US3751824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow inverter for grain driers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-25
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Flow inverter for use in a gravity flow grain drier of the type having drying chambers with perforated walls through which drying air passes. The flow inverter has two flow directing portions for separating portions of the flow of grain adjacent the air inlet wall and adjacent the air outlet wall respectively and simultaneously smoothly deflecting the separated portions laterally angularly into chutes which direct the portion separated from the flow adjacent the air inlet wall downstream adjacent the air outlet wall and direct the portion of the flow adjacent the air outlet wall downstream adjacent the air inlet wall.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:20
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/12; F26B17/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
325 words
A flow inverter for use in a grain drier of the type having spaced vertically extending perforated air inlet and outlet walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber downwardly through which the grain flows, said flow inverter comprising a. first and second pairs of opposed end walls, b. at least one flow separating vertical wall extending between the end walls to form a first transverse mouth to be positioned adjacent one of the air inlet and outlet walls and a second transverse mouth to be positioned adjacent the other of the air inlet and outlet walls, said first and second mouths being coextensive, c. one end wall of the first pair of end walls extending angularly downwardly from the first mouth towards the opposed end wall of the first pair to form first channel means extending downwardly from said first mouth, for laterally deflecting a portion of the flow of grain entering said first mouth, d. second channel means forming a continuation of said first channel means and directed when positioned towards said other of the air inlet and outlet walls for directing upstream flow from adjacent said one of the air inlet and outlet walls to downstream flow adjacent said other of the air inlet and outlet walls, e. one end wall of the second pair of end walls opposed to said one end wall of said first pair extending angularly downwardly from the second mouth towards the opposed end wall of the second pair to form third channel means extending downwardly from said second mouth for laterally deflecting a portion of flow of grain entering said second mouth, and f. fourth channel means forming a continuation of said third channel means and directed when positioned towards said one of the air inlet and outlet walls for directing upstream flow from adjacent said other of the air inlet and outlet walls to downstream flow adjacent said one of the air inlet and outlet walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
325 words
A flow inverter for use in a grain drier of the type having spaced vertically extending perforated air inlet and outlet walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber downwardly through which the grain flows, said flow inverter comprising a. first and second pairs of opposed end walls, b. at least one flow separating vertical wall extending between the end walls to form a first transverse mouth to be positioned adjacent one of the air inlet and outlet walls and a second transverse mouth to be positioned adjacent the other of the air inlet and outlet walls, said first and second mouths being coextensive, c. one end wall of the first pair of end walls extending angularly downwardly from the first mouth towards the opposed end wall of the first pair to form first channel means extending downwardly from said first mouth, for laterally deflecting a portion of the flow of grain entering said first mouth, d. second channel means forming a continuation of said first channel means and directed when positioned towards said other of the air inlet and outlet walls for directing upstream flow from adjacent said one of the air inlet and outlet walls to downstream flow adjacent said other of the air inlet and outlet walls, e. one end wall of the second pair of end walls opposed to said one end wall of said first pair extending angularly downwardly from the second mouth towards the opposed end wall of the second pair to form third channel means extending downwardly from said second mouth for laterally deflecting a portion of flow of grain entering said second mouth, and f. fourth channel means forming a continuation of said third channel means and directed when positioned towards said one of the air inlet and outlet walls for directing upstream flow from adjacent said other of the air inlet and outlet walls to downstream flow adjacent said one of the air inlet and outlet walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flow inverter according to claim 1 wherein the first and second mouths are separated by means of a single vertical wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flow inverter according to claim 1 wherein baffles are angularly positioned in said first and second mouths to assist the flow of grain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flow inverter according to claim 1 wherein said second and fourth channel means include smoothly curved chutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flow inverter according to claim 1 wherein surfaces transverse to the direction of air flow through the drier are perforated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
275 words
A flow inverter in combination with a grain drier comprising spaced vertically extending perforated air inlet and outlet walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber downwardly through which the grain flows, said flow inverter comprising a first flow separating and concentrating means positioned adjacent the air inlet wall for separating a first portion of the flow of grain adjacent the air inlet wall, concentrating it transversely and downwardly in a path generally parallel to said air inlet wall and simultaneously smoothly deflecting the separated concentrated flow portion into a first channel means, said first channel means operatively joined with said first flow separating and concentrating portion to direct the separated deflected portion downstream adjacent the air outlet wall and to permit said first portion of grain flow to expand adjacent said air outlet wall to substantially the same transverse dimensions which it had prior to being separated, and said flow inverter further comprising a second flow separating and concentrating means coextensive with said first flow separating and concentrating means and positioned adjacent the air outlet wall for separating a second portion of the flow of grain Adjacent the air outlet wall, concentrating it transversely and downwardly in a path generally parallel to said air outlet wall and simultaneously smoothly deflecting the separated concentrated flow portion into a second channel means, said second channel means operatively joined with said second flow separating and concentrating portion to direct the separated deflected portion downstream adjacent the air inlet wall and to permit said second portion of grain flow to expand adjacent said air outlet wall to substantially the same transverse dimensions which it had prior to being separated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
275 words
A flow inverter in combination with a grain drier comprising spaced vertically extending perforated air inlet and outlet walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber downwardly through which the grain flows, said flow inverter comprising a first flow separating and concentrating means positioned adjacent the air inlet wall for separating a first portion of the flow of grain adjacent the air inlet wall, concentrating it transversely and downwardly in a path generally parallel to said air inlet wall and simultaneously smoothly deflecting the separated concentrated flow portion into a first channel means, said first channel means operatively joined with said first flow separating and concentrating portion to direct the separated deflected portion downstream adjacent the air outlet wall and to permit said first portion of grain flow to expand adjacent said air outlet wall to substantially the same transverse dimensions which it had prior to being separated, and said flow inverter further comprising a second flow separating and concentrating means coextensive with said first flow separating and concentrating means and positioned adjacent the air outlet wall for separating a second portion of the flow of grain Adjacent the air outlet wall, concentrating it transversely and downwardly in a path generally parallel to said air outlet wall and simultaneously smoothly deflecting the separated concentrated flow portion into a second channel means, said second channel means operatively joined with said second flow separating and concentrating portion to direct the separated deflected portion downstream adjacent the air inlet wall and to permit said second portion of grain flow to expand adjacent said air outlet wall to substantially the same transverse dimensions which it had prior to being separated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein the grain drying chamber is elongated transverse to the direction of air flow and a series of said flow inverter units are positioned side by side along the transverse length of the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said flow separating and concentrating means include angularly positioned baffles to assist the flow therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said channel means are in the form of smoothly curved chutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein surfaces normal to the direction of air flow through the drier are perforated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
259 words
A flow inverter device in combination with a grain dryer comprising a vertically extending perforated air inlet wall and a vertically extending perforated air outlet wall spaced from said air inlet wall, said walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber therebetween, said flow inverter comprising a. a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls having upper edges defining an upper opening, said side walls being adjacent said air inlet and outlet walls, b. at least one flow separating vertical wall extending between the end walls to divide said opening into a first mouth adjacent the air inlet wall and a second mouth adjacent the air outlet wall, c. a first flow deflector extending angularly downwardly from the upper edge of one of said end walls towards the other end wall to form first channel means extending downwardly from said first mouth, said first and second mouths being coextensive, d. second channel means forming a continuation of said first channel means and directed towards said air outlet wall for directing upstream flow from adjacent the air inlet wall, to downstream flow adjacent the air outlet wall, e. a second flow deflector extending angularly downwardly from the upper edge of said other end wall towards said one end wall to form a third channel means extending downwardly from said second mouth, and f. fourth channel means forming a continuation of said third channel means directed towards said air inlet wall for directing upstream flow from adjacent the air outlet wall to downstream flow adjacent the air inlet wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
259 words
A flow inverter device in combination with a grain dryer comprising a vertically extending perforated air inlet wall and a vertically extending perforated air outlet wall spaced from said air inlet wall, said walls defining a vertical grain drying chamber therebetween, said flow inverter comprising a. a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls having upper edges defining an upper opening, said side walls being adjacent said air inlet and outlet walls, b. at least one flow separating vertical wall extending between the end walls to divide said opening into a first mouth adjacent the air inlet wall and a second mouth adjacent the air outlet wall, c. a first flow deflector extending angularly downwardly from the upper edge of one of said end walls towards the other end wall to form first channel means extending downwardly from said first mouth, said first and second mouths being coextensive, d. second channel means forming a continuation of said first channel means and directed towards said air outlet wall for directing upstream flow from adjacent the air inlet wall, to downstream flow adjacent the air outlet wall, e. a second flow deflector extending angularly downwardly from the upper edge of said other end wall towards said one end wall to form a third channel means extending downwardly from said second mouth, and f. fourth channel means forming a continuation of said third channel means directed towards said air inlet wall for directing upstream flow from adjacent the air outlet wall to downstream flow adjacent the air inlet wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
208 words
Method of drying grain comprising the steps of flowing the grain through a drying zone, passing drying air thorugh the drying zone transverse to the general direction of flow of grain, said air entering along a first side wall of said zone and exiting along a second side wall of said zone, separating a first portion of flow of said grain adjacent said first side wall, concentrating it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path substantially parallel to said first side wall and then deflecting it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path oblique to said second side wall, and separating a second portion of flow of said grain between said first portion of flow of grain and said second side wall, the transverse dimensions of said first and second portions of flow being coextensive, concentrating it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path substantially parallel to said second side wall and then deflecting it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path oblique to said first side wall, said first and second portions of flow being allowed to expand to substantially the same respective transverse dimensions which they had prior to said separating and coNcentrating steps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
208 words
Method of drying grain comprising the steps of flowing the grain through a drying zone, passing drying air thorugh the drying zone transverse to the general direction of flow of grain, said air entering along a first side wall of said zone and exiting along a second side wall of said zone, separating a first portion of flow of said grain adjacent said first side wall, concentrating it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path substantially parallel to said first side wall and then deflecting it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path oblique to said second side wall, and separating a second portion of flow of said grain between said first portion of flow of grain and said second side wall, the transverse dimensions of said first and second portions of flow being coextensive, concentrating it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path substantially parallel to said second side wall and then deflecting it transversely to said general direction of flow in a path oblique to said first side wall, said first and second portions of flow being allowed to expand to substantially the same respective transverse dimensions which they had prior to said separating and coNcentrating steps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |