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US 9,988,596 B2Granted
Controlled germination apparatus
AssigneeSalish Coast Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsWilliam D. Redding, Wayne E. Carpenter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments herein disclosed relate to a computer-controlled germination system built around a rotating vessel within which a germinating process takes place. The system includes automatable controls over air flow, water flow, temperature, and vessel rotation.
Claims20
An apparatus for germinating grain, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable drum configured for holding grain;
- an air conduit in the rotatable drum for directing an intake flow of air into the rotatable drum, the air conduit fixed to rotate with the rotatable drum;
- an array of tubes distributed circumferentially in the rotatable drum for withdrawing an exhaust flow of air from the rotatable drum, the array of tubes fixed to rotate with the rotatable drum;
- an air rotary union comprising an air manifold fluidly connecting the air conduit with a drum air inlet that is outside of the rotating drum and is fixed so that it does not rotate with the rotating drum, and fluidly connecting the array of tubes with a drum air outlet that is outside of the rotating drum and is fixed so that it does not rotate with the rotating drum, the fluid connection maintained during rotation of the rotating drum, wherein the air manifold is movable to selectively pass air through a dynamically selectable subset of the array of tubes;
- a blower configured to draw the exhaust flow of air from the air rotary union via the drum air outlet;
- and
- an inlet pipe in the rotatable drum for inserting an inlet flow of water into the rotatable drum.
4 more elements
A system for malting grain, the system comprising:
- a rotatable drum configured for holding grain;
- an array of tubes distributed circumferentially in the rotatable drum for withdrawing an exhaust flow of air from the rotatable drum, the array of tubes fixed to rotate with the rotatable drum;
- an air rotary union comprising an air manifold, fluidly connecting the array of tubes with a drum air outlet that is outside of the rotating drum and is fixed so that it does not rotate with the rotating drum wherein the fluid connection is maintained during rotation of the rotating drum;
- an air cycle module configured to control an air flow rate and an air temperature of a flow of air through the drum;
- a water cycle module configured to control a water flow rate and a water temperature of a flow of water through the drum;
- and
- a controller having a processor and memory configured with executable instructions to execute a sequence of pre-defined operations on one or more of the air cycle module, the water cycle module, and the rotatable drum, the sequence being defined to malt grain within the drum;
- the controller further configured to selectively cause the air manifold to pass air through a subset of the array of tubes.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.