Combine-grain dryer
OwnerJames C. Justice, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grain harvesting combine drives the grain in the combine vehicle using three separate chambers connected by auger conveyors. The grain is heated in the first two chambers and air is circulated through them to move the moisture away from the grain. The first chamber is preferably heated by a heat exchanger having fluid that is heated by rejected heat from the combine engine, while in the second chamber a hollow body having a diesel or propane burner within it is provided. In the third chamber ambient or cooled air is passed through perforated walls of the chamber to cool the grain before it is discharged through a load out tube auger to a waiting truck.
Claims17
A grain harvesting combine having an internal combustion engine, and a frame, and comprising:
- means for drying grain harvested by said combine, and mounted on said combine frame;
- said drying means comprising at least first, second, and third distinct chambers interconnected by conveying means, including a first conveying means for connecting said first and second chambers together, and a second conveying means for connecting said second and third chambers together;
- means associated with each of said chambers for circulating air therethrough to remove moisture from grain disposed within each of said chambers;
- means for discharging dried grain externally of said combine from said third chamber;
- and
- means for heating said first and second chambers, and means for cooling said third chamber, said means for heating said first chamber comprising a heat exchanger disposed adjacent at least one perforated wall portion of said first chamber;
- and
- wherein said means for circulating air in said first chamber comprises means for circulating air past said heat exchanger, through said perforated wall portion, and in and through the grain in said first chamber.
A grain harvesting combine having an internal combustion engine, and a frame, and comprising:
- means for drying grain harvested by said combine, and mounted on said combine frame;
- said drying means comprising a first chamber mounted on said frame and having a top and bottom;
- said first chamber having a grain inlet opening adjacent the top thereof, a vent adjacent the top thereof, and conveying means adjacent the bottom thereof;
- said first chamber defined in part by at least one perforated wall member having an internal face adapted to engage grain within said first chamber, and an external face;
- heat exchange means mounted adjacent said perforated wall member external face;
- means for circulating a hot fluid within said heat exchange means;
- and
- means for circulating air so that it flows past said heat exchange means and through said perforated wall member and then to said vent, to gain heat by contacting said heat exchange means, to remove moisture from the grain in the first chamber by contacting it, and then to be expelled through said vent.
A grain harvesting combine having an internal combustion engine, and a frame, and comprising:
- means for heating grain harvested by said combine to facilitate removal of moisture therefrom, and mounted on said combine frame;
- means for cooling grain heated by said heating means, and mounted on said combine frame;
- conveyor means interconnecting said grain heating and cooling means for continuously passing heated grain to said cooling means;
- said heating means including means for utilizing rejected heat from said engine to heat grain;
- said cooling means comprising means for passing ambient or cooled air through heated grain to cool the grain and assist in removing moisture therefrom;
- said cooling means includes a chamber containing grain through which air is passed;
- and
- a load-out tube auger swingably mounted with respect to said combine frame and connected to said chamber for discharging grain from said chamber externally of said combine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.