Air distribution apparatus for particulates

An air distribution apparatus for field application of particulates, comprising:

• a land vehicle;
• a boom having a plurality of elongated delivery tubes extending to the side of the vehicle and having longitudinally spaced inboard and outboard sections for respectively receiving and discharging particulates;
• hopper means on the vehicle for storing particulates;
• air supply means for introducing flowing air into the individual delivery tubes at their inboard sections;
• a plurality of substantially horizontal troughs positioned above the inboard sections of the delivery tubes, each trough having an inlet and at least one outlet displaced longitudinally from its inlet, each outlet being in open communication with the interior of a single one of the delivery tubes at a location in its inboard section that is downstream from the introduction of flowing air by the air supply means;
• conveying means on the vehicle for directing particulates from the hopper means to the inlets of the troughs;
• a plurality of elongated augers rotatably mounted within the troughs, each auger extending longitudinally across both the inlet and at least one outlet of the trough within which it is mounted;
• and
• drive means for rotating the individual augers to move a predetermined flow of particulates between the respective inlets and outlets along each trough and into the delivery tubes.

An apparatus for field application of particulates, comprising:

• a boom having a delivery tube assembly extending to one side of a supporting vehicle, including a plurality of substantially horizontal delivery tubes arranged side-by-side in parallel positions, each delivery tube having an inboard section positioned at a central distribution station on the vehicle;
• a receiving hopper including a gravitational discharge located above the boom at the distribution station;
• a conveyor for maintaining a predetermined level of particulates within the receiving hopper;
• air supply means for introducing flowing air into the individual delivery tubes at locations adjacent to their inboard sections;
• metering means interposed between the discharge of the receiving hopper and the delivery tubes for directing a predetermined flow of particulates into each delivery tube, the metering means comprising:
• a plurality of substantially horizontal troughs individually aligned at positions vertically above and parallel to the inboard sections of the respective delivery tubes, each trough having an inlet in open gravitational communication with the receiving hopper and at least one outlet displaced longitudinally from its inlet, eahc outlet being in open communication with the interior of a single one of the delivery tubes at a location in its inboard section that is downstream from the introduction of flowing air by the air supply means;
• the outlet of each trough being in open gravitational communication with the interior of a delivery tube aligned under it;
• a plurality of elongated augers rotatably mounted within the troughs, each auger extending longitudinally across both the inlet and at least one outlet of the trough within which it is mounted;
• and drive means for rotating the individual augers.

An apparatus for field application of particulates, comprising:

• a pair of delivery tube assemblies extending to opposite sides of a supporting vehicle, each assembly including a plurality of substantially horizontal delivery tubes arranged side-by-side in parallel positions, each delivery tube having an inboard section positioned at a central distribution station on the vehicle;
• a bifurcated receiving hopper including a pair of gravitational discharges located above the distribution station;
• a conveyor for maintaining a predetermined level of particulates within the gravitational discharges of the receiving hopper;
• air supply means for introducing flowing air into the individual delivery tubes at locations adjacent to their inboard sections;
• metering means interposed between the discharge of the receiving hopper and the delivery tubes for directing a predetermined flow of particulates into each delivery tube, the metering means comprising:
• a plurality of substantially horizontal troughs individually aligned at positions vertically above and parallel to the inboard sections of the respective delivery tubes, each trough having an inlet in open gravitational communication with the receiving hopper and at least one outlet displaced longitudinally from its inlet, each outlet being in open communication with the interior of a single one of the delivery tubes at a location in its inboard section that is downstream from the introduction of flowing air by the air supply means;
• a plurality of rotatable augers extending respectively within the individual horizontal troughs, each auger traversing both the inlet and outlet of the horizontal trough within which it extends;
• and
• drive means for rotating the individual augers.