pneumatic conveying system that uses air flow to transport seeds. The air flow carries seeds through a hose to the tank, eliminating direct mechanical contact and friction that cause seed damage. This substitution maintains replenishment efficiency while significantly reducing physical damage to fragile seeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using pressurized air flow to convey seeds from the hopper through the hose and into the tank. The air stream entrains the seeds and transports them without mechanical contact, providing a gentle handling method that preserves seed integrity while achieving efficient tank replenishment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air conveying system with single inlet is used, then seed damage is minimized, but product distribution within the tank becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single inlet system into multiple inlets distributed at different locations on the tank (front, rear, left, right sides). This segmentation allows air-seed mixture to be introduced at multiple points, creating more uniform product distribution throughout the tank while maintaining the gentle pneumatic conveying method that minimizes seed damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local qualities by positioning inlets at specific locations around the tank to address non-uniform distribution. Each inlet location provides localized material introduction, ensuring that all regions of the tank receive adequate product supply for uniform metering and application.
3Productivity
If air flow velocity is increased to improve material ingestion from hopper, then more particles are drawn in, but seed damage increases due to higher velocity impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the air stream as an intermediary that gradually accelerates seeds through the hose rather than introducing them directly at high velocity into the tank. The air flow acts as a cushioning medium that transports seeds gently, allowing high ingestion rates from the hopper while preventing damage through controlled acceleration and distributed inlet placement.
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
The system minimizes seed damage and achieves a more uniform distribution of products within the tank, resulting in consistent delivery to metering devices and across the field.
Implementation Method 1
employing a venturi box having an air inlet for receiving air flow from the air supply and an outlet coupled to the conduit one end for providing a region of increased air velocity and reduced air pressure and for drawing product from the supply source into an air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A system for replenishing the supply of a particulate agricultural product in the tank of an air cart. A mixture of air and product comes out of a venturi delivery system and enters in a multiplicity of inlet hoses. Then the product enters into inlet tubes of various lengths and release angles from which product particles are gently spread strategically forming a pile that is more or less horizontal to ensure even feeding of meters during dispensing operations. Then the air exits through one or more fine screens to avoid product escaping as well and is conveyed through the exhaust hoses until reaching an air diffuser. The air diffuser has a series of varying size holes or louvers at the bottom so the air can come out at a uniform low velocity which minimizes any discomfort to nearby operators.