| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus and methods are provided for a fluid fertilizer distributor (10, 200, 300, or 400) for distributing fluid fertilizer conducted from a supply vessel (11) to each of a plurality of applicator lines (44). The fluid distributor may regulate a fluid fertilizer flow rate by selectively moving a flow restrictor (50, 250, 350, or 450) relative to the distributor housing. The distributor housing may include a supply inlet port (12, 212, 312, or 412) and a plurality of distributor outlet ports (16, 216, 316, or 416) each for fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of applicator lines (44). The fluid distributor may separate the fluid fertilizer into a plurality of fluid flow paths prior to reducing the pressure in the fluid to avoid gas flashing or vaporization prior to separation. Thereby, fluid distribution may be effected upon a substantially liquid fluid within the fluid distributor, which may result in substantially uniform fertilizer application, with reduced rate variation between applicator lines. The flow restrictor (50, 250, 350, or 450) may be substantially ring shaped and positioned on an external surface of the distributor housing, or substantially cylindrical shaped and positioned substantially internal to the distributor housing. The fluid distributor may provide for substantially infinitely regulating the application rate between a fully closed position and a fully open position. Rate regulation may be performed manually or by programmable controller.</p> |
