Plenum Air Distribution for Pneumatic Conveying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural implements face challenges in evenly distributing granular products like seeds or fertilizers due to uneven air flow from air carts, leading to potential plugging of distribution hoses and reduced accuracy in seed metering, especially when controlling seed flow to specific portions of the implement.

Innovation Solution

A plenum system is designed to distribute air from an air source to ground engaging opener assemblies, featuring outlet ports and a baffle assembly to regulate air flow, along with a pressurization port to maintain tank pressure, ensuring consistent air flow and pressure across different outlet ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If air is distributed from a central air cart to multiple ground engaging opener assemblies, then the system can deliver granular product to multiple locations, but the air flow becomes uneven causing plugging of distribution hoses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to deliver granular product to multiple locationsVSAvoiduniformity of air flow to prevent plugging

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution system is segmented into multiple plenums, with each plenum serving a specific section or row of ground engaging opener assemblies. This segmentation allows each plenum to be optimized for its specific function and location, ensuring uniform air distribution to each segment while maintaining the ability to serve multiple locations overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If air flow is increased to improve granular product distribution, then delivery efficiency improves, but hose plugging becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegranular product distribution efficiencyVSAvoidhose plugging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each plenum is designed with locally optimized air outlet configurations, including multiple outlets distributed across the plenum surface. This local quality optimization ensures that air flow is evenly distributed across each local area served by the plenum, preventing localized high-velocity streams that could cause hose plugging while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a simple air distribution system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but uneven air flow causes inconsistent seed metering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distribution system structureVSAvoidseed metering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plenum design creates equipotential air distribution by incorporating multiple air outlets positioned to deliver uniform air flow to each ground engaging opener assembly. This equipotential distribution ensures that each assembly receives consistent air pressure and flow, enabling accurate seed metering without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 plenum system ensures even distribution of granular products, reduces the likelihood of hose plugging, and maintains accurate seed metering by regulating air flow and pressure, enhancing the efficiency of agricultural operations.

Implementation Method 1

A plenum of distributing a flow of air from an air source includes a body having an inlet positioned at a first end of the body and configured receive the flow of air from the air source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow distribution:

Implementation Method 2

The plenum also includes a baffle assembly disposed within the body and configured to control the flow of air through the plenum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control:

Implementation Method 3

The plenum includes a flow restrictor configured to be disposed within one port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow restriction:

Data Source

PatentUS10994952B2Air distribution system for a pneumatic conveying system

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 CNH IND CANADA

AI summary

A plenum of distributing a flow of air from an air source includes ports extending from a face element of a body. The ports are configured to direct the flow of air out of the plenum, and the ports are arranged on the face element in a first row having first length, a second row having a second length, and a third row having a third length. The first row is positioned proximate to the top element, the third row is positioned proximate to the bottom element, and the second row is positioned between the first row and the third row. In addition, the second length is greater than the first length and the third length, and a shape of the face element is configured to accommodate the first length of the first row, the second length of the second row, and the third length of the third row.