Self-rotating grain spreader and grain monitoring system for a grain bin
OwnerDavid Dale Aliginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grain bin has a top opening with a hopper for receiving grain that is directed downwardly to a spreader supported for rotation by a vertical tubular center shaft. The spreader has an elongated inclined chute having a V-shape cross-section. The chute has a center portion having an opening with a trap door pivoted or controlled from a mechanism operable from the top opening of the bin. A deflector is positioned under the trap door opening and rotates the chute in response to the flow of grain through the opening. The tubular center shaft encloses an electrical cable that supports a temperature sensing element within the grain in the bin, and a temperature monitoring device is connected to the cable outside the grain bin.
Claims6
A grain spreader for mounting within the upper portion of a grain bin having a top opening for receiving grain, the grain spreader comprising
- a grain receiver adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the grain bin for directing the grain downwardly into the bin,
- a substantially vertical tubular center shaft projecting downwardly from the grain receiver,
- the grain spreader supported by the center shaft within the upper portion of the grain bin,
- the grain spreader positioned to receive grain from the grain receiver and spreading the grain downwardly into the grain bin,
- an electrical cable extending downwardly through the tubular shaft,
- the cable supporting at least one sensing element within the grain bin and adapted to detect the temperature and/or moisture of grain within the grain bin, and
- a monitoring device connected to the cable and adapted to control the temperature and/or moisture of the grain in the bin.
A grain spreader for mounting within the upper portion of a grain bin having a top opening for receiving grain, the grain spreader comprising
- a grain receiver adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the grain bin for directing the grain downwardly into the bin,
- a substantially vertical tubular center shaft projecting downwardly from the grain,
- an inclined chute supported by the center shaft for rotation within the upper portion of the grain bin,
- the chute positioned to receive grain from the grain receiver to produce a flow of grain downwardly within the chute,
- an electrical cable extending downwardly through the tubular shaft,
- the cable supporting at least one temperature sensing element within a center portion of the grain bin and adapted to detect the temperature and/or moisture of grain within the grain bin, and
- a monitoring device connected to the cable and adapted to control the temperature and/or moisture of the grain in the bin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.