AU2016200423B2

AU2016200423B2 - Ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin

Info

Publication number: AU2016200423B2
Application number: AU2016200423A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gary Schreiner
Original assignee: Flaman Sales Ltd
Current assignee: Flaman Sales Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-14
Filing date: 2016-01-25
Publication date: 2017-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-22
Also published as: CA2688503A1; CA2918103A1; CA2918103C; AU2010200254A1; AU2016200423A1; CA2688503C; AU2010200254B2

Abstract

A ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin comprising: an elongated hollow body fr being disposed in proximity of a center of the storage bin and oriented substantially vertal; lie elongated hollow hody having a pluralityof apertures arranged suih that airflow into the elongated hollow b-cody from the particulate material in the storage bin is enabled while transmission of the particulate materials into the elongated hollow body is substantially prevented; a venting arrangement for venting the airflow from inside the elongated hollow body such that the airflow can be discharged to an exterior of the storage bin; and, a support mechanism adapted for supporting the elongated hollow body, during use of the ventilation system, in a position of the elongated hollow body such that a top end of the elongated hollow body is spaced below the top opening of the storage bin and a bottom end of the elongated hollow body is spaced from a bottom of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a top holding mechanism for mounting g to a top structure of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a bottom support mechanism comprising a post member connected to the bottom end of the elongated hollow body and extending therefrom downwardly to a bottom structure of the storage bin to support the bottom end spaced from the bottom of the storage bin; wherein the post member is extendible and retractable.

Description

VMIMTIQN SYSTEM FOR VENTILATING PARTICULATE MATERIALS DISPOSED IN A STORAGE BIN

The entire disclosure in the complete specification of our Austmlian patent application number 2I)1020Q2S4:is by feikcfess-refersnee incorporated into the present specification,

FIELD OF THBJNVENTiQN

The present invention relates to ventilation of particulate materials disposed in a storage bin, and more particularly to a ventilation system using naturally occurring convection,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A reference herein to a: patent, document or other matte; which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission or a suggestion that that detentoent or matter was known, or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of theelaims.

Throughout fee description and claims of fee specification, fee word ‘feornprise5’ and variations of fee word, such as “eonaprisiag” and “comprises5·, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

After harvest gram such as, for example, wheat, rve, barley, canola,, soybeans, is stored in storage bills -- on site at a farm or in large eommercia! storage facilities -- prior distribution for processing or sale. Typically, the grain Is stored in fee storage bins during fall and winter-

Teinperature changes due to changing seasons result in an unequal temperature disMbutipn within, the grain stored inside fee storage bin causing natural convection of air through the gram and causing moisture ίο migrate therewith. The moisture fern gathers in fee top portion of the stored grain causing it to spoil. Depending on fee temperature and fee moisture content of the grain spoilage occurs Within weeks or even days. TP prevent spoilage of grain stored in storage bins grain aeration systems di gram drying, systems are employed. In grain aeration systems a fan provides a flow of outside air into and through the stored grain. Unfortunately, aeration systems are /relatively complex and expensive to manufacture, install, and operate. Furthermore, in conations of high humidity of the outside air the aeration is ineffective in preventing spoilage of the gram. Uraih drying systems are more effective in humid.-conditions of the outside air, but are even mere expensi ve to operate than aeration systems and care must.fee-takes that fee stored grain is not damaged due to too high temperatures of the heated air provided by fee grain drying system.

It is desirable to provide a ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a Storage bin that is simple and. easy to install.

It is also desirable to provide a vernilation system for ventilating particulate materiais disposed in a Storage bin that uses naturally occurring convention.

SUMMARY OF THE IN VENTION

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a ventilation system for veiitilatiug particulate materials disposed in a storage bin that is simple and easy to install.

It would also be desirable to provide a ventilation system materials disposed in a storage bin feat uses naturally occurring convection.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a ventilation, system for ventilating p&tficulate materials disposed in a storage bin comprising; an elongated hollow body for being: disposed in proximity of a center of the storage bin and oriented substantially vertical; fee elongated hollow body having a plurality of apertures arranged such feat airflow into the elongated hollow body from fee particulate material in the storage bin is enabled while transmission of the particulate materials into the elongated holloa body is substantially prevented; a venting arrangement for venting; fee airflow from inside fee elongated hollow body such feat the airflow can be discharged to an ex tenor of the storage bin;: and, a support mechanism adapted for supporting the elongated hollow body, during use oF the ventilation system, in a position of the elongated hollow body such that a top end of the elongated hollow body is spaced below a top opening of the storage bin and a bottom end of the elongated hollow body is spaced from a bottom of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a top holding mechanism for mounting to a top structure of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a bottom support mechanism comprising a post member connected to the bottom end of the elongated hollow body and extending therefrom downwardly to a bottom structure of the storage bin to support the bottom end spaced from the bottom of the storage bin; wherein the post member is extendible and retractable.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin that is simple and easy to install. A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a stage bin that used naturally occurring convection,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in Which:

Figures la and ib are simplified block diagrams Illustrating in cross sectional views of a storage bin natural convection occurring within grain stored therein without and with a ventilation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2a is a simplified block diagram illustrating a side view of the ventilation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2s is a simplified block diagram Illustrating across sectional view of the vcEitilation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention installed in a storage him

Figure 2b is a simplified block diagram illustrating a side View of a portion of the body of the ventilation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3a and 3b are simplified block diagrams illustrating a bottom holding mechanism for mounting the ventilation system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention to the bottom of the storage bin;

Figures 3c and 3d are simplified block diagrams; illustrating a top holding mechanism tor mounting the ventilation system according to a preferred embodiment Of the invention to the top of the storage bin;

Figure 3e .is a crassrseeiional view of an embodiment Of a bottom holding mechanism having & rare earth magnet therein;

Figure 3f is an upper element oft free standing base;

Figure 3g is a view of the upper element of the free standing base of Figure 3 f attached to a lower element of the free sending base;

Figure 3h is a perspective view of a connector for attaching one or more extension pipes to the lower end of die body of the ventilation device in one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4a to 4c are simplified, block diagrams illustrating a telescopic extendable body of the ventilation system: according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4d and 4e are simplified block diagrams illustrating an altemative embodiment of a telescopic extendable body of the ventilation system according to embodiments Of the invention; and,

Figures Sato Mare simplified block diagrams illustrating various connecting mechanisms for connecting a plurality of body sections of the ventilation system according to embodiments of the invention,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms Used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which foe invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention* the preferred methods and materials are no w described .

While the description of the preferred embodiments herein below is with reference to a ventilation system for ventilating grain disposed in a storage bin, it will become evident to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, but are also applicable for ventilating numerous other stored particulate materials where a reduction in moisture content and/or a substantially equal temperature distribution within the stored particulate materials is desirable.

Furthermore,while the description of the preferred embodiments herein below is with reference to a ventilation system for ventilating grain disposed in a storage bin having a circular cross section, it will become evident to those Skilled in the art that the embodiments of thetnvetitfonare not limited thereto, but axe also applicable for storage bins haying other cross sections such as, for example, cross sections of square or rectangular shape.

Referring to Figures la and lb> a cross sectional view through a filled state of the art grain Storage bin 10 is shown, illustrating natural convection occurring therein during fail and winter without a ventilation systemand with a ventilation system according to embodiments of the invention, respectively. Grain is disposed within the storage bin 10 to a fill level 14. Cooler temperatures during fall and winter cause an unequal temperature distribution within the stored grain with zones of lower temperature 16 located in proximity to the outside walls of the storage bin Id and zones of higher temperature 18 located in proximity tothe center of the storage bin 10. The unequal temperature distribution causes a natural convection to oeeur inside the stored grain as indicated by the arrows. Without a ventilation system, as illustrated in Figure la, the natural convection causes a substantially closed circuit of airflow within the stored grain and warm moist air is transported in proximity to the cenrer of the storage bin 10 to the top of the Stored grain. Due to cooler temperatures in the top portion 2Q of the stored grain the moisture condenses and gathers therein. With the ventilation system 100 according to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in Figure lb, the closed circuit of nature! eonvection is interrupted and the warn moist air is guided to the outside through the ventilation system 100 and opening i I between the top portion of the Storage bin ΙΘ and lid 12 as indicated by the arrows. Thus, the moisture is guided to the Outside and prevented from gathering. Furthermore, guiding the warm air to the outside equalizes the temperatures between the zones of Warmer temperatures and cooier temperatures in the stored grain.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, a ventilation system 100 for ventilating grain disposed in a storage bin acfcordmg to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The ventilation: system comprises an extendable elongated hollow body 102, a holding mechanism 106,110 mounted to the body 102, and aeap 108. The ventilation system 100 is disposed in proximity of a center of the storage bin 10 and oriented substantially vertical. The body 102 comprises a plurality of body sections, as will be described herein below, arid when extended has a length approximately equal to a distance between a bottom portion of the storage bin and a top portion of the: storage bin 10 such that a top portion of the ventilation system 100 is disposed above the fill level 14 and in proximity to the epening 11. The body 102 has a plurality of apertures 104 such that airflow between inside and outside the body 1G2 is enabled While transmission of the grain into the body 102 is substantially prevented.

Preferably, the body 102 has a circular cross section, bot is not limited thereto, and various other shapes are also employable such as, for example, square, rectangular, triangular, or ellipsoidal. The size of the cross section is determined, for example, in dependence upon a predetermined airflow to be enabled by the ventilation system 100 for ventilating the stored grain.

Preferably, the apertures 104 are of circularshape, as illustrated in Figure 2b, but are not limited thereto, and various other shapes are also employable such as, for example, square, rectangular, triangular, ellipsoidal, or combinations thereof. Size and dis tribution of the apertures are determined, for example, in dependence upon the size of the grain, a predetermined airflow to be enabled by the ventilation system 100 for ventilating the stored grain. Further preferably, the apertures 104 are squally distributed, as illustrated in Figure 2b. Optionally, the apertures 104 are distributed in an unequal fashion, for example, providing more apertu res 104 on a middle portion of the body 102- which is likely disposed in proximity to a wanner zone of the stored grain than a top and bottom portion of the body 102— and less Or no apertures 104 on the fop and bottom portion of the body 102.

Preferably, the body sections are made using standard technology such as, for example, forming raetai tubing from sheet metal - for example, galvanized steel or aluminum - having the apertures 1:04 cut therein using laser cutting tedmoiogy or a punch press. Alternatively, other manufacturing technologies arid materials are employed such as, for example, plastic molding techniques. Further alternatively, a rigid body structure - for example, made of rods and rings outlining the shape of each of thebody sections - is suirounded with an appropriate wire mesh.

Preferably, the top of the body 102 is covered for preventing disposal of grain inside the body 102 when filled into the sforage bin 10 through opening 11 by providing a cap 108 mounted to a top portion Of the body 102, The cap 108 is shaped- for example, forming a pyramid, a cone, or a half sphere - for dispersing the grain into the storage bin 10 when impinging thereupon. Further preferably, the cap 108 comprises a plurality of apertures 109 such that airflow between inside and outside the body 102 is enabled while transmission of the partsculate materials into the body 102 is: substantially prevented. The apertures 109 are, for example, of same shape and size as the apertures; 104. Optionally, the apertures 109 are of different shape and/or size depending, for example, on the orientation of a cap surface with respect to the impinging grain, Further optionally, the apertures 109 are omitted and the airflow' is guided to the outside, for example, through the apertures 104 disposed jn the top portion of the body 102, or a predetermined gap between the body 102 and the cap 108,

Preferabtyi the holding mechanism comprises a bottom holding mechanism 106 mouthed to a bottom portion of the body 102 for being mounted to a bottom structure of the storage bin 10 and a top holding mechanism l ib for being mounted to a top structure of the storage bin 10, as illustrated in Figure 2a.

Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, a preferred embodiment of a bottom holding mechanism 106 is provided. The bottom holding mechanism 106 comprises a base 106B having & flange or a collar 106A mounted thereupon snugly aicommodatingthe bottom1 portion of the body 102 therein, as tUustrated in Figure 3a, I he base 106B Is mounted to a telescopic extendable support 106C which allows a vertical adjustment of the body 102 using screw mechanism 10613 with the consequence that the bottom holding mechanism 106 is arranged to extend downwardly from the bottom end to the bottom stmeiure of thevStprage biriiand is extendible and retractable. Support base 106E of the extendable support: T.06C is mounted to extendable beam structure 1Q6F using, tot example* tl-shaped mounting mechanisms 106G, The extendable beam structure !06F has end: portions 106H mounted thereto for interfacing with a sloped'wall portion, of a hopper. Preferably, each of the end portions; 106B comprises a fiat surface havlng. a substantially same slope as a sloped wall portion, ofthehopptr, which is screwed, welded or otherwise securely fastened to the sloped wall portion.

Alternatively,; the end portions are held ip place by friction using, fer example, a rubber layer disposed between the flat surface and; the sloped wall portion. Optionally,the beam structure comprises more than two end portions. Further alternatively, the bottom port ion, of the body 102: is mOunted lo the base 106B using, for example, angle fittings,

Optionally, the support base lOSE is, for example,. directly mounted to the floor structure of tire storage bin 10 using screws, bolts, welding Or other secure festerment means, la the embodiment of the bottom holding mechanism of Figure 3e, a rare earth magnet 106K is positiOeed withia a cavity 1Q6L inihe botosm holding mechanism* the rare earth isagnet 10¾ being adapted to directly pr^indireotiy magnetically engage with the wails and/or bottom of the cavity and being Mapted td dh^dy or lower end of the steel body 102 with the consequential result that that the bottom holding mechanism at rhehottom end of the elongated hollow body is releasable in response to a transverse load on the elongated tellpw body greater than a predetermined value·determined hy ft® force from the bottom holding meeharasrn and reengaged therewith by the ihagiietie. force when it returns to the initial position.

While the bottom holding mechanism of Figures 3a and 31? may he readily used in hopper or "V" bottom type bins, in one embodiment of the preseat inyention, in place of the bottom holding mechanism of Figures: 3a and 3 b, a free: stettdtng :'hase; .as Illustrated in Figures 3f and 3g maybe used in flat bottom bins and the like, the lower element of the: free standing base 1070 being positioned or securely fastened to the bottom or floor of the flat bottom bin (by way of, for example, bolts passing through holes I07F in the lower element of the free statwJing: base 1Q7B asid:^tc»'fh!e:'bottam-mr’floor of the flat: bottom bin, or by other fastenxnenl means known to a person skilled in the art), the tipper element of the free standing base (having a tubular element 107A welded or otherwise securely fastened to a base element 107B, the upper element of the fee standing base being for example bolted 107Ε through holes 1070, welded or othaw'ise seenreiy fastened to the lower element of the fee standing base illustrated in Figure If) extending in a generally vertical orientation, and being adapter! Forengagement .with the bottom of the lower end of the steel body 102 in a manner known to a person skilled I» the art, and prefembly by positioning the upper element of the free standing base 107A within, and In snug mgagement with the inside surface of the hollow· lower end of the steel body 102 in a known manner, it being understood that alternative methods for such attachment are known to a person skilled in the art.

With feiefehee to Figure 3h a connector 1Q0 is provided, which may, for example, be inserted into the lower portion of the body to couple the body to an extension pipe (not shown), the connector ends 109 A being of reduced: diameter relative to the Inside diameter of the body and extension pipe (not shown), the connector ends 109A being snugly intertable into the irdeabr of the lower portion of the body and into the interior of the extemiem pipe (not shown), the connector ends 10f A. coupling the: body to the·extension pipe to. thereby: extend the body as needed or desired.

Referring to Figures 3c and 3d, a preferred embodiment of a top holding mechanism 110 is provided. The cap 108 is mounted to the top portion of the body 102 using at least two angle fittings 120 mounted to top portion of the body 102 via screws 122 and screw 126. In Figure 3d only one angle fitting is shown for simplicity. Chain 128 is mounted to the angle fitting 320 via angle fitting 124 and screw 126. At least two chains 128 arc then mounted to the top portion of the storage bin 10, for example, to a ring structure surrounding opening 11, For example, the top holding mechanism 110, as illustrated in Figures 3e and 3d, envies hanging of the ventilation system 100 from the top portion of the storage bin 1Ό during installation. Alternatively the chains 128 are mounted to a ring structure surrounding the top portion of the body 102,

Preferably, the body 102 comprises a plurality of body sections which are mounted together during installation mride the storage bin 10 or telescoping body sections enabling telescopic extension of the body 102 during installation inside thestorage bin for providing a body 102 having a length approximately equal to a distance between a bottom portion of the storage bin 10 and a top portion of the storage bin 10. Providing an extendable body 102 substantially facilitates installation of the veRtilatiansysrem 100 inside the storage bin 10, for example, when installed as a retrofit. Tire length of the body sections is deteiroined such that handling of the same is facilitated - for example, during transport by having a length drat easily fits on a truck, as well as during installation by having a length that allows provision of the ventilation system 100 into the storage bin through a manhole in the bottom portion of the storage bin, thus obviating the use of a crane for lifting the ventilation system 100 through the opening 11 in the top of the storage bin 10,

Referring to Figures 4a to 4c, a preferred embodiment of a telescopic extendable body 102 of a ventilatfon system according to the invention is shown. The telescopic extendable body 102 comprises a plurality of telescoping body sections 1Θ2Α, 102B, 102G. Each telescoping body section 1G2A, 102B, 102C has a constant cross section along longitudinal axis 103. The cross sections are varied such that a successive body section is accommodated inside a previous body section. Preferably, the siae of the cross sections of successive body sections 102 A, 102B, 102C isdecreasing from the bottom body section 102A to the top body section 102C. Prior installation, the top body section 102C is accommodated inside the body section 102B which itself is accommodafed inside the bottom body section 102A, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. During installation the top body section 102C is, for example, pulled towards the top of the storage bin 10 for extending the body 102, as illustrated in Figure 4c. End portions of the telescoping body sections 102A, I02B, 102C are provided with respective stop mechanisms 160,162 - for example, inside and outside stop rings - mounted to the inside and outside of the respective body sections 102 A, 102B, I02C as illustrated in Figure 4b.Whcn

She body 102 is extended, inside stop ring 162 abuts outside stop ring 160, as illustrated in Figure 4c. As is evident, the preferred embodiment is not limited to three body sections as illustrated in Figures 4b and 4c, but various other numbers of body sections - two, four or more - are also applicable.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 4d and 4e, the telescoping body sections 102A, 1G2B, 102C are tapered such that when the body 102 is extended an end portion outside surface 150 of toe second body section 102B interacts with an end portion inside surface 152 of the first body section 102A providing, tor example, a snugly fit.

Further alternatively, separate body sections 1.02A, 102B, are mated during mst&llation inside the storage bin 10. Referring to Figures 5a to 5d, various embodiments of a mechanism for mating a plurality of body sections 102 A, 1023, are shown, As illustrated in Figure 5 a, an end portion of second body section IQ2B is shaped for being mated with a corresponding end portion of a first body section I02A. The second body section 10233 comprises a flange 130 for accommodating the corresponding end portion 132 of the first body section 102 A using, for example, a snugly fit. Alternatively, the body sections 102 A and 1028 comprise respective flanges 134 which are mounted together using screws 136, as illustrated in Figure 5b. Further alternatively, connecting element 13.8 is interposed between the body sections 102A and 1023, as illustrated in Figure 5c, The connecting element 138 accommodates respective end portions 140A and 14QB of body section 102A and 102B using, for example, a snugly fit, Further idteritatiyely, each body section 102A, 102®, is tapered such that an end portion outside surface 142 of a first body section 102 A interacts with an end portion inside surface 144 of a second body section 102B providing, for example, a snugly fit, as illustrated in Figure 5d, Qptipnally, the body 102 is tapered ~ for example, having a smaller cross seetionat the top than at the bottom - and the end portions are shaped for mating corresponding body sections of a predetermined sequence of body sections forming the tapered body 102,

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to· persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A ventilation system for ventilating particulate materials disposed in a storage bin comprising: an elongated hollow body for being disposed in proximity of a center of the storage bin and oriented substantially vertical; the elongated hollow body having a plurality of apertures arranged such that airflow into the elongated hollow body from the particulate material in the storage bin is enabled while transmission of the particulate materials into the elongated hollow body is substantially prevented; a venting arrangement for venting the airflow from inside the elongated hollow body such that the airflow can be discharged to an exterior of the storage bin; and, a support mechanism adapted for supporting the elongated hollow body, during use of the ventilation system, in a position of the elongated hollow body such that a top end of the elongated hollow body is spaced below a top opening of the storage bin and a bottom end of the elongated hollow body is spaced from a bottom of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a top holding mechanism for mounting to a top structure of the storage bin; the support mechanism comprising a bottom support mechanism comprising a post member connected to the bottom end of the elongated hollow body and extending therefrom downwardly to a bottom structure of the storage bin to support the bottom end spaced from the bottom of the storage bin; wherein the post member is extendible and retractable.
2. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the post member is telescopic.
3. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the post member comprises a top flange accommodating the bottom end of the elongated hollow body.
4. A ventilation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the elongated hollow body comprises a plurality of body sections arranged end to end and wherein an end portion of a first body section of the plurality of body sections is shaped for being mated with a corresponding end portion of a second body section of the plurality of body sections.
5. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 4 wherein each body section is tapered such that an end portion outside surface of a first body of the plurality of body sections interacts with an end portion inside surface of a second body section of the plurality of body sections.
6. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the plurality of body sections are telescoping body sections.
7. A ventilation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein there is provided a cap fixedly mounted to a top portion of the elongated hollow body for preventing disposal of particulate materials inside the elongated hollow body when filled into the storage bin through the top opening, the cap being shaped for dispersing the particulate materials into the storage bin when impinging thereupon.
8. A ventilation system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the top holding mechanism is mounted to one of the top portion of the elongated hollow body and the cap, the top holding mechanism being adapted for holding the elongated hollow body and the cap, during use of the ventilation system, in a suspended position of the elongated hollow body such that the cap is placed below the top opening of the storage bin and in close proximity thereto.
9. A combination comprising a storage bin for particulate materials comprising: a bin wall; a bin bottom; a bin roof defining a top portion of the bin with a top opening; and a ventilation system for ventilating the particulate materials disposed in the storage bin as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.