Conveyor for grain dryer
AssigneeCTB IP, Inc.
InventorBrent J. Bloemendaal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metering conveyor adapted to move a controlled volume of grain. The conveyor incorporates a series of carriers that can each be switched between a scooper assembly and a blocker assembly. The ratio of scooper assemblies to blocker assemblies determines the volume of grain that is metered for a predetermined conveyor speed. The conveyor is modular and is especially suited for a modular rectangular grain dryer. The conveyor further includes a paddle that is adapted to move grain to a discharge chute.
Claims26
A grain dryer comprising:
- spaced apart inner and outer walls having a vertical component defining a chamber for directing grain therethrough to a discharge opening;
- a generally horizontal shelf disposed adjacent the discharge opening;
- a trough disposed below the shelf for receiving grain from the shelf;
- and
- a conveyor configured to travel a fixed path defined in part by a first direction and a second direction, the conveyor including:
- a carrier paddle configured to push grain through the trough in the second direction,
- a scooper assembly having a scooper panel configured to travel over the shelf in the first direction and meter grain from the shelf to the trough, and
- a blocker assembly configured to inhibit grain flow from the discharge opening.
A grain dryer comprising:
- spaced apart inner and outer walls having a vertical component defining a chamber for directing grain therethrough to a discharge opening;
- a generally horizontal shelf disposed adjacent the discharge opening;
- a trough disposed below the shelf for receiving grain from the shelf;
- and
- a conveyor configured to move a carrier along a fixed path, the carrier being adapted to connect to either a scooper panel or a blocker panel,
- wherein the scooper panel is configured to meter grain from the shelf to the trough, and the blocker panel is configured to inhibit grain flow from the discharge opening.
A method of manufacturing a metering conveyor system for a grain dryer comprising:
- providing a drive mechanism having a plurality of carriers attached thereto with a substantially uniform spacing therebetween, wherein each carrier is configured to attach to either a scooper panel or a blocker panel;
- selecting a distance between a plurality of scooper panels that is a multiple of the substantially uniform spacing;
- attaching the plurality of scooper panels to carriers located at intervals equal to the selected distance;
- and
- attaching at least one blocker panel to a carrier located on the drive mechanism between the plurality of scooper panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.