6-Bit Hydraulic Manifold and Its Use in Spreading Salt

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for precisely controlling distribution of saline, which employs a 6-bit manifold employing 6 solenoid valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The manifold is in hydraulic fluid communication with motor valves. A mathematical formula or a lookup table determines the amount of saline distributed. The system is devoid of feedback. The 6-bit manifold can be employed on a salt spreader vehicle for controlling an improved flighted auger assembly for distributing granular salt from the rear of a salt spreader vehicle. The auger assembly has 3-stages of increasing diameter flights. The largest flight is at a discharge end of the auger assembly. A choke surrounds the ultimate auger flight at the auger assembly discharge end. The space between the choke and the ultimate flight is between about ⅛ and ¼ inch.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for precisely controlling distribution of saline, which comprises:
 a 6-bit manifold comprising 6 solenoid valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough, said manifold in hydraulic fluid communication with motor valves for controlling the distribution of saline in the form of one or more of granular salt or brine, the amount of saline distributed being determined by a mathematical formula or a lookup table, said system devoid of feedback.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said 6-bit manifold has apertures sized for controlling ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4, and 8 GPM of saline delivery. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said 6-bit manifold controls between about 100 and 1000 pounds/mile of saline delivery. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said 6-bit manifold uses a lookup table or formula for determining the delivery of saline. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  mounted in a saline delivery vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  in combination with an improved flighted auger for distributing granular salt from the rear of a salt spreader truck, which comprises:
 (a) said auger having 3-stages of increasing diameter flights, the largest flight being at a discharge end of said auger; and 
 (b) a choke surrounding said ultimate auger flight at the auger discharge end, space between said choke and said ultimate flight being between about ⅛ and ¼ inch. 
 
     
     
         7 . Method for precisely controlling distribution of saline from a vehicle, which comprises:
 controlling from said vehicle the distribution of saline in the form of one or more of granular salt or brine with a 6-bit manifold comprising 6 solenoid valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough, said manifold in hydraulic fluid communication with motor valves for controlling the distribution of saline in the form of one or more of granular salt or brine, the amount of saline distributed being determined by a mathematical formula or a lookup table, said system devoid of feedback.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said delivery of saline is controlled by said 6-bit manifold having apertures sized for controlling ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4, and 8 GPM of saline delivery. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said delivery of saline controlled by said 6-bit manifold ranges between about 100 and 1000 pounds/mile of saline delivery. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a lookup table or formula is used by said 6-bit manifold for determining the delivery of saline. 
     
     
         11 . An improved flighted auger assembly for distributing granular salt from the rear of a salt spreader vehicle, which comprises:
 (a) said auger assembly having 3-stages of increasing diameter flights, the largest flight being at a discharge end of said auger; and   (b) a choke surrounding said ultimate auger flight at the auger assembly discharge end, space between said choke and said ultimate flight being between about ⅛ and ¼ inch.   
     
     
         12 . The improved flighted auger assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said salt spreader vehicle has a bed for storage of granular salt and said bed is fitted with a vibrator for urging granular salt into said auger assembly.