Gas film type auxiliary grain discharging system and process for squat silo

Abstract

The invention discloses an air film type auxiliary grain discharging system and process for a squat silo, and relates to the related technical field of grain storage equipment. The auxiliary grain discharging system comprises ultrasonic vibration devices which are arranged at the tail ends of main air ducts in a granary respectively, and each main air duct is provided with a plurality of branch air ducts of an arc-shaped structure; the air film columns are arranged between two adjacent branch air ducts of the same main air duct in the granary; the air inflation device is arranged outside the granary, communicates with the air film columns through pipelines and can inflate the air film columns so that the inflated air film columns can push grain piles, the repose angle of the grain piles can be changed, and the grain piles continue to flow to be mechanically discharged. According to the auxiliary grain discharging system, the granary and the auxiliary grain discharging process, the grain repose angle can be effectively destroyed, the grain discharging dead angle is eliminated, and the mechanical grain discharging efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of grain storage equipment, and in particular to an air-film auxiliary grain discharge system and process for shallow circular silos. Background Technology

[0002] Grain storage is a crucial link in ensuring food security and stabilizing market supply. Ground-mounted shallow circular silos are widely used due to their relatively low construction costs. To improve the efficiency of gravity-flow grain unloading, these silos typically have high-level unloading openings on the outer wall, 4.5-5.5 meters above ground, and low-level unloading openings about 1 meter above ground, relying on the grain's own weight for gravity unloading. However, during the stacking process, grain forms a 30-45° angle of rest due to friction between particles. Taking wheat as an example, when the angle between the grain pile surface and the ground is less than 30°, a stable sloping grain surface is formed, preventing further gravity flow. In this situation, gravity flow from the low-level unloading openings will cease due to the stable slope of the grain pile, requiring manual entry into the silo to assist with unloading, significantly reducing labor efficiency.

[0003] Meanwhile, the scattered nature of grain significantly affects the unloading process, requiring frequent repositioning of unloading machinery. This not only increases the complexity of equipment operation but also drastically reduces the mechanization and overall efficiency of the unloading operation. Particularly noteworthy is the tendency for a stable slope to form between the grain pile and the lower-level unloading outlet in the middle of the warehouse, obstructing grain flow and severely restricting unloading speed. This creates dead zones in grain flow within the warehouse, further exacerbating the problems of low unloading efficiency and high labor costs.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a technical solution that can effectively disrupt the grain stationary angle, eliminate dead angles in grain discharge, and improve the efficiency of mechanized grain discharge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an air-film assisted grain discharge system and process for shallow circular silos, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art, effectively destroy the grain static angle, eliminate grain discharge dead angles, and improve the efficiency of mechanized grain discharge.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: This invention provides an air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos, comprising: The ultrasonic vibration devices are installed at the end of the main air ducts inside the grain silo, and each main air duct has multiple branch air ducts with arc structures. An air-supported film column is installed between two adjacent branch air ducts within the same main air duct inside the grain silo; and An inflation device is located outside the grain silo and is connected to the air film column through a pipeline. It can inflate the air film column so that the inflated air film column pushes the grain pile, changes the static angle of the grain pile, and continues the mechanical discharge of grain.

[0007] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration device includes ultrasonic transducers respectively located at the end of the main air duct inside the grain silo. The ultrasonic transducers are electrically connected to an ultrasonic generator via wires, and the ultrasonic generator is located outside the grain silo.

[0008] In one embodiment, the maximum height of the multiple air-supported film columns after inflation is different, and the maximum height of the air-supported film column near the center of the grain silo after inflation is greater than the maximum height of the air-supported film column near the edge of the grain silo after inflation.

[0009] In one embodiment, the air-supported membrane column includes a top membrane and surrounding walls, and the enclosed space formed by the top membrane and surrounding walls is used for inflation.

[0010] In one embodiment, the air film column is provided with staggered annular reinforcing ribs and radial reinforcing ribs.

[0011] In one embodiment, the air film column is a double-layer air film column structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the thickness of the air-supported film column after inflation is 10 cm.

[0013] In one embodiment, an inflation tube is inserted inside the air film column, and an opening is provided on the side wall of the inflation tube, which communicates with the interior of the air film column; the inflation tube is connected to an air nozzle of an adjacent branch air duct, and an inflation device is connected to the outside of the air nozzle.

[0014] In one embodiment, the grain silo includes a silo body, and the silo body is provided with a plurality of ground ventilation cages. The ground ventilation cages include a main air duct arranged horizontally along the radial direction of the silo body, and a plurality of arc-shaped branch air ducts are arranged sequentially on the main air ducts. The virtual circle in which the branch air ducts are located is arranged concentrically with the silo body. Each of the ground ventilation cages is provided with an ultrasonic vibration device. The silo door can be connected to an external mechanical grain discharge device.

[0015] This invention also provides an air-film assisted grain discharge process for shallow round silos, comprising the following steps: Open the warehouse door and connect a mechanical grain discharging device to the outside of the warehouse door to start the grain discharging operation; During grain discharge, the high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic vibration device breaks the frictional interlocking state between grain particles, promoting the grain to slide continuously along the inclined plane under the action of gravity to the mechanical grain discharge device. During the grain discharge process, when the grain piles around the grain warehouse stop flowing, an air-filling device is used to inflate the surrounding air film columns through air nozzles. After the air film columns are inflated, they push the grain at the bottom of the grain pile and around the walls, changing the grain's stationary angle so that the grain can continue to flow and be discharged.

[0016] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: This invention arranges multiple ultrasonic vibration devices at the end of the main air duct inside the grain silo. The ultrasonic vibrations generate an outward force, and during grain discharge, the high-frequency vibrations break the frictional binding between grain particles, generating ultrasonic waves to propel the grain along the inclined surface, promoting its continuous sliding under gravity and improving discharge efficiency. During the discharge process, when the grain pile around the silo stops flowing, an inflation device inflates air into the surrounding air film columns through nozzles. The inflated air film columns push against the grain at the bottom of the pile and around the walls. The bulging of the air film changes and disrupts the grain's stationary angle, eliminating dead zones and allowing for continued mechanical grain discharge. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a shallow circular silo air-film assisted grain discharging system in one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional perspective view of a shallow circular silo air-film assisted grain discharging system in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the air film column arrangement in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the air film column arrangement in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the decomposition of the air film column in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air-film column in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the air-film column in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air film column in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the air-film assisted grain discharge process for shallow circular silos in one or more embodiments of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the air film column in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1-Grain bin, 2-Inner air film column, 3-Middle air film column, 4-Outer air film column, 5-Branch air duct, 6-Inflation pipe, 7-Main air duct, 8-Grain outlet, 9-Ultrasonic vibration device, 10-Top film, 11-Enclosure wall, 12-Annular reinforcing rib, 13-Radial reinforcing rib, 14-Inflation port, 15-Grain pile, 16-Columnar reinforcing rib. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to provide an air-film assisted grain discharge system and process for shallow circular silos, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art, effectively destroy the grain static angle, eliminate grain discharge dead angles, and improve the efficiency of mechanized grain discharge.

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] Grain has a certain angle of repose during stacking, which affects its scattering during unloading, requiring constant movement of unloading machinery and significantly reducing the mechanization and efficiency of unloading operations. To solve this problem, the first objective of this invention is to provide an air-film assisted grain unloading system for shallow circular silos, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the system includes an ultrasonic vibration device 9, an air-supported film column, and an inflation device. The ultrasonic vibration devices 9 are located at the ends of the main air ducts 7 within the grain silo 1. Each main air duct 7 has multiple arc-shaped branch air ducts 5. The air-supported film column is positioned between two adjacent branch air ducts 5 within the same main air duct 7 within the grain silo 1. The inflation device is located outside the grain silo 1 and is connected to the air-supported film column via a pipeline. It inflates the air-supported film column, causing it to push against the grain piles 15 at the bottom and around the walls, changing the stationary angle of the grain piles 15 and continuing the mechanical flow of grain. This invention arranges multiple ultrasonic vibration devices 9 at the ends of the main air ducts 7 within the grain silo 1. During ultrasonic vibration, an outward force is generated. During grain discharge, high-frequency vibration breaks the frictional interlocking state between grain particles, generating ultrasonic waves to propel the grain along the inclined surface, promoting its continuous sliding along the inclined surface under gravity and improving grain discharge efficiency. During the grain discharge process, when the grain piles 15 around the grain bin 1 stop moving, an air-filling device is used to inflate the air film columns around the bins through air nozzles. After the air film columns are inflated, they push the grain at the bottom of the grain piles 15 and around the walls. The bulging of the air film will change and destroy the grain stationary angle, eliminate the dead angle of grain discharge, and thus continue to realize the mechanical discharge of grain.

[0024] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration device 9 includes ultrasonic transducers respectively located at the ends of the main air duct 7. The ultrasonic transducers are electrically connected to an ultrasonic generator via wires. The ultrasonic generator is located outside the grain silo 1, and the ultrasonic transducers are placed inside a ground-level ventilation cage to ensure they are not crushed by the grain pile 15. The connecting wires run along the inside of the ventilation cage from the ventilation opening to the outside of the silo and connect to the ultrasonic generator. When the ultrasonic waves are emitted, they form an outward resultant force. When the grain is discharged, the high-frequency vibration breaks the frictional interlocking state between the grain particles, promoting their continuous sliding along the inclined plane under the action of gravity, thereby improving the grain discharge efficiency. Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz. They have good directionality, strong penetrating power, and are easy to obtain concentrated sound energy. Existing theoretical research shows that, under the same amplitude conditions, the energy of an object's vibration is proportional to the vibration frequency. When ultrasonic waves propagate in a medium, the vibration frequency of the medium particles is very high, and therefore the energy is very large. Utilizing this characteristic, in one embodiment, the ultrasonic waves generate an outward force when they are emitted, and the high-frequency vibration breaks the frictional interlocking state between grain particles during grain discharge, promoting their continuous sliding along the inclined plane under the action of gravity, thereby improving grain discharge efficiency.

[0025] In one embodiment, the air film column includes an inner air film column 2, a middle air film column 3, and an outer air film column 4. The diameter of the main air duct 7 coincides with the diameter of the virtual circle where the grain silo 1 is located. Branch air ducts 5 are arranged on the main air duct 7, and each main air duct 7 is provided with three branch air ducts 5. The diameter of the virtual circle where the three branch air ducts 5 are located gradually increases. The inner air film column 2 is arranged between the innermost branch air duct 5 and the middle branch air duct 5. The middle air film column 3 is arranged between the middle branch air duct 5 and the outer branch air duct 5. The outer air film column 4 is arranged between the outer branch air duct 5 and the inner wall of the grain silo 1. An inflation pipe 6 is installed inside the air-supported membrane column. The side wall of the inflation pipe 6 has an opening that connects to the inflation port 14 on the air-supported membrane column. An air nozzle is installed on a branch pipe, and the inflation pipe 6 connects to the air nozzle of the adjacent branch air duct 5. The air nozzle is connected to an inflation device via pipes in the branch air duct 5 and the main air duct 7. In one embodiment, the inflation device uses a high-pressure air pump. A high-strength PVC pipe with a diameter of 3cm and an opening in its wall is pre-installed inside the air-supported membrane column as the inflation pipe 6. The diameter of the opening in the side wall of the inflation pipe 6 is 2mm. During the grain discharge process, when the grain piles 15 around the grain silo 1 cease to flow, the high-pressure air pump inflates the air-supported membrane columns around the perimeter through the air nozzles. After inflation, the air-supported membrane columns push against the grain at the bottom of the grain piles 15 and around the walls. The bulging of the air-supported membrane changes the angle of rest of the grain, allowing for continued mechanical grain discharge. Based on the grain's gravity flow characteristics, the maximum height of the inner air-supported membrane is set at approximately 3 meters, the maximum height of the middle air-supported membrane column 3 is set at approximately 2 meters, and the maximum height of the outer air-supported membrane column 4 is set at approximately 1 meter. The height difference between the three layers from the inside to the outside forms a 35° slope. Before feeding the grain, the air-supported membrane columns are laid on the ground between the ventilation cage layers to avoid affecting ventilation after the grain is fully loaded.

[0026] In one embodiment, the air-supported membrane column is a double-layered polymer air-supported membrane column with a thickness of 10 cm after inflation. The column is made of polymeric PE-PET foil metal material and incorporates capsaicin. The double-layered structure of the air-supported membrane column has filaments between it, allowing it to form a vacuum cloth shape. This allows it to withstand a certain amount of pressure without significant deformation during inflation. It has a flame retardant rating of B1, a service life of 15 years, and good airtightness, tensile strength, water resistance, and rodent-proof properties. It can withstand internal pressures up to 120 kPa. The air-supported membrane column includes a top membrane 10 and surrounding walls 11. The enclosed space formed by the top membrane 10 and surrounding walls 11 is used for inflation. The air-supported membrane column has staggered annular reinforcing ribs 12 and radial reinforcing ribs 13, which are made of flexible material and provide support to the inflated column. When the grain stops flowing when it is discharged from the warehouse to this area, a high-pressure air pump is used to pressurize the inside of the air film column through the air nozzle, which disrupts the original balance of the inclined surface of the grain pile 15. The grain continues to flow to the bottom of the slope. Combined with ultrasonic vibration, the stationary angle of the inclined surface of the grain pile 15 can be significantly changed, and mechanized grain discharge can continue.

[0027] In one embodiment, in addition to the three-dimensional plate-like annular and radial stiffening rib forms, the internal stiffening rib structure of all the air film columns can also adopt a columnar structure, which is evenly distributed along the arc center axis of the air pile, as Figure 10 shown. A plurality of columnar stiffening ribs 16 are evenly distributed within the enclosure wall 11. The material of the columnar stiffening ribs 16 is the same as that of the annular stiffening rib 12 and the radial stiffening rib 13.

[0028] The grain storage bin 1 of the present invention is a shallow silo, including a bin body with a circular cross-section and the auxiliary grain discharging system as above; a plurality of cross-shaped above-ground ventilation cages are provided inside the grain storage bin 1. The above-ground ventilation cages include main air ducts 7 horizontally arranged along the radial direction of the bin body. Three arc-shaped branch air ducts are sequentially provided on the main air ducts 7. The virtual circles where the branch air ducts are located are concentric with the bin body, thereby forming a structure similar to a cross; an ultrasonic vibration device 9 is provided in each above-ground ventilation cage; a grain discharging port 8 is formed at the bin door of the grain storage bin 1, which can be externally connected to a mechanical grain discharging device. In one embodiment, the opening rate of the four groups of cross-shaped above-ground ventilation cages is about 35%, which does not affect the propagation of ultrasonic waves. Four ultrasonic transducers are respectively arranged in the four above-ground ventilation cages. The wires are led from the ventilation cages and the main ventilation ducts to the outside of the bin. When in use, they are connected to an ultrasonic generator, and after the power is turned on, ultrasonic waves of different frequencies can be generated to interfere with the static angle of the grains through acoustic oscillation. When the ultrasonic transducers arranged in the grain storage bin 1 reach this area when the grain pile 15 is discharging grain, the flow rate of the grain particles can be increased, thereby improving the grain discharging efficiency and reducing the manual labor amount.

[0029] The present invention also provides an air film type auxiliary grain discharging process for a shallow silo, as Figure 9 shown, including the following steps: Open the bin door, externally connect a mechanical grain discharging device at the bin door of the grain storage bin 1, and start the grain discharging operation; during grain discharging, the high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic vibration device 9 is used to break the frictional biting state between the grain particles, and promote the continuous sliding of the grains along the inclined plane under the action of gravity to the mechanical grain discharging device; during the grain discharging process, when the grain piles 15 around the grain storage bin 1 no longer flow, an inflation device is used to inflate the air film columns around through the air nozzles. After the air film columns are inflated, they push the grains at the bottom of the grain pile 15 and around the wall, changing the static angle of the grains so that the grains can continue to flow out for discharging. During grain discharging, the high-frequency vibration is used to break the frictional biting state between the grain particles, generating ultrasonic waves to boost the flow of the grain on the inclined plane, promoting its continuous sliding along the inclined plane under the action of gravity, and improving the grain discharging efficiency. During the grain discharging process, when the grain piles 15 around the grain storage bin 1 no longer flow, an inflation device is used to inflate the air film columns around through the air nozzles. After the air film columns are inflated, they push the grains at the bottom of the grain pile 15 and around the wall. The agitation of the air film will change and destroy the static angle of the grains, eliminating the dead angle of grain discharging, and further enabling continuous mechanical grain discharging.

[0030] Specifically, as Figure 9As shown, in the initial state, each air film column is in a compressed state. When the grain height is lower than the grain outlet 8, the inner air film column 2, the middle air film column 3, and the outer air film column 4 are simultaneously inflated, so that the inner air film column 2, the middle air film column 3, and the outer air film column 4 rise to the same height, until the height of the grain pile 15 is the same as the height of the grain outlet 8, at which point grain can continue to be discharged. When the grain discharge is not smooth, the inner air film column 2 is inflated until it reaches its maximum height, causing the grain to slide down the slope and migrate to the outside. Then the middle air film column 3 is inflated until it reaches its maximum height, causing the grain to continue sliding down the slope and migrate to the outside to the grain outlet 8. Then the outer air film column 4 is inflated until it reaches its maximum height, forming an inclined slope, causing the grain to continue sliding down the slope and migrate to the outside to the grain outlet 8. In one embodiment, the air film column can be divided into upper and lower chambers. The maximum height of the lower chamber is not lower than the height of the grain outlet 8. During the initial inflation, the lower chambers of the inner air film column 2, the middle air film column 3, and the outer air film column 4 are inflated simultaneously. Then, the upper chambers of the inner air film column 2, the middle air film column 3, and the outer air film column 4 are inflated sequentially.

[0031] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A shallow circular silo air-film assisted grain discharging system, characterized in that: include: The ultrasonic vibration devices are installed at the end of the main air ducts inside the grain silo, and each main air duct has multiple branch air ducts with arc structures. An air-supported film column is installed between two adjacent branch air ducts within the same main air duct inside the grain silo; and An inflation device is located outside the grain silo and is connected to the air film column through a pipeline. It can inflate the air film column so that the inflated air film column pushes the grain pile, changes the static angle of the grain pile, and continues the mechanical discharge of grain.

2. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic vibration device includes ultrasonic transducers located at the end of the main air duct inside the grain silo. The ultrasonic transducers are electrically connected to an ultrasonic generator via wires. The ultrasonic generator is located outside the grain silo.

3. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 1, characterized in that: The maximum height of the multiple air-supported film columns after inflation is different, and the maximum height of the air-supported film column near the center of the grain silo after inflation is greater than that of the air-supported film column near the edge of the grain silo.

4. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air-supported membrane column includes a top membrane and surrounding walls, and the enclosed space formed by the top membrane and surrounding walls is used for inflation.

5. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air-supported membrane column is provided with staggered annular reinforcing ribs and radial reinforcing ribs.

6. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air-supported membrane column is a double-layer air-supported membrane column structure.

7. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the air-supported membrane column after inflation is 10cm.

8. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inflation tube is inserted inside the air film column, and an opening is provided on the side wall of the inflation tube, which communicates with the interior of the air film column; the inflation tube is connected to an air nozzle in a nearby branch air duct, and an inflation device is connected to the outside of the air nozzle.

9. The air-film assisted grain discharging system for shallow circular silos according to claim 2, characterized in that: The grain silo includes a silo body; the silo body is provided with multiple ground ventilation cages, each ground ventilation cage including a main air duct arranged horizontally along the radial direction of the silo body, and multiple arc-shaped branch air ducts arranged sequentially on the main air duct, the virtual circle containing the branch air ducts being arranged concentrically with the silo body; each ground ventilation cage is provided with an ultrasonic vibration device; the silo door of the grain silo can be connected to an external mechanical grain discharge device.

10. A shallow circular silo with air-film assisted grain discharge process, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Open the warehouse door and connect a mechanical grain discharging device to the outside of the warehouse door to start the grain discharging operation; During grain discharge, the high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic vibration device breaks the frictional interlocking state between grain particles, promoting the grain to slide continuously along the inclined plane under the action of gravity to the mechanical grain discharge device. During the grain discharge process, when the grain piles around the grain warehouse stop flowing, an air-filling device is used to inflate the surrounding air film columns through air nozzles. After the air film columns are inflated, they push the grain at the bottom of the grain pile and around the walls, changing the grain's stationary angle so that the grain can continue to flow and be discharged.

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