Volumetric Seed Metering Gate for Rapid Shut-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volumetric seed meters with pneumatic distribution systems face challenges in achieving quick shut-off of seed flow, as the meter housing must empty before seed flow stops, and there are issues with product mixing and returning pressurized products, which are not addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing wear inserts in the meter housing as movable gates to shut off product flow after the meter roller but before the distribution system, with actuators to control the inserts' position, allowing for rapid cessation of seed flow and avoiding product mixing or return to a pressurized tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a volumetric meter with pneumatic distribution system is used, then seed can be distributed through multiple product lines, but there is a long delay until seed flow stops at discharge after shutting off flow to the meter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the product flow control into two independent segments: the meter roller control and the housing outlet control. By placing a movable gate at the housing outlet that can be independently actuated, the system allows the meter roller to continue operating while stopping product flow at the discharge point, thereby eliminating the delay caused by emptying the entire meter housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable gate acts as an intermediary element between the meter roller and the pneumatic distribution system. It provides a control point that can independently regulate product flow without affecting the meter roller operation, allowing for immediate shut-off at the discharge point while the meter continues to meter product.
2Speed
If air flow is redirected after seed is introduced into the airstream to stop seed flow, then shut-off can be achieved, but product mixing and separation issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from the pneumatic distribution system and places it at the housing outlet before product enters the air stream. By removing product flow control from the pneumatic system, the invention avoids the complexity of separating mixed products that would result from redirecting air flow after product introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable gate serves as an intermediary that stops product flow before it enters the pneumatic distribution system. This prevents product mixing issues entirely, as product is halted at the housing outlet and never introduced into the air stream, eliminating the need for complex product separation mechanisms.
3Power
If product tanks are pressurized during operation, then product can be delivered through pneumatic system, but returning redirected product to the tank becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts product flow control from the pressurized pneumatic system and relocates it to the housing outlet where product is at atmospheric pressure. By stopping product flow before pressurization occurs in the pneumatic system, the invention eliminates the complexity of returning pressurized product to the tank, as product simply stops at the gate and can be easily redirected or contained.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A volumetric metering system (20) for a seeding machine (10) is provided with a plurality of movable inserts (82, 182) each insert (82, 182) defining a ledge (84, 184) over which the seed falls to the meter outlet (54). The inserts (82, 182) are selectively movable between an open position in which seed is allowed to flow over the ledge (84, 184) and a closed position in which the inserts (82, 182) close the product flow to the outlet. By locating the product shut-off after the meter (20) but before product enters a distribution system (22), there will only be a short delay in stoppage of product flow once the shut-off is closed.