Seed eductor assembly

Abstract

An eductor assembly is adapted for seed delivery and is designed to reduce or eliminate clogs. The eductor uses a compartment comprising a feed section into which falls seed from a primary storage hopper. A primary pneumatic tube runs through the compartment and continues on to delivery sites such as secondary hoppers which feed the seed to singulators. A secondary pneumatic tube branches from the primary tube and opens into the compartment generally below the primary tube, pressurizing the compartment and creating turbulence sufficient to prevent seed from packing. An eductor tube is mounted within the compartment and has an open, lower end that extends from adjacent the termination of the secondary pneumatic tube so that seed accumulating in the compartment is drawn through the eductor. The eductor tube at its upper end extends into the primary pneumatic tube and has an outlet end positioned so as to form a constriction in the first pneumatic line to create a venturi to draw seed through the eductor tube. Any clogs that occur at the constriction in the primary pneumatic tube are relieved by a concurrent increase in air pressure and flow rate through the secondary pneumatic tube to urge seed through the eductor and break the clog. Additionally, the turbulent mixing of the seed in the eductor compartment inhibits packing, bridging and clogging of the seed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.