Example embodiments relate to a manifold assembly. In one nonlimiting example embodiment, the manifold assembly may be used as part of a liquid manure application system.
Liquid manure systems use manifolds to distribute liquid manure to various row units. Generally speaking, the manure runs from a manifold to the row units via a plurality of hoses. Ideally, manifolds distribute manure through each hose evenly to promote an even application of manure to the ground. When flow is not even, some crops receive too much manure while other crops receive too little. Crops that get too much manure might have a slight bump in growth and yield but the crops having too little manure are stunted which causes an overall reduction in total yield.
To obtain an even distribution of manure, manifolds must obtain a certain internal pressure to push an even amount of liquid out of various ports of the manifold. Low internal pressure may result in manure flowing out of only a few ports in the manifold while other ports have little or no flow of liquid manure. As technology in the industry has improved operators can now pump more gallons of liquid manure per minute and use wider toolbars. Wider toolbars require more manure and manifolds have been designed to accommodate the manure. A problem, however, is that manifolds designed for even flow at high gallons per minute perform poorly when the flow is relatively low. This may happen when: 1) manure becomes thick as the pit level is lowered; 2) a low application rate is required (gallons/acre), and 3) the operator cannot pull the toolbar fast enough to keep the gallons per minute up. For example, an operator can be set up in a hog facility. When an operator starts pumping, the operator may achieve 2,500 GPM, a flow at which most manifolds flow well. However, as the pit level drops to the last couple feet, the manure can become so thick that the operator might only be able to pump 900-1,000 GPM. At these lower flow rates a manifold designed for 2500 GPM will not perform well. That is, liquid manure will not flow even out of the manifold and across the toolbar at 900-1000 GPM due to low or no internal pressure in the manifold.
Another example is an applicator can be pumping at a dairy farm where he/she can apply 20,000 gallons per acre and can pump 3,500 GPM but the next job is a hog finishing site where the application rate is 3,000 GPA. In this case, the toolbar and hose can only be pulled so fast so at the hog facility they are forced to slow their flow down to 1,800 gallons per minute and cause the manifold not to perform as required.
Trash in the manure is also a problem in that it may cause a manifold to plug.
With the above problems in mind, the inventor set out to design a new manifold which reduces, if not eliminates, the above problems. The inventor's manifold is designed for high flow rates but can be quickly/easily adjusted for the lower flow rate and low internal pressures. In one nonlimiting example embodiment, an electric pressure transducer may detect pressure in the manifold and send a signal to a digital readout in the tractor cab. In this example, the operator can monitor and adjust the pressure in the manifold in real time. Applicant also invented a manifold plate that can be rotated with an actuator, for example, an electric actuator, and controlled from the cab. The manifold plate opens and restricts each port out of the manifold to maintain a desired pressure in the manifold to keep the flow equal to each port. Such features are incredibly useful. For example, an operator may prefer 5 PSI in the manifold for even flow across the bar. When an operator is pumping a higher flow, the operator can simply rotate the manifold plate allowing more flow out of the manifold while maintaining a pressure of 5 PSI. As the pit level lowers and the manure becomes thicker the manifold may drop to say 2 PSI, without any adjustments this causes the flow to become very uneven. With the inventor's manifold the operator can rotate the manifold plate while on the go until the desired pressure in the manifold, for example, 5 PSI, is reached again. As flow rates keep dropping till the job is finished, the operator can keep rotating the manifold plate to maintain a pressure of 5 PSI. If the operator's next job is a dairy farm with high flow, the operator can simply rotate the manifold plate from the seat of the tractor to maintain the 5 PSI at a higher flow rate. This set up allows the operator to maintain even flow across a wide range of flow rates, for example, from 4,000 GPM to 600 GPM. This feature will help both the dragline and tank industries in keeping even nutrient application for the next crop.
In addition, the inventor has incorporated knife system in the manifold. The knife system spins hydraulically and will cut debris as it passes through the manifold plate sizing it so it will pass through the manifold ports. The knife system has an auto reverse kit on it so if a knife stops against debris it automatically switches direction to hit the debris from the other side. The knife will keep doing this until the debris is cut to size or knocked out of the manifold plate and it drops to the bottom of the manifold.
As will be clear from the detailed description, example embodiments relate to a manifold assembly. In example embodiments, the manifold assembly may be part of a manure application system.
Disclosed is a nonlimiting example of a manifold assembly. In example embodiments the manifold assembly may include a manifold bowl, a manifold cover over the manifold bowl, a manifold plate having a plurality of holes, a restraint structure configured to prevent the manifold plate from translating and overturning, and an actuator configured to rotate the manifold plate. In one nonlimting example embodiment the manifold cover has a plurality of holes and a plurality of hose barbs aligned with the plurality of holes. In this nonlimiting example embodiment, the plurality of holes in the manifold plate are alignable with the plurality of holes in the manifold cover. In at least one nonlimiting example embodiment, rotating the manifold plate aligns and misaligns the holes in the manifold plate and the holes in the manifold cover.
Disclosed is another example of a manifold assembly. In example embodiments, the manifold assembly may include a manifold bowl having an opening to receive a material, a manifold cover over the manifold bowl (the manifold cover having a plurality of holes to flow the material out of the manifold cover), a manifold plate having a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of holes in the manifold cover, a restraint structure configured to prevent the manifold plate from translating and overturning, and an actuator configured to rotate the manifold plate. In this nonlimiting example embodiment rotating the manifold plate aligns and misaligns the holes in the manifold plate with the holes in the manifold cover to adjust a pressure in the manifold assembly.
Disclosed is another example of a manifold assembly. In example embodiments, the manifold assembly may include a vessel having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a manifold plate having a plurality of holes alignable with plurality of outlets, one or more restraint members configured to prevent the manifold plate from translating, a pressure sensor configured sense a pressure in the vessel, and an actuator configured to rotate the manifold plate to one of decrease and increase pressure in the vessel.
Example embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another elements, component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element component region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the structure in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The structure may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Embodiments described herein will refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views, but include modifications in configurations formed on the basis of manufacturing process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit example embodiments.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, example embodiments relate to a manifold assembly.
In example embodiments, the manifold assembly 1000 may include a cutting apparatus 300 substantially enclosed by the manifold bowl 100 and the manifold cover 200. The cutting apparatus 300 may include one or more blades 310 operatively connected to a motor 600 (see
In example embodiments, the motor 600 may be attached to an outside surface of the manifold cover 200 as shown in at least
In example embodiments the manifold cover 200 may have a top 210 (see
Thus far, the manifold assembly 1000 of
In general, material, for example, manure, may enter the manifold assembly 1000 through an opening 120 provided in the manifold bowl 100. The material flowing into the manifold bowl 100 may impact the impact surface 330 of the manifold assembly 1000 and spread sideways. As the material continues to flow in, the material may leave the manifold assembly 1000 through the hose barbs 220 and hoses 500. Any solids that may be present in the material may be reduced in size through operation of the motor 600 which causes the blades 310 to revolve inside the manifold assembly 1000. Cutting apparatus 300 helps ensure material will flow more evenly out of the manifold assembly 1000 and prevents blockage of the hose barbs 220.
The manifold assembly 1000 of
In example embodiments the manifold plate 400 may be supported a number of ways so as to be rotatable in the manifold assembly 1000. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, the manifold plate 400 may resemble an annulus having an inner radius 412 and an outer radius 414. The manifold plate 400 may be supported on its inner radius 412 by one or more plates 800 having an L-shaped cross section. The plates 800 may prevent the manifold plate 400 from substantially translating or overturning but does not prevent the plate 400 from rotating within the manifold assembly 1000. Thus, in this nonlimiting example embodiment, plates 800 acts as restraint structures to restrain the manifold plate 400. The inner radius 412 may have teeth 416 configured to mesh with a gear 710 of an actuator 700 so that as gear 710 turns the manifold plate 400 is rotated. In the nonlimiting example embodiments, the actuator 700 may include a linear actuator 720 (see at least
In example embodiments the actuator 700 may be controlled so the apertures 410 of the manifold plate 400 are substantially aligned with the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220. On the other hand, the actuator 700 may be controlled so the apertures 410 of the manifold plate 400 are substantially misaligned with the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220. In this latter position the manifold plate 400 would prevent material from passing through the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220. Of course, the actuator 700 may be controlled so the apertures 410 of the manifold plate are partially aligned with the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220. Thus, the amount of material flowing out of the manifold assembly 1000 may be controlled by controlling the manifold plate 400.
As one skilled in the art will appreciate, pressure within the manifold assembly 1000 may be controlled by controlling the manifold plate 400. Pressure, for example, may be increased by misaligning the apertures 410 of the manifold plate 400 with the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220 and reduced by aligning the apertures 410 of the manifold plate 400 with the plurality of holes associated with the hose barbs 220. To this end, example embodiments anticipate an operator be able to control the actuator 700 either over a wire or wirelessly. Furthermore, the operator may be able to control the pressure within the manifold assembly 1000 by using a pressure/sensor 900 which may be arranged in a first nipple 230 of the manifold cover 200. The pressure/sensor 900, for example, a transducer, may sense pressure in the manifold assembly 1000 and send data to the operator. In response, the operator may control the actuator 700 to rotate the manifold plate 400 thereby adjusting the pressure in the manifold assembly 1000. In addition, example embodiments also anticipate a control system wherein data from the pressure/sensor 900 is received by a computer which uses this data to automatically control pressure in the manifold assembly 1000 by automatically controlling the actuator 700.
Example embodiments are envisioned to include additional elements not yet described. For example, as shown in
In operation the manifold assembly 1000 may be in a closed state where the manifold cover 200 is latched to the manifold bowl 100 by a series of latches 650. In this state, an end 250 of the manifold cover 200 may be inserted into a receiving space 110 of the manifold bowel 100 as shown in at least
Example embodiments of the invention have been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of example embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/162,668 which was filed with United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 18, 2021, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63162668 | Mar 2021 | US |