Patents Assigned to Aaron's Engineering
  • Patent number: 12240149
    Abstract: A mixer having a discharge screw centrally located between first and second side walls and disposed in a cavity provided in the bottom. The discharge screw has (a) a shaft with a first end that extends through a first end wall and (b) a driven end opposite the first end of the shaft, with the driven end being connected to a motor shaft for rotating the discharge screw in at least one direction. The driven end has a recessed portion that extends into the second end wall of the vessel. The mixer may include a deflector that is fixed to the second end wall and extends toward the first end wall and is located between the mixing blades and the discharge screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Aaron Engineered Process Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20190107243
    Abstract: A system for positioning a rotatable vessel includes a rotatable vessel having a target block fixed thereto. A protrusion that is configured to mate with the target block is coupled to a slide plate and moveable relative to the slide plate toward the target block. The slide plate is slidably adjustable relative to a fixed base plate. The precise rotational position of the vessel can be controlled by fixing the slide plate relative to the base plate, such that when the slide plate is locked to the base plate, extension of the protrusion into engagement with the target block will rotationally position the vessel. When the protrusion and the target block are engaged, the vessel and the slide plate are linked, and the position of the slide plate may be adjusted relative to the base plate to set an adjusted desired position of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Aaron Engineered Process Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20190105659
    Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a body rotatable about its longitudinal axis and pivotable about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system includes an interchangeable discharge grate and a solid cover for attaching to an open end of the body. The discharge grate includes a plurality of holes through which milled product can pass while grinding media is retained. The body is pivotable to a vertical orientation, where the covers can be changed, and to a horizontal orientation where grinding can be performed with the solid cover attached or discharge can be performed with the discharge grate attached. The discharge grate is sealed to a discharge housing during discharge via an annular seal, where the discharge grate and body are rotated relative to the fixed discharge housing. The discharge grate can include a deflector portion that deflects milled product away from the annular seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Aaron Engineered Process Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20140197254
    Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable cylinder, a discharge grate, a movable flap valve into and out of engagement with the grate, a discharge housing surrounding the grate, and a conveying pipe extending from the discharge housing. The cylinder can include grinding media for abrading a product when the cylinder is rotated. The product can be in either a dry form or within a liquid medium. Upon conclusion of the milling, the flap valve can be opened to allow the milled product to pass through the grate and into the discharge housing. A negative pressure can be applied to draw the milled product through the conveying pipe into a separator tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Aaron Engineered Process Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6454098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning and/or classifying seed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seed conditioning/classification unit having an acceleration conduit and a convexly curved Coanda surface provided adjacent to the conduit at its outlet, curving upwardly therefrom. As the crude particulate feed stream is discharged from the outlet, it is conditioned by the Coanda effect into a first outlet stream of entraining gas and lightweight extraneous materials, which is channeled approximately along or parallel to the Coanda surface, and a second stream of relatively heavier materials such as seeds, which is expelled approximately parallel to the central axis of the conduit at the outlet. Seeds which are expelled from the conduit are also classified by momentum discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Aaron's Engineering
    Inventors: Chester L. Dewald, Victor A. Beisel