Grain dryer construction
AssigneeCromwell B. Campbell
InventorBowen Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved method for batch drying grain and the like utilizes a plurality of separate batch bins having hot, drying air inlets, transfer air outlets and inlets, and return air outlets. The hot, drying air inlets are connected by a common duct as are the transfer air outlets and inlets. The return air outlets are also connected with a common duct or ducts. The common return duct or ducts connect the outlets to a fan chamber. Air in the fan chamber is dehydrated and heated by a heat pump before being directed into the common hot, drying air supply duct. Air is circulated among the batch bins by arranging various combinations and permutations of supply, transfer and return inlet and outlet openings before it is recycled through the fan chamber and heat pump coils.
Claims6
Improved apparatus for batch drying at least two batches of grain comprising, in combination:
- first and second separate batch bins, each bin forming an enclosure for grain and having a top, a bottom and sides;
- first and second separate air flow doors to each batch bin, at least one air flow door at the top of each bin and at least one air flow door at the bottom of each batch bin;
- an air supply manifold connected to the bottom doors of each bin;
- a second separate, air exhaust manifold connected to the top doors of each bin;
- means for receiving, drying, reheating and discharging all of the air, the exhaust manifold being connected to said means for receiving all the air from the air exhaust manifold, said air supply manifold connected to said means for discharging all the air;
- and
- fan means for circulating all of the air continuously through said supply manifold, into said bins, through said exhaust manifold and said means for drying and reheating, whereby the air is entirely and continuously recycled through the batches of grain to remove moisture therefrom, the air temperature and moisture content being entirely controlled within the apparatus for drying independent of ambient conditions external the apparatus for batch drying.
Improved apparatus for drying at least two batches of grain comprising, in combination:
- first and second separate batch bins, each bin forming an enclosure for grain and having a top, a bottom and sides;
- first and second separate air flow doors to each batch bin, at least one of said air flow doors at the top of each bin and the other of said air flow doors at the bottom of each batch bin;
- an additional door at the top of each bin;
- an air supply manifold connected to the bottom doors of each bin;
- a second separate air exhaust manifold connected to the first top doors of each bin;
- an air transfer manifold connected to the additional top doors of each bin;
- all of said doors being operable to be placed in the open or closed condition;
- means for receiving, drying, reheating and discharging all the air flow through the dryer, the exhaust manifold being connected to said means to receive all the air from the exhaust manifold, the air supply manifold connected to direct all the air from the means for discharging air, and said additional doors being connected with the air transfer manifold to provide air flow intermediate two or more bins in serial order prior to exhaust through the second doors to the exhaust manifold, whereby all the air is entirely and continuously recycled through the batches of grain and the means for drying and reheating by the path of the manifolds to remove moisture from each bath of grain, the air temperature and moisture content being entirely controlled within the apparatus for grain drying independent of ambient conditions, external the apparatus for drying.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.