Storage structure
AssigneeThe Andersons, Inc.
InventorsThomas H. Anderson, Donald E. Anderson, Glenn E. Hall, Roy W. Blanton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for storing a particulate material in a storage assembly. The storage assembly includes a wall for retaining the particulate material and a cover. A cap is positioned above the cover and mounts a vertically movable ring assembly. During filling, the ring assembly is adjusted to tension the cover. A flow of fluid is provided through said stored particulate material for maintaining the temperature within the stored particulate material within a predetermined upper and lower limit and also urges the cover into contact with the particulate material.
Claims17
An improved storage assembly for storing a particulate material, said storage assembly comprising, in combination,
- a vertically extending chute having vertically spaced openings;
- a cap assembly surrounding said vertically extending chute and mounted for movement on said vertically extending chute;
- a cover having its upper end operatively attached to said cap assembly;
- and
- a ring assembly vertically movable on said cap assembly and engaging said cover, whereby said ring assembly may be vertically moved relative to said cap assembly, said cover being tensioned by said ring assembly retarding the formulation of circumferential folds in said cover during loading.
An improved method for storing a particulate material beneath a generally conical cover having an opening adjacent its upper end,
- introducing said particulate material through the opening;
- maintaining said cover adjacent said particulate material by applying a force ring to the cover to tension said cover and retard the formation of circumferential folds;
- raising said cover relative to the addition of particulate material through the opening;
- and adjusting the vertical position of the force ring to maintain the tension on the cover.
An improved storage assembly for storing a particulate material, said storage assembly comprising, in combination,
- a vertically extending chute having vertically spaced openings, said chute defining a central vertical axis;
- a cap assembly having air inlet openings symmetrically mounted relative to such central axis for movement on said vertically extending chute, said cap assembly surrounding said vertically extending chute;
- a cover having its upper end operatively attached to said cap assembly;
- a ring assembly vertically movable on said cap assembly and engaging said cover, said ring assembly being symmetrical to such central vertical axis, whereby said ring assembly may be vertically moved relative to said cap assembly, said cover being tensioned by said ring assembly retarding the formation of cirumferential folds in said cover during loading;
- a symmetrical vessel surrounding the lower end of said chute;
- a plurality of air inlet pipes in communication with said vessel and extending radially outwardly from said vessel;
- auger means for moving fine material extending from said vessel radially outwardly, whereby such removal of fine material is symmetrical;
- and
- the combination of said cap, said symmetrical vessel and symmetrical removal of fine materials assures air flow in the center of the particulate material pile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.