U.S. patent number 3,849,901 [Application Number 05/364,955] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-26 for apparatus for drying grain.
Invention is credited to Larry S. Keese, Vernon H. Sietmann, Raymond L. Smith.
United States Patent |
3,849,901 |
Sietmann , et al. |
November 26, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR DRYING GRAIN
Abstract
An apparatus for drying grain comprising a conical shaped
perforated floor which is mounted in a conventional grain drying
bin in a raised position relative to the base floor thereof. The
perforated floor has a plurality of grain discharge openings formed
adjacent the outer ends thereof, each of which are selectively
closed by a trap door valve means. Power means is provided for
moving the valve means between opened and closed positions
responsive to the temperature of the grain positioned on the floor.
A pair of spaced apart upstanding wall members are positioned above
the floor to maintain the grain thereon in a predetermined manner.
A sensing means is provided above the floor to actuate the material
conveyor means and the means for introducing drying air into the
interior of the bin.
Inventors: |
Sietmann; Vernon H. (Laurel,
IA), Smith; Raymond L. (Laurel, IA), Keese; Larry S.
(Gilman, IA) |
Family
ID: |
23436850 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/364,955 |
Filed: |
May 29, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/526;
34/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F26B
25/002 (20130101); F26B 9/063 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F26B
25/00 (20060101); F26B 9/06 (20060101); F26b
019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;34/44,52,56,167,174 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dority, Jr.; Carroll B.
Assistant Examiner: Schwartz; Larry I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zarley, McKee, Thomte &
Voorhees
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for drying granular material in a grain bin having
an enclosure forming wall, a roof mounted over the wall, and a base
floor for the wall, the apparatus comprising:
a floor mounted in the upper part of the bin, said floor being
inclined and sloping downwardly from the center of the bin toward
and in contacting relation with the wall whereby granular material
disposed on said floor is normally prevented from falling onto said
base floor, said floor having a plurality of spaced apart openings
formed therein adjacent said wall through which the granular
material can fall,
a valve means positioned below each of said openings and being
movable between open and closed positions to permit granular
material to fall through said openings and to prevent granular
material from falling through said openings respectively,
means for opening and closing said valve means,
means for supplying drying air within the bin and below said
floor,
a thermostat means on said floor for sensing the temperature of the
granular material thereon,
said thermostat means being operatively connected to said means for
opening and closing said valve means so that said valve means will
be opened when said thermostat means senses a first predetermined
temperature and so that said valve means will be closed when said
thermostat means senses a second predetermined temperature.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for opening and
closing said valve means comprises an electric motor having an
output shaft, a second shaft disposed in a parallel, and spaced
apart end-to-end relationship with respect to said output shaft, a
torque convertor means operatively connecting said output shaft and
said second shaft so that rotation of said output shaft will cause
the rotation of said second shaft, a third shaft disposed in a
parallel relationship to said second shaft, means connecting said
second and third shafts so that rotation of said second shaft will
cause the rotation of said third shaft, a first flexible member
wound upon said third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, a
support means secured to the lower end of said first flexible
members, a plurality of second flexible members connected to said
support and said valve means so that rotation of said third shaft
in one direction will cause said valve means to open and so that
rotation of said third shaft in an opposite direction will cause
said valve means to close, a third flexible member wound upon said
third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, and a counter
weight means secured to the lower end of said third flexible
member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for opening and
closing said valve means comprises an electric motor having an
output shaft, a second shaft disposed in a parallel, and spaced
apart end-to-end relationship with respect to said output shaft, a
torque convertor means operatively connecting said output shaft and
said second shaft so that rotation of said output shaft will cause
the rotation of said second shaft, a third shaft disposed in a
parallel relationship to said second shaft, means connecting said
second and third shafts so that rotation of said second shaft will
cause the rotation of said third shaft, a first flexible member
wound upon said third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, a
support means secured to the lower end of said first flexible
member, a plurality of second flexible members connected to said
support and said valve means so that rotation of said third shaft
in one direction will cause said valve means to open and so that
rotation of said third shaft in an opposite direction will cause
said valve means to close, a third flexible member wound upon said
third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, and a counter
weight means secured to the lower end of said third flexible
member, said torque convertor means comprising a first fan means
mounted on said output shaft and a second fan means mounted on said
second shaft.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for opening and
closing said valve means comprises an electric motor having an
output shaft, a second shaft disposed in a parallel, and spaced
apart end-to-end relationship with respect to said output shaft, a
torque convertor means operatively connecting said output shaft and
said second shaft so that rotation of said output shaft will cause
the rotation of said second shaft, a third shaft disposed in a
parallel relationship to said second shaft, means connecting said
second and third shafts so that rotation of said second shaft will
cause the rotation of said third shaft, a first flexible member
wound upon said third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, a
support means secured to the lower end of said first flexible
member, a plurality of second flexible members connected to said
support and said valve means so that rotation of said third shaft
in one direction will cause said valve means to open and so that
rotation of said third shaft in an opposite direction will cause
said valve means to close, a third flexible member wound upon said
third shaft and extending downwardly therefrom, and a counter
weight means secured to the lower end of said third flexible
member, said valve means comprising a channel shaped member having
inner and outer ends and being pivotally secured at its outer end
to said bin and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the outer
end of said channel shaped member being disposed below one of said
openings, the inner end of said channel shaped member being
connected to said means for opening and closing said valve means,
and means on said channel shaped member for restricting the flow of
material thereover as said channel shaped member is moved from its
open position to its closed position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one cylindrical wall
member is positioned above said floor to define a central granular
material cell, said wall member permitting the granular material to
flow outwardly and downwardly therefrom in a predetermined manner,
a material conveyor means in communication with a source of
granular material for conveying granular material to said central
cell at times, and a material sensing means in said central cell
for activating and deactivating said conveyor means dependent upon
the level of the material in said central cell, said sensing means
comprising a first arm pivotally connected at its upper end to said
roof and extending downwardly therefrom, the lower end of said
first arm being normally disposed adjacent said floor, a second arm
pivotally secured at its upper end to said roof and extending
downwardly therefrom, outwardly of said first arm, the lower end of
said second arm terminating above the lower end of said first arm,
a horizontally disposed cross arm operatively connected to said
first arm between the ends thereof, a first plate means on the
lower end of said first arm, a second plate on the lower end of
said second arm and having an upper edge, said first arm being
pivotally moved outwardly by the material entering said central
cell from a normal vertical position to an inclined second
position, said second arm being pivotally moved outwardly by the
material entering said central cell from a normal vertical position
to an inclined second position, a third arm operatively pivotally
secured at one end to said bin and extending inwardly over said
upper edge of said second plate and extending inwardly over said
cross arm, said third arm having a plurality of notches formed in
its lower surface adapted to engage the upper edge of said second
plate at times to maintain said second arm in said second position
at times, said cross arm causing said third arm to release said
second arm when said first arm moves from its second position to
its normal position, and a mercury switch means on said second arm
for activating said conveyor means when said second arm is in its
normal vertical position and for deactivating said conveyor means
when said second arm is in its inclined position.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and third flexible
members are wound upon said third shaft in opposite directions.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said valve means
comprises a channel shaped member having inner and outer ends and
being pivotally secured at its outer end to said bin and extending
radially inwardly therefrom, the outer end of said channel shaped
member being disposed below one of said openings, the inner end of
said channel shaped member being connected to said means for
opening and closing said valve means, and means on said channel
shaped member for restricting the flow of material thereover as
said channel shaped member is moved from its open position to its
closed position.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the
bottom surface thereof.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprising a plate means having inner and outer ends,
said plate means being pivotally secured at its outer end to said
channel shaped member and being movable from a first position
wherein the outer end of said plate means is disposed above the
bottom thereof to a second position wherein the outer end of said
plate means engages the bottom of said channel shaped member, and a
flexible means connected to said plate means for moving said plate
means to its first position when said channel shaped member is
moved to its open position and for moving said plate means to its
second position when said channel shaped member is moved to its
closed position.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein horizontally disposed wall
members are mounted above said floor to define a central granular
material cell and outer granular material cells, said wall members
having openings formed therein to permit the granular material in
the central cell to flow outwardly and downwardly to the outer
cells in a predetermined manner.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one cylindrical wall
member is positioned above said floor to define a central granular
material cell, said wall member permitting the granular material to
flow outwardly and downwardly therefrom in a predetermined manner,
a material conveyor means in communication with a source of
granular material for conveying granular material to said central
cell at times, and a material sensing means in said central cell
for activating and deactivating said conveyor means dependent upon
the level of the material in said central cell.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a power means is operatively
connected to said valve means and said thermostat means, said power
means comprising a motor and a torque convertor means.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a counterweight is connected
to said torque convertor means whereby the operation of said power
means and said torque convertor means will open said valve means,
and said counterweight will close said valve means when said power
means and said torque convertor means are inoperative.
14. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the
bottom surface thereof.
15. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprises a plate means having inner and outer ends,
said plate means being pivotally secured at its outer end to said
channel shaped member and being movable from a first position
wherein the outer end of said plate means is disposed above the
bottom thereof to a second position wherein the outer end of said
plate means engages the bottom of said channel shaped member, and a
flexible means connected to said plate means for moving said plate
means to its first position when said channel shaped member is
moved to its open position and for moving said plate means to its
second position when said channel shaped member is moved to its
closed position.
16. An apparatus for drying granular material in a grain bin having
an enclosure forming wall, a roof mounted over the wall, and a base
floor for the wall, the apparatus comprising:
a floor mounted in the upper part of the bin, said floor being
inclined and sloping downwardly from the center of the bin toward
and in contacting relation with the wall whereby granular material
disposed on said floor is normally prevented from falling onto said
base floor, said floor having a plurality of spaced apart openings
formed therein adjacent said wall through which the granular
material can fall,
a valve means positioned below each of said openings and being
movable between open and closed positions to permit granular
material to fall through said openings and to prevent granular
material from falling through said openings respectively, said
valve means comprising a channel shaped member having inner and
outer ends and being pivotally secured at its outer end to said bin
and extending radially inwardly therefrom, the outer end of said
channel shaped member being disposed below one of said openings,
the inner end of said channel shaped member being connected to said
means for opening and closing said valve means, and means on said
channel shaped member for restricting the flow of material
thereover as said channel shaped member is moved from its open
position to its closed position, means for opening and closing said
valve means, and means for suppying drying air within the bin and
below said floor.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the
bottom surface thereof.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means on said channel
shaped member comprising a plate means having inner and outer ends,
said plate means being pivotally secured at its outer end to said
channel shaped member and being movable from a first position
wherein the outer end of said plate means is disposed above the
bottom thereof to a second position wherein the outer end of said
plate means engages the bottom of said channel shaped member, and a
flexible means connected to said plate means for moving said plate
means to its first position when said channel shaped member is
moved to its open position and for moving said plate means to its
second position when said channel shaped member is moved to its
closed position.
19. An apparatus for drying granular material in a grain bin having
an enclosure forming wall, a roof mounted over the wall, and a base
floor for the wall, the apparatus comprising:
a floor mounted in the upper part of the bin, said floor being
inclined and sloping downwardly from the center of the bin toward
and in contacting relation with the wall whereby granular material
disposed on said floor is normally prevented from falling onto said
base floor, said floor having a plurality of spaced apart openings
formed therein adjacent said wall through which the granular
material can fall,
a valve means positioned below each of said openings and being
movable between open and closed positions to permit granular
material to fall through said openings and to prevent granular
material from falling through said openings respectively.
means for opening and closing said valve means,
means for supplying drying air within the bin and below said
floor,
a central granular material cell positioned above said floor and
adapted to permit granular material to flow outwardly and
downwardly therefrom,
a material conveyor means in communication with a source of
granular material for conveying granular material to said central
cell at times,
a material sensing means in said central cell for activating and
deactivating said conveyor means dependent upon the level of the
material in said central cell,
said sensing means comprising a pivotal ratchet arm assembly, a
normally closed switch means on said ratchet arm assembly which is
electrically connected to said conveyor means adapted to open and
to deactivate said conveyor means when the granular material in
said central cell has pivotally moved said ratchet arm assembly to
a first position, and means on said ratchet arm assembly for
maintaining said switch means in its open position until the level
of the granular material in said central cell has lowered to a
predetermined level.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the drying of granular material and more
particularly to the drying of grain. Many attempts have been made
to provide a means for satisfactorily drying grain. One method
utilizes a grain drying bin while another method utilizes a
portable batch dryer. A still further method utilizes a grain
drying bin which dries one batch at a time but which then requires
that the batch be transferred to another bin for storage purposes.
A disadvantage of the first method referred to above is primarily
in subjecting several lower levels of the grain in the bin to the
drying process several times. Also, in introducing the grain to be
dried into this type of bin, it must be leveled by mechanical
means, and in some instances stirring auger type devices are used
to aid aeration of the grain. The second and third methods require
additional equipment and time for handling the grain with respect
to moving it from the drying equipment to the storage equipment,
all of which increase the drying costs and the possible damage to
the grain by over-handling.
Another method of grain drying, not as well known as the former
methods, is that of batch drying grain within the upper portion of
a conventional grain drying bin. This latter method uses a
substantially horizontal floor with trap door or gate means formed
therein, and with drying air being forced beneath the upper floor,
passing therethrough to dry the grain thereabove. After drying, the
grain is dumped onto the base floor of the bin for storage
purposes. Disadvantages of this method are believed to include an
excess of equipment such as a grain leveler mounted above the upper
floor for distributing grain in a level manner thereon, and the
provision of a sweep auger also directly above the upper floor for
aiding in the dumping of the grain after drying through the doors
or gate.
Applicant's earlier apparatus for drying grain as disclosed in U.S.
Letters Pat. No. 3,501,845, represented a substantial improvement
in an apparatus for drying grain and the apparatus of this
invention represents a significant improvement over applicant's
earlier apparatus.
Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an
improved apparatus for drying grain.
A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for
drying grain which can be added to conventional grain bins in an
economical manner.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a grain
drying apparatus for use in conventional grain bins wherein storage
space therein is used to the utmost.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a grain
drying apparatus including means for precisely controlling the
operation of the supply auger and the gas dryer.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus
for drying grain including means for controlling the flow of the
dried grain from a perforated drying floor.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a grain
drying apparatus including means for more evenly drying the
grain.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a grain
drying apparatus which is economical of manufacture and durable in
use.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and
combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects
contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth,
specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the grain drying
apparatus of this invention shown and installed in an assembled
relationship within a grain bin:
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 2--2 of FIG.
1:
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 3--3 of FIG.
2:
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 4--4 of FIG.
2:
FIG. 5 is a sectional view seen on lines 5--5 of FIG. 4:
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one form of the trap door of this
invention:
FIG. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the
relationship of the trap door of FIG. 6 and the perforated drying
floor:
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but which illustrates the trap
door in its raised position:
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the trap
door:
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 except that the modified form
of the trap door of FIG. 9 is illustrated:
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 except that the trap door of
FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown in its raised position:
FIG. 12 is a side view of the apparatus for controlling the
operation of the conveyor auger, gas valve and dryer blower:
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 except that the grain is shown
in a somewhat lower position:
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIGS. 12 and 13 and illustrates the
relationship of the components when the grain has moved from the
perforated drying floor:
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 12-14;
and
FIG. 16 is a schematic of the electrical circuitry of the grain
drying apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The numeral 10 generally designates a conventional grain bin which
houses the grain drying apparatus indicated generally at 12 which
is capable of drying granular material 14 for subsequent storage in
the lower part of the bin 10.
The grain bin 10 comprises a side wall 16 and a conical shaped roof
18 mounted thereon. An opening 20 is formed in the apex of the roof
18, and therebelow is found a foundation or base floor 22. The base
floor 22 has an X-shaped trough 24 formed therein, and spaced above
the surface of the base floor 22 is a perforated plate 26 capable
of holding granular material while enabling air from therebelow to
pass upwardly therethrough.
One leg of the trough 26 communicates to the exterior of the bin 10
through a passage 28 formed on the side wall 16. A blower system 30
is fluidly connected with the trough 24 through a duct 32, and upon
energizing the blower 30, air is forced into the trough 24
whereupon it circulates upwardly through the perforated floor plate
26 and through granular materials stored thereon for aeration
purposes.
At the center of the lower floor 22, a sump opening 34 is formed
therein which fluidly communicates with a tunnel 36 formed in the
lower floor 22. The tunnel 36 leads from the sump opening 34 to an
area 38 immediately outside the bin 10. An auger 40 is axially
mounted in the tunnel 36, with one end thereof secured to a gear
housing 42 mounted in the base of the sump opening 34, with the
other end extending to the area 38. A motor 44 is mounted on the
outside of the bin 10 and is belt connected to the auger 40 for
rotating the same.
The gear housing 42 has a vertically disposed shaft 46 rotatably
mounted therein which extends upwardly therefrom. Secured to the
upper part of the shaft 46 is a second gear housing 48. A sweep
auger 50 is rotatably attached to the gear housing 48 and is
operated thereby. The motor 44 is operable to rotate the auger 36
which in turn causes the sweep auger 50 to rotate about its
horizontal axis and to rotate about the shaft 46. The purpose of
the auger 36 and the sweep auger 50 will be described in more
detail hereinafter.
The drying apparatus 12 of this invention comprises generally an
overhead floor structure indicated generally at 52, a grain
discharge apparatus indicated generally at 54 and a grain leveling
control apparatus indicated generally at 56 in FIG. 1. A drying
apparatus indicated generally at 58 is also utilized with the
invention and of course is necessary for the entire drying process
to occur.
The overhead floor structure 52 comprises specifically a conical
shaped perforated floor 60 with the slope of the floor 50 being
generally parallel to the slope of the roof 18, although this is
not critical.
The numeral 62 generally comprises a storage bin having a conveyor
auger 64 extending from the lower end thereof which is in
communication with the opening 20. Conveyor auger 64 is driven by
the electric motor 66.
Grain discharge apparatus 54 generally comprises a housing 68 which
is secured to the central portion of the overhead floor structure
52 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Housing 68 has an intake opening 70
formed at one end thereof and a discharge opening 72 formed at the
other end thereof as also seen in FIG. 4. Electric motor 74 is
mounted in the housing 68 and drives a fan means 76. Shaft 78 is
rotatably mounted in bearings 80 and 82 and has a fan means 84
mounted thereon which is positioned closely adjacent the fan means
76. Sprocket 86 is mounted on the outer end of shaft 78 and drives
a chain 88 extending therearound. Chain 88 extends around a
sprocket 90 mounted on one end of a shaft 92 which is secured to
the underside of the housing 68 by bearings 94 and 96.
The numeral 98 refers to a flexible cable or the like which is
wound upon the shaft 92 so that rotation of the shaft 92 in one
direction will cause the cable length 100 to move upwardly while
the cable length 102 will move downwardly. Rotation of the shaft 92
in an opposite direction will cause the cable length 100 to move
downwardly while the cable length 102 moves upwardly. A counter
weight 104 is secured to the lower end of cable length 100 while a
support 106 is secured to the lower end of cable length 102.
A plurality of cables 108 are secured to the support 106 and extend
radially therefrom as illustrated in the drawings. Each of the
cables 108 are secured to one end of a trap door generally referred
to by the reference numeral 110. Each of the trap doors 110 are
pivotally connected at 112 to the overhead floor structure 52 as
illustrated in FIG. 7. The perforated floor 60 is provided with an
opening 114 which is positioned above the outer end of each of the
trap doors 110. Each of the trap doors 110 are channel or U-shaped
generally comprising a bottom 116 and upstanding sides 118 and 120.
Each of the trap doors 110 are provided with an arcuate lip 122
which extends upwardly from bottom 116 as seen in FIGS. 6 and
7.
The numeral 110' refers generally to a modified form of the trap
door which is seen in FIGS. 9-11. Trap door 110' is identical to
trap door 110 except that the lip 122 has been omitted from trap
door 110'. In trap door 110', a channel 124 is pivotally connected
to sides 118' and 120' by pin 126. Chain 128 extends from the
overhead floor structure 52 to the channel 124 as seen in FIGS. 10
and 11. When the trap door 110' is in the position of FIG. 11, the
outer end of the channel 124 is in engagement with the bottom 116'
of the trap door 110'. When the trap door 110' has been moved to
the position of FIG. 10, the outer end of the channel 124 is out of
engagement with the bottom 116' to permit the material to flow
therebeneath.
Grain leveling apparatus 56 generally comprises a first circular
wall means 130 extending between the roof 18 and the overhead floor
structure 52 and positioned centrally with respect thereto as seen
in FIG. 1. Wall means 130 is provided with a plurality of closely
spaced perforations 132 formed therein adjacent the upper end
thereof extending therearound to permit the passage of air
therethrough as illustrated in FIG. 3. Wall means 130 is also
provided with a plurality of openings 134 and 136 formed therein
adjacent the lower end thereof as seen in FIG. 12. As also seen in
FIG. 12, the lower end of the wall means 130 terminates above the
perforated floor 60. An outer wall means 136 is positioned above
the overhead floor structure 52 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and
extends around the wall means 130. FIG. 3 illustrates the fact that
the upper end of the wall means 136 is spaced below the roof 18 to
permit the passage of air therebetween.
Wall means 136 is provided with a plurality of openings 138 formed
therein to permit the grain to flow therethrough. For purposes of
description, the wall means 130 and 136 define grain cells 140, 142
and 144. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the grain flows through the
openings 138 so as to achieve a predetermined level in the grain
cell 144 generally indicated at 146. Likewise, the grain will flow
through the openings 134 in wall means 130 so as to achieve a
predetermined grain level in cell 142 generally indicated at 148.
The level of the grain in grain cell 140 is controlled by a sensing
apparatus referred to generally by the reference numeral 150 which
is best illustrated in FIGS. 12-15. Sensing apparatus 150 comprises
a ratchet arm 152 pivotally connected to the upper end of wall
means 130 at 154 and extending inwardly therefrom. Ratchet arm 152
is provided with a plurality of sawtooth-like notches 156 formed in
the underside thereof. Arm 158 is pivotally connected to roof 18 at
160 and extends downwardly therefrom as seen in the drawings. Arm
158 is provided with a plate 162 at its lower end and is provided
with a transversely extending arm member 164 intermediate the ends
thereof. As seen in FIG. 15, ratchet arm 152 is adapted to slidably
engage the arm member 164 at times.
Arm 166 is pivotally connected to roof 18 at 168 and extends
downwardly therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 15. Arm 166 is provided
with plate 170 at its lower end. As illustrated in the drawings,
the upper end of plate 170 is adapted to engage the notches 156 at
times. The numeral 172 refers to a mercury switch connected to arm
166. When arm 166 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 14, the
switch is closed upon contact 174 to actuate the auger motor 66
which is electrically connected thereto as illustrated in FIG. 16.
When the mercury switch 172 is in the position illustrated in FIG.
13, contact 174 is open. The numeral 182 refers to a
thermostatically controlled switch which controls the operation of
the motor 74. When a grain temperature of approximately
120.degree.F. is sensed by the thermostat 182, electric motor 74 is
actuated as is the motor 44. The circuitry is controlled by master
switches 184 and 185. The dryer blower 30 and auger motor 44 are on
separate circuits (not shown).
Assuming that the grain cells 140, 142 and 144 are initially empty,
the normal method of operation is as follows. Initially, the trap
doors 110 will be in their horizontal or closed position such as
illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 1. The sensing mechanism 150
will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 14 when grain cell 140
is empty. Mercury switch 172 will normally be closed upon contact
174 when the arm 166 is hanging in its vertical position as
illustrated in FIG. 14. The master switch 184 is initially closed
when it is desired to begin the drying operation. The closing of
the switch 184 causes auger motor 66 to be energized so that the
grain will be conveyed from the storage bin 62 to the upper open
end of the bin. The grain will be deposited in the grain cell 140
and the grain will flow downwardly and outwardly into the grain
cells 142 and 144 to achieve the levels illustrated in FIG. 3. The
construction of the wall means 130 and 136 and the perforations
formed therein is such that the desired level of grain is
maintained without avalanching the same. Since the trap doors 110
are closed, the grain will dam up on the outer ends of the trap
doors to prevent the grain from flowing through the openings 114 in
the perforated floor 60.
Auger motor 66 continues to operate to supply grain to the grain
cell 140 and the grain in the grain cell 140 will cause plate 162
and arm 158 to pivotally move outwardly as the grain level rises in
the grain cell 140. As the grain level rises in grain cell 140, the
grain will engage the plate 170 to cause the arm 166 to be
pivotally moved outwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 13.
With the arm 166 in the position illustrated in FIG. 13, the
mercury switch 172 will deactivate the auger motor 66. As the arm
166 pivotally moves outwardly, the upper end of plate 170 will
engage the notches 156 and will be maintained therein until the
level of the grain in the grain cell 140 is lowered to a
predetermined level. Thus, heated air is passed upwardly through
the perforated floor 60 by the dryer apparatus 58 and the blower
apparatus 30. Blower apparatus 30 cools the heated dry corn. The
heated air will be passed through the grain in the grain cells
until the thermostat 182 senses a grain temperature of
approximately 120.degree.F. When thermostat 182 senses 120.degree.
F., the motor 74 is actuated to cause the rotation of the fan means
76. Rotation of the fan means 76 causes the fan means 84 to be
rotated which in turn causes shaft 78 and shaft 92 to be rotated.
Rotation of the shaft 92 causes cable length 104 to be effectively
shortened as it wraps around the shaft 92 so that the counterweight
104 is moved from the maximum upper position illustrated by broken
lines in FIG. 1 to the lower position illustrated by solid lines in
FIG. 1. The motor 74 operates longer than necessary to lift the
counterweight to its maximum upper position, but the torque
converter means (fans 76 and 84 and related structure) prevents any
damage from occurring to the components as motor 74 and fan 76
continue to run and fan 84 stops.
As the grain flows from grain cell 144 outwardly through the
openings 114, the grain in grain cell 142 will tend to flow into
the grain cell 144. The grain in grain cell 140 will also flow into
the grain cell 142 as the grain is discharged through the openings
114. FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the manner in which the sensing means
150 sense the lowering of the grain level in cell 140. As the grain
level in cell 140 lowers, the sensing apparatus 150 will remain in
the position illustrated in FIG. 12 until such time as the level of
the grain is substantially at the lower end of the plate 162. The
continued lowering of the grain level in cell 140 causes the arm
158 to pivot from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG.
14. The ratchet arm 152 maintains the arm 166 in the position of
FIG. 13 until such time as arm 158 has been pivotally moved to its
vertical position so that the member 164 engages the inner end of
the ratchet arm 152 to pivotally move the same upwardly thereby
releasing the upper end of the plate 170 from the notch 156 so that
the arm 166 may pivot to the vertical position illustrated in FIG.
14. The pivotal movement of the arm 166 to the position of FIG. 14
activates the auger motor 66 to supply additional grain to grain
cell 140.
As the cool wet grain is introduced into the bin 10, the thermostat
182 will again open which causes the motor 74 to be deactivated.
When motor 74 is deactivated, the counterweight 104 causes the
shaft 92 to be rotated which causes the support 106 to move
upwardly so that the cables 108 move the trap doors from their open
position (solid lines, FIG. 1) to their closed position (dotted
lines, FIG. 1) so that the grain will be maintained on the
perforated floor 60 until the predetermined drying temperature is
achieved.
It is during the initial movement of the trap doors 110 from their
open position to their closed position that the arcuate lip 122
thereon becomes important. If lips 122 were not present, the grain
would tend to flow over the bottom 116 which would require that
counterweight 104 not only overcome the weight of the doors
themselves but the weight of the grain on the trap doors. The
counterweight 140 will initially move the trap doors 110 slightly
upwardly and the lips 122 will "dam" the grain thereabove to
prevent additional grain from flowing downwardly on the trap door.
The lips 122 do not interfere with the normal flow of the grain
when the doors are in their open position but provide the necessary
damming effect when the doors are moved upwardly.
The channels 124 on the trap doors 110' serve the same purpose as
the lips 122 on trap doors 110. FIG. 10 illustrates the trap door
110 in its open position and it can be seen that the grain will
flow beneath the channel 124 which has been pivotally moved
upwardly by the chain 128. As counterweight 104 initially moves the
door 110' upwardly, the channel 124 will pivot downwardly so as to
"dam" the grain in a manner similar to the lips 122 on trap doors
110.
Thus it can be seen that a novel apparatus for drying grain has
been provided which dries the grain in a continuous manner rather
than in a batch type manner. The thermostat 182 constantly senses
the temperature of the grain to permit the flow of grain from the
perforated floor 60 when the grain has reached a predetermined
temperature and to cause additional grain to be supplied to the bin
when the thermostat 182 senses a temperature less than the
temperature which would indicate that the grain is dry. The sensing
apparatus 150 provides a means for automatically supplying
additional grain to the bin whenever the level of the grain within
grain cell 140 lowers to a predetermined level. The manner in which
the trap doors are opened by the electric motor through the fan
means 76 and 84 provides an economical and efficient manner of
controlling the operation of the trap doors. It should be
understood that the fan means 76 and 84 could be replaced by an air
or hydraulic torque converter if so desired.
Thus it can be seen that the apparatus accomplishes at least all of
its stated objectives.
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