US 12,464,972 B2
Seed-flow adjustment system
Jacob R. Riffel, Salina, KS (US); Gregory W. Arnett, Solomon, KS (US); and Verne A. Hubalek, Lindsborg, KS (US)
Assigned to Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed by Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed on Aug. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/366,225.
Application 18/366,225 is a continuation of application No. 16/536,877, filed on Aug. 9, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/717,103, filed on Aug. 10, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0371420 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A01C 7/08 (2006.01); A01C 7/10 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/105 (2013.01) [A01C 7/082 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A distribution tower for conveying particulate material, said distribution tower comprising:
an upright conduit for pneumatically conveying particulate material in a primary stream toward an upper end of said conduit;
a distribution head at the upper end of said conduit, wherein said distribution head comprises a plenum chamber for receiving the primary stream of particulate material from said conduit, and wherein said distribution head further comprises a plurality of discharge outlets for directing particulate material out of said plenum chamber, wherein said distribution head is configured to split the primary stream into a plurality of secondary streams, wherein each of the secondary streams is discharged from said distribution head via one of said discharge outlets; and
a flow adjustment system configured to adjust a distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams,
wherein said flow adjustment system comprises an airflow control assembly positioned within at least one of the discharge outlets, wherein the airflow control assembly is configured to adjust the distribution of particulate material between the secondary streams without completely restricting the flow of any of the secondary streams through their respective discharge outlet,
wherein said airflow control assembly comprises an elastic sleeve positioned within said at least one of the discharge outlets, wherein the elastic sleeve is in pneumatic communication with a positive air-pressure source, wherein pressurization of said elastic sleeve is configured to restrict airflow through said at least one of the discharge outlets.