Method and system for obtaining a sample of dry product from a receptacle
AssigneeAGCO Corporation
InventorEvan Thomas Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sampling system and method are used for extracting a sample of dry product from a receptacle. An extraction tube having a perforated portion is disposed in a product storage volume of the receptacle. A pressurized air source is connected to a first end of the extraction tube. A sample collection device is located outside of the receptacle and serves to separate the sample from an airflow driven by the pressurized air source. An inlet of the sample collection device is connected to a second end of the extraction tube. A sample outlet is adapted to dispense the sample, and an air outlet is provided for venting pressurized air.
Claims19
A dry product spreader for applying product to a growing crop, the spreader comprising:
- a wheeled frame;
- a receptacle having a product storage volume;
- a product application system adapted to receive product stored in the receptacle and dispense the product onto a growing crop;
- a metering device located under the receptacle and operable to meter product from the receptacle for delivery to the product application system;
- and
- a product sampling system configured to extract a sample of dry product from the receptacle, the sampling system comprising:
- an extraction tube having a perforated portion that is disposed in the product storage volume above the metering device;
- a pressurized air source connected to a first end of the extraction tube;
- and
- a sample collection device disposed outside of the receptacle, and having an inlet connected to a second end of the extraction tube, a sample outlet adapted to dispense the sample, and an air outlet for venting pressurized air.
-14. (canceled)
A method of extracting a sample of product from a receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:
- directing a flow of pressurized air through a perforated extraction tube from a first end to a second end, wherein the extraction tube has a perforated portion positioned inside a product-holding receptacle above a metering device, and wherein the second end is located outside of the receptacle;
- receiving at the second end a sample of product entrained in the flow of pressurized air;
- and
- separating the sample from the flow of pressurized air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.