SUPERCHARGING FEED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A BELT IN TUBE CONVEYOR

摘要

A system and method for supercharging the feed system for a belt in tube conveyor for agricultural products, which enables achieving a full or near full fill level of the conveyor belt entering the intake end of the conveyor tube. The invention uses a crop delivery apparatus operable to propel an airborne flow of the crop material at least largely in a direction of movement of the conveyor belt, onto the belt surface after formation into a concave shape conforming to a lower portion of the conveyor tube. Additional capabilities include the ability to propel the crop material into an intake end of the conveyor tube, and provision of enclosing structure for containing and focusing the crop material flow. The system can accommodate various angles of tilt and sideward pivotal movement of the conveyor.

主权项

1. A belt in tube conveyor system, comprising:
a conveyor tube having an open intake end in connection with a passage through the tube, and a lower portion bounding a lower periphery of the intake end and the passage, having an upwardly facing concave shape; an endless belt having a concave portion extending into the passage through the intake end, supported on the lower portion of the tube, and a transition portion outwardly of the intake end wherein the belt transitions from a flat shape to the upwardly facing concave shape of the lower portion of the tube; a drive apparatus configured and operable to move the belt at a feed velocity and in a feed direction through the intake end into the passage; and a crop delivery apparatus configured and operable to propel a flow of crop material at a crop velocity at least largely in the feed direction onto the concave portion of the belt or crop material previously deposited on the concave portion, as the belt is moved at the feed velocity in the feed direction.