Internal tank augers for air seeder hoppers

Abstract

An air seeder is provided having at least one container with a trough in the bottom floor. Preferably, the floor is formed with a v-shaped configuration converging at a metering mechanism. An auger is rotatably mounted in the trough to move particulate material to the metering mechanism located at a distal end of the container. The auger is powered by a motor mounted on the distal end of the auger opposite the metering mechanism. A remote fan mechanism is provided to deliver a supply of air to the metering mechanism through a pair of conveying tubes. Optionally, a sensor is provided to control the operation of the auger so that the auger only operates when it is needed.

1 . In an air seeder having a frame, a pair of ground engaging wheels, at least one container having an outer end wall, an opposite inner end wall, and side walls connecting the outer end wall and the opposite inner end wall, and a metering mechanism for dispensing particulate product from said at least one container, the improvement comprising: 
 said at least one container having a trough incorporated into a bottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in said trough for transporting said particulate product along said floor to said metering mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The air seeder of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor mounted on a distal end of said auger relative to said metering mechanism to rotate said auger and convey said particulate product to said metering mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The air seeder of  claim 2 , wherein said metering mechanism is located at an end of said at least one container.  
   
   
       4 - 9 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       10 . The air seeder of  claim 3 , further comprising a fan mechanism and a pair of conveying tubes that pass at least partially internally of said at least one container for delivering air to said metering mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . The air seeder of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one container is formed of molded plastic.  
   
   
       12 . The air seeder of  claim 1 , wherein said air seeder includes a first container having a first metering mechanism and a second container having a second metering mechanism, said first metering mechanism being located proximate to said second metering mechanism such that said first metering mechanism is located forward, in the direction of travel, of an axle of said pair of ground engaging wheels of said air seeder.  
   
   
       13 - 28 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       29 . In an air seeder having a frame, a pair of ground engaging wheels, at least one container having an outer end wall, an opposite inner end wall, and side walls connecting the outer end wall and the opposite inner end wall, the improvement comprising: 
 said at least one container having a trough incorporated into a bottom floor and an auger rotatably mounted in said trough for transporting particulate product along said floor to an outlet of the container; and    a metering mechanism coupled to said at least one container proximal said outlet and receiving said particulate product from said auger and operable to dispense said particulate product.