IP Library Granted Patent US 10,834,866
Granted Patent B2
US 10,834,866 · App. 16/047,705 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Exhaust webbing for an agricultural implement tank

Inventors: Chad M. Johnson (Arlington Heights, IL); Scott A. Long (Plainfield, IL); Joshua J. Roszman (Shorewood, IL); Marvin A. Prickel (Homer Glen, IL); Grant T. MacDonald (Ames, IA); Michael J. Connors (Lockport, IL)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
A01C7/084A01C7/081A01C15/006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,834,866
App. No.
16/047,705
Granted
Nov 17, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.

Claims (27)

1. A method of implementing an agricultural implement, comprising:

forming a seed tank assembly configured to exhaust seeds through an exhaust opening of the seed tank assembly, wherein at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening to form a plurality of apertures, and the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly; and

coupling a pneumatic distribution system to the seed tank assembly, wherein the pneumatic distribution system is configured to pneumatically distribute seeds from the seed tank assembly;

wherein the at least one webbing is configured to:

provide structural support to the seed tank assembly; and

reduce seed head pressure exerted on the pneumatic distribution system by flexing to dislodge seeds on the at least one webbing in response to pressurization of the seed tank assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one webbing extends over an air bypass channel of the agricultural implement.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein flexing of the at least one webbing comprises transitioning from a curved configuration to a flattened configuration in response to pressurization of the seed tank assembly.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic distribution system comprises an inductor box coupled to the seed tank assembly.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the inductor box is configured to:

receive seeds from the seed tank assembly; and

distribute the seeds to one or more row units of the agricultural implement via pneumatic hoses.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic distribution system is coupled below the seed tank assembly.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust opening is formed on a downward facing surface of a bottom portion of the seed tank assembly.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are substantially rectangular.

9. A pneumatic distribution system comprising:

an inductor box configured to:

receive seeds exhausted by a seed tank assembly coupled directly above the inductor box; and

pneumatically distribute the seeds to one or more row units of an agricultural implement,

wherein the inductor box comprises a plurality of air bypass channels configured to guide airflow through the pneumatic distribution system, wherein a plurality of webbings integrally molded into the seed tank assembly is positioned directly above the plurality of air bypass channels forming a plurality of apertures between the plurality of webbings, wherein the plurality of webbings are configured to:

guide the seeds around the air bypass channels;

provide structural support to the seed tank assembly;

reduce seed head pressure into the inductor box; and

flex to dislodge seeds on the plurality of webbings in response to pressurization of the seed tank assembly.

10. The pneumatic distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the inductor box receives seeds exhausted by the seed tank assembly through the plurality of apertures via gravity.

11. The pneumatic distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the pneumatic distribution system is configured to circulate air through the seed tank assembly causing the plurality of webbings to flex.

12. The pneumatic distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of webbings flex by transitioning between a curved configuration and a flattened configuration.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2021
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 055343/0448 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2018
From: JOHNSON, CHAD; LONG, SCOTT; ROSZMAN, JOSHUA; PRICKEL, MARVIN; MACDONALD, GRANT; CONNORS, MICHAEL
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 046489/0366 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 14942804 · Nov 16, 2015
Continuation 13737893 · Jan 9, 2013
Related Publication 20180332763A1 · Nov 22, 2018