WO2018107259A1 - Pneumatic seed dispenser and pneumatic turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to energy supply systems applied to agricultural implements for seeding ploughed land, which are also known as planting machines (21), and more specifically the present invention relates to the supply of energy to pneumatic seed dispensers (1). The pneumatic seed dispenser (1) comprises a means (2) for capturing kinetic energy in which the means (2) for capturing kinetic energy is associated with a chamber (3) with a pressure difference.

Description

 "PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER AND TIRE TURBINE"

 FIELD OF INVENTION

 The present invention relates to power supply systems applied to crop sowing implements, also known as planting machines, more specifically the present invention relates to power supply to pneumatic seed feeders.

 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

 [002] Planters are widespread in today's agribusiness scenario and play key roles in ensuring efficient large-scale production. One of the known types of planters is the pneumatic planter, also known as vacuum planter.

 Figure 1 illustrates an example of a prior art pneumatic planter coupled to a tractor 14, in which a central pneumatic pump 22 is designed to generate a generally negative pressure difference which is distributed over component pipes. the pneumatic lines 18 until they reach the pneumatic seed feeders 1 in the planting lines 23.

 Modern planters are generally tractor-driven and feature a mechanical coupling structure to support traction and connection means for transmitting power produced on the tractor to planter devices such as pumps, actuators, dosers and sensors.

[005] Some of the devices such as pumps, actuators and dosers may use, alternatively, the mechanical energy transmitted by hydraulic, pneumatic or axle lines. On the other hand, some devices, such as sensors, are powered only by electric power and therefore use power cables 19 extending from the tractor 14 to each of the planting lines 23.

 In general, planters have a chassis comprising a tractor coupling structure and a header supporting planting lines, each with a respective seed storage tank or central storage tank. seeds shared between all rows. Each planter can have dozens of planting lines, which makes the structures reach 27 meters wide.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, due to the size of the commonly used planters, it is necessary to use long power cables running through all structures between the tractor and each planting line. Thus, the cabling in these agricultural implements, besides demanding specific costs and processes for the manufacture and implementation, present significant costs inherent to the materials used for the fixing means along the implements, as well as the material of the cabling itself. Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a prior art planting line, in which examples of wiring arrangements and pneumatic lines commonly used in the prior art can be seen. In addition, cabling is generally one of the first elements to require maintenance due to wear and tear resulting from common agricultural use, as cabling is exposed to hostile crop conditions such as vibration, weather, mechanical stress, exposure to abrasive and corrosive materials.

 [009] The maintenance of the cabling demands specific labor, which generates additional costs, even more when considering the dimensions and the high quantity of the planting lines generally practiced.

 In view of the aforementioned disadvantages in the use of wiring, among others known, the state of the art presents other ways of supplying electrical energy to the devices by generating energy in or near the device itself, for example by capturing solar, mechanical energy. and / or pneumatic, among others, and converting it into electrical energy.

 These means of generating local energy generally take advantage of the energy available in the environment, whether from the sun, the displacement of air or fluids or even the movement of the object itself or part thereof. In this way, these state-of-the-art local power generation means harness the energy that was available, that is, harness the energy that was not being used and thus being dissipated in the environment.

Particularly with regard to the use of systems that harness energy from air and / or fluid displacement, referred to herein as "kinetic energy" In the fluid field, the state of the art presents numerous documents for the most varied areas and applications, and the use of turbines is well established, especially in systems where fluid displacement is made by pipelines.

 Refrigeration and / or ventilation systems are known in which the circulation of fluids is generally oversized, ie the mechanical energy given by the displacement of the refrigerant ends up not being fully utilized in the system and is lost.

 The state of the art presents solutions that utilize turbines to harness the energy that would be lost in such cooling and / or ventilation systems as disclosed, for example, in WO 2015/200134, US 2015/0001849 and US 2012/0286514. All of these examples are intended for application to immovable and / or building systems where kinetic energy is in excess of the original application and would be dissipated.

 With regard to pneumatic turbines, there are more and more applications in the transport business, mainly in aviation, rail and automotive.

[0016] US 2015/0239571 deals with an emergency aircraft power supply system designed to generate power for the aircraft during flight, which system utilizes a turbine air intake duct. In this case, the kinetic energy is harnessed from the air that passes through the airplane during the flight and is used to obtain electricity in emergency cases of electrical failure. [0017] US 2008/0178586 discloses power generation from an air turbine generator employed in rail brake systems of railcars and locomotives, which features a controller for controlling the volume of air directed to the turbine. according to the energy demand of the rail system.

 US 6,054,838 discloses a method and system for charging electric energy storage devices applied to automobiles using compressed fluid storage means and an air turbine generator. The pneumatic electricity generation system is used to charge the electrical energy storage device when it reaches predetermined low levels.

 Generic-use portable turbines that provide practicality in power generation in any system having pressurized fluids, such as US Patent 4,731,545, are known in the art. In this patent portable turbines are indicated for preferred uses in hydraulic systems such as irrigation and fire hose.

 Also known in the prior art is US Patent 9,146,141, which deals with a method and system for monitoring pneumatic systems, as well as a power capture unit configured to capture power from the pneumatic system being monitored and generating power. to power the monitoring device.

In agriculture, even in the most recent developments, the generation of electricity is done in the tractor. This can be seen in US Patent 7,135,785, which deals with an electric generator in tractors and exemplifies how the power source is generally far from the implements attached to the tractor, making the use of cabling indispensable.

 Thus, while the state of the art encompasses means of energizing devices without the use of long cabling, none of these means, even in combination, has applicability in pneumatic planters, in particular for seed feeders.

 Thus, in order to circumvent the aforementioned drawbacks, a system that supplies electrical power to peripheral devices in planters without the use of cabling becomes interesting.

 OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

 Thus, in order to solve the above exemplified problems and other problems existing in the state of the art, the present invention has as one of its objectives to provide a no-tillage planter system passing through all the implement to power the peripheral devices. .

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a planter having energy generating sources disposed on each of the planting lines, particularly nearby or on the feeder.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide efficient means of capturing energy from a pneumatic line. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an energy generating system of simple application and maintenance.

 A further object of the present invention is to provide an energy generating system with control in the energy supply.

 It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic power generator system with inlet flow control.

 [0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow compensated pneumatic turbine system relative to the pneumatic system.

 The present invention, by way of its own characteristics, can further solve other prior art problems not brought here as an example, since the systems applied to planters discussed herein and their problems are exemplary and not exhaustive.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

 The above mentioned objectives of the present invention, among others, are achieved through a pneumatic seed dispenser comprising a fluid kinetic energy capture means, wherein the kinetic energy capture medium is associated with a chamber with pressure difference to capture mechanical flow energy.

According to additional or alternative embodiments of the pneumatic seed dispenser of the present invention, the following characteristics, and their possible variants may also be understood, alone or in combination:

 - the means of capturing kinetic energy is associated with an electric power generator;

 - the means of capturing kinetic energy is a turbine;

 - the power generator is one of an electromagnetic generator and a piezoelectric transducer;

 - the electromagnetic generator is a dynamo;

 - the pickup means may be associated with the doser by entering the pneumatic line or disposed within the doser;

 - the catching means is fixed to the doser by mechanical quick coupling;

 - the quick coupler is equipped with electrical connections;

- the seed dispenser comprises a sensor fed by the energy generated in the energy capture medium;

 - the sensor is arranged on the metering disc surface in position prior to seed release;

 - the sensor is arranged in position after seed release;

 - the position after release is selected from a position just below the disc to the seed conductor exit;

 - the sensor is one of optical sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor and ultrasonic sensor;

- The seed dispenser comprises an actuator fed by the energy generated in the energy capture medium. - the actuator is one of the organizer calibrator, pressure controller, cleaner, seed input controller and input applicator;

 [0034] The invention further relates to a pneumatic turbine comprising an inlet duct, an outlet duct, a pickup chamber and a kinetic energy pickup associated with an electric power generator, wherein the pneumatic turbine comprises a window. air inlet arranged in the inlet duct and a means of control.

 According to additional or alternative embodiments of the pneumatic turbine of the present invention, the following characteristics, and possible variants thereof, may also be understood, alone or in combination:

 - the control means is an electronic control circuit configured to regulate the output electrical energy;

 - the control means is an electronic control circuit configured to control turbine rotation by association of electric charge;

 - the control means is an electronic control circuit configured to control turbine rotation by means of an electromechanical valve system for maintaining turbine airflow;

 - the control means is a self-regulating valve;

- the air inlet window is provided with a flow regulating means between a sliding lid and a rotating clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The objectives, advantages and technical and functional improvements of the present invention will be better understood from the following description in relation to particular embodiments, which refer to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a tractor coupled to a prior art planter;

 Figure 2 shows a side view of a prior art planting line;

 Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 4 shows a top view of a tractor coupled to a planter according to an embodiment of the invention;

 Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 7 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 8 illustrates an association scheme of an embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 9 shows an exploded view of a turbine according to an embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 10 shows a side sectional view of a turbine according to an embodiment of the invention;

 Fig. 11 illustrates a control circuit association scheme according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 illustrates a quick coupler according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 illustrates a sensor in a first dispenser arrangement as an embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 14 illustrates a sensor in a second dispenser arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and

 Fig. 15 illustrates an actuator feeder according to one embodiment of the invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

 The invention is now described with respect to its particular embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. In the following figures and description, like or corresponding parts are marked with like reference numerals.

 The figures are schematic and their dimensions and proportions are exemplary, since they are intended to describe the invention only for ease of understanding and do not impose any limitations beyond those defined by the appended claims.

 It should be recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the same desired results.

 [0040] The object of the present invention is applied to pneumatic planters 21, in particular to supply electric power to pneumatic seed feeders 1 arranged on each of the planting lines 23 of planters 21, the supply being without the use of cabling 19 .

The pneumatic seed dispenser 1 of the present invention is provided with a pneumatic line inlet 5 and a seed conductor 15 to guide the dosed seeds within the doser 6 to the ground. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the kinetic energy capture means 2 is coupled externally to the doser 1 by the inlet of the pneumatic line 5.

 Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the planter 21 is coupled to a tractor 14. In this figure one can see the structure of the planter 21 comprising a chassis 16, a crossmember 17, also known as a rod, and planting lines 23. Also shown in Figure 4 are a pneumatic pump 22 and pneumatic lines 18 connecting pump 22 to the planting lines 23.

 The air flow in the air line pipes 18 is controllable and can be adjusted on the central air pump 22 according to the operator's need. In the present invention the air flow is regulated to supercharge the pneumatic lines 18 so that such supercharging is sufficient for the kinetic energy capturing means 2 to generate the energy required to power the doser devices 1 without affecting the doser performance in the feeder. seed dosage.

 Thus, the electric power generation is done near the devices to be fed without affecting the dosing efficiency of the doser 1 and, thus, providing the energization of devices distant from the tractor 14 without the use of wiring 19.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a pneumatic dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this figure there is illustrated a vacuum chamber 3, which comprises the inner part of the doser 1, and a dosing disc 20.

 In one embodiment of the invention the kinetic energy capture means 2 is, at one end, associated externally with the metering unit 1 by the inlet of the pneumatic line 5 and, at the opposite end, to the pneumatic pump 22 through the pneumatic lines 18, as shown. illustrated in figure 6.

 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 7, in which the kinetic energy capture means 2 is internally associated with the doser 1, more specifically the kinetic energy capture means 2 is disposed in the vacuum chamber 3 over the opening. flow rate 35.

 [0048] Figure 8 shows a scheme of association between the pneumatic doser 1, the energy pickup means 2, the sensors 9, the actuators 10 and the pneumatic pump 22. In general, air enters the doser 1, passes through by means of energy capture 2, where electrical energy is generated and supplied to sensors 9 and actuators 10, and finally air exits through the pneumatic pump 22.

Particularly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the energy generated in the energy pickup means 2 is used to power a seed pass sensor 9 disposed within the dispenser 6 on the dosing disc 20. Alternatively or in combination The energy generated may be used to power one or more actuators 10 within the dispenser 6, which may be, inter alia, an organizer calibrator, a pressure controller, a cleaner, a seed input controller or an input applicator.

 In one embodiment of the invention, the kinetic energy capture means 2 is a pneumatic turbine 4. The present invention has particular embodiments related to pneumatic turbine 4, wherein in one embodiment turbine 4 is formed by a housing 32 , a kinetic energy pickup 28 and an electric power generator 13.

 More specifically, as shown in exploded view in Figure 9, the pneumatic turbine 4 has an energy pickup 28, in this embodiment represented by a substantially circular bladed rotor 11. The energy pickup 28 is arranged in a collection chamber 25 within the housing 32 and associated with an electric power generator 13.

 The electric power generator 13 of the present invention provides for the use of electromagnetic generators, piezoelectric transducers or other equivalent devices capable of converting the fluid's kinetic energy into electrical energy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a dynamo is used.

 Still in Figure 9, one embodiment of turbine housing 32 can be seen, in which an inlet duct 26, an outlet duct 27 and the kinetic energy pickup chamber 25 are shown.

The inlet duct 26 of the present invention has a free end opening and an air inlet window 30 disposed in the duct wall. The window 30 provided with a flow regulating means 29, in the embodiments illustrated in figures 9 and 10, by way of example, the flow regulating means 29 is a sliding lid that moves over the window 30 to decrease the flow until closing full and out to increase flow.

 An alternative to flow regulating means 29 is a clamp (not shown) surrounding the turbine inlet duct 26 in a rotatable manner, which clamp is provided with an aperture of shape coincident with the shape of the inlet window of air 30.

 [0056] The air inlet window 30 has the function of compensating for the air inlet that should flow from the doser 1 to the pneumatic lines 18, but which ends up not flowing due to clogging, improper adjustments, flow differences that naturally result from according to the shape of seeds from different crops, among others. In this way, the air inlet window 30 ensures sufficient air flow to keep the air turbine 4 in full operation.

 In another embodiment of the invention the pneumatic turbine 4 comprises a control means 33. Figure 11 illustrates a control means association scheme 33, wherein the control means 33 is associated, on the one hand, with generator 13 and, on the other hand, sensors 9 and / or actuators 10.

Control means 33 is provided in a preferred mechanical configuration and in three non-limiting electronic configurations of the invention, the configurations may be applied separately or in any combination without impairing system operation.

 In the mechanical configuration the control means 33 is a self-regulating valve 31. In this configuration the control means 33 is impacted by pressure variations in the fluid to adjust the flow rate to a constant value according to predefined specifications.

 In the first electronic configuration, the control means 33 is an electronic circuit that operates with a voltage regulator, where it receives the power generated in generator 13, which usually has oscillations, and regulates it to provide stabilized and energy-compliant power. demand of the device to be powered.

 [0061] In the second electronic configuration, control means 33 acts as a turbine 4 rotor 11 rotational speed controller. In this configuration control means 33 is an electronic circuit that detects turbine 4 rotational speed and adds electrical charges to maintain rotation at a predetermined speed.

In the third electronic configuration, control means 33 also functions as a rotor speed controller of turbine 4 rotor. In this configuration control means 33 is an electronic circuit that controls the rotation speed of turbine 4 by means of an electromechanical valve system that keeps the flow passing through the duct at a predetermined level and thereby keeps the rotation of turbine 4 constant. Another embodiment of the invention relates to the manner in which the kinetic energy capture means is associated with the pneumatic seed feeder and / or the feeder peripherals by mechanical quick coupling 7. Figure 12 illustrates the quick coupling arrangements 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which mechanical coupling means with electrical connections are shown 8.

 [0064] The invention further provides for the use of energy generated in the system for the supply of passage and / or inspection sensors 9, particularly for sensors arranged to detect if seed dosing is being effectively conducted. Sensors 9 are preferably, but not limited to, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors or ultrasonic sensors.

 In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 13, sensor 9 is disposed on the surface of the dosing disc 20 in a position to detect seeds in the disc holes 20 moments prior to release of these seeds.

 In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 14, the sensor is arranged under disk 20 so that sensor 9 can detect the passage of the seeds moments after their release from disk 20.

Still, the present invention provides for the use of the energy generated in the system of capture and generation of energy for the supply of actuators 10 arranged in the doser. of seeds 1 as well as in the system of capture and generation of energy itself.

 Some preferred, non-limiting applications for actuators 10 are to, in the case of the dispenser, act as the organizer calibrator, pressure controller, seed input controller, cleaner and feed applicator. Fig. 15 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of an actuator associated with the organizer 34 to act as an organizer calibrator. In the case of actuators applied to the system of capture and power generation, actuator 10 can act for flow regulation and turbine rotation control 4.

 Thus, based on its unique features, it is readily apparent that the present invention achieves the proposed objectives and overcomes the drawbacks of the state of the art.

 Although the invention has been described specifically with respect to particular embodiments, it should be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described, but is limited only by the appended claims, the scope of which must include all equivalents.

Claims

 1. PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER (1), characterized in that it comprises:  a kinetic energy capture means (2), wherein the kinetic energy capture means (2) is associated with a pressure difference chamber (3).  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 1, characterized in that the kinetic energy capture means (2) is associated with an electric power generator (13).  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 2, characterized in that the kinetic energy capture means (2) is a turbine (4).  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 2, characterized in that the power generator (13) is one of the electromagnetic generator and piezoelectric transducer.  PNEUMATIC SEED FEEDER according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pickup means (2) is associated with the feeder (1) by the pneumatic line (5).  PNEUMATIC SEED FEEDER according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the catching means (2) is disposed within the feeder (6). PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER According to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the catching means (2) is fixed to the doser (1) by means of mechanical quick coupling (7). Pneumatic seed dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the quick coupler (7) is provided with an electrical connection (8).  A pneumatic seed dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seed dispenser (1) comprises a sensor. (9) powered by the energy generated in the energy capture medium (2).  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor (9) is arranged on the metering disc (20) in position prior to seed release.  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor (9) is disposed in position after seed release.  PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor (9) is one of the optical sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor and ultrasonic sensor.  A pneumatic seed dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the seed dispenser (1) comprises an actuator. (10) powered by the energy generated in the energy capture medium (2). PNEUMATIC SEED DOSER according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuator (10) is one of the organizer calibrator, pressure controller, cleaner, seed input controller and input applicator. 15. PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4), comprising an inlet duct (26), an outlet duct (27), a pickup chamber (25) and a kinetic energy pickup (28) associated with an electric power generator; characterized in that it comprises an air inlet window (30) disposed in the inlet duct (26) and a control means (33).  PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4) according to claim 15, characterized in that the control means (33) is an electronic control circuit configured to regulate the output electrical energy.  PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4) according to Claim 15, characterized in that the control means (33) is an electronic control circuit configured to control the rotation of the turbine (4) by means of an electric charge.  PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4) according to claim 15, characterized in that the control means (33) is an electronic control circuit configured to control the rotation of the turbine (4) by means of an electromechanical valve system. for maintaining turbine airflow (4)  PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4) according to claim 15, characterized in that the control means (33) is a self-regulating valve (31).  PNEUMATIC TURBINE (4) according to claim 15, characterized in that the air inlet window (30) is provided with a flow regulating means (29) between the sliding lid and the rotary clamp.