Abstract: A grain separator having an easily replaceable seal. The separator comprises a housing and a rotatable grain separation drum carried by the housing, the drum having an end face with an external annular bearing surface. A drive shaft extends axially into the drum through the end face, and a grain inlet is carried exteriorly of the housing and includes a bearing rotationally supporting an end of the drive shaft. The inlet includes an inlet spout that extends through the end face for conveying grain to the drum. An easily removable and replaceable split seal is carried about the inlet spout and engages the annular bearing surface to seal the drum from the exterior of the inlet spout, and pressure means are provided for applying axial pressure to the split seal to urge the seal against the annular bearing surface. Disclosed also is a method for seal replacement.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder that allows horizontal striking of fish either while trolling or still-fishing. The fishing rod holder consists of a rod holder support arm assembly, a rotating unit, a base unit and an optional mounting adapter. The rod holder may be mounted for horizontal striking on the top surface of a gunnel wall on a boat or other substantially flat horizontal surface. Alternatively, the mounting adapter may be used to mount the rod holder to a boat handle rail. The rod holder support arms are slidably engaged in the support arm assembly and allow for customized vertical orientation of the rod's tip with respect to the reel. In addition, the horizontal orientation of the rod may be customized to accommodate fishing technique and fishing conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow disrupter within the flow path of a slurry comprising a desired particulate matter and a transport fluid so as to impart a force angularly disposed to an otherwise obtained direction of travel, thereby preventing the formation of a sheet of aggregated particulates against the screen surface. In a method in accord with the present invention a force is imparted to the desired particulate matter in an angular direction to the direction of travel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved assembly for rotating and sealing a centrifugal dryer and a dryer including such a sealing assembly. A seal according to the present invention includes an end cap supporting a bearing that in turn rotationally supports a rotor. The end cap has an attachment portion and a seal ring including a groove receiving a v-ring seal that sealingly engages the stub shaft attached to the dryer rotor. The seal ring defines a drain cavity having at least one drain port out of which any fluid that infiltrates past the v-ring seal can drain from the end cap. The drain port is disposed at a lower level than the v-ring seal and the grease seal so that fluid can drain away without accumulating and infiltrating past the bearing grease seal and into the bearing compartment formed between the end cap and rotor the stub shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical drop, multi-pass product cleaner with air flow control on the outlet side of the cleaner, wherein the air flow control includes dampers movable between open and constricted positions disposed within at least one of a plurality of air outlets of the product cleaner.

Abstract: The present invention provide apparatus and method for removing agglomerates from a slurry comprising a transport fluid and particulate matter carried by the transport fluid. The present invention includes a fluid flow control unit and an agglomerate removal unit fluidly connected thereto. The fluid flow control unit provides for a reduction in the flow velocity entering the agglomerate removal unit by increasing the output cross section relative to the input cross section and by providing a dewatering door that can be opened to varying degrees to allow variable outflow of transport fluid from the fluid flow control unit. The agglomerate removal unit has at least a first screen over which the slurry flows as it exits the fluid control unit. The screen includes a plurality of apertures appropriately sized to allow the transport fluid and the particulate matter to flow therethrough but not the agglomerates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator having a rotatable frame and a plurality of sizing panels attached thereto. The frame has a pair of end rings and a plurality of stringers extending longitudinally between the end rings. Each stringer has a substantially rectangular cross section. The cylinder panels each have a pair of circumferentially extending edges and a pair of longitudinally extending edges. Each sizing panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges that engage the stringer in the separator frame and is clamped in place within the channel of a clamp bar attached on the external surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaner having a hopper for receiving dirty product to be cleaned. The hopper feeds the dirty or contaminated product downwardly onto a cleaning comb that directs the larger sized contaminants onto the exterior surface of a scalping reel having a plurality of apertures of a preselected size and shape. The dirty or contaminated material falls through the screen openings into the interior thereof and on out through the screen at the bottom thereof as it rotates. The dirty or contaminated material is then directed into a vertically oriented aspiration column that has a negative airflow from the bottom thereof upwardly. Fines, chaff, and other light contaminants are carried upwardly by the negative airflow and out of the product, which drops on downwardly into an outlet into a storage facility or onto a conveyor as desired by the cleaner operator. A vacuum nozzle is disposed in close proximity to the scalping reel to remove contaminants that may become lodged in the apertures.

Abstract: There is provided an improved centrifugal dryer that includes a motor section or portion, a dryer section or portion disposed therebelow, and a reservoir section or portion disposed below the dryer portion, the dryer portion being hingedly attached to the reservoir portion. A product slurry is introduced into the dryer portion through a center inlet pipe and flows into the dryer section where the product is dried by forcing the fluid in the slurry through apertures in a perforated screen held in position between upper and lower screen positioning plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a trommel having a plurality of screen panels whose longitudinally extending edges are disposed within a channel formed in a longitudinally extending rib member and fastened in place.

Abstract: A grain separator is disclosed comprising a plurality of operatively connected grain separator units and a grain inlet for feeding grain into the separator, wherein the grain is separated . The grain separator also has an outlet for dispensing the grain after the grain is separated and an internal drive for operating the units in separating grain.