Modular aeration assembly for grain bins
AssigneeWoodhaven Capital Corp.
InventorsJuan Neufeld, Bernie Thiessen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.
Claims14
A grain aeration assembly for a bin with a hopper bottom, a sidewall, and a manhole in the sidewall, comprising:
- a first set of wall segments sized to pass through the manhole for assembly to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly inside the bin;
- a plurality of legs extending between the tower and the hopper bottom;
- each wall segment having an internal frame with opposite upper and lower ends and opposite side edges, and having spaced apart inner and outer perforated skins mounted on the frame;
- the frames of adjacent wall segments being secured together to form the cylindrical tower;
- and
- an air inlet in one of the wall segments to introduce drying air into a space between the inner and outer skins for exiting through the perforations.
A modular aeration assembly for retro-fit installation inside a grain bin, comprising:
- a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through an opening in the bin, and each segment having an internal frame with inner and outer perforated skins;
- an air duct sized to pass through the opening;
- adjacent wall segment frames being joined side by side;
- the wall segments being adapted for erection inside the bin to form an upstanding tower after passing through the bin opening;
- and
- the air duct being connected to the tower to supply drying air to each wall segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.