Abstract: An entry control device for limiting grain bin entry to permitted users includes a frame, to which an outer door and an inner door are hingedly attached. The frame is mountable to a grain bin so that the frame is positioned over an opening in the grain bin. The outer door selectively closes the opening, while the inner door selectively prevents of entry into the grain bin through the opening. An entry controller, which is attached to the frame, comprises a microprocessor, to which are operationally engaged a power module, a transceiver, and an actuatable lock. The actuatable lock is selectively engageable to the inner door. The transceiver receives an access approval signal from an electronic device of a manager, enabling the microprocessor to selectively actuate the actuatable lock to unlock the inner door, thereby allowing entry of a user into the grain bin.

Abstract: A storage bin sweep system including a sweep assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end, a forward side and a rearward side and including a sweep housing extending between the inboard and outboard ends, a plurality of paddles movable on a path extending along at least a portion of the sweep assembly between the inboard and outboard ends, and an endless loop member mounted on the sweep housing and on which the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations along the endless loop member. At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly.

Abstract: A system for moving particles across a floor surface of a storage bin having a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the floor surface. The system may comprise a bin sweep apparatus having an inboard end for locating toward to a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin. The system may also comprise a peripheral sweeping apparatus configured to mount on the bin sweep apparatus to sweep particles on the floor surface adjacent to the peripheral wall toward the bin sweep apparatus. The peripheral sweeping apparatus may be mounted on the bin sweep apparatus toward the outboard end thereof.

Abstract: A bin ventilation apparatus and system may include a duct defining a duct interior and having an inboard end for orienting toward the bin and an outboard end for orienting away from the bin. The duct may have an inboard opening at the inboard end and a perimeter wall extending between the inboard and outboard ends. The perimeter wall may have an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions about the duct interior. The apparatus may also include an air movement assembly mounted on the duct and being at least partially positioned in the duct interior between the inboard and outboard ends. The air movement assembly may include a motor and an impeller rotatable by the motor to move air through the duct.

Abstract: A system for moving particles across a floor surface of a storage bin having a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the floor surface. The system may comprise a bin sweep apparatus having an inboard end for locating toward to a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin. The system may also comprise a peripheral sweeping apparatus configured to mount on the bin sweep apparatus to sweep particles on the floor surface adjacent to the peripheral wall toward the bin sweep apparatus. The peripheral sweeping apparatus may be mounted on the bin sweep apparatus toward the outboard end thereof.

Abstract: A storage bin sweep system may include a sweep apparatus with a particulate material moving assembly configured to move particulate material toward an inboard end of the sweep apparatus and a drive unit carrying a portion of the particulate material moving assembly. The drive unit may include a surface engaging element configured to engage a surface below the sweep assembly to move the sweep apparatus with respect to the surface and a drive train configured to transmit power to the surface engaging element. The drive train may include a clutch assembly configured to transfer rotation utilizing a viscous fluid to permit a limited degree of slippage between elements of the drive train.

Abstract: A storage bin sweep system including a sweep assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end, a forward side and a rearward side and including a sweep housing extending between the inboard and outboard ends, a plurality of paddles movable on a path extending along at least a portion of the sweep assembly between the inboard and outboard ends, and an endless loop member mounted on the sweep housing and on which the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations along the endless loop member. At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly.

Abstract: A bin sweep system for moving particulate matter across a floor surface of a bin may include a sweep assembly positionable on the floor surface of the bin and movable across the floor surface. The sweep assembly has an inboard end for locating toward to a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin, and a forward side oriented toward a direction of movement for orienting toward particulate matter to be moved. The system may also include a particle agglomeration breakup assembly configured to expel a fluid adjacent to the sweep assembly to impact particulate matter located adjacent to the forward side of the sweep assembly and facilitate breakup of any particle agglomerations positioned forwardly of the sweep assembly.

Abstract: A modular storage bin sweep system utilizing paddles to sweep particulate matter across a floor may comprise a sweep assembly including at least two units connectable together. The assembly may comprise a plurality of interconnected paddles, a power unit configured to the paddles, a drive unit configured to move the sweep assembly with respect to a surface of the bin below the sweep assembly. In some embodiments, a traction enhancement structure may increase traction of the drive unit on the floor. In some embodiments, a pivot unit is configured to permit a degree of pivotability of the axes of the units with respect to each other, and may be combined with a drive unit. In some embodiments, the power unit includes a rotary electrical power transfer structure configured to transfer electrical power to the power unit when rotating in the bin.

Abstract: A bin sweep system for moving particulate material in a bin may comprise an elongated sweep apparatus having a particulate sweep structure configured to move particulate material on the floor beneath the sweep apparatus toward one end of the elongated sweep apparatus. The particulate sweep structure may include a plurality of interconnected paddles movable in a succession on a path along at least a portion of a length of the sweep apparatus and an endless loop member on which the paddles of the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations for moving the paddles along the path. The path of the paddles on the endless loop may generally lie in a movement plane, and an orientation of the movement plane may be tilted such that the movement plane is not in a vertical orientation and not in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A central assembly for a bin sweep apparatus having at least two sweep elements movable substantially independently of each other about the central assembly may comprise a center post and a pair of sweep interface assemblies on the center post. Each sweep interface assembly may be associated with one of the sweep elements of the bin sweep apparatus. In some embodiments, each sweep interface assembly may be configured to sense a position of one of the sweep elements. In some embodiments, each sweep interface assembly may be configured to provide power to one of the sweep elements.

Abstract: A bag loader apparatus for filling an elongated bag may comprise a base assembly, and a bag interface assembly for removably mounting a bag thereon and forming a tunnel with a rear opening for fluid communication with the bag. A primary auger assembly has an output opening in communication with the tunnel of the bag interface assembly. In some embodiments, a bag mounting assembly may be configured to lift a bag onto the bag loader apparatus into a position for loading the bag by the apparatus. In some embodiments, a plurality of bag securing elements on the bag interface assembly may be configured to secure a portion of the bag to the bag interface assembly. In some embodiments, an auxiliary auger assembly carried on the base assembly may be configured to feed material into the primary auger assembly.

Abstract: A sweep assembly rotatable along a sweep path in a bin and comprising a housing, a particulate sweep assembly to move particulate matter, and a sweep drive assembly to move the sweep assembly across the floor surface. At least one support assembly may have a support condition characterized by the support assembly providing support to the housing of the sweep assembly and a non-support condition characterized by the support assembly not providing support to the housing. The support assembly may change from the support condition to the non-support condition by movement of the sweep assembly along the sweep path. In some embodiments, the support assembly may comprise a sweep-mounted component moving with the sweep assembly along the sweep path and a floor-mounted component being stationary with respect to movement of the sweep assembly along the sweep path.

Abstract: A bin sweep system for a bin which may comprise at least two sweeps independently rotatable about a center of the bin, an alignment detecting apparatus for monitoring a relative position of a first one of the sweeps with respect to a second one of the sweeps, and an operational control device configured to selectively discontinue and resume operation of at least one of the sweeps to move the sweeps toward a maximum separation condition.

Abstract: A modular storage bin sweep system utilizing paddles to sweep particulate matter across a floor may comprise a sweep assembly including at least two units connectable together. The assembly may comprise a plurality of interconnected paddles, a power unit configured to the paddles, a drive unit configured to move the sweep assembly with respect to a surface of the bin below the sweep assembly. In some embodiments, a traction enhancement structure may increase traction of the drive unit on the floor. In some embodiments, a pivot unit is configured to permit a degree of pivotability of the axes of the units with respect to each other, and may be combined with a drive unit. In some embodiments, the power unit includes a rotary electrical power transfer structure configured to transfer electrical power to the power unit when rotating in the bin.

Abstract: A bin sweep system for a bin having a floor surface and a central well may comprise a center post defining a common center and a sweep assembly configured to move across the floor surface of the bin and having an inboard end and an outboard end. The sweep assembly may comprise at least two sweep segments including a first sweep segment and a second sweep segment, with the first sweep segment being located toward the inboard end and the second sweep segment being located toward the outboard end. At least one of the sweep segments may be movable about the center post substantially independently of another of the sweep segments.

Abstract: A drive coupling assembly includes a housing having a first wall, a second wall, a first end and a second end. A first aperture extends through the second wall adjacent to the first end and a second aperture extending through the second wall adjacent to the second end. The first aperture receives a motor drive shaft and the second aperture receives a sweep drive shaft. Each of the first and second apertures has one of a pair of sprocket hubs aligned therewith. A pair of drive hubs each has an opening extending therethrough and each opening engages one of the motor or sweep drive shafts. The drive hubs have a plurality of pins thereon extending into corresponding slots in the sprocket hubs. A continuous belt engages the sprocket hubs. The slots each have a length allowing limited rotation of the sprocket hubs with respect to the drive hubs.

Abstract: An elongated sweep apparatus for moving particulate matter in a bin may comprise a sweep assembly movable over the floor of the bin and including a particulate sweep structure configured to move particulate matter toward the inboard end of the elongated sweep apparatus, and a housing generally extending between opposite ends of the sweep apparatus with a portion of the sweep structure being positioned in the housing. A first portion of the particulate sweep structure may extend along a primary movement axis and a second portion of the particulate sweep structure may extend along a secondary movement axis, and the primary movement axis may extend substantially parallel to the floor and the secondary movement axis being inclined upwardly from the primary movement axis.

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: An elongated sweep apparatus for moving particulate matter in a bin may include a sweep assembly movable over the floor of the bin and a sweep drive assembly to move the sweep assembly. The sweep assembly may comprise a particulate sweep structure to move particulate matter toward one end of the elongated sweep apparatus. The sweep drive assembly may comprise at least one wheel to contact the floor and a slippage interface structure connected to the at least one wheel to transfer rotation to the at least one wheel and permit a degree of slippage of the rotational motion transferred to the at least one wheel when resistance to rotation of the at least one wheel exceeds a threshold resistance level.