Product Delivery System For Use With An Agricultural Implement

Abstract

A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along a first flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a second flow path generally in-line with the first flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at a sideward flow path relative to the first and second flow paths. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an angle perpendicular to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A product delivery system for use with an agricultural implement, comprising:
 a frame;   a main hopper mounted to the frame and adapted to hold a dispensable product;   a first row and a second row of product dispensing units mounted to the frame;   a first auxiliary hopper flow-coupled to the main, hopper and adapted to hold product for dispensing by the first row of product dispensing units;   a second auxiliary hopper flow-coupled to the first auxiliary hopper and adapted to hold product for dispensing by the second row of product dispensing units; and   a splitter interconnected between the main hopper, and the first and the second auxiliary hoppers, wherein the splitter has an inlet flow-coupled to the main hopper, a first splitter outlet flow-coupled to the first auxiliary hopper and a second splitter outlet flow-coupled to the second auxiliary hopper, and wherein the first splitter outlet is at an angle in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees to the second splitter outlet.   
     
     
         8 . The product delivery system of  claim 7  wherein the second splitter outlet is upstream of the first splitter outlet, and the angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The product delivery system of  claim 8  wherein the second splitter outlet is perpendicular to inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The product delivery system of  claim 9  wherein the first splitter outlet is in-line with the splitter inlet. 
     
     
         11 . The product delivery system of  claim 7  wherein the inlet is arranged to pass product along a first velocity vector and the first splitter outlet is arranged to pass product along a second velocity vector that is parallel to the first velocity vector and wherein the second splitter outlet is configured to pass product along a third velocity vector that is perpendicular to the first and the second velocity vectors. 
     
     
         12 . The product delivery system of  claim 7  further comprising a second splitter an and a third auxiliary hopper adapted to hold product for a third row of product dispensing units, and further comprising a jumper hose having a first end flow-coupled to the second splitter outlet of the first-mentioned splitter and having a second end flow-coupled to an inlet of the second splitter, and wherein the second splitter has a first splitter outlet flow-coupled to the second auxiliary hopper and has a second splitter outlet flow-coupled to the third auxiliary hopper. 
     
     
         13 . The product delivery system of  claim 12  wherein a non-negligible amount of air and product is delivered to the third auxiliary hopper only after the first and the second auxiliary hoppers have been filled. 
     
     
         14 . The product delivery system of  claim 12  wherein the first-mentioned splitter and the second splitter are similarly constructed and interchangeable. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled)