Grain Bin Sweep with Agitator Support for Elevated Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain bins with elevated floors face challenges in using zero-entry sweeps due to the immense weight of stored grain, which can damage the elevated floor, and existing sweeps require manual installation and removal, posing safety and efficiency issues, especially in larger bins.
Innovation Solution
A sweep system with an elongated body connected to a pivot point and an agitator that rotates around the pivot, applying frictional forces to move grain towards a central sump, designed to work with both elevated and non-elevated floors, and compatible with various sweep configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sweeps are used in grain bins with elevated floors, then grain removal effectiveness is improved, but the immense weight of stored grain can damage the elevated floor
Solution Approach 1:
The sweep system divides the grain bin into multiple zones along its length, with multiple sweeps operating simultaneously in different segments. This distributes the mechanical load across multiple smaller sweep units rather than one large heavy sweep, reducing floor damage while maintaining effective grain removal across the entire bin volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary support structure consisting of rollers and tracks that mediate between the sweep mechanism and the elevated floor. This intermediary system supports the weight of the sweep and grain, distributing it through rollers along the bin length, thereby preventing direct concentrated loading that would damage the elevated floor
2Adaptability or versatility
If temporary sweeps are used to remove grain, then grain removal flexibility is improved, but manual installation and removal is tedious, difficult, and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The sweep system is designed to be self-installing and self-removing through automated mechanisms. The sweeps can be deployed into the grain bin automatically without manual entry, and can be retracted or removed automatically after use, eliminating the need for dangerous manual installation and removal operations while maintaining adaptability to different bin configurations
3Reliability
If zero entry sweeps are used to eliminate manual entry, then operator safety is improved, but challenges are exasperated when attempting to provide a zero entry sweep with a grain bin having an elevated floor
Solution Approach 1:
The sweep system is designed with universal components that can function in both elevated floor and non-elevated floor configurations. The modular sweep units, support rollers, and track systems can be adapted to different bin types without requiring fundamentally different designs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operator safety through zero-entry operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively removes the majority of grain without damaging the elevated floor, reduces manual labor, enhances safety, and is durable, efficient, and adaptable to different grain bin designs.
Implementation Method 1
an agitator that rotates around the pivot, applying frictional forces to move grain towards a central sump
Data Source
AI summary
A sweep system having for removal of grain from a grain bin is presented. The sweep system has an elongated body extending a length between an inward end and an outward end and having a leading side and a trailing side. The elongated body is connected to a pivot point at the center of the grain bin and is configured to rotate around the pivot point. An agitator is connected to the outward end of the elongated body and is configured to agitate grain as the elongated body rotates around the pivot point. In one or more arrangements, the agitator is configured to support the sweep system on a floor of the grain bin. In one or more arrangements, the agitator is configured to move the sweep system forward during operation to facilitate rotation of the sweep system.