US3636638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic grain dryer
Assignee: Beard Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1970-08-19
•
Granted: 1972-01-25
•
Expires: 1990-08-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention comprises a grain dryer wherein the entire operation of drying the grain from a wet condition to one of a predetermined lower moisture content is completely automated, with an improved control circuitry including a bilevel photoelectric unit mounted within the dryer for refilling the drying column based purely upon moisture removal rate or shrinkage rate of the grain, the circuitry including further a temperature-controlled unit for sensing the temperature of the air as it passes through the grain column based on a predetermined temperature setting, and wherein the circuitry includes a second temperature-controlled unit for alternately turning the burner on and off during the heating cycle such that the grain is dried by a heat-pulsing action.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald T Noyes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:07
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/12; F26B17/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
In a grain dryer having a housing including inner and outer perforated sidewalls defining a drying column about an interior chamber, loading means in the housing for receiving grain and moving it into the column from the upper rear of the housing, means for moving air from external the housing into the chamber and forcing it outwardly of the housing through the perforated sidewalls, burner means for heating the air as it is moved into the chamber, and unloading means for removing the grain from the bottom of the column for discharge outside of the housing, the improvement of heating the grain and comprising: an electric circuit for operating the loading means, air moving means, burner means, and unloading means; first means in said circuit responsive to the grain reaching a predetermined height in the column for ceasing operation of the grain-loading means, and responsive to the grain shrinking to a predetermined lower height in the column for operating the grain-loading means; second means responsive to the temperature of the air in the chamber for alternately operating and ceasing operation of the burner means; third means responsive to the moisture content of the grain in the column for ceasing operation of the grain-loading means and for ceasing operation of the burner means; fourth means responsive to a predetermined differential between the ambient temperature and the temperature in the column for ceasing operation of the air-moving means and for operating the grain-unloading means; and fifth means responsive to the absence of grain in the column for ceasing operation of the unloading means and initiating a new cycle of operation of the dryer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a grain dryer having a housing including inner and outer perforated sidewalls defining a drying column about an interior chamber, loading means in the housing for receiving grain and moving it into the column from the upper rear of the housing, means for moving air from external the housing into the chamber and forcing it outwardly of the housing through the perforated sidewalls, burner means for heating the air as it is moved into the chamber, and unloading means for removing the grain from the bottom of the column for discharge outside of the housing, the improvement of heating the grain and comprising: an electric circuit for operating the loading means, air moving means, burner means, and unloading means; first means in said circuit responsive to the grain reaching a predetermined height in the column for ceasing operation of the grain-loading means, and responsive to the grain shrinking to a predetermined lower height in the column for operating the grain-loading means; second means responsive to the temperature of the air in the chamber for alternately operating and ceasing operation of the burner means; third means responsive to the moisture content of the grain in the column for ceasing operation of the grain-loading means and for ceasing operation of the burner means; fourth means responsive to a predetermined differential between the ambient temperature and the temperature in the column for ceasing operation of the air-moving means and for operating the grain-unloading means; and fifth means responsive to the absence of grain in the column for ceasing operation of the unloading means and initiating a new cycle of operation of the dryer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein said first means comprises a photoelectric unit mounted in the top front of the housing and having a vertically spaced pair of opposed light-cell elements in said circuit such that upon grain covering both light-cell pair of elements the loading means operation is Stopped, and upon grain uncovering the lower light-cell pair of elements the loading means operation is started.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein said second means comprises a thermostat bulb mounted inside the chamber and said thermostat bulb having an adjustable setting such that upon the chamber reaching a certain temperature operation of the burner ceases, and upon the temperature falling past the said thermostat differential operation of the burner starts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein said third means comprises a thermostat for determining the temperature of air passing through the grain related to moisture content.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein said fourth means comprises a relay operable by a pair of sensing bulbs one of which is placed near the air-moving means for detecting ambient temperature, and the other of which is placed in the column for detecting the temperature of air passing through the grain therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein said fifth means includes an unload time delay relay which provides a cleanout period of time for unloading the dryer and any auxiliary unload conveyors, the ending of which initiates the new cycle of loading.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 1, and wherein means is provided for controlling the volume of grain discharged by the unloading means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 7, wherein said grain discharge control means comprises an unloading auger extended the length of the housing along the bottom thereof, an inverted V-shaped shield mounted above said auger, the bottom edges of said shield forming one or more spaces with the bottom of the housing through which grain from the column flows, and one or more plates each slidably mounted over one said space so as to adjustably cover said space a predetermined amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a grain dryer as defined in claim 8, and wherein each of said plates is exposed to exterior the housing so as to be adjustable during operation of said dryer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |