Flow divider
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsChris Roseman, Jason Stoller, Todd Swanson, Ian Radtke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein is a flow divider that has two chambers defined by two diaphragms and a spool disposed through the diaphragms. The spool has two tapered nozzles that extend into outlets from each chamber. Within the spool are orifices for providing fluid communication from an inlet to each chamber and dividing the flow. The flow divider generally maintains consistent flow to each outlet even when there is downstream backpressure by being able to move away from the outlet with the increased pressure to further drive the opposite nozzle into the other outlet to reduce the flow at the other outlet to balance the pressure at each outlet.
Claims23
A flow divider comprising:
- a body having an inlet to a central chamber in the body;
- a first diaphragm separating the central chamber from a first chamber;
- a second diaphragm separating the central chamber from a second chamber;
- and
- a spool disposed in the central chamber and extending through the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, the spool having an inlet and a first orifice for fluid communication to the first chamber and a second orifice for fluid communication to the second chamber, wherein the inlet of the spool is in fluid communication with the first orifice and the second orifice such that the inlet is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the first diaphragm forms the first chamber and the second diaphragm forms the second chamber wherein the spool has a first tapered nozzle that reduces in size from a central portion of the spool into a first outlet of the flow divider.
A flow divider comprising:
- a body having an inlet to a central chamber in the body;
- a first diaphragm separating the central chamber from a first chamber;
- a second diaphragm separating the central chamber from a second chamber;
- a first cap disposed in the body and forming a wall for the first chamber;
- a second cap disposed in the body and forming a wall for the second chamber;
- a first outlet disposed through the first cap creating fluid communication from the first chamber;
- a second outlet disposed through the second cap creating fluid communication from the second chamber;
- a spool disposed through the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, wherein the spool has a central portion disposed in the central chamber and having at least one inlet to a central cavity, the central cavity has a first orifice in fluid communication with the first chamber through at least one first spool outlet, and the central cavity has a second orifice in fluid communication with the second chamber through at least one second spool outlet, wherein the spool has a first tapered nozzle that reduces in size from the central portion of the spool into the first outlet of the flow divider, and the spool has a second tapered nozzle extending into the second outlet.
A flow divider comprising:
- a body having an inlet to a central chamber in the body;
- a first diaphragm separating the central chamber from a first chamber;
- and
- a spool disposed in the central chamber and extending through the first diaphragm, the spool having an inlet and a first orifice for fluid communication to the first chamber, wherein the first diaphragm forms the first chamber, wherein the spool has a first tapered nozzle that reduces in size from a central portion of the spool into a first outlet of the flow divider.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.