Abstract: A controller is coupled to a plurality of moisture sensors positioned within the grain bin at various spaced-apart locations. The controller determines a grain moisture level adjacent each moisture sensor and compares the grain moisture level to a predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a grain spreader that is configured to selectively distribute incoming grain into the grain bin and operates the spreader to distribute incoming grain to create a shortened airflow path through the grain that encompasses the moisture sensors having determined grain moisture levels above the predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a fan that is coupled to the grain bin and configured to provide airflow through the grain in the grain bin. The controller operates the fan to provide greater airflow through the grain along the shortened airflow path than is provided along airflow paths outside the shortened airflow path.

Abstract: A Hall effect grain level switch is positioned adjacent a grain fill opening at an upper portion of a grain enclosure. A Hall-voltage generator is coupled to the housing in a fixed position. An elongate member is pivotably coupled to the housing with the magnet being mounted adjacent a proximal end of the elongate member. A grain contact member is coupled adjacent a distal end of the elongate member. The Hall-voltage generator and magnet are positioned adjacent each other to provide a first output signal state when the elongate member extends vertically in a rest position. The Hall-voltage generator and magnet are distanced from each other to provide a second output signal state when the elongate member is pivoted to a non-vertical switched position in response to grain moving the contact member.

Abstract: A fishing reel with dual spool spin axes includes a housing, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the housing, and a spool shroud assembly including a fishing line spool gimbal mounted on the rotor assembly. The shroud assembly is movable between a casting position with a spool axis parallel to a rod axis and a retrieve position with the spool axis perpendicular to the rod axis. The spool is geared to the housing in such a manner that rotation of the rotor assembly about a rotor axis to retrieve the line causes the spool to spin about the rotor axis and simultaneously about a spool axis to counteract twist in the line caused by the manner of casting the line or by line pay-out by a hooked fish.

Abstract: A controller is coupled to a plurality of moisture sensors positioned within the grain bin at various spaced-apart locations. The controller determines a grain moisture level adjacent each moisture sensor and compares the grain moisture level to a predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a grain spreader that is configured to selectively distribute incoming grain into the grain bin and operates the spreader to distribute incoming grain to create a shortened airflow path through the grain that encompasses the moisture sensors having determined grain moisture levels above the predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a fan that is coupled to the grain bin and configured to provide airflow through the grain in the grain bin. The controller operates the fan to provide greater airflow through the grain along the shortened airflow path than is provided along airflow paths outside the shortened airflow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a grain bin sensor cable including a plurality of mold members defining a mold cavity. A pre-formed cable with wires disposed therein is placed into the mold cavity, heated, and formed into a post-formed cable. The post-formed cable includes a recessed portion and a pair of end caps. Apertures are created within the recessed portion so as to expose a portion of the wires. The end caps are generally cone-shaped and include vertical walls. The post-formed cable is removed from the mold cavity and a sensor package is coupled to the wires exposed in the recessed portion and captured between the vertical walls of the end caps. A housing is coupled about the sensor package.

Abstract: A Hall effect grain level switch is positioned adjacent a grain fill opening at an upper portion of a grain enclosure. A Hall-voltage generator is coupled to the housing in a fixed position. An elongate member is pivotably coupled to the housing with the magnet being mounted adjacent a proximal end of the elongate member. A grain contact member is coupled adjacent a distal end of the elongate member. The Hall-voltage generator and magnet are positioned adjacent each other to provide a first output signal state when the elongate member extends vertically in a rest position. The Hall-voltage generator and magnet are distanced from each other to provide a second output signal state when the elongate member is pivoted to a non-vertical switched position in response to grain moving the contact member.

Abstract: Each grain bin includes a data collector coupled to multiple capacitive moisture cables, each with multiple sensor nodes spaced along it. Each sensor node includes a pair of longitudinally extending capacitive plates of the capacitive moisture sensor positioned in side-by-side, spaced-apart relationship to form a longitudinally extending gap between the capacitive plates. Positioned within the longitudinal gap between the capacitive plates is a circuit board including a microprocessor, memory, and temperature sensor. An outer housing provides a sealed enclosure that surrounds the circuit board, the capacitive plates, and a longitudinal length of the moisture cable that extends through and seals openings in each longitudinal end of the housing.

Abstract: A data collector associated with a grain bin is in communication with a plurality of capacitive moisture cables hanging within the grain bin. Each capacitive moisture cable includes a plurality of sensor nodes positioned along the moisture cable. Each sensor node includes a sensor node microprocessor and a sensor node memory coupled to a temperature sensor, a reference capacitive sensor and a capacitive moisture sensor. A main controller is in communication with the data collector. The main controller memory is configured in a data structure comprising grain type data, temperature data, raw reference capacitance data, raw moisture capacitance data, node identification data, physical node positional data, and a calculated moisture content for each sensor node. A method of determining moisture contents of grain in a grain bin related to such a system is also included.

Abstract: A continuous flow grain dryer includes airflow paths such that air passes through a grain column twice prior to exiting the grain dryer or being recirculated. The dual pass airflow defines a preheat zone in an upper portion of the grain flow paths adjacent an exhaust plenum. A heat zone is defined in the grain flow paths adjacent a high heat plenum and below the preheat zone. The dual pass airflow defines a temper zone in the grain flow paths adjacent a return plenum and below the heat zone. A cooling zone can be defined below the temper zone and adjacent the return plenum. A recirculating airflow path can provide fluid communication from the return plenum to the fan and back to the heat plenum. The burner is positioned outside the airflow path to feed ambient air into the recirculating airflow path, without recirculating airflow passing through the burner.

Abstract: A system for controlling the aeration of a grain bin storage device. The system comprises a grain bin storage device, a ventilation fan, a variable fan drive motor, and a controller configured to receive user input and grain bin storage device parameters. The system controls operation of the ventilation fan at various speeds to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate per bushel of grain. The controller monitors the static pressure within the grain bin storage device and adjusts the speed of the ventilation fan based on an optimal static pressure derived from the user input and grain bin storage device parameters.

Abstract: A fishing reel with dual spool spin axes includes a housing, a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on the housing, and a spool shroud assembly including a fishing line spool gimbal mounted on the rotor assembly. The shroud assembly is movable between a casting position with a spool axis parallel to a rod axis and a retrieve position with the spool axis perpendicular to the rod axis. The spool is geared to the housing in such a manner that rotation of the rotor assembly about a rotor axis to retrieve the line causes the spool to spin about the rotor axis and simultaneously about a spool axis to counteract twist in the line caused by the manner of casting the line or by line pay-out by a hooked fish.

Abstract: A metering conveyor adapted to move a controlled volume of grain. The conveyor incorporates a series of carriers that can each be switched between a scooper assembly and a blocker assembly. The ratio of scooper assemblies to blocker assemblies determines the volume of grain that is metered for a predetermined conveyor speed. The conveyor is modular and is especially suited for a modular rectangular grain dryer. The conveyor further includes a paddle that is adapted to move grain to a discharge chute.

Abstract: A grain dryer control system uses the grain dryer discharge temperature to account for moisture reduction in the grain as it cools after discharge from the dryer. The control system includes moisture and temperature sensors and a means to control the discharge of grain from the grain dryer. Given a grain discharge temperature, a control temperature and a moisture reduction factor as a function of temperature, the control system calculates an expected moisture reduction in the grain as the grain cools. Grain is discharged from the dryer when the target moisture content after cooling added to the expected moisture reduction in the grain as the grain cools meets the measured grain moisture content in the dryer.

Abstract: A grain dryer control system uses the grain dryer discharge temperature to account for moisture reduction in the grain as it cools after discharge from the dryer. The control system includes moisture and temperature sensors and a means to control the discharge of grain from the grain dryer. Given a grain discharge temperature, a control temperature and a moisture reduction factor as a function of temperature, the control system calculates an expected moisture reduction in the grain as the grain cools. Grain is discharged from the dryer when the target moisture content after cooling added to the expected moisture reduction in the grain as the grain cools meets the measured grain moisture content in the dryer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying grain which includes a method and apparatus for unloading the grain from a grain dryer of a type including spaced apart first and second walls for defining a passageway or grain column for directing grain flowing downwardly by gravity between the first and second walls. A substantially horizontal shelf is disposed below the outlet port of the grain confinement walls for receiving grain thereon from the grain column. A channel is disposed below the shelf for receiving grain which is pushed off of the shelf. A discharge port is disposed in the channel. A strip of material is disposed for moving along above the shelf for metering grain from the shelf to the channel as the strip moves along the shelf. A paddle is disposed for movement in the channel for pushing grain from the channel into the discharge port. The dryer also has a central air passage from top to bottom, which lends itself to being used for three mode drying, if desired.

Abstract: A control system (80-1, 80-2) is provided for a grain dryer (10) having a path (22, 24) along which grain is conveyed from an entry opening (28) between first (12, 14) and second (18, 20) walls provided with second openings through which drying air can flow. A source (16) on the side of the first wall opposite the grain provides a flow of air through the first wall, through the grain and through the second wall to dry the grain. The grain dryer (10) further comprises metering rolls (30, 32) between the walls (12, 18, 14, 20) adjacent the end opposite the entry opening (28) to control the movement of the grain along the path (22, 24). The control system includes a first moisture probe (80-1) positioned remote from the metering rolls (30, 32), a second moisture probe (80-2) positioned adjacent the metering rolls (30, 32), and a microcomputer (150).

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a driving member comprising a rotor mounted to a shaft and defining several annular ridges and grooves. The apparatus further includes a driven member including a bearing housing mounted to the shaft, a cover secured about a perimetric flange with the bearing housing, and a plate secured to the cover and defining several annualr ridges and grooves positioned complementary with the ridges and grooves of the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the plate, cover, bearing housing and rotor are as-formed structures.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided for use in performing muscle exercise routines, including exercises such as bench presses, arm curls, and leg curls. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, an actuator mechanism, and a resistance mechanism. During an exercise routine, an exerciser moves a bar such as a handlebar, mounted on the actuator mechanism, reciprocatively, through arc movement. A clutch mechanism is provided so that, selectively, as the bar is moved the resistance mechanism is engaged. The resistance mechanism is of a fluid-shearing friction type with a rotating shearing surface acting upon a stationary shearing surface through viscous fluid. The clutch mechanism permits resistance to bar movement to be selectively provided during a forward stroke, or return stroke, or both, during reciprocative movement of the bar. The resistance mechanism includes means permitting an amount of resistance offered by the mechanism to be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a rotor which rotates upon action of an operator. Resistance to rotation of the rotor is provided by fluid trapped between the rotor and a non-rotating portion of the device. A friction relief mechanism provides periodic variation in the amount of resistance to rotation as the rotor is rotated. A fluid level adjustment mechanism permits control of the amount of fluid positioned between the rotor and the non-rotating portion of the device. As the amount of fluid between the rotor and the non-rotating portions of the assembly is increased, the total amount of energy required to complete a single revolution of the rotor is generally increased. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an exercise cycle operated by pedaling.