Installation method for silo inlet devices

Abstract

To provide a method for installing a silo insertion slot device that can improve workability.SOLUTION: A method for installing a silo insertion slot device includes: a temporarily assembling step of temporarily assembling the silo insertion slot device by placing a protrusion placing part on a protrusion part on the ground, making a state where a diameter of a band can be changed, not adhering both the protrusion part and the protrusion placing part with fixing means, but fixing them so that they are connected to the extent that they do not separate; a fastening step of transporting an attachment body and the band integrated through the temporarily assembling step onto a silo, and then fastening and fixing the band to a cylindrical part; and a permanently assembling step of tightening and fixing so that the protrusion placing part and the protrusion part are adhered by using the fixing means after performing the fastening step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for installing an inlet device for a silo.

Background Art

[0002] As a prior art, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a silo inlet device attached to a cylindrical portion having an upper end opening provided at the upper end of a silo. This silo inlet device has a pedestal protruding radially outward on its outer peripheral surface, and a band body that is fastened and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and a band having an annular lower flange placed on the upper surface of the pedestal, and a cylindrical body provided with an annular upper flange placed on the lower flange, and fixing means for fastening and fixing the lower flange and the upper flange placed thereon in the vertical direction. Further, an inlet pipe for injecting a stored material into the silo by air conveyance and a discharge pipe for discharging the conveyed air introduced into the silo together with the stored material to the outside are provided in the cylindrical body.

[0003] According to the silo inlet device, after the band body is fastened and fixed to the cylindrical portion and the lower flange is installed on the upper surface of the pedestal, with the upper flange placed on the lower flange, the fixing means is fastened and fixed to the lower flange and the upper flange. Thereby, it is said that the silo inlet device can be easily attached to the cylindrical portion without processing the silo.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when installing the silo inlet device, the band is fixed to the cylindrical part, the upper flange of the cylindrical part is placed on the lower flange, and the upper flange and the lower flange are fixed together with the fixing means. For example, when an operator installs the silo inlet device described in Patent Document 1 onto a silo, the operator must climb to the top of the silo, fix the band to the cylindrical part, then climb back up to the top of the silo with the cylindrical part, place the cylindrical part on the lower flange, and fix it with the fixing means, which is time-consuming. Also, even when installing the silo inlet device onto the silo using heavy machinery, two lifting operations are required: lifting the band and lifting the cylindrical part, which is time-consuming.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a method for installing a silo inlet device that can improve work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a silo inlet device comprising a curved band having a projection extending radially outward, an attachment body having an input section connectable to an input hose for transporting stored material by air transport and a projection mounting section placed on the projection, and fixing means for fixing the projection and the projection mounting section in the vertical direction, and a method for installing the silo inlet device on a silo having a cylindrical section at its upper end that is defined by an edge and has an input opening formed therein into which the stored material is loaded, wherein the projection mounting section is placed on the projection on the ground, and the diameter of the band The method for installing a silo inlet device comprises: a preliminary assembly step of temporarily assembling the silo inlet device by fixing the protruding portion and the protruding mounting portion with the fixing means so that they are connected but not separated, without fixing them together, in a state that can be changed; a tightening step of carrying the mounting body and the band, which have been integrated in the preliminary assembly step, onto the silo, and then tightening and fixing the band to the cylindrical portion; and a final assembly step of tightening and fixing the protruding mounting portion and the protruding portion with the fixing means after the tightening step so that they are fixed together.

[0008] According to the above configuration, in the preliminary assembly step, the protruding mounting part is placed on the protruding part on the ground, the diameter of the band is made changeable, and the protruding part and the protruding mounting part are not fixed together but are connected by the fixing means to the extent that they do not separate, thereby preliminary assembling the silo inlet device. In the tightening step, the integrated mounting body and the band are carried onto the silo, and then the band is tightened and fixed to the cylindrical part. In the final assembly step, the protruding mounting part and the protruding part are tightened and fixed together by the fixing means, so that when the band is tightened and fixed to the cylindrical part, the preliminary assembled silo inlet device can be installed on the silo. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the installation method of the silo inlet device of the present invention, when the band is tightened and fixed to the cylindrical part, the temporarily assembled silo inlet device can be installed in the silo, thereby improving work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a state in which pellets are being fed into the silo by an air conveying method in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of a silo inlet device according to one embodiment, installed in a silo. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of a silo inlet device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the silo inlet device and cylindrical section in the direction IV-IV in Figure 3, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of a silo inlet device to a silo according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the silo inlet device and installation method of the present invention will be described. This silo inlet device 1 is used, for example, when loading and storing wood pellets (not shown), which are stored material and used as fuel, into a silo A installed outdoors.

[0012] In the following explanation, the vertical direction of silo A and silo inlet device 1 will be referred to as the "vertical direction Y," the radial direction of silo A and silo inlet device 1 will be referred to as the "radial direction X," and the circumferential direction of silo A and silo inlet device 1 will be referred to as the "circumferential direction." Furthermore, within the radial direction X, the vertical direction in Figure 3 will be referred to as the "first radial direction X1," and the left-right direction in Figure 3 will be referred to as the "second radial direction X2."

[0013] For the sake of explanation, we will first describe silo A, to which the silo inlet device 1 is applied.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, silo A is formed in a vertically elongated cylindrical shape and is supported at a predetermined height above the ground by a grid-like frame A4 installed on the ground. At the upper end of the vertically elongated cylindrical silo A, the silo upper surface A1 covers the inside of silo A from above. The silo upper surface A1 in this embodiment is configured to have a curved shape that curves upward as it progresses from the outside to the inside in the radial direction X. Silo A in this embodiment is constructed by resin molding.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the upper end surface A1 of the silo is provided with a cylindrical portion A2 that protrudes upward. Therefore, silo A includes the cylindrical portion A2. The cylindrical portion A2 in this embodiment is configured in a cylindrical shape. As shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical portion A2 has an inner surface A23 that extends circumferentially and vertically in the Y direction, an outer surface A22 that extends circumferentially and vertically in the Y direction, and an edge portion A21 as the upper end. The inner surface A23 and outer surface A22 in this embodiment extend along the vertical direction Y. Therefore, the cylindrical portion A2 is cylindrical in shape with a constant length in the radial direction X at each position in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion A2 is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending along the vertical direction Y. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the edge portion A21 connects the outer surface A22 and the inner surface A23. This edge portion A21 extends circumferentially and radially in the X direction. Therefore, the edge portion A21 is configured as the upper end surface A21 of the cylindrical portion A2. Incidentally, as described above, the silo A of this embodiment is constructed by resin molding. Therefore, the edge portion A21 of this embodiment may have burrs or sink marks, which may result in uneven surfaces (not shown). Also, as shown in Figure 5, the edge portion A21 defines the upper end opening A20 of the cylindrical portion A2. The inside of the cylindrical portion A2 is in communication with the inside of the silo A. Therefore, the upper end opening A20 is used as an input opening A20 for loading pellets into the silo A.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the lower part of silo A is formed in the shape of a truncated cone, and an openable and closable outlet A3 is formed at the lower end of silo A. Thus, silo A stores pellets that are fed into silo A through the input opening A20, and by opening the outlet A3, the pellets stored in silo A can be removed to the outside. For this reason, an extraction mechanism (not shown or numbered) for opening and closing the outlet A3 is provided at the lower end of silo A.

[0017] Next, we will explain the configuration of the silo inlet device 1.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet device 1 for the silo is detachably installed at the upper end of the silo A, and is for enabling the pellets to be introduced into the silo A at least by an air conveyance method. As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet device 1 for the silo includes a mounting structure 2 and a support 6.

[0019] The mounting structure 2 is provided and used at the upper end of the silo A. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting structure 2 includes a mounting body 3, a band 4, and fixing means 5 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for fixing the mounting body 3 and the band 4.

[0020] The mounting body 3 is for being mounted on the silo A so as to overlap the charging opening A20. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting body 3 includes a cylindrical body 30 and a lid body 31.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical body 30 includes a cylindrical main body portion 300 and a cylindrical flange portion 30a. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical main body portion 300 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the cylindrical main body portion 300 has a cylindrical inner surface 301 that extends in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction Y as an inner surface, and a cylindrical outer surface 302 that extends in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction Y as an outer surface. Further, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical inner surface 301 and the cylindrical outer surface 302 extend along the vertical direction Y. Therefore, the cylindrical main body portion 300 is in a cylindrical shape in which the length in the radial direction X is constant at each position in the vertical direction Y. The cylindrical inner surface 301 and the cylindrical outer surface 302 are connected by a cylindrical upper end surface 303 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) that extends in the circumferential direction and the radial direction X on the upper side in the vertical direction Y. Therefore, the cylindrical main body portion 300 has the cylindrical upper end surface 303 as an upper end. This cylindrical upper end surface 303 extends along the circumferential direction. This cylindrical upper end surface 303 defines an upper end opening 30X in the cylindrical main body portion 300. The upper end opening 30X of the cylindrical main body portion 300 is configured as a dropping inlet 30X that is used when introducing the pellets into the silo A by the dropping charging method. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter of the cylindrical main body portion 300 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Also, the outer diameter of the cylindrical main body portion 300 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, a first cylindrical bracket 304 and a second cylindrical bracket 305 are fixed to the outer surface 302 of the cylindrical body portion 300. The first cylindrical bracket 304 is configured in an Ω shape in plan view. The first cylindrical bracket 304 has through holes (not numbered) through which fastening members such as bolts are inserted in the first radial direction X1. The second cylindrical bracket 305 is configured in an L shape in plan view. The second cylindrical bracket 305 has through holes (not numbered) through which fastening members such as bolts are inserted in the first radial direction X1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the first cylindrical bracket 304 and the second cylindrical bracket 305 are arranged to face each other in the second radial direction X2. Therefore, the first cylindrical bracket 304 and the second cylindrical bracket 305 define the portion of the cylindrical body 30 with the maximum diameter.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cylindrical body 300 is provided with an input pipe 306, which is configured as an input section. The input pipe 306 is a pipe for guiding and inputting pellets, which have been air-conveyed from the air conveying device B (described later), into the silo A. As shown in Figure 2, the input pipe 306 comprises an input horizontal pipe 307 extending in the radial direction X and an input elbow pipe 308 positioned inside the cylindrical body 300. The input horizontal pipe 307 is a straight pipe extending in the radial direction X. The input horizontal pipe 307 is fixed to the cylindrical body 300, penetrating the inner surface 301 and outer surface 302 of the cylindrical body 300. In this embodiment, the input horizontal pipe 307 penetrates the cylindrical body 300 along the radial direction X. One end of the input horizontal pipe 307 is positioned outside the cylindrical body 300, and the other end of the input horizontal pipe 307 is positioned inside the cylindrical body 300. Therefore, one end of the input horizontal pipe 307 is configured as an air transport input port into which air-transported pellets can be fed into the silo A. Thus, in this embodiment, pellets can be fed in by the drop method from the upper end opening 30X of the cylindrical body 300, and pellets can be fed in by the air transport method from one end of the input horizontal pipe 307. Thus, the silo input port device 1 of this embodiment is configured to allow pellets to be fed in using either the drop method or the air transport method. In addition, a flange portion A that protrudes in the circumferential direction is formed at one end of the input horizontal pipe 307 in this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange portion A is formed around the entire circumference of the input horizontal pipe 307.

[0024] The input elbow pipe 308 is an elbow-shaped pipe. As shown in Figure 2, one end of the input elbow pipe 308 is connected to the other end of the input horizontal pipe 307 and bent downwards. In this embodiment, at least the other end of the input elbow pipe 308 is positioned below the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical flange portion 30a, which will be described later. Therefore, in the input pipe 306 of this embodiment, one end of the input horizontal pipe 307, which is the input side end, is positioned above the other end of the input elbow pipe 308, which is the discharge side end.

[0025] Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the air transport inlet, which is one end of the input horizontal pipe 307, is formed on the other end side of the input section and is an inlet that allows stored material to be put into silo A by air transport, and the opening at the other end of the input elbow pipe 308 communicates with silo A as an opening on the one end side of the input section.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the inlet pipe 306 in this embodiment is positioned such that its central axis is rotated 45° from a virtual line (not shown) in the first radial direction X1 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30. Furthermore, the inlet pipe 306 in this embodiment is positioned below the virtual line in the second radial direction X2 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30 in Figure 3. In addition, the inlet pipe 306 in this embodiment is positioned on the left side in Figures 2 and 3.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cylindrical body 300 of this embodiment is provided with a discharge pipe 309. The discharge pipe 309 is a pipe for discharging the transport air introduced into silo A from the input pipe 306 to the outside. The discharge pipe 309 of this embodiment is a cylindrical straight pipe extending radially in the X direction. The discharge pipe 309 is fixed to the cylindrical body 300, penetrating both the inner surface 301 and the outer surface 302 of the cylindrical body 300. Therefore, one end of the discharge pipe 309 is located outside the cylindrical body 300, and the other end is located inside the cylindrical body 300. Thus, the discharge pipe 309 communicates with both the inside and outside of the cylindrical body 300. In this embodiment, the length of the discharge pipe 309 located inside the cylindrical body 300 is shorter than the length of the discharge pipe located outside the cylindrical body 300. The inner diameter of the discharge pipe 309 of this embodiment is larger than the inner diameter of the input pipe 306.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the discharge pipe 309 in this embodiment is positioned such that its central axis is located at a position rotated 45° from a virtual line (not shown) in the first radial direction X1 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30. Furthermore, the discharge pipe 309 in this embodiment is positioned below the virtual line in the second radial direction X2 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30 in Figure 3. In addition, the discharge pipe 309 in this embodiment is positioned to the right of the inlet pipe 306 in Figures 2 and 3. Moreover, the other end of the discharge pipe 309 in this embodiment is positioned above the discharge end of the inlet pipe 306 in the vertical direction Y.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the cylindrical flange portion 30a is provided on the lower side of the cylindrical body portion 300. The cylindrical flange portion 30a comprises the cylindrical flange body portion 30b and the cylindrical skirt portion 30c.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical flange body portion 30b is configured in an annular shape. The cylindrical flange body portion 30b in this embodiment extends along the circumferential direction. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the length of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b in the radial direction X is longer than the length in the vertical direction Y. The cylindrical flange body portion 30b is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 300. The lower end 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b widens in the circumferential direction and the radial direction X. This lower end 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b is configured as a planar lower end surface 30b1 that is aligned along the circumferential direction and the radial direction X. As shown in Figure 4, the inner diameter of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b in this embodiment is smaller than the inner diameters of the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical portion A2. Also, the outer diameter of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b is larger than the outer diameters of the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical portion A2. Here, as described above, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, the portion of the cylindrical flange body 30b between the cylindrical body 300 and the cylindrical portion A2 is the part that compensates for the difference in diameter between the cylindrical body 300 and the cylindrical portion A2 (it is not numbered).

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c protrudes from the lower end surface 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b. In this embodiment, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is annular in shape by extending around the entire circumference. In this embodiment, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c extends along the vertical direction Y. The inner diameter of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical portion A2 can be protected from the outside in the radial direction X, and deformation extending in the radial direction X of the support body portion 61, which will be described later, can be tolerated. In addition, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is shorter than the cylindrical portion A2 and the cylindrical body portion 300 in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the length of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c in the vertical direction Y is longer than that of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is provided with a cylindrical mounting portion 30d, which is used when integrating the mounting body 3 and the band 4 (described later) to form the mounting structure 2. The cylindrical mounting portion 30d is made of an upward-opening channel material and is welded to the radially X-outside of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c. A through hole is formed in the cylindrical mounting portion 30d that penetrates in the vertical Y-direction. Here, as shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical mounting portion 30d of this embodiment comprises one cylindrical fixed mounting portion 30h and two cylindrical movable mounting portions 30e, 30e. Therefore, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c of this embodiment is provided with multiple (specifically, three) cylindrical mounting portions 30d. As shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical mounting portion 30d protrudes radially X-outside from the cylindrical skirt portion 30c and has a flat lower surface. As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical movable mounting portion 30e is formed to be larger in the circumferential direction than the cylindrical fixed mounting portion 30h. Furthermore, the through-hole 30f formed in the movable cylinder mounting portion 30e is larger in the circumferential direction than the through-hole (not shown or numbered) formed in the fixed cylinder mounting portion 30h. Therefore, the movable cylinder mounting portion 30e has an elongated hole 30f extending in the circumferential direction as the through-hole 30f. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the movable cylinder mounting portion 30e of this embodiment has a drain hole 30g formed radially X inward from the through-hole 30f to allow rainwater accumulated in the movable cylinder mounting portion 30e to drain downward. As shown in Figure 3, these cylinder mounting portions 30d are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (specifically, every 120°). Specifically, the two movable cylinder mounting portions 30e, 30e are positioned below the imaginary line of the second radial direction X2 passing through the center of the cylinder body 30 in Figure 3, and the one fixed cylinder mounting portion 30h is positioned above the imaginary line of the second radial direction X2 passing through the center of the cylinder body 30 in Figure 3. The two cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e are positioned such that their central axes are rotated 60° from a virtual line passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30 and extending in the first radial direction X1. The single cylindrical fixed mounting part 30h is positioned such that its central axis lies on a virtual line in the first radial direction X1 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the lid 31 is for sealing the cylindrical body 30 from above, except when the drop-in port 30X is opened, such as when pellets are dropped into silo A by a drop-in method. The lid 31 comprises a lid body 310 and a lid skirt portion 312.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the lid body 310 covers the drop-in opening 30X from above by placing it over the cylindrical body portion 300 from above. As shown in Figure 3, the lid body 310 in this embodiment is a circular plate in plan view. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lid body 310 has a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2 and the inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300. A handle portion 311 is formed on the upper end surface of the lid body 310, which is used by the operator when rotating the lid 31.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the lid skirt portion 312 protrudes from the lower surface of the lid body 310. In this embodiment, the lid skirt portion 312 is configured to be annular by extending around the entire circumference. The inner diameter of the lid skirt portion 312 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the lid 31 closes the cylindrical body 30 to form the mounting body 3, the lid skirt portion 312 surrounds the outer surface 302 of the cylindrical body from the outside in the radial direction X, preventing rainwater, runoff, and insects from entering the cylindrical body 30 in the radial direction X. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the lid skirt portion 312 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the cylindrical body 30 as defined by the first cylindrical bracket 304 and the second cylindrical bracket 305 fixed to the outer surface 302 of the cylindrical body portion 300. Therefore, when the lid 31 closes the cylindrical body 30 to form the mounting body 3, the lid skirt portion 312 is placed on the first cylindrical bracket 304 and the second cylindrical bracket 305.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, a first lid bracket 313 and a second lid bracket 314 are fixed to the lid skirt portion 312. The first lid bracket 313 is configured in an Ω shape in plan view. The first lid bracket 313 has through holes (not numbered) formed in the first radial direction X1 for inserting fastening members such as bolts. The first lid bracket 313 is shorter than the first cylindrical bracket 304 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the lid 31 closes the cylindrical body 30 to form the mounting body 3, the first lid bracket 313 can overlap the first cylindrical bracket 304. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, when the first cylindrical bracket 304 is superimposed on the first lid bracket 313, the lid 31 can be rotated between a closed position (solid line position in Figure 2) where the lid body 310 closes the drop-in opening 30X and an open position (dash-dot line position in Figure 2) where the lid body 310 opens the drop-in opening 30X. As shown in Figure 3, the second lid bracket 314 is configured in an L-shape in plan view. The second lid bracket 314 has a through-hole (not numbered) formed in the first radial direction X1 through which a fastening member such as a bolt is inserted. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the first lid bracket 313 and the second lid bracket 314 are arranged to face each other in the second radial direction X2.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the band 4 is used by being fastened and secured to the cylindrical portion A2. The band 4 has a band body 40 and a protruding portion 41.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the band body 40 is a curved strip (specifically, a curved shape with ends). The inner diameter of the band body 40 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. As shown in Figure 4, the outer diameter of the band body 40 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b and the inner diameter of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2-5, the protruding portion 41 protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the band body 40 in the radial direction X. In addition, the protruding portion 41 in this embodiment protrudes radially outward from the upper end of the band body 40 in the radial direction X. The protruding portion 41 in this embodiment includes a pair of fastening portions 41a, 41a for fixing the ends of the band body 40 together, and a band mounting portion 410 used when the band 4 and the mounting body 3 are integrated to form the mounting structure 2.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the pair of clamping portions 41a, 41a protrude outward in the radial direction X from both ends of the band body 40 in the circumferential direction. Each clamping portion 41a, 41a has a through hole (not numbered) through which a bolt (not numbered) is inserted. Each through hole is an elongated hole extending in the radial direction X.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the band attachment portions 410 are provided in multiple locations (specifically, three) at predetermined intervals (specifically, every 120°) in the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the band attachment portion 410 is configured as a flat surface. The band attachment portion 410 of this embodiment comprises one band fixing attachment portion 411 and two band movable attachment portions 413, 413. The band fixing attachment portion 411 is configured as a flat plate. As shown in Figure 5, the band fixing attachment portion 411 has a through hole 412 that penetrates in the vertical direction Y. This through hole 412 is an elongated hole extending in the radial direction X. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the band fixing attachment portion 411 is positioned such that its central axis lies on a virtual line in the first radial direction X1 passing through the center of the band 4. In addition, the band fixing attachment portion 411 of this embodiment is positioned opposite the clamped portion 41a in the first radial direction X1.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2-5, the movable band mounting portions 413, 413 are made of channel material that opens upward, and as shown in Figure 4, a through hole 414 is formed in the upper plate portion 413a that penetrates in the vertical direction Y. This through hole 414 is formed by cutting out the upper plate portion 413a from the outer end in the radial direction X inward. This through hole 414 is also configured as an elongated hole extending in the radial direction X. In addition, a drain hole 415 is formed in the lower plate portion 413b of the movable band mounting portion 413, which penetrates in the vertical direction Y, radially X inward from the through hole 414. As shown in Figure 3, the movable band mounting portions 413, 413 are arranged such that the central axis of the radial direction X is located at a position rotated 60° to the left and right in Figure 3 from the imaginary line of the first radial direction X1 passing through the center of the band body 40. Furthermore, the movable band mounting portions 413, 413 are positioned below the imaginary line in the second radial direction X2 passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30 in Figure 3.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing means 5 is composed of a plurality of bolts 50 and nuts 51. The bolts 50 are configured to be insertable into through holes 30f and 414. The diameter of the shaft of the bolt 50 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 30f, which is an elongated hole 30f extending in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the bolt 50 and the through hole 30f can move relative to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support 6 is for supporting the mounting body 3 from below. The support 6 in this embodiment is made of, for example, a general-purpose resin packing. Therefore, the support 6 is an elastic body that can be deformed at least in the vertical direction Y. The support 6 comprises a support mounting portion 60 and a support body portion 61 provided at the upper end of the support mounting portion 60 in the direction of mounting. This support mounting portion 60 is used by being attached to the edge portion A21. Here, the support mounting portion 60 in this embodiment has a core material (not numbered) inside. This core material bends the support mounting portion 60 into a U shape. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the support mounting portion 60 in this embodiment has a U-shaped cross-section by following the core material. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the support mounting portion 60 in this embodiment is attached to the edge portion A21 by sandwiching the cylindrical portion A2 from the inside and outside in the radial direction X. In addition, in this embodiment, the U-shaped support mounting portion 60 has a support projection 62 that protrudes inward. Furthermore, the support mounting portion 60 in this embodiment is configured to be annular in shape so as to be attached to the entire circumference of the circumferentially extending edge portion A21. The support body portion 61 is configured to have a hollow circular cross-sectional shape. The support body portion 61 is configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction Y. Specifically, the support body portion 61 in this embodiment is deformable so as to extend in the radial direction X by compression in the vertical direction Y. The support body portion 61 is provided at the upper end of the support mounting portion 60. Furthermore, the support body portion 61 in this embodiment is arranged around the entire circumference of the annular support mounting portion 60.

[0045] The above describes the configuration of the silo inlet device 1. Next, we will describe the pellets that are fed into silo A via the silo inlet device 1, the flexible container bag C that contains the pellets, the air conveying device B, blower E, and bag filter F used to feed the pellets into silo A using an air conveying method.

[0046] The pellets are used, for example, as fuel for heating equipment. As shown in Figure 1, a predetermined amount of these pellets is stored in multiple flexible container bags C. Each flexible container bag C has a bag body C1 in which the pellets are stored, and a hook portion C3 fixed to the bag body C1. The bag body C1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an outlet (not shown or numbered) is provided on the bottom surface of the bag body C1 that can be opened and closed to discharge the pellets stored inside.

[0047] The aforementioned multiple flexible container bags C are loaded onto the cargo bed D1 of truck D and transported to the installation site of silo A. Truck D is equipped with a crane D2 that has a multi-stage boom D20 and a suspension hook D21 located at the tip of the boom D20. The crane D2 can lift the flexible container bags C by hooking the attachment part C3 of the flexible container bags C onto the suspension hook D21.

[0048] Although not shown in the diagram, for example, the flexible container bag C is lifted by the crane D2 of truck D to directly above the drop-in port 30X of the silo input device 1 installed at the upper end of silo A, and the lid body 310 is rotated to the open position to open the drop-in port 30X. With the discharge port of the flexible container bag C open, the pellets inside the flexible container bag C can be dropped into silo A.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the air conveying device B is installed on the ground side (specifically, on the loading platform D1 of truck D) and is used to load pellets into silo A along with the transport air. The air conveying device B is equipped with a hopper (not numbered) that has an input port (not numbered) into which pellets from the flexible container bag C can be loaded. The air conveying device B also has a function to spontaneously generate transport air. An input hose B1 is connected to this air conveying device B. As also shown in Figure 1, the input hose B1 is connected to one end of the input pipe 306.

[0050] In the air conveying method using the silo inlet device 1, as shown in Figure 1, for example, the silo inlet device 1 is installed in the cylindrical section A2 of silo A, the input hose B1 is connected to one end of the input pipe 306 and the air conveying device B, the flexible container bag C is moved by crane D2 to directly above the hopper of the air conveying device B, the discharge port of the flexible container bag C is opened and pellets are fed into the air conveying device B through the inlet. Then, by driving the air conveying device B, the pellets are conveyed by air through the input hose B1 and fed into silo A along with the conveying air via the silo inlet device 1.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the blower E forcibly discharges the conveyed air introduced into silo A from the input pipe 306 to the outside of silo A via a discharge hose E1 connected to one end of the discharge pipe 309. The blower E has an intake port (not numbered) for drawing in the conveyed air and an exhaust port (not numbered) for discharging the conveyed air to the outside. The intake port of the blower E is connected to the discharge hose E1 via, for example, a pipe fitting (not numbered). A bag filter F is connected to the exhaust port of the blower E to remove dust and other particles contained in the conveyed air discharged from the exhaust port. As a result, the conveyed air introduced into silo A along with the pellets from the input pipe 306 is drawn in by the blower E via the discharge pipe 309, discharge hose E1 and pipe fitting, and forcibly discharged to the outside of silo A via the bag filter F.

[0052] Furthermore, the blower E discharges the conveying air inside silo A to the outside of silo A via the discharge pipe 309, creating negative pressure inside silo A.

[0053] Next, we will explain how to install the silo inlet device 1.

[0054] First, a preliminary assembly process is performed on the ground to temporarily assemble the mounting structure 2 by integrating the mounting body 3 and the band 4. In order to integrate the mounting body 3 and the band 4, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is placed on the fastening portions 41a, 41a, and the cylindrical mounting portion 30d is placed on the band mounting portion 410, thereby placing the cylindrical flange portion 30a on the protruding portion 41 of the band 4. For this reason, the mounting body 3 is equipped with a protruding mounting portion that is placed on the protruding portion 41, and in this embodiment, the protruding mounting portion is composed of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c and the cylindrical mounting portion 30d.

[0055] Subsequently, the diameter of the band 4 (specifically, the band body 40) is made changeable, and the fixing means 5 is used to fix the band mounting portion 410 and the cylinder mounting portion 30d so as to connect them without fixing them but without separating them. Specifically, the cylinder fixing mounting portion 30h is placed on top of the band fixing mounting portion 411, a bolt 50 is inserted through the through hole 412 and a through hole (not shown or numbered), and a nut 51 is loosely tightened and screwed in so as to prevent the band fixing mounting portion 411 and the cylinder fixing mounting portion 30h from separating. Similarly, the cylinder movable mounting portion 30e is placed on top of the band movable mounting portion 413, a bolt 50 is inserted through the through hole 414 and a through hole 30f, and a nut 51 is loosely tightened and screwed in so as to prevent the band movable mounting portion 413 and the cylinder movable mounting portion 30e from separating. In this embodiment, the diameter of the shaft of the bolt 50 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 30f, and the bolt 50 and the through hole 30f can move relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, even after screwing the bolt 50 and nut 51 together and fixing them so as not to separate with the fixing means 5, the diameter of the band body 40 can be changed by moving the fixing means 5 and the band movable mounting part 413 in the circumferential direction relative to the cylindrical movable mounting part 30e. In this way, a preliminary assembly process is performed to temporarily assemble the silo inlet device 1 (specifically, the mounting structure 2).

[0056] Next, a worker climbs onto silo A and performs a support placement process in which the support 6 is installed on the cylindrical section A2. Specifically, the support mounting portion 60 is attached to the upper part of the edge portion A21 of the cylindrical section A2. In this embodiment, the support mounting portion 60 is configured to have a U-shaped cross-section by following the U-shaped core material inside. In addition, the support mounting portion 60 has a support projection portion 62 that protrudes inward. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the support mounting portion 60 is attached to the edge portion A21 by sandwiching the cylindrical section A2 with the support mounting portion 60 so that the support projection portion 62 elastically deforms and comes into contact with the inside A23 and the outside A22 of the cylinder.

[0057] Incidentally, the edge portion A21 may have uneven surfaces due to burrs and sink marks. Therefore, when the support mounting portion 60 is attached to the edge portion A21, the support mounting portion 60 covers the uneven surfaces of the edge portion A21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the annular support mounting portion 60 is attached to the entire area of ​​the circumferentially extending edge portion A21. As described above, the support placement process is performed to provide the support 6 on the edge portion A21, which is the upper end surface A21 of the cylindrical portion A2.

[0058] Next, the temporarily assembled mounting structure 2 is transported onto silo A, and then the mounting process is performed to attach it to the cylindrical section A2. Specifically, the mounting process in this embodiment involves an installation process in which the lower end surface 30b1 of the mounting structure 2 is attached to the support 6 installed on the edge A21, and a tightening process in which the band 4 is tightened and secured to the cylindrical section A2.

[0059] In the installation process of this embodiment, the temporarily assembled mounting structure 2 is lifted directly above the cylindrical section A2 by crane D2, and the worker who climbed onto the silo A in the support placement process above installs the mounting structure 2 onto the silo A by aligning the mounting body 3 with the input opening A20. Incidentally, as shown in Figure 4, the inner diameter of the band body 40 and the inner diameter of the cylindrical skirt section 30c are larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section A2. Also, the lower end surface 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body section 30b is configured to be planar along the circumferential direction and the radial direction X. Therefore, in the installation process, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the band body 40 and the cylindrical skirt section 30c are fitted onto the cylindrical section A2, and the lower end surface 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body section 30b is placed on the edge A21 of the cylindrical section A2. Thus, the lower end surface 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body section 30b is configured as a silo mounting section 30b1 that can be placed on the edge A21 of the silo A. By the way, as described above, the support 6 is installed on the edge A21 of the cylindrical part A2. Therefore, the silo mounting part 30b1 is placed on the support 6 (specifically, the support body part 61) while facing the edge A21 (specifically, the upper part of the edge A21) in the vertical direction Y, compressing the support 6 from above and deforming it so that it extends in the radial direction X. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the support body part 61 of this embodiment, which has a hollow circular cross-sectional shape, is deformed in the vertical direction Y by the silo mounting part 30b1. Here, the edge A21 of this embodiment may have an uneven surface. Therefore, the silo mounting part 30b1 is first placed on the support body part 61 installed on the convex portion of the uneven surface, and as the support body part 61 deforms downward, it is placed on the support body part 61 installed on the concave portion of the uneven surface. Furthermore, the support body portion 61 in this embodiment is arranged around the entire circumference of the annular support mounting portion 60. Therefore, the support body portion 61 supports the mounting structure 2 while elastically deforming around the entire circumference. As a result, the upper surface of the elastically deformed support body portion 61 becomes flat, and the support height by the support 6 becomes uniform around the entire circumference.

[0060] After the installation process, a tightening process is performed. In the tightening process, with the band body 40 tightened so that it abuts against the outer surface A22 of the cylindrical portion A2 in the circumferential direction, bolts are inserted through the through holes of the pair of fastened portions 41a, 41a to tighten and fix the band 4 to the cylindrical portion A2. At this time, by tightening the band body 40, the movable band mounting portions 413, 413 move circumferentially relative to the cylindrical movable mounting portion 30e, and the fixing means 5 moves circumferentially with respect to the through hole 30f, which is a circumferentially extending elongated hole 30f formed in the cylindrical movable mounting portion 30e. As a result, the band body 40 is tightened without any problems.

[0061] Subsequently, the final assembly process is performed by tightening the nut 51 to securely fasten the cylindrical mounting portion 30d, which serves as the protruding mounting portion, and the protruding portion 41 (specifically, the band mounting portion 410) with the fixing means 5. As a result, the mounting body 3 and the band 4 become one unit, fixed in the vertical direction Y, and the mounting structure 2 is assembled.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the support mounting portion 60, which has a U-shaped cross-section, is attached to the edge portion A21 with the cylindrical portion A2 in between, so that the support body 6, which is an elastic body configured to be deformable in the vertical direction Y, is provided on the upper part of the edge portion A21.Therefore, when the mounting structure 2 is attached to the cylindrical portion A2 by overlapping the mounting body 3 with the input opening A20, the lower end surface 30b1 as the silo mounting portion 30b1 is placed on the support body portion 61, and the support body portion 61 deforms so as to extend radially X while being compressed from above.Therefore, the support height by the support body portion 61 becomes uniform.As a result, the support body portion 61 can uniformly support the lower end surface 30b1 in the circumferential direction, and the load applied to the cylindrical portion A2 can be made uniform.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mounting body 3 is attached to the silo A by placing the silo mounting section 30b1 on the support body section 61, and the mounting body 3 is attached to the silo A via the tightened band 4 by placing the protruding mounting section on the protruding section 41. As a result, the silo inlet device 1 can be stably installed on the silo A, and the silo inlet device 1 is less likely to come off the silo A.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the installation method of the silo inlet device 1 of this embodiment, in the temporary assembly process, on the ground, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c and the cylindrical mounting portion 30d, which serve as protruding mounting portions, are placed on the fastening portions 41a, 41a and the band mounting portion 410, and bolts 50 are inserted through the through holes 412 and through holes (not shown or numbered), and nuts 51 are loosely tightened and screwed in to the extent that the band fixing mounting portion 411 and the cylindrical fixing mounting portion 30h do not separate, thereby temporarily assembling the silo inlet device 1. In the installation process, the temporarily assembled mounting structure 2 is lifted directly above the cylindrical portion A2 by crane D2, and the mounting structure 2 is installed in the silo A. In the tightening process, with the band body 40 tightened so that it abuts against the outer surface A22 of the cylindrical portion A2 in the circumferential direction, bolts are inserted through the through holes of the pair of fastening portions 41a, 41a, and the band 4 is tightened and fixed to the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, when tightening and securing the band 4 to the cylindrical section A2, the temporarily assembled silo inlet device 1 can be installed on the cylindrical section A2 of silo A.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the support placement process is performed before the installation process, during the installation process, the silo mounting section 30b1 is placed on the support body section 61, resulting in a uniform support height by the support 6 and thus a uniform load applied to the cylindrical section A2. Therefore, deformation and damage to the upper end of the silo A can be prevented.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 in this embodiment is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, when pellets are fed into the silo A via the silo inlet device 1, the pellets do not leak from the silo inlet device 1, and the pellets can be reliably fed into the silo A. Moreover, as shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 is also smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, the cylindrical body portion 300 can be positioned on the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2, and pellets can be reliably fed into the silo A via the silo inlet device 1.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, at least the other end of the input elbow pipe 308 is positioned below the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical flange portion 30a. Therefore, when the silo input device 1 is installed in silo A, the discharge end of the input pipe 306 can be positioned inside silo A, and pellets can be reliably fed into silo A.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the discharge pipe 309 of this embodiment, the length of the pipe positioned inside the cylindrical body 300 is shorter than the length of the pipe positioned outside the cylindrical body 300. Therefore, for example, when pellets are fed in from the drop-in port 30X, the portion of the discharge pipe 309 positioned inside the cylindrical body 300 can be prevented from obstructing the dropping of the pellets.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, the inner diameter of the discharge pipe 309 in this embodiment is larger than the inner diameter of the input pipe 306. Therefore, when pellets are fed in by air transport, the amount of transport air discharged can be greater than the amount of transport air fed in, making it easier to create negative pressure inside silo A.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the other end of the discharge pipe 309 is positioned above the discharge end of the input pipe 306 in the vertical direction Y. Therefore, by offsetting the vertical direction Y of the other end of the discharge pipe 309 and the discharge end of the input pipe 306, it is possible to prevent the input of pellets and conveying air by air transport from interfering with each other's operation.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c of this embodiment has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2 and is configured to be annular by extending around the entire circumference. Therefore, when the mounting body 3 is attached to the cylindrical portion A2, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c protects the cylindrical portion A2 from the radial outside, thereby preventing insects and other things from entering the cylindrical portion A2 from all sides. In addition, the cylindrical skirt portion 30c can protect the support body portion 61, which is deformed to extend in the radial direction X, from the radial direction X.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the input pipe 306, the discharge pipe 309, and the two cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e are positioned below the imaginary line in the second radial direction X2 in Figure 3. Therefore, the tightening and fixing of the cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e and the band movable mounting parts 413, 413 by the fixing means 5, the connection of the input hose B1 and the input pipe 306, and the connection of the discharge pipe 309 and the discharge hose E1 can be performed on one side, thereby reducing the workload on the operator.

[0073] Furthermore, the cylinder mounting portion 30d and the band mounting portion 410 in this embodiment are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (specifically, every 120°). Therefore, by fixing the cylinder mounting portion 30d and the band mounting portion 410 with the fixing means 5 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, the mounting body 3 and the band 4 can be securely attached and fixed.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the inlet pipe 306 and outlet pipe 309 in this embodiment are positioned so that their central axes are rotated 45° from a virtual line passing through the first radial direction X1 that passes through the center of the cylindrical body 30, and the two cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e are positioned so that their central axes are rotated 60° from a virtual line passing through the center of the cylindrical body 30 and extending in the first radial direction X1. Therefore, since the inlet pipe 306, outlet pipe 309 and the two cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e are positioned in offset positions, it is possible to prevent the inlet pipe 306 and outlet pipe 309 from interfering with the tightening and fixing of the cylindrical movable mounting parts 30e, 30e and the band movable mounting parts 413, 413 by the fixing means 5.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air being transported from inside silo A is discharged to the outside of silo A via the discharge pipe 309 by the blower E, creating negative pressure inside silo A. This negative pressure causes the cylindrical body 30 (specifically, the silo mounting portion 30b1) to be attracted to the support 6 (specifically, the support body portion 61). Therefore, the cylindrical body 30 is prevented from falling off silo A. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 300 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical portion A2. As shown in Figure 4, during the installation process, the silo mounting portion 30b1 is placed on the support body portion 61, causing the support body portion 61 to be compressed from above and extend radially in the X direction. Therefore, the support body portion 61, which extends radially in the X direction, is attracted to the silo mounting portion 30b1 on both the inside and outside of the radial direction X. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further suppress the detachment of the cylindrical body 30 from silo A.

[0076] Furthermore, the band mounting portion 410 in this embodiment has a flat upper surface. Therefore, it is easy to place the cylindrical mounting portion 30d on the band mounting portion 410.

[0077] Furthermore, the support mounting portion 60 of this embodiment has a U-shaped cross-section and is attached to the edge portion A21 by sandwiching the cylindrical portion A2 from the inside and outside in the radial direction X. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the support 6 from coming off the cylindrical portion A2 on the inside and outside in the radial direction X.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support placement process is performed before the installation process. Here, the support 6 is made of a general-purpose packing. Therefore, even if a worker carries the support 6 to the upper side of silo A, the burden on the worker is minimal.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without altering the essence of the invention.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the silo's upper surface A1 was configured with a curved shape that curved upwards as it moved from the outside to the inside in the radial direction X. However, the silo's upper surface A1 is not limited to this, and may be configured as a flat surface with a constant height in the vertical direction Y.

[0081] The silo A in the above embodiment was constructed by resin molding. Therefore, the silo A in the above embodiment was made of resin. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the silo A may be made of metal.

[0082] In the above embodiment, a cylindrical portion A2 projecting upward was provided on the upper end surface A1 of the silo. The upper end opening A20, defined by the edge portion A21, was used as the input opening A20. However, this is not the only option. For example, the cylindrical portion A2 may not be provided on the upper end surface A1 of the silo, and an opening may be formed on the upper end surface A1, which may be configured as the input opening. In this case, the area around the opening on the upper end surface A1 of the silo may be configured as an edge portion, and the support 6 may be installed on the upper part of the edge portion formed on the upper end surface A1 of the silo.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the case where the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2 was described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 may be approximately the same as the outer diameter and inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. In this case, the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 300 may be configured as a silo mounting portion that rests on the edge portion A21 of the cylindrical portion A2. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 may be larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. In this case, the cylindrical flange body portion 30b may be connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 300 so as to be positioned inside the diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 in order to eliminate the diameter difference between the cylindrical body portion 300 and the cylindrical portion A2.

[0084] As shown in Figure 4, in the above embodiment, the lower end surface 30b1 of the cylindrical flange body portion 30b, which is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 300, was placed on the support 6 installed on the edge portion A21. Therefore, the cylindrical body portion 300 was positioned above the cylindrical portion A2. However, this is not the only option; for example, the cylindrical body portion 300, which has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2, may be inserted into the cylindrical portion A2. This ensures that pellets are reliably fed into the silo A.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion A2 was configured in a cylindrical shape. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the cylindrical portion A2 may be rectangular. In this case, the cylindrical body portion 300 may also be rectangular.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion A2 was cylindrical in which the length in the radial direction X was constant at each position in the vertical direction Y. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the cylindrical portion A2 may be cylindrical in which the length in the radial direction X becomes longer or shorter as it moves upward or downward.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion A2 was cylindrical with its central axis extending along the vertical direction Y. However, it is not limited to this, and the cylindrical portion A2 may also be cylindrical with its central axis oblique to the vertical direction Y, extending in the vertical direction Y. The same applies to the cylindrical body portion 300.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the silo inlet device 1 was configured to allow pellets to be fed into the silo A by a dropping method, by defining an upper end opening 30X as a drop-in port 30X on the upper end surface 303 of the cylindrical body portion 300. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the silo inlet device 1 may be configured to allow pellets to be fed into the silo A by an air conveying method only, by configuring the cylindrical body portion 300 to be a cylindrical shape with a closed upper end.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 was smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the inner diameter of the cylindrical body portion 300 may be larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2.

[0090] In the above embodiment of the input pipe 306, one end of the input horizontal pipe 307, which serves as the input end, was positioned above the other end of the input elbow pipe 308, which serves as the discharge end. However, this is not the only option; in the vertical direction Y, one end of the input horizontal pipe 307 may be at the same position Y as the other end of the input elbow pipe 308, which serves as the discharge end.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the support mounting portion 60 containing the core material was configured to have a U-shaped cross-section by following the U-shaped bent core material. However, this is not limited to this configuration; for example, the support mounting portion 60 may not contain a core material, and its cross-section may not be U-shaped. In this case, the support mounting portion 60 may be attached to the edge portion A21 by means other than sandwiching the cylindrical portion A2 as in the above embodiment, for example, by adhesive bonding.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the support body 61 was configured to have a hollow circular cross-sectional shape. However, it is not limited to this, and the support body 61 can be configured to deform in the vertical direction Y.

[0093] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the support mounting portion 60 was configured in an annular shape. Therefore, the support 6 was provided around the entire circumference of the circumferentially extending edge portion A21. However, it is not limited to this, and multiple support 6 may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction relative to the circumferentially extending edge portion A21. Here, as described above, in the above embodiment, the conveying air inside the silo A is discharged to the outside of the silo A via the discharge pipe 309 by the blower E, creating negative pressure inside the silo A. Therefore, even if multiple support 6 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, the flow of pellets and dust that flows into the silo A when pellets are put into the silo A is suppressed from flowing to the outside of the cylindrical portion A2 through the gap in the vertical direction Y between the silo mounting portion 30b1 and the edge portion A21.

[0094] Incidentally, in the above embodiment, the inner diameter of the cylindrical skirt portion 30c is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, when the silo inlet device 1 is installed in the silo A, a gap is formed in the radial direction X between the cylindrical skirt portion 30c and the cylindrical portion A2. Therefore, in order to prevent dust flowing into the silo A when pellets are loaded into the silo A from leaking to the outside of the silo inlet device 1 through this gap, a sealing member may be placed in the gap.

[0095] For example, in the above embodiment, wood pellets were described as the stored material in silo A, but agricultural products, pellets other than wood, livestock feed, etc., may also be used as the stored material in silo A.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the case in which the input pipe 306 and the discharge pipe 309 are provided in the cylindrical body portion 300 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the input pipe 306 and the discharge pipe 309 may be provided in the lid 31. In this case, it is conceivable that at least one of the input pipe 306 and the discharge pipe 309 is fixed to the lid body 310 with the lid body 310 penetrating the lid body 310 in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the case in which the silo input port device 1 is equipped with a discharge pipe 309 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the silo input port device 1 may not be equipped with a discharge pipe 309, and the silo A may be configured to be equipped with a discharge pipe 309.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the lid 31 was configured to rotate relative to the cylindrical body 30 in order to open and close the drop-in port 30X. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the lid 31 may be configured to open and close the drop-in port 30X by sliding radially.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the fixing means 5 was composed of bolts and nuts, but it is not limited to this, and other fixing means 5 may be used as long as they fix the mounting body 3 and the band 4. In this case, with other fixing means 5, in the preliminary assembly process, the diameter of the band can be changed, and the protruding portion 41 and the protruding mounting portion are not fixed together but are connected to the extent that they do not separate, and in the final assembly process, the protruding mounting portion and the protruding portion 41 are tightened and fixed together.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the case in which silo A is made of resin was described, but it is not limited to this, and for example, silo A may be made of metal, concrete, or stone.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the pair of clamping portions 41a, 41a constituting the protruding portion 41 and the band attachment portion 410 were arranged with a gap in the circumferential direction. However, this is not limited to this configuration; for example, the band attachment portion 410 constituting the protruding portion 41 may be provided around the entire circumference. In this case, the protruding mounting portion may also be provided around the entire circumference.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the case in which the silo inlet device 1 is equipped with a support 6 was described. However, for example, the silo inlet device 1 does not need to be equipped with a support 6. In this case, the support placement step may be omitted in the installation method of the silo inlet device 1. This reduces the number of work steps and alleviates the workload.

[0102] In the above embodiment, it was explained that in the installation process, the mounting structure 2 is lifted directly above the cylindrical portion A2 and installed in the silo A. However, the method is not limited to this. For example, the installation process may be carried onto the silo A without performing an installation process, by integrating the mounting body 3 and the band 4 in a temporary assembly process, and only a tightening process is performed to fasten the band 4 to the cylindrical portion A2. In this case, the lower end surface 30b1, which is configured as the silo mounting portion 30b1, may be positioned so as to be separated from the support body 61 in the vertical direction Y. Then, the mounting structure 2 may move downward due to its own weight, so that the lower end surface 30b1, which is configured as the silo mounting portion 30b1, is later placed on the support body 61. Therefore, the silo mounting portion 30b1 only needs to be configured to be able to be placed on the support 6 (specifically, the support body 61).

[0103] In the above embodiment, the case in which the band body 40 is a strip with an ended curved shape was described. However, the band body 40 is not limited to this, and may be configured as an endless curved shape (i.e., annular) without an end. In this case, the band body 40 may be configured so that its circumferential length can be changed. Therefore, by changing the circumferential length of the band 40 to match the circumferential length of the cylindrical portion A2, the band 40 can be tightened around the cylindrical portion A2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 1: Silo inlet device, 2: Mounting structure, 3: Mounting body, 30: Cylinder body, 300: Cylinder body section, 301: Inner surface of cylinder, 302: Outer surface of cylinder, 303: Upper end surface of cylinder, 304: First cylinder bracket, 305: Second cylinder bracket, 306: Inlet pipe, 307: Inlet horizontal pipe, 308: Inlet elbow pipe, 309: Discharge pipe, 31: Lid, 310: Lid body, 311: Handle section, 312: Lid skirt section, 313: First lid bracket, 314: Second lid bracket, 30a: Cylinder flange section 30b: Main body of the cylinder flange, 30b1: Lower end surface, silo mounting section, 30c: Cylinder skirt section 30d: Cylinder mounting part, 30e: Cylinder movable mounting part, 30f: Through hole, 30g: Drain hole, 30h: Cylinder fixed mounting part, 30X: Upper end opening, drop-in port, 4: Band, 40: Band body, 41: Protrusion, 410: Band mounting part, 411: Band fixed mounting part, 412: Through hole, 413: Band movable mounting part, 413a: Upper plate part, 413b: Lower plate part, 414: Through hole, 415: Drain hole, 41a: Fastened part, 5: Fixing means, 50: Bolt, 51: Nut, 6: Support, 60: Support mounting part, 61: Support body part, 62: Support protrusion, A : Silo, flange section, A1: Silo upper end, A1: Silo upper end surface, A2: Cylinder section, A20: Upper end opening, input opening, A21: Edge section, A22: Outside of cylinder, A23: Inside of cylinder, A3: Outlet, A4: Stand, B: Air conveying device, B1: Input hose, C: Flexible container bag, C1: Bag body, C3: Hook section, D: Truck, D1: Cargo bed, D2: Crane, D20: Boom, D21: Suspension hook, E: Blower, E1: Discharge hose, F: Bag filter, X: Radial direction, X1: First radial direction, X2: Second radial direction, Y: Vertical direction

Claims

[Claim 1] A method for installing a silo inlet device, comprising a curved band having a projection extending radially outward, a mounting body having an input section connectable to an input hose for transporting stored material by air transport and a projection mounting section placed on the projection, and fixing means for fixing the projection and the projection mounting section in the vertical direction, on a silo having a cylindrical section at its upper end that is defined by an edge and has an input opening formed therein into which the stored material is introduced, A preliminary assembly step in which the silo inlet device is temporarily assembled by placing the protruding mounting portion on the protruding portion on the ground, making the diameter of the band adjustable, and fixing the protruding portion and the protruding mounting portion with the fixing means so that they are connected without being fixed together but not separated, The mounting body and the band, which have been integrated by the aforementioned preliminary assembly process, are transported onto the silo, and then the band is tightened and secured to the cylindrical portion in a tightening process. A method for installing a silo inlet device, comprising: after performing the tightening step, a final assembly step of tightening and fixing the protruding mounting portion and the protruding portion with the fixing means so that both are fixed together.

Images