GB606588A - Improvements in grain drying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

606,588. Treating grain. CARR, J. B., and HANDLEY, C. G. Jan. 16, 1945, No. 1471/46. [Class 58] [Also in Group XIII] In grain-conditioning apparatus in which, for example, grain is fed continuously to a set of vertical passages a, each having two opposite sides of wire mesh &c., and between which are spaces constituting inlet and outlet passages alternatively for heated gases adapted to pass through the grain, the rate of discharge of the grain from the apparatus is controlled by hygroscopic means H sensitive to the moisture content in a bye-pass stream of grain which flows through said hygroscopic means from an inlet G to an outlet G<SP>1</SP>. In the construction shown, discharge of the grain is effected by slats c on a frame C which is reciprocated by a disc D through a crank d, connecting rod d<SP>1</SP> and pivoted lever E having a slot e in which is guided a block e' connected by a link F to the frame C, the position of the block e', and thus the length of stroke of the reciprocating frame C and rate of discharge of the grain, being determined by a link R, and lever P and a rod n, the movement of which latter is controlled by a diaphragm in a chamber N. The chamber N is connected by a conduit m to a compressed air line M through a bleedoff line k controlled by a valve which is operated electrically by the hygroscopic means H through leads j, j<SP>1</SP> in such a manner that, when the moisture content in the grain increases, the bleed-off valve opens to reduce the pressure in the chamber N and permit a spring S associated with the rod n to move the latter upwardly and, consequently, the block e<SP>1</SP> to shorten the stroke of the frame C and reduce the rate of discharge of the grain; the reverse operations take place when the moisture content in the grain decreases. The disc D is preferably rotated by the mechanism described in -Specification 566,516, [Group, XXIV].