Seed Distribution Tower with Protected Plenum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air seeders face issues with sensitive valves, actuators, and sensors malfunctioning due to harsh environmental conditions, and turbulence at the distribution head affects seed distribution efficiency and seed damage.

Innovation Solution

The seed distribution tower design protects sensitive components within the distribution head, featuring an internal plenum to reduce turbulence and promote laminar flow, with an eased inlet and transition cone to smooth the air and seed transition from vertical to horizontal, and incorporates protected tram line valves and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensitive valves, actuators and sensors are exposed to harsh environmental conditions for seed distribution operation, then the seed distribution function is achieved, but the reliability of these sensitive components deteriorates due to malfunction and premature wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of valves, actuators and sensorsVSAvoidharsh environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution head is divided into separate functional zones: a protected interior chamber housing sensitive components (valves, actuators, sensors) and an exterior flow path for seed and air movement. This segmentation isolates sensitive components from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sensitive components are nested within the protected interior of the distribution head, which itself is nested within the overall seed distribution system. The valves, actuators and sensors are positioned inside the distribution head chamber, creating a nested structure that provides protection while maintaining system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the primary stream of air and seeds undergoes abrupt right angle change in direction at the distribution head, then the seeds are split into secondary streams for distribution, but turbulence is created that adversely affects output rate and may damage seeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput rate of the towerVSAvoidturbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution head interior features curved surfaces and rounded transitions instead of sharp angles. The air and seed stream follows a curved path through the distribution head, transitioning smoothly from vertical to horizontal direction. This curvature eliminates abrupt direction changes and reduces turbulence, improving output rate and protecting seeds from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Speed

If the primary stream transitions from vertical to horizontal movement through the distribution head, then the seeds are directed to openers for ground deposition, but the squared off corner design creates turbulence and reduces flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate through the towerVSAvoidsquared off corner geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution head is designed with curved internal surfaces and rounded corners instead of squared-off geometry. The transition from vertical to horizontal flow follows a smooth curved path, eliminating turbulence-generating sharp edges. This curved design maintains higher flow rates while enabling effective seed distribution to the openers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design enhances the operational reliability and efficiency of seed distribution by shielding sensitive components from harsh conditions and improving flow rates, reducing seed damage and ensuring consistent performance.

Implementation Method 1

an internal plenum configured to reduce turbulence and promote more laminar flow as the primary stream splits into secondary streams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

the primary stream of air and seeds is divided into a number of secondary streams... a significant amount of turbulence has been created at this location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence reduction: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS8656848B2Seed distribution tower for an air seeder

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 GREAT PLAINS MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

The seed distribution tower of an air seeder splits a single, primary stream of conveying air and seeds into a plurality of secondary streams for delivery to openers that deposit the seeds into the ground as the seeder advances. As seeds enter the head of the tower in an upward vertical direction through an inlet at the bottom of the head, they are scattered 360° in a horizontal direction by an inverted, overhead distribution cone. The inlet through which the seeds enter the distribution head has an eased configuration to reduce turbulence and promote laminar flow within the head during the dramatic transition from vertical to horizontal movement. Sensitive components such as tram line valves, solenoid actuators, and blockage sensors are protectively housed within the interior of the distribution head to avoid exposure to hostile environmental elements.