Abstract: A bin wall cleaner for a sweep conveyors and augers for removing residual grain located near the bin wall out of reach of the sweep conveyor and providing sweep coverage for non-uniform bin walls. The bin wall cleaner has a grain engagement member that extends outwardly from the distal end of the sweep. A biasing member maintains the grain engagement member extended toward the bin wall. A wall engagement member is attached to the grain engagement member to ensure the bin wall cleaner tracks with the bin wall. The grain engagement member extends by pivoting or telescoping at least one blade.

Abstract: A sweep system for moving particulate matter in a bin having a bin floor may comprise a sweep apparatus having at least two branches. Each of the branches may include a sweep assembly having an inboard end for locating toward a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin, and each of the sweep assemblies may include a particulate sweep structure configured to move the particulate matter toward the inboard end. The sweep assemblies of the branches may be connected together at the inboard ends thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation, such as a pipeline. The device comprises a vessel, provided with a fall pipe through which the material is dumped on the underwater bottom; a steering device adapted to control the motion of the fall pipe relative to the underwater bottom; first monitoring means adapted to monitor the state of the underwater bottom; second monitoring means adapted to monitor the position of the steering device; and computing means adapted to compute, control signals for moving the steering device. The invention also relates to a method for dumping material onto an underwater bottom or installation.

Abstract: A tool (7) for sampling or extracting the contents of a pit (4) is suspended from a cable (8) passing through a narrow opening (3) in a slab (2) covering the pit. A crosspiece (13) hooked to guide cables (11) which converge on it makes it possible to displace the lifting cable (8) under the slab (2) according to different movements imposed by winches (10). Thus it is possible to move the tool (7) to the desired point with great precision and without having to descend into the pit (4).

Abstract: An unloading system for a grain bin. The unloading system includes a sweep conveyor for sweeping grain from the interior of the grain bin to a well in the floor of the grain bin. The sweep conveyor includes an elongated frame, a first sprocket at one end of the frame, a second sprocket at the other end of the frame, an endless chain extending between the first and second sprockets, a plurality of spaced apart paddles attached to the chain, and a motor for causing the chain to rotate whereby the paddles will drag or sweep grain to the well in the floor of the grain bin.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an ice supply unit for increasing the ice availability of the dispensing system and a moveable ice gate assembly coupled with the ice supply unit for transporting ice from the ice supply unit about the dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispensing system ice storage unit coupled with the movable ice gate assembly of the ice supply unit for receiving ice therefrom. The ice supply unit includes an ice supply unit housing, an ice collection bin disposed in the ice supply unit housing for receiving ice, and an automatic ice maker assembly positioned within the collection bin for supplying ice thereto. The movable ice gate assembly is positioned substantially centrally within the ice collection bin and includes a post for channeling ice therethrough and a movable gate unit linked and in movable engagement with the post for discharging ice received from the post out the movable ice gate assembly.

Abstract: An enclosed granular or powdered material storage reclaimer, having a floor, a vertical column at the center of the floor, conveyor means disposed below the floor, elongate transfer device hingedly attached to the column, an anchor pedestal for anchoring the bottom end of the column to a footing structure below, and a downwardly directed annular opening formed in the center of the floor, said opening having an inside wall and an outside wall, said annular opening being concentric with the vertical axis of the column and designed to receive granular or powdered material transported there by the elongate transfer device, such that the column may be directly supported by the anchor pedestal and the footing structure, and the conveyor means need not be located directly beneath the center of the column. Such an enclosed granular or powdered material storage reclaimer wherein the conveyor means comprises an air slide conveyor.

Abstract: A lead frame magazine conveying device including vertically provided magazine loader and unloader sections and an elevator system which transfers the lead frame magazine between the magazine loader and unloader sections after bringing the magazine to lead frame receiving or feed out positions. The conveying device further includes a magazine pressing assembly which presses and corrects the attitude of the magazine in the elevator so that the elevator can move the magazine after its attitude is corrected properly by the magazine pressing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a bulk storage facility having a reclaim system for providing a continuous controlled feed of difficult to handle cohesive materials characterized by their tendency to pack together to form relatively self-sustaining walls which are substantially resistant to avalanching. The system comprises a reclaimer that passes over the top surface of a mound of material collecting an infinitely variable depth of material and conveying the material outwardly to a collection conveyor located at the periphery of the mound's base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silo unloader which combines the advantages of both a single auger unloader and a double auger unloader and substantially eliminates the disadvantages of both, to create a silo unloader that is very efficient and effective. Only a portion of the unloader's auger arms has dual augers working therewith while the remaining portion has a single auger. The dual auger functionality is positioned at the end of the auger where most freezing and compaction occurs, thus creating a very aggressive auger at this point. Additionally, the blower of the present silo unloader is positioned at an angle above the augers. This allows for the use of an efficient closed bottom blower in a double auger system while also allowing the placement of the two augers substantially next to each other. By placing the two augers in close proximity to one another reduces the overall width of the auger arm, thus creating a more efficient auger arm.

Abstract: A mass discharger for discharging a bulk mass from a container, such as a silo. The discharger includes a scraper conveyor jointed next to the edge of the side of the discharge end of the container and extending essentially the length of the container and over the edge. The scraper conveyor includes an endless conveyor chain having attached scrapers and a second joint between longitudinal ends of the chain such that the scraper conveyor rests against the discharge side and the bottom of the container while it is emptying it from the upper surface of the bulk mass. The discharger includes lifting devices for raising the scraper conveyor to an upper position for filling of the silo.

Abstract: An unloading system for transporting bulk material from a cargo hold includes parallel guides mounted to extend in a first, preferably width, direction across the top of the cargo hold. A horizontal cross bar extends across the top of the cargo hold in a second direction, preferably longitudinally, transverse to the first direction. The cross bar is mounted on the guides for movement therealong in the first direction. A scoop conveyor extends along the entire dimension of the cargo hold in the second direction and is suspended from the cross bar to be movable upwardly and downwardly relative thereto. The scoop conveyor is a single integrated conveyor member having a construction whereby it is capable of removing the bulk material in a single continuous operation from the cargo hold to a position adjacent the top of the cargo hold.

Abstract: A spreader for granular material such as sand comprises a trailer adapted to be pulled behind a vehicle such as a tractor or other utility vehicle. A frusto-conical bin forms a hopper for a granular material to be dispensed and directs the material into a spreader housing where the material is impelled outwardly through a discharge opening by a rotating impeller. The impeller and an orbital rotating bin sweep arm are driven by coaxial drive shafts via a belt and pulley mechanism. A frictional tire engages the upper rim of the bin and propels the sweep arm in an orbital path. The material discharge rate and discharge pattern are controllable by a slide gate and interchangeable cover plates which vary the size of the discharge opening. The impeller and bin sweep assembly may be driven by an internal motor or from the towing vehicle by a power take-off drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bulk materials from a laterally enclosed storage area wherein the apparatus may be substantially buried within the bulk material (11). The apparatus includes a support column (16) mounted at a base into a support floor (25). An auger (17) is attached by an axial mount at the base of the support column for enabling rotational inclination of the auger from (i) a vertical orientation vertical orientation wherein the auger is nearly parallel with the vertical axis of the support column, (ii) through intermediate angles of inclination (54), to (iii) a substantially horizontal orientation (55) wherein the auger is adjacent to the support floor. The suspension cable (61) is coupled between the support column and auger to enable selective adjustment of auger inclination. A rotational displacement drive (35) is coupled to the support column to rotate the column about its vertical axis, along with the attached auger. A rotational drive motor (51) is mounted at a distal end of the auger.

Abstract: Grain tanks of harvesting machines frequently have an irregularly shaped interior which is difficult to fill completely and to unload. A conveyor system is proposed facilitating loading and unloading of the grain tank. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor arrangement which contains conveyor elements that can be driven and that can be moved vertically depending on the height of the crop deposit. The conveyor arrangement is mounted to the interior wall of the grain tank by a four bar linkage. During the filling process, the conveyor elements act as distributors filling in unused areas of the grain tanks. During the unloading process, they act as conveyors directing grain to the unloading auger.

Abstract: An emptying device for bulk material in cargo or storage rooms (2) comprises a first horizontal conveyor (3) which may be raised and lowered along one side of the room and move bulk material in the direction of a lifting conveyor (4). A further horizontal conveyor (5) moves the bulk material towards said first conveyor (3) and is movable along the latter. Said first conveyor (3) is provided with means (26) enabling it to dig room for itself in the bulk material as it is lowered. The other conveyor (5) comprises a belt conveyor (6) and a excavating wheel (7) rotating about the conveyor and being movable along the conveyor. Said first conveyor (3) has catchers (24) for transporting bulk material.

Abstract: An improved silo unloader having an ensilage cover of air impermeable thermally insulating material for limiting air contact with the surface of the ensilage. The ensilage cover rests on the surface of the ensilage and rotates with the lower part of the silo unloader. The ensilage cover is preferably constructed of upper and lower layers of air-impermeable material with an insulating material layer between. The lower layer is preferably coated with a material which is resistant to adherence of frozen material.

Abstract: An unloading system for bulk material in cargo and storage rooms includes at least one scraper conveyor which is movable vertically and which attacks the bulk material from above and moves it in the horizontal direction against an elevator which transports the bulk material out of the room. Known systems of this type employ single scraper conveyors mounted on and supported by elongated guide beams crossing the room and which may be lowered by means of wires or chains. According to the invention, an integrated, dual acting scraper conveyor unit includes a main scraper member mounted opposite one of the sidewalls of the room, and a transverse member horizontally movable backwards and forwards on the main scraper member. Thus the total ground area of the room is covered. The use of downhanging wires or chains is eliminated by making the conveyor unit vertically movable, using sets of wheels moving along vertical rails mounted on the walls of the room.

Abstract: Textile fiber bale opener with rotary beater which extends in a radial direction while rotatingly sweeping over an annular area defined by concentric circles between which bales are disposed. Up/down means is provided to raise and lower the beater automatically.

Abstract: A silo unloader is of the type which has three support arms, and three suspension cables connected to the support arms are trained over sheaves on a tripod in the top of the silo and connected to a winch on the outside of the silo wall by means of which the unloader is raised and lowered; and a filler spout is used for loading material into the top of the silo. The cable connection to one of the support arms is constructed to permit the point of attachment of the cable to be moved relative to the support arm so the unloader may occupy either a horizontal working position for unloading, or, an inclined position when it is raised for filling the silo; and in the inclined position the high side of the unloader is above the filler spout.

Abstract: An apparatus for the self-unloading of dry, particulate bulk material from multiple storage chambers comprising a plurality of aligned holds or the like (12, 14, 16, 18), having aligned discharged gates (46) formed in the bases thereof for discharge onto a longitudinal, tunnel conveyor (50). A pair of scraper conveyors (52) pivotally mounted (54) to a vertical frame (56) are movable into and out of each such hold with the aid of hoists (58) and vertical elevating mechanisms (62). A longitudinally movable support (64) is further provided for transferring the assembly lengthwise of and above the respective holds as well as for traversing the support (64) within each hold to facilitate unloading operations in connection with each such hold.The scraper conveyors may thus be deployed within or removed from the relatively narrow hatchways (22) of the several cargo holds for sequential operation within each.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a take-up head for a conveyor installation that removes bulk material from the hold of a ship. The take-up head includes a vertical conveying tube carried by a frame, the lower end of the tube defining a take-up aperture. A rotary feeder having a plurality of radially extending spiral veins is rotatably driven to drive material inwardly to the take-up aperture. A holding device, which takes various forms in the several embodiments, projects downward in coaxial relation relative to the feeder to engage the bulk material and resist lateral movement of the take-up head. Anchoring apparatus, which takes the form of a plurality of laterally extending pivotal arms or a laterally extending auxiliary conveyor, is constructed for lowering into engagement with the material to resist rotation of the frame as the feeder rotates. The take-up head is suspended from an on-shore jib that moves the head to various positions within the ship's hold to remove all bulk material.

Abstract: A door frame for use in the discharge doors of silos which is adapted to be quickly moved from one frame to another as silage is removed from the silo, and which will support a hood or funnel used with clean chute systems for discharging silage from the silo. The door frame also may provide a support for the silo unloader, including guides for the normal gooseneck discharge conduit of the unloader and its torque restraining means. The frame provides a rack for receiving and storing the silo door which is removed for installation of the frame. The frame is adjustable to tightly fit into different size door openings. In a preferred embodiment the door frame is raised and lowered into position through the use of a winch and motor assembly, thus making the changing of the movable door frame that supports the hood for the clean chute assembly simple, and relatively labor free.

Abstract: A silo unloader is of the type having a tripod with inwardly and upwardly inclined legs, including a main leg and lateral legs, surmounting the wall of a cylindrical silo, and a silo unloader mechanism has three generally radially extending horizontal support arms to each of which is secured a suspension cable trained over a sheave at the upper end of one of the tripod legs to suspend the mechanism in the silo. Each of the sheaves is journalled in a yoke which is freely suspended at the upper end of a tripod leg, and because of the way the suspension cables must run from the winch to the sheaves, the yokes are displaced from a vertical suspension by the load on the cables. The structure of the support arms permits securement thereto of the three suspension cables at points which compensate for the displacement of the sheave yokes, so as to cause each cable to hang effectively vertically from the sheave over which it is trained.

Abstract: A top silo unloader is of the type which has a cutter-conveyor pickup arm, an impeller, a drive ring above the cutter-conveyor pickup arm, and support arms in a horizontal plane above the drive ring to which suspension cables are connected for moving the unloader vertically in the silo. Improved support arms have downwardly and outwardly extending offset portions outside the drive ring which have their free ends in a plane above the bottom of the cutter-conveyor pickup arm, and means on the free ends of the offset portions to receive the suspension cables.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying bulk material from a storage chamber comprising a first rake in the storage chamber for transporting material in the longitudinal direction, the first rake being movable vertically and transversely. A vertical transport device is mounted in the storage chamber for transporting material from the storage chamber vertically upwards for removal from the storage chamber. A second rake is mounted in the storage chamber transversely and the second rake is positioned adjacent one end of the first rake at a level therebelow for receiving material longitudinally transported by the first rake to in turn transport the material transversely to the vertical transport device. The vertical transport device comprises a plurality of vertically displaceable buckets with a cover plate arrangement positioned in front of the buckets at a level below the second rake and associated with a mechanism for adjusting the cover plates for downward movement as the storage chamber is emptied of material.

Abstract: An ice rake and hoist are disclosed. The ice rake is suspended over an ice storage bin by two pairs of cables, one pair on each side of the rake. The cables of each pair are joined together and connected to a chain which passes over a sprocket for connection to a counterweight and winch. Both sprockets are provided on a common shaft to insure that the ice rake remains level during movement of ice into and out of the storage bin.

Abstract: Apparatus for emptying bulk material from a storage chamber comprising a rake in the storage chamber for transporting material in one direction therein for external discharge from the chamber and a guide beam in the chamber extending transversely and supporting the rake means for slidable movement thereon. The guide beam is supported for vertical movement and comprises a plurality of telescopic sections for adapting the length of the guide beam to varying width of the storage chamber.

Abstract: An installation for storing and handling a granular or pulverulent product, comprising a vessel for storing the product, which may be extracted by means of at least one handling apparatus comprising a raking scoop which causes, during its active travel, the product to pour over the upper edge of an upwardly divergent wall of the vessel. The storage vessel is disposed in a store protected from the exterior medium. The handling apparatus, or each handling apparatus is constituted by a dragline the raking scoop of which is carried by a rigid boom which is mounted on a movable frame located outside the vessel in a high position adjacent the divergent wall of the vessel. A device is provided for filling the vessel and adapted to pour the product in the vicinity of the path described by the end of the dragline boom opposed to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging loose particulate solid material from a storage space, for instance the hold of a ship. A screw conveyor is suspended in a carriage mounted at the upper part of the space and is horizontally movable. The carriage has a hoisting machinery for wire ropes in which a beam is suspended along which the conveyor is mounted. At least two stabilizing wire ropes are secured to the beam and run to pulleys on the carriage, which pulleys are so disposed that the wire ropes cross each other at a point between the carriage and the beam. From the pulleys stabilizing wire ropes run to a device for keeping the wire ropes tensioned when the beam is raised, lowered and stationary.