Grain Spreader Cone Dynamics for Bin Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain storage bins face challenges in achieving even distribution and weight stability due to off-center grain feeding, leading to inefficient storage and potential structural instability.
Innovation Solution
A grain spreader system with a hopper, spreader arms, and a conical design that includes a convergent and divergent cone, supported by springs and a center flow choke, which adjusts to ensure even grain distribution by creating multiple flow zones and throttling grain flow as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grain is fed through an unregulated bin opening using an auger or conveyor, then grain can be introduced into the storage bin, but the grain is introduced off-center resulting in uneven distribution and inefficient storage
Solution Approach 1:
The grain flow is segmented into multiple flow zones by the conical structure with its center opening, divergent cone, and spreader arms. This segmentation distributes grain across multiple paths rather than a single off-center stream, achieving uniform distribution while maintaining high throughput capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If grain flow rate varies from the elevator, then the system must handle varying throughput, but this causes uneven filling and affects bin stability
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader cone is designed to move vertically in response to varying grain flow rates. The cone's position dynamically adjusts to maintain proper grain flow through the center opening and onto the divergent cone, ensuring uniform distribution across all spreader arms regardless of input flow variations, thus maintaining bin stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of the spreader cone's vertical position to adapt to varying grain flow rates. This parameter change allows the system to handle a wide throughput capacity range while maintaining consistent grain distribution and bin weight stability.
3Productivity
If the spreader cone is loaded with higher grain flow, then throughput capacity increases, but the system requires manual adjustment to maintain proper flow zones
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader cone automatically adjusts its own position based on the grain flow rate. When grain flow increases, the cone is pushed downward by the grain pressure; when flow decreases, the spring mechanism pulls it upward. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining optimal grain flow through all zones across the full throughput range.
4Productivity
If the center opening is fully open, then grain flow capacity is maximized, but grain flow becomes uncontrolled and uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The center opening's effective size is dynamically controlled by the vertical position of the spreader cone. The cone's movement in response to grain flow pressure automatically throttles or opens the center passage, providing precise flow control while maintaining high capacity. This dynamic control ensures grain flows evenly through all zones without requiring manual adjustment of the opening size.
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 ensures a laminar, even flow of grain across the storage bin, maintaining stability and increasing throughput capacity without manual adjustment, by compressing springs with increased grain weight and adjusting flow zones to prevent uneven filling.
Implementation Method 1
The support springs lift the spreader cone upwards into the hopper when the spreader cone is empty to lightly loaded. As the spreader cone is loaded with a higher grain flow, the increased weight compresses the support springs.
Implementation Method 2
As the spreader cone is loaded with a higher grain flow, the increased weight compresses the support springs. This vertical, linear action of the spreader cone allows the grain spreader to produce a laminar output flow despite varying input flow rates
Implementation Method 3
This vertical, linear action of the spreader cone allows the grain spreader to produce a laminar output flow despite varying input flow rates from the elevator by maintaining grain presence in each of a plurality of flow zones of the grain spreader
Implementation Method 4
The grain spreader further includes a center flow choke configured to selectively throttle the center flow of grain through the center opening to partially close the center opening in low grain flow conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A grain spreader wherein grain received in the hopper is directed to spreader arms by a spreader cone. The spreader cone has a convergent cone and a divergent cone. The spreader cone has a center opening that allows a first portion of the grain collecting in the convergent cone to pass through and fall through the underside of the divergent cone. The grain spreader further includes support springs that lift the spreader cone upwards into the hopper when the spreader cone is lightly loaded. A center flow choke is configured to throttle the flow of grain through the center opening to partially close the center opening in low grain flow conditions, wherein the center flow choke is mounted to the hopper body such that up and down movement of the spreader cone moves the center opening into or out of engagement with the center flow choke.