Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of granular material and fluid comprises a body having a first end, a second end, and defining an interior surface. An inlet is formed proximate the first end for receiving the granular material and fluid. An outlet is formed downstream of the inlet for selectively discharging the granular material and fluid. A first member is slideably captured within the body and a resilient member is operationally coupled to the first member. The first member is moveable between an open position at which the granular material and fluid flow through the outlet, and a closed position upstream of the outlet at which the granular material is substantially prevented from flowing through the outlet. The resilient member is moveable between a retracted position and an expanded position at which it is engaged with the interior surface to substantially prevent the fluid from flowing through the outlet.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of granular material and fluid comprises a body having a first end, a second end, and defining an interior surface. An inlet is formed proximate the first end for receiving the granular material and fluid. An outlet is formed downstream of the inlet for selectively discharging the granular material and fluid. A first member is slideably captured within the body and a resilient member is operationally coupled to the first member. The first member is moveable between an open position at which the granular material and fluid flow through the outlet, and a closed position upstream of the outlet at which the granular material is substantially prevented from flowing through the outlet. The resilient member is moveable between a retracted position and an expanded position at which it is engaged with the interior surface to substantially prevent the fluid from flowing through the outlet.

Abstract: A dense phase flow product delivery system for an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container configured to accommodate dispensed product and that includes a product exit. The system also comprises a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the primary container and a delivery conduit connected to the product exit and configured to permit the dispensed product to pass there through. The system further comprises a purge supply configured to provide a purge fluid to the delivery conduit. The system is configured for a dispensing operation in which the pressurized fluid forces the dispensed product in the primary container to flow through the delivery conduit in a delivery direction. The system is also configured for a purging operation in which the purge fluid forces residual product in the delivery conduit to flow in a direction opposite the delivery direction.

Abstract: A system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow.

Abstract: A containment assembly and method includes generally side-by-side longitudinal tanks that are oriented substantially along a direction of travel of the containment assembly. The containment assembly includes a frame, a ground engagement member, and a plurality of tanks coupled to the frame. Each tank includes a longitudinal axis defined between a fore end and an aft end that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel. A length between the fore end and the aft end of the tank is greater than the width between a left side and a right side of the tank. A tank bottom surface is contoured to direct the granular material toward the aft end. The plurality of tanks are oriented such that at least a right side or a left side of one tank is proximate at least a right side or a left side of another one of the plurality of tanks.

Abstract: A dense phase induction system and method includes an induction valve assembly configured and oriented to establish and maintain efficient transfer and induction of granular material. The induction valve assembly includes arcuate geometry to facilitate the flow of granular material from a granular supply to a dense phase distribution system.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing a product by dense phase flow is disclosed. The agricultural implement comprises a frame and a product distribution system configured to distribute the product to different positions on the frame by dense phase flow. The product distribution system includes a primary container configured to accommodate the product and includes a primary container inlet and a product exit. The product distribution system also includes a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid and is in fluid communication with the primary container through the primary container inlet. The product distribution system also includes a distribution conduit that includes a conduit first end connected to the product exit and a conduit discharge end opposite the conduit first end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for dense phase transport of a granular product, such as seed. A dense phase delivery line includes a porous medium located along a side wall of the dense phase delivery line. When air and seed are send through the delivery line, a control cover may be moveably positionable over the porous medium to control the flow of air through the porous medium and to start, stop, or otherwise control the dense phase transport of seed through the dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agricultural implement and a method of making an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement has a primary containment unit and a plurality of sections. At least one dense phase delivery line connects the primary containment unit to each of the sections. A transport control system allows for individual control of the dense phase transport of the granular product from the primary containment unit to each of the plurality of sections via the at least one dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agricultural implement and a method of making an agricultural implement. The agricultural implement has a primary containment unit and a plurality of sections. At least one dense phase delivery line connects the primary containment unit to each of the sections. A transport control system allows for individual control of the dense phase transport of the granular product from the primary containment unit to each of the plurality of sections via the at least one dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: A dense phase induction system and method includes an induction valve assembly configured and oriented to establish and maintain efficient transfer and induction of granular material. The induction valve assembly includes arcuate geometry to facilitate the flow of granular material from a granular supply to a dense phase distribution system.

Abstract: An agricultural implement for distributing a product by dense phase flow is disclosed. The agricultural implement comprises a frame and a product distribution system configured to distribute the product to different positions on the frame by dense phase flow. The product distribution system includes a primary container configured to accommodate the product and includes a primary container inlet and a product exit. The product distribution system also includes a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid and is in fluid communication with the primary container through the primary container inlet. The product distribution system also includes a distribution conduit that includes a conduit first end connected to the product exit and a conduit discharge end opposite the conduit first end.

Abstract: A dense phase flow product delivery system for an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container configured to accommodate dispensed product and that includes a product exit. The system also comprises a pressure supply assembly configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the primary container and a delivery conduit connected to the product exit and configured to permit the dispensed product to pass there through. The system further comprises a purge supply configured to provide a purge fluid to the delivery conduit. The system is configured for a dispensing operation in which the pressurized fluid forces the dispensed product in the primary container to flow through the delivery conduit in a delivery direction. The system is also configured for a purging operation in which the purge fluid forces residual product in the delivery conduit to flow in a direction opposite the delivery direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for dense phase transport of a granular product, such as seed. A dense phase delivery line includes a porous medium located along a side wall of the dense phase delivery line. When air and seed are send through the delivery line, a control cover may be moveably positionable over the porous medium to control the flow of air through the porous medium and to start, stop, or otherwise control the dense phase transport of seed through the dense phase delivery line.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of granular material and fluid comprises a body having a first end, a second end, and defining an interior surface. An inlet is formed proximate the first end for receiving the granular material and fluid. An outlet is formed downstream of the inlet for selectively discharging the granular material and fluid. A first member is slideably captured within the body and a resilient member is operationally coupled to the first member. The first member is moveable between an open position at which the granular material and fluid flow through the outlet, and a closed position upstream of the outlet at which the granular material is substantially prevented from flowing through the outlet. The resilient member is moveable between a retracted position and an expanded position at which it is engaged with the interior surface to substantially prevent the fluid from flowing through the outlet.

Abstract: A containment assembly and method includes generally side-by-side longitudinal tanks that are oriented substantially along a direction of travel of the containment assembly. The containment assembly includes a frame, a ground engagement member, and a plurality of tanks coupled to the frame. Each tank includes a longitudinal axis defined between a fore end and an aft end that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel. A length between the fore end and the aft end of the tank is greater than the width between a left side and a right side of the tank. A tank bottom surface is contoured to direct the granular material toward the aft end. The plurality of tanks are oriented such that at least a right side or a left side of one tank is proximate at least a right side or a left side of another one of the plurality of tanks.

Abstract: A system for distributing a product on an agricultural implement is provided. The system comprises a primary container having a primary container inlet and a product exit, and the primary container is configured to accommodate the product and permit the product to move through the product exit in response to fluid pressure. The system further comprises a pressure supply assembly including a pressure source that provides a pressurized fluid to the primary container through the primary container inlet. The system further comprises a delivery conduit having a first end connected to the product exit and is configured to permit the product to pass there through by dense phase flow.

Abstract: A branch for distributing granular material includes an inlet portion, a transition portion downstream of the inlet portion, and an outlet portion downstream of the transition portion. Each portion has a critical air flow rate that is required to cause the granular material to flow through the respective portion. The branching that occurs at the transition portion results in the critical air flow rate of the transition portion being greater than the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion, typically requiring an amount of air at least equal to the critical air flow rate of the transition portion to flow granular material through the branch. In the disclosed branch, the inlet portion is oriented relative to the outlet portion such that applying air to substantially equal the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion results in granular material being urged by gravity to move through the transition portion and into the outlet portion.

Abstract: An improved conveyor tube and distribution header for air conveyors such as air seeders serves to distribute seed and/or fertilizer products from the aircart to individual delivery tools via pneumatic conveyor tubes. The apparatus is adapted to achieve substantially even distribution of the materials being conveyed to each of the delivery tools. The apparatus includes a conveyor tube for conveying air-entrained material from a first location to a distribution head, which conveyor tube has an interior surface with a plurality of inwardly directed spaced apart projections which are disposed in spaced annular rows extending around the lengthwise axis of the tube for creating controlled turbulence in the flow of material. These projections are arranged in a particular manner to achieve the desired degree of turbulence.

Abstract: An improved conveyor tube and distribution header for air conveyors such as air seeders serves to distribute seed and/or fertilizer products from the aircart to individual delivery tools via pneumatic conveyor tubes. The apparatus is adapted to achieve substantially even distribution of the materials being conveyed to each of the delivery tools. The apparatus includes a conveyor tube for conveying air-entrained material from a first location to a distribution head, which conveyor tube has an interior surface with a plurality of inwardly directed spaced apart projections which are disposed in spaced annular rows extending around the lengthwise axis of the tube for creating controlled turbulence in the flow of material. These projections are arranged in a particular manner to achieve the desired degree of turbulence.