Silo unloader and apparatus therefor

Claim 2

Apparatus for driving a generally radial auger for a silo, comprising a first fluid drive means for driving the auger in an arcuate advance motion through an arc, said first fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a first predetermined pressure, second fluid drive means for turning the radial auger about its own axis, in a rotational motion, said second fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a second predetermined pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure, and automatic pressure relief means connecting said first and second fluid drive means whereby fluid pressure build-up resulting from resistance to the turning of the auger about its own axis will discontinue the provision of driving fluid for driving the auger in its advance motion, said automatic pressure relief means being in operative connection to said delivering means for said second fluid drive means, said automatic pressure relief means also having means associated therewith operative in response to a third predetermined pressure in said delivering means for said second fluid drive means during said pressure buildup to cause a by-pass of the lower pressure fluid of said first drive means through said relief means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, including reversing valve meanS for reversing the direction of turning of said auger about its own axis.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said associated means includes a pressure sensing valve, said pressure sensing valve including a cylindrical spool slider member within a bore slidingly disposed against the resistance of an adjustable spring at one end and said second fluid pressure at the other end.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3, said slider member having port means, passing therethrough transversely to said bore, for relieving said first fluid pressure through said port means when said port means becomes aligned both with a source of said first fluid pressure and by-pass means by the movement of said slider member under said second fluid pressure within said bore against said spring resistance at said third predetermined pressure.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said delivering means are connected to a single flow divider means, said flow divider means having a single source of pressurized fluid for delivery to an inlet thereof, and a pair of outlets corresponding to the said delivering means that provide fluid at said first and second predetermined pressures.

Claim 7

Apparatus for driving a generally radial auger for a silo, comprising a first fluid drive means for driving the auger in an arcuate advance motion through an arc, said first fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a first predetermined pressure, second fluid drive means for turning the radial auger about its own axis in a rotational motion, said second fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a second predetermined pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure, and automatic pressure relief means connecting said first and second fluid drive means whereby fluid pressure build-up resulting from resistance to the turning of the auger about its own axis will discontinue the provision of driving fluid for driving the auger in its advance motion, said automatic pressure relief means being in operative connection to said delivering means for said second fluid drive means, said automatic pressure relief means also having means associated therewith operative in response to a third predetermined pressure in said delivering means for said second fluid drive means during said pressure build-up to cause a by-pass of the lower pressure fluid of said first drive means through said relief means; said associated means including a pressure sensing valve, said pressure sensing valve including a cylindrical spool slider member within a bore slidingly disposed against the resistance of an adjustable spring at one end and said second fluid pressure at the other end; said slider member having port means, passing therethrough transversely to said bore, for relieving said first fluid pressure through said port means when said port means becomes aligned both with a source of said first fluid pressure and by-pass means by the movement of said slider member under said second fluid pressure within said bore against said spring resistance at said third predetermined pressure; said delivering means being connected to a single flow divider means, said flow divider means having a single source of pressurized fluid for delivery to an inlet thereof, and a pair of outlets corresponding to the said delivering means that provide fluid at said first and second predetermined pressures; said apparatus including reversing valve means for reversing the direction of the turning of said auger about its own axis.

Claim 8

Apparatus for driving a generally radial auger for a silo, comprising a first fluid drive means for driving the auger in an arcuate advance motion through an arc, said first fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a first predetermined pressure, second fluid drive means for turning the radial auger about its own axis in a rotational motion, said second fluid drive means including means for delivering driving fluid at a second predetermined pressure greater than said first predetermined pressure, and automatic pressure relief means connecting said first and second fluid drive means whereby fluid pressure build-up resulting from resistance to the turning of the auger about its own axis will discontinue the provision of driving fluid for driving the auger in its advance motion, said automatic pressure relief means being in operative connection to said delivering means for said second fluid drive means, said automatic pressure relief means also having means associated therewith operative in response to a third predetermined pressure in said delivering means for said second fluid drive means during said pressure build-up to cause a by-pass of the lower pressure fluid of said first drive means through said relief means; said associated means including a pressure sensing valve, said pressure sensing valve including a cylindrical spool slider member within a bore slidingly disposed against the resistance of an adjustable spring at one end and said second fluid pressure at the other end; said slider member having port means, passing therethrough transversely to said bore, for relieving said first fluid pressure through said port means when said port means becomes aligned both with a source of said first fluid pressure and by-pass means by the movement of said slider member under said second fluid pressure within said bore against said spring resistance at said third predetermined pressure; said delivering means being connected to a single flow divider means, said flow divider means having a single source of pressurized fluid for delivery to an inlet thereof, and a pair of outlets corresponding to the said delivering means that provide fluid at said first and second predetermined pressures; said apparatus including reversing valve means for reversing the direction of the turning of said auger about its own axis.