Device and method for the transferring of grain from a grain bin
An improved device and method for transferring grain or other particulates from a grain bin. The invention comprises an inlet positioned in a sidewall of the grain bin, and an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet. A grain transfer tube is inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet, the tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube. A blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube is positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and provides an air stream the tube. A suction hose is coupled with the outlet, to create, in combination with the blower, a vacuum force for drawing the grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and then propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to a remote location.
The present invention relates to the transferring of grain or other particulates, and particularly to the transferring of grain or other particulates from a grain bin or other storage location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGrain bins, which generally are in a cylindrical configuration and having a conically shaped roof can be in excess of 40 feet in diameter and in excess of 40 feet in height, storing for example, in excess of 30,000 bushels of grain or other particulate material. The bin floor, for example, may be formed by a poured concrete slab. The bin walls which are securely anchored to the bin floor are generally made of curved, corrugated stainless steel panels which are bolted or joined together to form a continuous curved wall for the bin. An access door at the bottom of the bin is generally provided to allow access for workers and equipment onto the bin floor, for example, when the bin is substantially empty. The roof of the bin will generally have an access hole at the top to allow access for workers and equipment.
Grain piled against a bin wall will exert outward pressure on the bin wall. It will be appreciated that this force can be significant, and in the case of large grain bins, this force is sufficient to deform bin walls if care is not taken during the grain loading and unloading processes to ensure that the grain is evenly distributed in the bin at all times during the loading and unloading processes. To minimize the risk of deformation, bins are preferably loaded and unloaded from the middle of the bin, to ensure that grain is at all times distributed throughout the bin during the loading and unloading processes, to thereby equalize to the extent possible the loading on the bin walls.
While loading the bin from a position approximately in the middle of the grain pile is readily achieved by loading the grain into the bin by means of a conveyor, the delivery end of which is positioned at the top center of the bin (for example, when the grain is loaded from a conveyor which discharges the grain through a top access door in the roof of the bin), which conveyor delivery end is equidistant the bin walls, so that when the grain falls to the bin floor a pile is formed which continually expands to the bin walls to substantially evenly distribute the grain in the bin and as the pile continues to grow, to substantially evenly load the bin walls. This allows the outward pressure on any portion of the wall of the bin to be offset and balanced by the outward pressure on that portion of the wall of the bin which is directly opposite that portion.
During the removal of grain from the bin, continuously unloading the bin from the center of the grain pile, while necessary to minimize the risk of deformation of the bin wall, is more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and method for transferring grain or other particulates from a grain bin.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and method for effectively providing for the transfer of grain or other particulates from a grain bin, while minimizing the loading on the bin walls, and thus reducing the risk of deformation of the bin wall during the loading and unloading processes.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grain transfer system for a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the system comprising an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin; an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet; a grain transfer tube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially within the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube; at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing a high powered air stream through the grain transfer tube to entrain and propel the grain within the tube to the outlet; and a suction hose, coupled with the outlet, for drawing grain in the grain bin into the tube for transferal through the outlet to a remote location.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grain transfer system for a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the system comprising an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin; an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet; a grain transfer tube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially near a bottom portion of the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube; at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing a high powered air stream through the grain transfer tube to entrain and propel the grain within the tube to the outlet; and a suction hose coupled with the outlet, to create, in combination with the at least one blower, a vacuum force for drawing the grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and for propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to a remote location.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transferring grain from a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the method comprising positioning an inlet and an outlet in opposed sidewalls of the grain bin; inserting a grain transfer tube through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially within the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube; placing at least one blower at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet; utilizing the at least one blower to draw an air stream through the grain transfer tube; and attaching a suction hose to the outlet to draw, in combination with the at least one blower, grain in the grain bin into the tube for transferal through the outlet to a remote location.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grain bin assembly for transferring grain from a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain comprising an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin; an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet; a grain transfer tube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube; at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing an air stream through the grain transfer tube; and a suction hose coupled with the outlet, to create, in combination with the at least one blower, a vacuum force for drawing the grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and for propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to a remote location.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved device and method for transferring grain or other particulates from a grain bin.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved device and method for effectively providing for the transfer of grain or other particulates from a grain bin, while minimizing the loading on the bin walls, and thus reducing the risk of deformation of the bin wall during the loading and unloading processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment, a moveable external cover 20 is provided which is curved to conform with the outer surface of the tube and extending part of the way around the circumference of the tube to fully cover the orifice when in the closed position, to thereby prevent grain or other particulates from entering the tube 16 while the external cover 20 is in the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the external cover 20 is made of aluminum, or stainless steel, it being understood that alternative materials may be utilized in alternative embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in
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In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
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The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
Claims
1. A grain transfer system for a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the system comprising:
- an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin;
- an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet;
- a grain transfer tube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially within the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube;
- at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing a high powered air stream through the grain transfer tube to entrain and propel the grain within the tube to the outlet; and
- a suction hose, coupled with the outlet, for drawing grain in the grain bin into the tube for transferal through the outlet to a remote location.
2. The grain transfer system of claim 1, wherein the suction hose, in combination with the at least one blower, creates a vacuum force for drawing grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and for propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to the remote location.
3. The grain transfer system of claim 1, wherein the tube has a cover positioned on an upper surface thereof, for selectively sealing the at least one opening of the tube.
4. The grain transfer system of claim 3, wherein the cover has a handle portion thereon for facilitating opening and closing of the cover over the at least one opening of the tube.
5. The grain transfer system of claim 1, wherein any end of the grain transfer tube, inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet, can be sealed with a removable cap cover.
6. The grain transfer system of claim 1, wherein the grain transfer tube which is inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet is positioned substantially near a bottom portion of the interior of the grain bin.
7. The grain transfer system of claim 1, wherein a screen is attached over the at least one opening of the tube.
8. The grain transfer system of claim 4, wherein the cover is made of aluminum, or stainless steel.
9. The grain transfer system of claim 4, wherein a pair of spaced apart guideways are positioned on an upper surface of the tube in parallel relationship to one another, whereby, in opening or closing the cover, the cover may slide along the spaced apart guideways in assuming an open or closed position.
10. A grain transfer system for a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the system comprising:
- an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin;
- an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet;
- a grain transfer tube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially near a bottom portion of the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube;
- at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing a high powered air stream through the grain transfer tube to entrain and propel the grain within the tube to the outlet; and
- a suction hose coupled with the outlet, to create, in combination with the at least one blower, a vacuum force for drawing the grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and for propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to a remote location.
11. A method of transferring grain from a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain, the method comprising:
- positioning an inlet and an outlet in opposed sidewalls of the grain bin;
- inserting a grain transfer tube through each of the inlet and the outlet so as to be positioned substantially within the interior of the grain bin, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube;
- placing at least one blower at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet;
- utilizing the at least one blower to draw an air stream through the grain transfer tube; and
- attaching a suction hose to the outlet to draw, in combination with the at least one blower, grain in the grain bin into the tube for transferal through the outlet to a remote location.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of attaching a cover to an upper surface of the tube, for selectively sealing the at least one opening of the tube.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of selectively attaching a cap cover to any end of the grain transfer tube when not in use.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of inserting the grain transfer tube through each of the inlet and the outlet further comprises positioning the grain transfer tube substantially near a bottom portion of the interior of the grain bin.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of positioning a pair of spaced apart guideways on an upper surface of the tube in parallel relationship to one another, whereby, in opening or closing the cover, the cover may slide along the spaced apart guideways in assuming an open or closed position.
16. A grain bin assembly for transferring grain from a grain bin having an interior for holding a quantity of grain comprising:
- an inlet in a sidewall of the grain bin;
- an outlet in another sidewall of the grain bin opposite the inlet;
- a grain transfer lube, the tube being inserted through each of the inlet and the outlet, the grain transfer tube having at least one opening therein for permitting grain in the grain bin to enter into an interior of the tube;
- at least one blower for communicating with the grain transfer tube, the at least one blower being positioned at an end of the grain transfer tube positioned at the inlet, and for providing an air stream through the grain transfer tube; and
- a suction hose coupled with the outlet, to create, in combination with the at least one blower, a vacuum force for drawing the grain in the grain bin to enter into the interior of the tube, and for propelling the drawn grain along the tube through the outlet to a remote location.
Type: Application
Filed: May 17, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 15, 2007
Inventor: Bob Sonntag (Swift Current Saskatchewan)
Application Number: 11/435,547
International Classification: E04H 7/22 (20060101);