Abstract: A ceiling vent assembly consisting of a pair of opposed end panels and a pair of opposed side panels which defining a frame. At least one louver is pivotally mounted within the frame to be movable between an open position to permit airflow through the vent assembly and a closed position blocking airflow. The louver includes an upper surface defining a curvature and decreases in thickness at an outer edge. When in an open configuration, the louver permits air to pass through the ceiling vent assembly in a directed flow associated with the curvature of the louver upper surface.

Abstract: A corner assembly for a tube conveyor system comprises a housing defining a wheel receiving area and a flow path with ports at opposite ends of the flow path. A wheel rotatably received in the wheel receiving area comprises a rim having an upper surface and a lower surface; a pair of spaced apart channels formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the rim; and at least one flapper pivotally mounted to the wheel inside of the rim. The flapper is freely movable between a position in which it is aligned with a wall of one of the channels and a position in which it is aligned with a wall of the other of the channels. Thus, when the wheel rotates, the flapper will sweep any material in the wheel receiving area towards and through one of the channels and into the flow path.

Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided which can be selectively switched between a mode in which it operates as a flood-type feeder and a mode in which it operates as a shallow-fill type feeder with adjustable height pan walls. The feeder includes a feed tube assembly comprising a drop tube and a feed flooding tube. The drop tube is movable axially relative to the feed flooding tube, which rests on the feed pan. The drop tube and feed flooding tube have windows which are brought into and out of alignment by raising and lowering the drop tube. When the feed flooding tube window is opened, the feeder operates in a flood mode and when the feed flooding tube is closed, the feeder operates in a shallow-fill mode. In this second mode, the effective height of the pan wall can be adjusted to allow chicks and chickens access to the feed.

Abstract: A ceiling vent assembly consisting of a pair of opposed end panels and a pair of opposed side panels which defining a frame. At least one louver is pivotally mounted within the frame to be movable between an open position to permit airflow through the vent assembly and a closed position blocking airflow. The louver includes an upper surface defining a curvature and decreases in thickness at an outer edge. When in an open configuration, the louver permits air to pass through the ceiling vent assembly in a directed flow associated with the curvature of the louver upper surface.

Abstract: An in-line gate is provided for a conveyor for particulate lading. The gate comprises a gate plate which is movable between a raised position in which the gate plate engages a seal extending at least along the sides of the conveyor exit and a lowered position in which the plate is beneath the conveyor's trough floor. In the lowered position, the gate plate is moved parallel to the direction of the conveyor between a closed position in which the plate blocks the opening and an open position in which the gate plate is positioned beneath the conveyor trough.

Abstract: A water pressure regulator for a watering system of an animal house is provided with a water inlet member comprising a watering path and a flush path. The watering path is operably engaged by the regulating valve. The inlet member is manually movable relative to the housing, to position the watering path outlet relative to the regulating valve to prevent the regulating valve from engaging the inlet member, thereby placing the regulator in a flush mode. The flush path has a water exit into the regulator spaced from the watering path port, and hence is not engagable by the regulating valve. A flush valve is provided in the flush path, and is moveable between a closed position in which the regulator will operate in a drinking mode and an open position in which the regulator will be in a flush mode. An actuator is provided which is operated by a control system to allow for automatic flushing of the watering line according to a predetermined schedule.

Abstract: A watering system for a poultry house comprises a watering line which is suspended from a stabilizing bar by means of a clip. The watering line is comprised of a plurality of pipe segments connected together by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a keying element or portion which is formed in the pipe segment at a predetermined location relative to the drinker opening in the pipe segment. The coupling mechanism thus rotationally fixes adjacent pipe segments relative to each other such that the drinker openings of the pipes segments in the watering line are rotationally aligned and fixed relative to each other. The clip includes a boot which engages a projection on the pipe segment (preferably the drinker saddle) to key the pipe segments relative to the stabilizing bar.

Abstract: A grain bin sweep is adapted to be assembled within a grain bin. The sweep comprises an auger assembly including a shield and an auger; and a tractor frame assembly comprising a frame first part and a frame second part. The sweep components are sized to fit through a small access opening to a grain bin and to then be assembled together within the grain bin. Additionally, the assembly of the grain bin sweep is accomplished using simple hand tools, such as wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. No welding, drilling or other fabrication is required to assemble the parts or components together to form the sweep.

Abstract: A drinker for a watering system of a poultry house comprising a housing having a side wall, a top, and a bottom defining a valve chamber having an inner surface and a floor. A valve seat is formed in the chamber above the outlet port; and a valve member received within the chamber to be movable between a first closed position and a second position opened position. A trigger pin passes through the outlet and has a head with a cavity in the top surface. The cavity has a shape different from the shape of the valve member. The drinker elements are sized such that the distance between the valve seat and the chamber floor is greater than the height of the pin head. Additionally, the valve member is sized such that when the valve member is in its closed position, the valve member is does not contact the pin head.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated water pressure regulator switchable between an operating mode and a flushing mode by changing the relative positions of the water inlet port and the valve in the regulator. By moving the port to a position in which the valve cannot close the inlet port, water at full line pressure enters the watering system to flush the system. A mounting bracket is also disclosed which independently suspends the regulator and a support pipe from a cable in the poultry house such that the regulator can be removed from the watering system without affecting the support pipe.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated water pressure regulator switchable between an operating mode and a flushing mode by changing the relative positions of the water inlet port and the valve in the regulator. By moving the port to a position in which the valve cannot close the inlet port, water at full line pressure enters the watering system to flush the system. A mounting bracket is also disclosed which independently suspends the regulator and a support pipe from a cable in the poultry house such that the regulator can be removed from the watering system without affecting the support pipe.

Abstract: A poultry feeder which includes a mechanism for automatically adjusting the size of the opening from the feeder's drop tube to the feeder pan so as to permit the feed pan to be flooded with feed as young chicks are introduced into a poultry house and then, as the chicks grow, to automatically reduce the amount of feed introduced into the pan. The feeder includes a feed level controller movable relative to the feeder's drop tube to be moveable axially relative to the drop tube and feeder pan. The drop tube includes a plurality of support members (fins) pivotally mounted to the drop tube body and which extend from the body outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is disclosed. The grain dryer includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of a discharge opening of the column. The grain dryer further includes a regulator member which is movable between a flow regulating position and a trash escape position. The regulator member contacts either the metering roll, or grain supported by the metering roll when the regulator member is positioned in the flow regulating position. The regulator member is spaced from the metering roll by a distance sufficient to enable a trash object to advance between the regulator member and the metering roll when the regulator is positioned in the trash escape position. A method of controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A poultry feeder which includes a mechanism for automatically adjusting the size of the opening from the feeder's drop tube to the feeder pan so as to permit the feed pan to be flooded with feed as young chicks are introduced into a poultry house and then, as the chicks grow, to automatically reduce the amount of feed introduced into the pan. The feeder includes a feed level controller movable relative to the feeder's drop tube to be moveable axially relative to the drop tube and feeder pan. The drop tube includes a plurality of support members (fins) pivotally mounted to the drop tube body and which extend from the body outlet.

Abstract: A hog feeder with an adjustable gate mechanism is disclosed which comprises a feed hopper for receiving and storing a supply of flowable, dry hog feed to be gravity dispensed from discharge openings in the lower longitudinal portions of the hopper, for consumption by hogs over a length of time. The flow of hog feed from the discharge openings is controlled by a pair of slideable gates, each having a cam actuated adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a number of receiving notches on each side of the hopper corresponding to a filly open gate setting, a fully closed gate setting, and a plurality of intermediate gate settings. Positioning a selection lever within a desired notch shifts the corresponding slideable gate to the selected position by way of a sliding cam arrangement. The sliding cam arrangement transfers lateral motion of the selection lever into vertical motion of the slideable gate, allowing for opening and closing of the discharge openings.

Abstract: A grain turner (101)of the present invention is adapted for use with a grain dryer having an inner dryer wall (7) and an outer dryer wall (9) spaced therefrom and defining a vertically extending grain path (11) therebetween. A grain turner (101) of the present invention is disposed within the grain path for exchanging (turning) grain from the inner portion of the grain path to the outer portion of the grain path and vice versa and for exchanging grain widthwise within the grain path. The grain turner comprises a vertical wall (109) disposed between the inner and outer dryer walls. The grain turner further has at least one pair inclined plates (119, 125) with one of the plates (119) being on the inside of the vertical wall and with the other of the inclined plates (125) being on the outside of the vertical wall. Plate (119) is inclined downwardly in a first widthwise direction and the other of the inclined plates is inclined downwardly in the opposite widthwise direction.

Abstract: A metering unloader (101) for unloading a fluent material from a flow path (11) is disclosed. The flow path has a fluent material outlet (27). The metering unloader comprises an unloader body (103) having an outer cylindric wall (105) and an inner cylindric wall (107) spaced radially inwardly from the outer wall with the walls defining a chamber (126) therebetween. Means (117) is provided for rotating the unloader body about a vertical axis. Outer wall (105) has a fluent material inlet opening (119) such that with the fluent material inlet opening (119) in register with the flow path fluent material outlet (27), the fluent material will flow by gravity through the fluent material inlet opening (119) in the outer wall into the chamber (126). The inner wall (107) has a fluent material outlet opening (127) therein such that the fluent material in the chamber (126) will flow by gravity from the chamber to a fluent material discharge outlet (15).

Abstract: A poultry feeder conveyor control unit (63) of the present invention comprises a drop feeder adapted to be attached to an overhead feed conveyor (5). The feed conveyor has a conveyor element (11) moveable within a feed conduit (9) for conveying poultry feed in axial direction of the conveyor conduit, and a plurality of other poultry feeders (7) spaced at intervals along the path of the conveyor conduit. The control unit is positioned at a desired location along the length of the conveyor conduit. The control unit has an electric motor (75) having an output shaft (77) rotatable driven by the motor, and a paddle (79) carried by the output shaft. The motor is mounted within the control unit such that upon the feed in the feeder tube attaining a predetermined level, the paddle will engage the feed with the latter stopping rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (10) comprising a generally vertically disposed feed tube (18) adapted to be installed on a generally horizontal feed conveyor tube (14) for receiving feed from the feed conveyor tube. The feed tube has an upper portion (26) fixed with respect to the feed conveyor tube and a lower portion (27) movable axially with respect to the upper portion between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a collapsed position (FIG. 6). A feed pan (23) is disposed below the bottom end of the feed tube for receiving feed.

Abstract: A feed conveying apparatus is disclosed for use in a poultry or livestock feeding system (503). The feed conveying apparatus has a housing (509) having a feed inlet (515) which receives feed from a feed supply (BFT) and a feed outlet (517). A feed conveyor (508) extends through the housing. The conveyor has a conveyor tube (511) with a feed auger (513) therein. The feed auger has a multiplicity of substantially equally spaced flights (62) and is driven within the conveyor tube for picking up feed from the housing and for conveying it through the conveyor tube. A regulator (521) is provided for regulating the amount of feed within the conveyor tube downstream from the housing to an amount less than will totally fill the conveyor tube so as to form a partial void (V) within the conveyor tube and to prevent overcompaction of the feed within the conveyor tube.