Patent Application
20050254922
None
This invention relates to bin sweeps for moving and clearing of grain and other materials from silos, grain bins and similar storage units. Specifically, this invention relates to an open support frame that helps to support the auger of a bin sweep.
A grain bin sweep is generally found at the bottom of a grain bin containing a flat bottom floor. Typically, the grain bin has a circular horizontal cross-section. Diameters of grain bins vary from several feet to over one hundred feet. A grain sweep must cover, at a minimum, the radius of the bin so that it is able to sweep the entire area of the bin as it rotates about an axis in the center of the grain bin.
Commonly, an interior grain storage cavity of a grain bin or silo is filled with grain while the grain sweep is positioned at the bottom of the silo. Therefore, the grain sweep usually has a lot of weight (from the grain) pressing down upon it. The support frame for a grain sweep is typically adjacent to its auger and helps to support the auger and maintain the integrity of the sweep arm structure, especially when grain is poured into the bin and the weight of the grain is being placed on the grain sweep. Generally, grain sweep support frames have included solid material sheets, panels, or components (without multiple holes or openings to allow for the free flow of materials through the support frame).
To remove the grain from a bin, an opening at the bottom of the bin is opened to allow the grain to flow through by gravity. The grain flows like a viscous fluid much like the sand in an hourglass. Grain will flow into the floor opening until flow from gravity stops leaving grain at the sides of the bin resting at the angle of repose due to the flat floor surface and the opening being in the floor of the grain bin. The empty space in the bin is the shape of an inverted cone with the point at the floor opening and the circular base at the top level of the remaining grain. The grain remaining in the bin must be removed. The grain sweep in a bin removes the remaining grain that will not be moved by gravity alone.
As the grain flows through that opening, the grain sweep (which is initially disposed in the bin before the grain is placed in the bin) is also placed under a tremendous amount of pressure by the flowing grain and changing weight dynamics placed upon it. The downward pressure created from the flow of grain is so great that at times, the sweep arm including the support frame, auger and backshield become damaged (i.e., crushed or warped).
Another problem with most grain sweeps is that they are difficult to transport and difficult to assemble within a grain bin because the frame is constructed as one structure. This makes if difficult to bring that structure into an existing grain bin, and to position, assemble and install the frame because of the length of the support frame. In addition, the repair of the grain sweep may require the removal of the frame from the bin, which is inconvenient because of its size. A typical grain bin sweep is custom made for a specific grain bin and its particular size. This means that the grain sweep cannot be easily removed and taken to another silo, especially one that is of a different size.
Therefore, a grain sweep having a frame that is easy to assemble and maneuver in and out of grain bins is desirable. Additionally, such a frame should be able to withstand the tremendous amount of pressure exerted on it by the weight and movement of the grain in the grain bin without becoming damaged or destroyed.
The present invention is directed to the structure of a support frame for a grain bin sweep that can be used inside a grain bin. The support frame is comprised of several longitudinally extending panels that when assembled create an open interconnected design. The panels are attached together on their longitudinal sides to create an open structure which allows for the free flow of grain through the frame. In one embodiment, additional panel sections can be added to the end of the frame in order to increase the overall length of the frame to a specified size.
In one embodiment, the support frame is triangular in shape (when viewed laterally) and is comprised of three panels attached together along the longitudinal sides of each respective panel. The panel assembly design of the structure of the frame makes it easy to bring sections of the frame into a grain bin and to assemble them in the grain bins as they are easy to place into position. The open framework of the panels also make the panels lighter and easier to maneuver.
While the above-identified drawings set forth several embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.
The present invention allows for the free flow of grain through the support structure while still assisting in providing additional strength to the sweep arm. The present invention also allows for ease of assembly of a support frame within a grain storage facility. The present invention is further explained with reference to the drawing figures, wherein like structures are referred to by like numbers throughout the several views.
Bin sweep 12 has a first support structure 24 connected at a first end which rotates around pivot axis 16. First support structure 24 can be comprised of any suitable means which allow for rotation around pivotal axis 16 which may include, but is not limited to, a pivot axis housing unit, a motor and motor cover assembly. Bin sweep 12 also has a second support structure 26 at a second end. Bin sweep 12 moves radially around grain bin 14 in a direction noted by arrow 28. Second support structure 26 can be comprised of any suitable means which would be able to support the second end of bin sweep 12 and aid in the maneuvering of the entire bin sweep 12. Suitable means may include, but is not limited to, mechanical tractors, motorized tractors or any mobile support frame which would be able to move in accordance with bin sweep 12. The movement of bin sweep 12 can be facilitated through any suitable means which may include, but is not limited to, wheels, tracks and rail systems.
Support frame 10 is shown in greater detail in
First support structure 24 is mounted to pivot centrally about floor opening 18 about pivotal axis 16. In one embodiment, pivot axis 16 is a rod extending vertically from the center of floor opening 18. A round metal tube having an inner diameter nominally larger the diameter of the rod is attached to the bin sweep 12. This design allows for rotational movement of the tube about the rod of pivotal axis 16. In the embodiment pictured in
Second support structure 26 is located at the opposite side of bin sweep 12 as first support structure 24. In the preferred embodiment, second support structure 26 is comprised of a motorized tractor attached to the second end 36 of support frame 10. The motorized tractor provides a motive force on support wheels 43 mounted at the end of bin sweep 12 to move the structure forward in direction of arrow F in
The auger 30 is connected between first support structure 24 and second support structure 26. Auger 30 conveys stored grain from the outside circumference of grain bin 14 to the center of the bin which contains floor opening 18. Auger 30 is comprised of a central rod or pipe with a sized helical flighting attached thereto, as is common in the art. Auger 30 may be comprised of either metal or polymers. The length of the auger 30 is nominally that of the length of the support frame 10.
The auger 30 is supported between first support structure 24 and second support structure 26 by support frame 10. Support frame 10 can be connected to auger 30, first support structure 24 and second support structure 26 through any suitable means which may include, but is not limited to, bolting, welding, clamping and soldering, and suitable bearings to permit auger rotation. Underneath support frame 10 and adjacent to auger 30 is backshield 32.
Backshield 32 attaches to support frame 10, and optionally also attaches first support structure 24 and second support structure 26. In one embodiment attachment of the backshield 32 to support frame 10 is accomplished by use of suitable fasteners, such as bolts. This allows for a stable but removable joining of these components. Alternatively, backshield 32 is attached to support frame 10 via a mechanical locking system incorporating spring loaded clips, cams, or similar devices. Readily separable attachment between backshield 32 and support frame 10 promotes mobility of the bin sweep 12 by allowing for easy assembly and disassembly; however semi-permanent or permanent attachment, such as welding, is also envisioned as an embodiment. Backshield 32 assures grain is conveyed to floor opening 18 by hindering grain kernels from being thrown from the front side of bin sweep 12 to the back side of bin sweep 12 and out of the path of auger 30. Grain moves along the flighting of screw auger 30 towards floor opening 18 with backshield 32 holding grain in place until the grain is moved by the auger 30.
As illustrated in
In the exemplary embodiment, long side bars 48a and 48b are made of metal and fabricated to have a center bend that creates an obtuse angle of approximately 150 degrees in the longitudinal direction. This embodiment allows for constructing panels 46 that can be assembled into a frame having the shape of an equilateral triangular prism. Short side bars 50a and 50b are similarly fabricated from metal, but contain a 90 degree bend along the center of the length of the bars, or are constructed from angle iron. In the exemplary embodiment, the long sides of a panel 46 would be approximately ten feet long while the short sides would be approximately one and a half feet long. The approximate weight of a panel 46 that is the size of this exemplary embodiment would be approximately 29.2 pounds. Panel sizes can range from approximately one foot to forty feet in length. Side bars 50a, 50b and 48a, 48b are connected in such a manner as to provide a generally planar surface with short side bars 50a, 50b having one side perpendicular to the planar surface and long side bars 48a, 48b having a side that extends 30 degrees from the planar surface.
In the exemplary embodiment, the side bars, 50a, 50b and 48a, 48b, have a plurality of holes 54 on the sides that are perpendicular or at an angle to the planar surface, respectively. The side of short side bars 50a and 50b perpendicular to the side that attaches to the long side bars 48a, 48b contains prefabricated holes. This allows for easy connection of multiple sections of support frame 10, such as panels 46a, 46b and 46c with 46d, 46e and 46f and 46g, 46h and 46i as pictured in
The holes 54 for the long side bars, 48a, 48b are similarly fabricated in a size equal to that of the holes 54 in the short side bars. The holes 54 are all on the center line of the angled sides of the long side bars 48a and 48b adjacent the planar surface created by all side bars 48a, 48b and 50a, 50b. In the exemplary embodiment, the holes 54 are intended to connect the panels 46a, 46b and 46c to each other to form the triangular shaped frame by allowing bolting of the frames through the holes 54. Other suitable means, without holes, can also be used to connect the frames, including, but not limited to welding, brackets and joint connectors.
In
In another exemplary embodiment, the interconnected framework is created with individual cross supports 52 that are approximately 20.42 inches in length. Cross supports 52 are then placed on the same plane as the pairs of long side bars 48a, 48b and short side bars 50a, 50bbut at an angle so that a first end of cross support 52 is adjacent to the second end of another cross support 52 to create a V-shape. The ends of cross supports 52 are then spot welded to long side bars 48a, 48b and short side bars 50a, 50b. Typically, eight cross supports 52 are used for a 10 feet section of panel 46, but other geometries are envisioned for varying lengths such as those illustrated in
The smaller frame panels 46g, 46h and 46i serve multiple purposes. First, the smaller panels 46g-i can be preassembled and attached to first support structure 24 prior to attaching additional frame panels 46 to the bin sweep 12. This permits using a more stabilized and elaborate attachment method aiding in structural support of the bin sweep 12 at first support structure 24. This is important as the motor for driving auger 30 is contained on first support structure 24, and can generate much stress due to vibrations associated with the powered system. Second, with attachment to standardized support panels, such as the preferred embodiment of 10 feet, the smaller panels 46g, 46h and 46i allow creating sweep arms of varying length.
Once the length of the bin sweep has been determined and panels 46 have been chosen, the bin sweep 12 is then assembled in a grain bin 14 by bringing in the individual panels 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e and 46f and other pieces, including the auger 30 and backshield 32, into the grain bin 14. Frame panels 46a, 46b, and 46c, auger 30a and backshield 32a are joined with frame panels 46d, 46e and 46f, auger 30b, and backshield 32b, respectively as illustrated in
As seen in
The open interconnected framework of the present invention allows for support of an auger 30 and a bin sweep 12 without damage from warping or being crushed by the weight of grain piled over the bin sweep 12. The structure described of panels 46 with cross supports 52 create an open and strong truss that can withstand large forces exerted onto the structure. Thus, if the bin sweep 12 is placed in a bin and filled with grain, the sweep will not be deformed. The auger 30 will remain in its intended position to optimally remove the grain. The support frame 10 also provides strength to counter the dynamic forces of flowing grain while a bin is being emptied. Additionally, the individual panels 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, 46f, 46g, 46h and 46i allow for customization and ease of assembly of the sweep within a grain bin 14.
The open lattice structure of support frame 10 also does not impede the flow of grain. Grain can fall freely through the frame support. This becomes especially important at the far ends of the bin sweep 12. When emptying grain bin 14, the grain flows freely to floor opening 18 from the outer edges until the grain comes to rest at the angle of repose. The angle of repose varies with the placement of bin floor holes 18 and the properties of the stored material, including type of grain and moisture content, but will leave the height of grain remaining in the bin at the outer edges above the height of the bin sweep 12 with support frame 10. Once grain rests at the angle of repose, the bin sweep 12 is activated to empty the bin. Grain is allowed to flow down through the support frame 10 to be removed by auger 30 as the tractor of second support structure 26 moves the bin sweep 12 around the grain bin 14. The bin sweep 12 is installed either before the grain bin 14 is filled, or may be placed in the bin after the grain bin 14 has been partially emptied and the grain has come to rest at the angle of repose.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
