# US 7,410,107 B1 · Apparatus and method for reducing anhydrous ammonia application by optimizing distribution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,107 B1 - Document ID: US7410107B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 11/280,018 - Filed: 2005-11-16 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2002-07-17 - Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Inventors: H. Mark Hanna; Paul M. Boyd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410107B1 ## CPC - B05B 1/14: with multiple outlet openings (B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence); with strainers in or outside the outlet opening - A01C 23/007: {Metering or regulating systems} - A01C 23/024: {for ammonia} - B05B 1/085: {rotated by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. liquid rotated turbines} - B05B 3/02: with rotating elements (electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04) - B05B 3/04: driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) - A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00) ## Abstract An apparatus, method, and system for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations and distribution. The apparatus includes a body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. In one aspect, a rotatable impeller is positioned between inlet and plurality of outlets. The impeller includes a spiral fluid pathway relative to direction of substance through the inlet so that the substance passes through the impeller and is distributed to the outlets through a spinning impeller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising: a. a body; b. an inlet to the body; c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit; d. a rotatable member inside the body between the inlet and outlets, the rotatable member including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end moveable past the plurality of distribution outlets of the body with rotation of the rotatable member, at least a major part of the fluid pathway comprising a groove on an external surface of the rotatable member; e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a fertilizer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The manifold of claim 2 wherein the fertilizer comprises anhydrous ammonia. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the fluid pathway is substantially entirely on an external surface of the rotatable member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 further comprising a distribution void between the exit end of the fluid pathway and the plurality of distribution outlets. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the rotatable member is a rotatable impeller which rotates in response to pressure from the gas and/or liquid substance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The manifold of claim 6 wherein the impeller comprises a generally conical member having a tip end and a base end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The manifold of claim 7 wherein the body includes a void between the inlet and plurality of distribution outlets, the void having a conical portion generally matching the shape of the impeller. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The manifold of claim 8 wherein the body further comprises a cover removable over the void. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The manifold of claim 9 further comprising a sealing member between the cover and body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The manifold of claim 9 wherein there is some longitudinal tolerance between the impeller and the body when the impeller is operatively positioned in the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the fluid pathway comprises a spiral groove approximately three rotations on the impeller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The manifold of claim 5 wherein the fluid pathway comprises a plurality of spiral grooves each having entrances in fluid communication with the inlet to the body and exits in fluid communication with the distribution void. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the body has an internal surface defining a cavity and the rotatable member has an external surface and rotates in the cavity of the body without a bearing or bearing surface between the internal surface of the body and the external surface of the rotatable member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 further comprising a bearing associated with the member to facilitate rotation of the member in the body in response to fluid pressure on the member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The manifold of claim 15 wherein the bearing comprises an axle having a bearing surface at a distal end extended inwardly of the body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the plurality of distribution outlets are radially disposed and spaced apart around the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The manifold of claim 17 further comprising a connector mounted in fluid communication with each of the plurality of distribution outlets in the body, the connectors adapted for connection to fluid conduits. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The manifold of claim 18 wherein the connectors are adapted for connection to fluid conduits terminating in injection knives. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The manifold of claim 1 wherein the inlet of the body includes a connector adapted for connection to a source of the substance. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The manifold of claim 20 wherein the connector is in fluid communication with a tank of substance. ### Claim 22 A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising: a. a body; b. an inlet to the body; c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit; d. a rotatable member inside the body including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, the fluid pathway comprising multiple flow paths along the body from entry to exit end, at least one flow path at an incline to the direction of substance flow; e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets. ### Claim 23 A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising: a. a body having an internal surface defining a cavity; b. an inlet to the body; c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit; d. a rotatable member inside the cavity in the body, the rotatable member including an external surface, a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body, and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, the rotatable member having no substantial bearing or bearing surface between the external surface of the rotatable member and the internal surface of the body, and an end of the rotatable member with the entry end for the fluid pathway is tapered towards a point; e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets. ### Claim 24 A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising: a. a body; b. an inlet to the body; c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit; d. a rotatable member inside the body including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end in fluid communication with the plurality of distribution outlets of the body, at least a major part of the fluid pathway on an external surface of the rotatable member, the rotatable member comprising a rotatable impeller which rotates in response to pressure from the gas and/or liquid substance, the rotatable impeller comprising a generally conical member having a tip end and a base end; e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets. ### Claim 25 A distribution manifold for distributing gas and/or liquid phase substance from an inlet to multiple outlets with reduced variations in distribution comprising: a. a body; b. an inlet to the body; c. a plurality of distribution outlets from the body, each distribution outlet connected to a separate fluid conduit; d. a rotatable member inside the body between the inlet and outlets, the rotatable member including a fluid pathway including an entry end in fluid communication with the inlet of the body and an exit end moveable past the plurality of distribution outlets of the body with rotation of the rotatable member, at least a major part of the fluid pathway on an external surface of the rotatable member and at an incline to the direction of substance flow into the inlet of the body so that the rotatable member rotates in response to pressure from the gas and/or liquid substance; e. so that the substance passes through and out the exit end of the fluid pathway and is distributed to the plurality of distribution outlets.