Abstract: A sump protector is a multi-tiered structure placed over a discharge sump at the bottom of a storage bin to enhance the flow of materials to the discharge sump while reducing discharge sump blockage. An upper segment includes a bracket for breaking apart clumped materials in the storage bin encountered by materials falling or flowing onto the sump protector from above. A lower segment situated below the upper segment is preferably securable to the floor of a storage bin. The sump protector includes several apertures that can limit the size of materials able to enter the sump protector (and reach the discharge sump). Even if some of the apertures become clogged, other apertures are available to allow materials to continue to flow to the discharge sump. A bottom panel of the lower segment may lack apertures so as to limit the forces exerted on a discharge sump control gate.

Abstract: A sweep conveyor extends along a bin floor between a sump pivot about which the conveyor rotates, and an outer end adjacent the bin wall. During the conveyor's orbit about the floor, flights at the conveyor bottom sweep across the floor toward the sump pivot, whereby bin material in front of the conveyor is swept into a sump. The conveyor is preferably made in modular sections connected end-to-end, whereby different sections are combined to construct conveyors having different lengths and capabilities. Some sections are preferably hinged together, allowing different sections to adopt different inclinations as they travel about a non-level floor. The flights are preferably provided on a belted chain riding on sprockets at opposite ends of the conveyor, and the chain is not supported by idler sprockets along its length, allowing the chain (and its flights) to sag under gravity so the flights ride along the bin floor.

Abstract: A cutter dome for use with a reclaimer includes a sidewall that at least partially encircles a central axis and that extends from a lower end to an upper end, the sidewall having a lower portion that bounds a first chamber and an upper portion that bounds a second chamber, a collection opening being formed on the lower portion of the sidewall so that a reclaimer, such as an auger, can pass through the collection opening and communicate with the first chamber. A roof is disposed on the upper end of the sidewall so as to cover second chamber, the roof having a first inlet formed thereon. A first passageway is disposed within the second chamber and extends from the first inlet to a first outlet, the first outlet communicating with the first chamber.

Abstract: An unloading system for a grain bin. The unloading system includes a sweep conveyor for sweeping grain from the interior of the grain bin to a well in the floor of the grain bin. The sweep conveyor includes an elongated frame, a first sprocket at one end of the frame, a second sprocket at the other end of the frame, an endless chain extending between the first and second sprockets, a plurality of spaced apart paddles attached to the chain, and a motor for causing the chain to rotate whereby the paddles will drag or sweep grain to the well in the floor of the grain bin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for completely evacuating a silo containing finely divided material in bulk. A mobile box element passes over the floor of the silo, its face corresponding to the direction of advance being open and the horizontal base forming a shovel for collecting the material remaining on the floor of the silo. The bottom of the box element has a conveyor with transverse bars for pushing the pulverulent or granulous material located on the bottom of the box element towards an outlet trap located at one end of the box element and maintained level with a pit for evacuation by gravity; the box element is moved to sweep the surface of the silo. The invention is particularly applicable to the final evacuation of the silo containing granulous material such as cereals.

Abstract: A screw conveyor 14 is mounted on the sub-floor 11a of a chip silo 11, and rotates as a radial arm to convey the chip material into a cover 17 through an inlet opening 18 and to a central discharge shaft 12. The cover 17 rotates together with the screw conveyor, and has a spiral cross-section with its radial step or break disposed on the conveyor axis. The cover radius continually increases in the direction of rotation, to thereby prevent the column of chip material in the silo from exerting a braking force on its side wall.

Abstract: A grain bin loading and unloading system has a vertical auger located in the center of the bin, the vertical auger being in communication with a horizontal auger disposed beneath the floor of the bin. The novel sweep auger drive has a double row sprocket rotatably mounted about the center auger column. The sweep auger proper is rotatably mounted about the center column and is driven at its inner end by a gearbox which is also rotatably mounted. The input shaft of the gearbox extends vertically downwardly and has a sprocket located thereon. That sprocket is connected to one row of the double row sprocket located about the center column such that when the double row sprocket is driven the sweep auger assembly will rotate about the center column as well as be driven so as to transport the grain to be unloaded radially inwardly.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism places one part in a fixture on a continuously rotating table and substantially simultaneously picks up another part from an adjacent fixture on the table. The transfer mechanism then places the picked-up part on one fixture of an intermittently rotatable table while substantially simultaneously picking up another part on the latter table preparatory to placing that part on the continuously rotating table. A turn over mechanism subsequently picks up the part placed on the intermittently rotatable table by the transfer mechanism, turns the part over, and replaces the part on the intermittently rotatable table preparatory to the part being picked up from the latter table and returned to the continuously rotating table by the transfer mechanism.