Patent US3849901A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3849901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for drying grain
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-05-29
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-05-29
Abstract
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
- 👤 R Smith
- 👤 L Keese
- 👤 V Sietmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:45
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B9/00; F26B9/06; F26B9/063; F26B25/00; F26B25/001; F26B25/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
300 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
381 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and third flexible members are wound upon said third shaft in opposite directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means on said channel shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the bottom surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means on said channel shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the bottom surface thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
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.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
250 words
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.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
250 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means on said channel shaped member comprises an arcuate lip extending upwardly from the bottom surface thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
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.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
313 words
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.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
313 words
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.
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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |