Pneumatic Conveyance Leveling System for Agricultural Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for conveying and leveling granular agricultural products in mobile equipment often face issues when the reservoir or holding tank is not filled evenly, leading to uneven distribution of products through multiple outlets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a supply line with multiple outlets and junctions, where agricultural product flows through a Y-shaped junction that directs product to flow out of one outlet until it becomes blocked, then redirects the flow to another outlet, ensuring even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a reservoir or holding tank with multiple outlets is not leveled, then the outlets may stop receiving grain at different times, but this results in some outlets receiving no product while others continue to receive product
Solution Approach 1:
The supply line is divided into multiple segments with individual outlets at different positions. Each outlet serves a specific zone of the holding tank, allowing independent control of product flow to different areas. This segmentation enables even distribution of granular product across the entire tank volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlets are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the holding tank, with outlets positioned at different heights and locations. This spatial distribution ensures that product flows to multiple zones simultaneously, achieving uniform filling throughout the tank volume rather than concentrating flow at a single location.
2Area of stationary object
If outlets are positioned at different locations in the holding tank, then coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple supply line outlets are merged into a single integrated supply line system. The outlets are connected in series or parallel configurations along one continuous supply line, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining broad product distribution coverage throughout the holding tank.
3Quantity of substance
If the supply line has multiple outlets, then distribution coverage is improved, but controlling flow distribution becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The supply line system is designed to automatically distribute product through its multiple outlets based on natural flow dynamics. The system self-regulates flow distribution to achieve uniform filling without requiring external control mechanisms, valves, or active management at each outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system for filling a holding tank with agricultural product generally includes a supply line. The supply line includes an inlet, a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of junctions. The inlet is connected with a conveyance device such that the supply line is operable to receive a flowing agricultural product blown by the conveyance device. The outlets are open to a holding space of the holding tank, and includes a first outlet and a second outlet. The plurality of junctions includes a first junction associated with the first outlet, and a second junction associated with the second outlet. The first junction is configured to direct agricultural product to flow out of the first outlet until the first outlet becomes blocked, and to thereafter direct agricultural product to flow toward the second junction. The second junction is configured to direct agricultural product to flow out of the second outlet.