Flow splitter for distributing agricultural products and related system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018242516-A1
Application number	US-201715442985-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 27, 2017
Priority date	Feb 27, 2017
Publication date	Aug 30, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flow splitter for distributing agricultural products may include a splitter body defining an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The flow splitter may also include at least two baffle plates positioned within the splitter body so as to divide an internal flow chamber of the splitter body into a plurality of downstream flow channels. Additionally, the flow splitter may include a divider plate positioned within the splitter body upstream of the baffle plates such that the divider plate is spaced apart from upstream edges of the baffle plates in a direction of the inlet port of the splitter body. The divider plate may be configured to initially divide an input flow of agricultural product received at the input port into two separate product flows for subsequently delivery into the plurality of downstream flow channels.

First claim

1 . A flow splitter for distributing agricultural products, the flow splitter comprising:
a splitter body extending in a lengthwise direction between an upstream end and an opposed downstream end and in a cross-wise direction between a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the splitter body defining an inlet port at or adjacent to its upstream end and a plurality of outlet ports at or adjacent to its downstream end, the splitter body further defining an internal flow chamber extending between the inlet port and the plurality of outlet ports; at least two baffle plates positioned within the splitter body so as to divide the internal flow chamber into a plurality of downstream flow channels, the at least two baffle plates including a first baffle plate and a second baffle plate spaced apart from the first baffle plate in the cross-wise direction of the splitter body such that a first downstream flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is defined directly between the first and second baffle plates, both of the first and second baffle plates being spaced apart from the first and second sidewalls in the cross-wise direction of the splitter body, the first downstream flow channel extending from an upstream edge of the first and second baffle plates to a corresponding outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports; and a divider plate positioned within the splitter body upstream of the at least two baffle plates such that the divider plate is spaced apart from the upstream edges of the at least two baffle plates in a direction of the inlet port of the splitter body, the divider plate being substantially aligned with the first downstream flow channel along the lengthwise direction of the splitter body, the divider plate being configured to initially divide an input flow of agricultural product received at the input port into two separate product flows for subsequent delivery into the plurality of downstream flow channels.

2 . The flow splitter of claim 1 , wherein the divider plate extends lengthwise between an upstream edge and a downstream edge, the upstream edge being positioned at or adjacent to the upstream end of the splitter body.

3 . The flow splitter of claim 1 , wherein the splitter body defines a central axis extending between its upstream and downstream ends in the lengthwise direction, the divider plate extending lengthwise along the central axis so as to be substantially aligned with the first downstream flow channel.

4 . The flow splitter of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the inlet port or a central outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports is aligned with the central axis.

5 . The flow splitter of claim 3 , wherein the first and second baffle plates are angled relative to the central axis.

6 . The flow splitter of claim 3 , wherein the first and second baffle plates are offset from the central axis in the cross-wise direction of the splitter body, the cross-wise direction extending perpendicular to the central axis.

7 . (canceled)

8 . (canceled)

9 . The flow splitter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of downstream flow channels include a second downstream flow channel defined between the first baffle plate and the first sidewall of the splitter body and a third downstream flow channel defined between the second baffle plate and the second sidewall of the splitter body.

10 . The flow splitter of claim 9 , wherein a cross-wise dimension of an inlet portion of the first downstream flow channel is less than a cross-wise dimension of corresponding inlet portions of the second and third downstream flow channels.

11 . The flow splitter of claim 10 , wherein the cross-wise dimension of the inlet portion of the first downstream flow channel ranges from about 40% to about 60% of the cross-wise dimension of the inlet portions of the second and third downstream flow channels.

12 . The flow splitter of claim 9 , wherein the first and second baffle plates have an angled orientation relative to a central axis of the splitter body.

13 . The flow splitter of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are tapered outwardly as the splitter body extends from its upstream end to its downstream end.

14 . The flow splitter of claim 13 , wherein the splitter body further includes an upper wall and a lower wall, the splitter body defining a height between the upper and lower walls, the height being substantially constant between the upstream and downstream ends of the splitter body.

15 . The flow splitter of claim 1 , wherein the inlet port of the splitter body is configured to be in flow communication with a dimple tube such that the input flow of agricultural product from the dimple tube is received within inlet port.

16 . An agricultural product distribution system, comprising:
an input tube configured to receive an input flow of agricultural product; a plurality of output hoses provided downstream of the input tube; and a flow splitter provided between the input tube and the plurality of output hoses for transporting the input flow of agricultural product from the input tube to the plurality of output hoses, the flow splitter comprising:
a splitter body extending lengthwise between an upstream end and an opposed downstream end, the splitter body defining an inlet port at or adjacent to its upstream end that is in flow communication with the input tube and a plurality of outlet ports at or adjacent to its downstream end, each of the plurality of outlet ports being in flow communication with a respective output hose of the plurality of output hoses, the splitter body further defining an internal flow chamber extending between the inlet port and the plurality of outlet ports;
at least two baffle plates positioned within the splitter body so as to divide the internal flow chamber into a plurality of downstream flow channels, each downstream flow channel extending from an upstream edge of one or more of the at least two baffle plates to a corresponding outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports; and
a divider plate positioned within the splitter body upstream of the at least two baffle plates such that the divider plate is spaced apart from the upstream edges of the at least two baffle plates in a direction of the inlet port of the splitter body, the divider plate being configured to initially divide the input flow of agricultural product received at the input port into two separate, substantially equal product flows upstream of the at least two baffles plates for subsequent delivery into the plurality of downstream flow channels.

17 . The agricultural product distribution system of claim 16 , wherein the divider plate extends lengthwise between an upstream edge and a downstream edge, the upstream edge being positioned at or adjacent to the upstream end of the splitter body.

18 . The agricultural product distribution system of claim 16 , wherein the splitter body defines a central axis extending between its upstream and downstream ends, the divider plate extending lengthwise along the central axis.

19 . The agricultural product distribution system of claim 16 , wherein the divider plate defines a length along a lengthwise direction of the splitter body, wherein the divider plate is spaced apart from the upstream edges of the at least two baffle plates by a lengthwise distance in the lengthwise direction that is greater than about 50% of the length of the divider plate.

20 . The agricultural product distribution system of claim 16 , wherein the input tube comprises a dimple tube.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind Canada Ltd

Inventors

• Roberge Martin J
• Agina Farid A
• Demong Alexander G

Classifications

• A01C7/206 Primary

  Seed pipes · CPC title

• A01C7/082

  Ducts, distribution pipes or details thereof for pneumatic seeders · CPC title

• B65G53/528 Primary

  Flux combining or dividing arrangements (B65G53/56 takes precedence) · CPC title