US3817261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grain moisturizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-09
•
Granted: 1974-06-18
•
Expires: 1992-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A portable device is described for adding water at a predetermined rate to the hopper of a conventional, portable grain auger or elevator whereby the moisture content of the grain is increased by a desired amount as the grain is moved from storage to a predetermined location. In one embodiment a gravity feed is described whereby water from a tank flows from an outlet therein into the hopper. The water level in the tank is maintained constant by a float valve at the tank inlet controlling ingress therethrough from a source of water under pressure, the flow rate being determined by the area of a fluid passage in a flow controller positioned in the outlet. In an alternative embodiment a variable speed, motor-driven pump is utilized to supply water from the water source at a constant rate to the hopper, the rate of flow being determined by the speed of the motor. In both embodiments the magnitude of the increase in moisture is determined by the rate of flow of water into the hopper which in turn is proportional to the capacity of the grain elevator or auger used to convey the grain from the hopper.
Inventors
- 👤 L Rogge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02B; B02B1/00; B02B1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A portable device for use with a portable grain conveyor, said conveyor having a hopper fOr receiving grain and means for conveying grain from the hopper to a predetermined location, to increase the moisture content of the grain conveyed thereby, said device comprising: a source of water; a tank having an outlet located at the bottom portion thereof; filling means in communication with the interior of said tank and with said source of water for admitting water thereto; first control means carried by said device for controlling the quantity of water admitted by said filling means to said tank and for maintaining the level of water in said tank substantially at a predetermined height; second control means carried by said device for permitting only a predetermined rate of flow through the outlet and for directing said flow of water into the hopper of the grain conveyor, said second control means including a flow regulating means disposed in the outlet and defining a fluid passage therethrough for communicating fluid from the interior of said tank through the outlet so that water flowing from said tank, through the passage in said member, will flow at a predetermined rate; said second control means further including a conduit extending from said tank and adapted to be directed downwardly into the hopper; means surrounding the outlet for connecting an end of said conduit in sealing engagement to the portion of said tank surrounding the outlet whereby water communicates from the interior of said tank through the fluid passage and through said conduit to the hopper at a predetermined rate proportional to the capacity of the conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A portable device for use with a portable grain conveyor, said conveyor having a hopper fOr receiving grain and means for conveying grain from the hopper to a predetermined location, to increase the moisture content of the grain conveyed thereby, said device comprising: a source of water; a tank having an outlet located at the bottom portion thereof; filling means in communication with the interior of said tank and with said source of water for admitting water thereto; first control means carried by said device for controlling the quantity of water admitted by said filling means to said tank and for maintaining the level of water in said tank substantially at a predetermined height; second control means carried by said device for permitting only a predetermined rate of flow through the outlet and for directing said flow of water into the hopper of the grain conveyor, said second control means including a flow regulating means disposed in the outlet and defining a fluid passage therethrough for communicating fluid from the interior of said tank through the outlet so that water flowing from said tank, through the passage in said member, will flow at a predetermined rate; said second control means further including a conduit extending from said tank and adapted to be directed downwardly into the hopper; means surrounding the outlet for connecting an end of said conduit in sealing engagement to the portion of said tank surrounding the outlet whereby water communicates from the interior of said tank through the fluid passage and through said conduit to the hopper at a predetermined rate proportional to the capacity of the conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of said fluid passage is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of said outlet and the internal cross-sectional area of said conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising vent means mounted on said conduit adjacent said flow regulating member and extending therethrough for communicating atmospheric pressure to the interior of said conduit immediately downstream of the fluid passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 3 further comprising valve means carried by said conduit for controlling the flow of water therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tank has an inlet and said filling means includes conduit means connecting the inlet and said source of water for communicating water from said source to the interior of said tank through said inlet, said first control means comprising: a valve seat carried by said device in said inlet; a valve element disposed in said inlet and movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat responsive to a change in the level of water in said tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising a float member disposed in said tank; a lever arm connecting said float member and said valve element; a fulcrum supporting said lever arm and disposed between said float and said valve element so that as the water level in said tank rises said float and lever urge said valve element into engagement with said seat, and as the water level in said tank lowers said float and lever urge said valve element out of engagement with said valve seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet is a port and said flow regulating means includes a plate detachably mounted in said port, said plate having an aperture therethrough defining a fluid passage, said passage having a predetermined cross-sectional area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said tank is positioned above said hopper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |