Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPSIBLE AERATION SYSTEM FOR RETROFITTING A
GRAIN BIN
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to grain bins
and, more particularly, to aeration systems or dryers for
drying grain in a hopper associated with a grain bin.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known in the art that grain stored in grain bins
should be dried. However, many existing grain bins do not
have a dryer or aeration system, leaving users the choice to
either replace (at substantial cost) the grain bin with a
newer model with an integral dryer or retrofit an existing
grain bin with a dryer or aeration system. As will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,
retrofitting a grain bin can be a challenge.
[0003] One technique for retrofitting an existing grain bin
with an aeration system or dryer is to lower the aeration
system into the hopper from the top of the grain bin. Because
of the height of the grain bin, this can be a difficult task.
This technique is disclosed in United States Patent 4,754,557
and corresponding Canadian Patent 1,251,038 both of which are
entitled "Grain Dryer". These patents disclose a grain dryer
having an inner and outer vertically positioned concentric
cylindrical members. This grain dryer is adapted for use in a
hopper-bottomed grain bin for mounting over the aperture in
the conical bottom of the grain bin. However, this grain
dryer must be initially constructed within the grain bin when
the grain bin is fabricated or it must be lowered into the
grain bin via an opening in the roof of the bin. However,
retrofitting an existing grain bin that lacks a dryer by
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lowering the dryer from the top of the grain bin is an arduous
task.
[0004] Another technique is to insert components of the
aeration system or dryer from the bottom discharge hole,
manhole or any other aperture in the grain bin. The
components are then assembled inside the grain bin or hopper.
The downside of this technique is that it requires that one or
more workers assemble the aeration system inside the hopper,
which is time consuming and potentially unpleasant for the
worker(s).
[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the above-mentioned
prior art technologies, an improvement would thus be highly
desirable.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides, in general, a novel
collapsible aeration system for drying grain. This
collapsible aeration system is made of multiple duct sections
that are pivotally connected to one another. These duct
sections enable the collapsible aeration system to be folded
for insertion through a manhole or other access hole into a
hopper where it can then be unfolded for use in drying grain
stored within the grain bin. The aeration system thus permits
an existing grain bin to be retrofitted with a grain dryer.
In operation, the collapsible aeration system is connected to
a fan via an air duct. Air is forced into the aeration system
and out openings (e.g. louvers, perforations, lanced openings,
etc.) in the duct sections for drying the grain. The aeration
system is supported above the discharge chute of the hopper by
a plurality of legs with pivotally connected feet that rest on
the sloped inner surface of the hopper.
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[0007] In accordance with one main aspect of the present
invention, a collapsible aeration system for retrofitting a
grain bin includes a plurality of connected duct sections.
Each duct section has an outer surface, an inner surface
narrower than the outer surface, and a pair of angled surfaces
connecting the inner and outer surfaces. The duct sections
each define an internal air space. The collapsible aeration
system also includes a plurality of pivoting connections along
adjoining edges of the duct sections for pivotally connecting
adjacent pairs of the duct sections to thereby enable the
collapsible aeration system to be folded and unfolded.
[0008] In accordance with another main aspect of the present
invention, a method for retrofitting a hopper of a grain bin
with an aeration system entails folding a collapsible aeration
system, inserting the collapsible aeration system in a folded
condition into the hopper via a hole in the hopper, and
unfolding the collapsible aeration system inside the hopper.
[0009] In accordance with yet another main aspect of the
present invention, an aeration system for retrofitting a grain
bin includes a plurality of duct sections adapted to be
connected together, each duct section having a flat outer
surface, a flat inner surface narrower than the outer surface,
and a pair of angled surfaces connecting the inner and outer
surfaces, the duct sections each defining an internal air
space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present
technology will become apparent from the following detailed
description, taken in combination with the appended drawings,
in which:
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[0011] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a
collapsible aeration system installed within a hopper of a
grain bin in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible
aeration system inside the hopper;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible
aeration system having flat (non-corrugated) panels in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the partially folded
collapsible aeration system;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fully folded
collapsible aeration system;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view depicting how the
folded collapsible aeration system is inserted through a
manhole or other access hole in the hopper for subsequent
unfolding and installation inside the hopper;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the
collapsible aeration system installed inside the hopper;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a six-sided collapsible
aeration system;
[0019] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the six-sided
collapsible aeration system, depicting exemplary angles,
dimensions and hinge axes;
[0020] FIG. 9B is a side view of the fully folded collapsible
aeration system;
[0021] FIG. 1OA is a side view of the fully folded
collapsible aeration system;
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[0022] FIG. 10B is a side view of the partially unfolded
collapsible aeration system;
[0023] FIG. 10C is a top plan view of the collapsible
aeration system;
[0024] FIG. 11A is a top plan view of a five-sided
collapsible aeration system in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11B is a side view of the five-sided collapsible
aeration system; and
[0026] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a four-sided collapsible
aeration system in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] It will be noted that throughout the appended
drawings, like features are identified by like reference
numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention is directed to a novel
collapsible aeration system or grain dryer for retrofitting an
existing grain bin that lacks an aeration system (dryer).
This collapsible or foldable aeration system (dryer) may be
folded for inserting through an opening in the bin. Once
inside the hopper, the aeration system can be easily unfolded
for use in drying the grain inside the grain bin.
[0029] Embodiments of this invention will now be described
with reference to the appended figures.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a
collapsible aeration system, which is generally designated by
reference numeral 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. This collapsible aeration system 10 is
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installed within a hopper 20 of a grain bin. The hopper is
supported by a plurality of struts or legs 22. A fan 30 is
connected to the aeration system 10 by an air duct 32.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible
aeration system 10 introduced in FIG. 1. In this particular
embodiment, the outer surfaces of the duct sections 12 are
corrugated. As will be appreciated, other duct shapes such as
curved or rounded may be employed. The duct sections 12 are
capped by an air manifold 14 for circulating the air through
the duct sections. A plurality of legs 40 support the
collapsible aeration system above the discharge chute 24
(through which the grain exits from the hopper 20) . The legs
40 may include, as shown by way of example in this figure,
pivotally connected feet for resting on the sloped inner
surface of the hopper 20.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible
aeration system 10 having flat (non-corrugated) outer surfaces
or panels in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. The duct sections 12 (also referred to herein as
ducts or channels) have multiple surfaces (sides) that
together define an internal airspace. These may be, for
example, trapezoidal duct sections with the outer and inner
faces being parallel. In such an embodiment, the outer
surface is wider than the inner surface. The two side
surfaces slope at the same angle in the exemplary embodiments
shown in this application. As will be explained in greater
detail below, the ducts are pivotally connected or hinged
alternately at the inner and outer edges so that the entire
structure can be folded (collapsed) into a very compact
configuration that can be inserted through a manhole or other
access hole in the hopper. Folding the structure enables it
to be inserted through a small hole through which it would
otherwise not fit.
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[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the partially folded
collapsible aeration system 10 of FIG. 3. The collapsible
aeration system can be folded and unfolded easily and quickly
because it is not use any threaded fasteners to hold it
together.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fully folded
collapsible aeration system 10 of FIG. 3. The fully folded
aeration system 10 is compact enough to be fitted through a
manhole or other access hole in the hopper.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view depicting how the
folded collapsible aeration system 10 is easily inserted
through a manhole 21 or other access hole in the hopper 20 for
subsequent unfolding and installation inside the hopper.
Inserting the collapsible aeration system 10 the manhole is
much easier, quicker and safer than attempting to lower an
aeration system from the top of the grain bin, as has been
done conventionally. Grain bins typically have a wall height
of over 10 feet (3 m) which requires a hoist or winch system
to raise and lower the retrofit aeration system into the grain
bin.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the
collapsible aeration system 10 installed inside the hopper 20
after it has been inserted through the manhole 21. Above the
hopper is a grain bin 25. The arrangement of the hopper and
grain bin is well known in the art and thus will not be
described. FIG. 7 shows by way of example how the feet 42 of
the supporting legs 40 pivot to rest on the sloped inner
surface of the hopper 20.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a six-sided collapsible
aeration system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. The aeration system 10 has six ducts (or
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duct sections) 12. The outer surfaces of the duct sections
may be corrugated 12a or flat 12b. In the embodiment where
the duct sections are corrugated, the duct sections form
trapezoidal ducts or channels. In this particular embodiment,
there are three legs and three feet 42 for supporting the
aeration system in the hopper. One of the duct sections has,
or is adapted to receive, an air duct 32, as shown by way of
example in this figure.
[0038] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the six-sided
collapsible aeration system, depicting exemplary angles,
dimensions and hinge axes. In this particular exemplary
embodiment, the outer surfaces of adjacent duct sections form
60-degree angles as shown in the figure. In this particular
example, the outer surfaces are 1'-6" (45.7 cm) wide and the
inner surfaces are 1'-3" (38.1 cm) wide. These dimensions are
solely presented by way of example and it will be understood
the dimensions may be varied without departing from the
inventive concept. With these example dimensions, the outer
diameter (major diameter) is 3' (91.4 cm). This would be too
large to fit into an ordinary manhole on most conventional
hoppers. However, the novel collapsible aeration system may
be folded into a folded configuration such as the one depicted
by way of example in FIG. 9B which is a side view of the fully
folded six-section collapsible aeration system of FIG. 9A.
When folded, the diameter of the particular embodiment of the
aeration system shown in FIG. 9B is only 1'-6" (45.7 cm),
which then fits through a conventional 19" (48.3 cm) manhole
found on most grain bins. It bears emphasizing that these
dimensions are only presented for the purposes of
illustration. As will be appreciated, these dimensions may be
varied without departing from the inventive concept.
[0039] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B also depict the hinge points or
pivot axes of the aerations system's articulated structure.
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In this example, there are six duct sections 12 and five
hinges 13 (i.e. articulating edges or pivotal connections
linking the adjoining sections 12). As will be observed, the
hinges (articulating edges) alternate between an outer edge
and an inner edge. In other words, as depicted in FIG. 9A and
FIG. 9B, an edge 13A-B of the outer surface of a first duct
(A) is pivotally connected to the common edge 13A-B of the
outer surface of a second duct (B) An edge 13B-C of the
inner surface of the second duct (B) is pivotally connected to
the common edge 13B-C of the inner surface of a third duct
(C). An edge 13C-D of the outer surface of the third duct
(C) is pivotally connected to the common edge 13C-D of the
outer surface of a fourth duct (D). An edge 13D-E of the inner
surface of the fourth duct (D) is pivotally connected to the
common edge 13D-E of the inner surface of a fifth duct (E).
An edge 13E-F of the outer surface of the fifth duct (E) is
pivotally connected to the common edge 13E-F of the outer
surface of a sixth duct (F) FIG. 9B shows how the edges
alternate between inner and outer edges when the aeration
system is folded (collapsed) into a stacked configuration. In
this example, edges 13A-B, 13C-D and 13E-F are inner edges
(because the common edge is along two inner surfaces)
whereas edges 13B-C and 13D-E are outer edges (because the
common edge is along two outer surfaces).
[0040] FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C depict the unfolding
of the articulated structure of the collapsible aeration
system 10. The unfolding process commences at FIG. 10A which
shows the stacked (fully folded) six-duct collapsible aeration
system 10. FIG. 10B depicts how the collapsible aeration
system is unfolded, i.e. how each duct section pivots relative
to its adjoining neighbour. The duct sections pivot about
each of the edges 13 (which act as hinges or pivots) . Once
completely unfolded, the collapsible aeration system takes on
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a hexagonal structure as shown in FIG. 10C in a top plan view.
The articulated structure may be folded by reversing this
steps, i.e. by pivoting the duct sections 12 about the edges
13 such that the sections are stacked as shown in FIG. 10A.
[0041] FIG. 11A is a top plan view of a five-section
collapsible aeration system 10 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. As shown by way of
example in FIG. 11A, the unfolded (operative) configuration of
the collapsible aeration system 10 is a pentagon (i.e. an
articulated structure with five sides). This five-sided
aeration system operates analogously to the six-sided version.
In other words, it also folds into a stacked configuration
shown for example in FIG. 11B. Some dimensions are presented
solely by way of example. For example, in the particular
embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, the outer surfaces are 1'-6"
(45.7 cm) wide. When folded (stacked), as shown by way of
example in FIG. 11B, the width of the stacked structure is
only 1'-6" (45.7 cm) which thus fits through most conventional
manholes in typical grain bins. For this five-sided aeration
system (five-ducted dryer), there are four pivots (edges 13).
As was the case with the six-sided version, the edges 13
alternate between outer and inner edges. This is apparent
from the location of the edges 13 in FIG. 11B.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a four-sided collapsible
aeration system 10 in accordance with yet another embodiment
of the present invention. In this particular embodiment,
there are four ducts 12 that form a square as shown by way of
example in FIG. 12. The angled surfaces are at 45-degrees.
Again, the articulated structure may be folded into a compact
stacked configuration for insertion through a manhole of a
grain bin.
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[0043] Another aspect of the invention is a novel method for
retrofitting a hopper of a grain bin with an aeration system.
This method entails folding a collapsible aeration system into
a compact configuration, e.g. a stacked configuration. The
compact configuration is small enough to fit through a manhole
or other access hole in the hopper or grain bin. Once the
aeration system has been folded, it is inserted in a folded
condition into the hopper via a hole in the hopper. Once the
aeration system is inside the hopper, the aeration system is
unfolded inside the hopper. In main embodiments, the
articulated duct sections of the aeration system are unfolded
until angled surfaces of one duct abut the angled surfaces of
an adjoining duct. The method may then include a step of
connecting an air duct to the collapsible aeration system.
[0044] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a
multi-sided structure having flat duct surfaces can be folded
in a space-efficient manner for insertion through an opening
in a grain bin or equivalent storage structure. Depending on
the number of duct sections, when unfolded, these structures
may be square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. in cross-section.
The aeration system may also be constructed of multiple curved
(rounded) duct sections.
[0045] While the aeration system is primarily intended to be
folded or collapsed for insertion through a small hole, it
should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the aeration
system may be inserted as two or more folded subassemblies.
For unusually small holes, it may be necessary to insert the
duct sections individually and to assemble the system from its
constituent duct sections inside the bin or hopper. Assembly
of the duct sections may be accomplished using pin connectors,
hinges, fasteners, e.g. screws or bolts, or other suitable
mechanical connectors. While the duct sections may be
permanent connected to one another by riveting, welding,
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soldering, glue, adhesive, bonding agents, etc., the use of
non-permanent fasteners is preferred since this permits the
system to be disassembled and removed for servicing,
maintenance, overhaul or replacement.
[0046] While the above description and accompanying figures
disclose how the embodiments of the invention may be used in a
hopper or other conically shaped structure, it should be
appreciated that the embodiments of the invention may also be
used in a flat-bottomed bin or silo. In other words, it
should be understood that this invention may be used in any
other structure that has a small opening and that requires
retrofitting.
[0047] Although this invention is primarily intended for
retrofitting a grain bin, it should be understood that the
same collapsible aeration system can be installed when the
grain bin is first manufactured, i.e. a new grain bin can be
built with this novel collapsible dryer. After a period of
usage, if the collapsible aeration system requires
maintenance, repair or replacement, it can easily be folded
(collapsed) and removed from the bin (by extricating the
folded aeration system through an opening in the bin). After
maintenance or repair, the aeration system is re-inserted into
the grain bin. Similarly, if a new system is required because
the existing one is broken or defective, the old system is
simply folded and removed and the new system, in its collapsed
state, is inserted into the bin, unfolded and installed.
[0048] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. As will be appreciated by
those of ordinary skill in the art, to whom this specification
is addressed, many obvious variations, modifications, and
refinements can be made to the embodiments presented herein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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The scope of the exclusive right sought by the applicant(s) is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended
claims.
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