Sweep system for full elevated floor grain bins

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11337374-B2
Application number	US-202016997333-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2020
Priority date	Aug 20, 2019
Publication date	May 24, 2022
Grant date	May 24, 2022

Abstract

A full floor sweep system having a skeletonized head section to facilitate removal of grain from a grain bin. The sweep system having 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. The agitator includes an impeller that is connected to a shaft that extends through the elongated body. A scraper is positioned at the outward end of the elongated body and is configured to move grain into the path of the elongated body.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus having an elongated body;
the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end;
the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point;
wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin;
the elongated body having a covered section;
the elongated body having a head section;
the head section positioned adjacent the inward end of the elongated body;
wherein the head section includes a plurality of openings positioned in a top side of the head section;
wherein the plurality of openings of the head section are configured to allow grain to flow into the head section through the plurality of openings so as to facilitate emptying of grain from the grain bin before operating the sweep apparatus;
wherein the covered section is positioned outward of the head section wherein the covered section is positioned outward of the head section.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body houses a sweep mechanism having a plurality of links and paddles.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the head section is positioned above a sump in a floor of the grain bin.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the head section is positioned above a sump in a floor of the grain bin such that grain travels through the head section and through the sump.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the connection of the head section to the pivot point allows for vertical movement as well as angular movement as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a grain conveyor;
wherein the grain conveyor is positioned below a floor of the grain bin;
wherein the sweep apparatus is positioned above the floor of the grain bin;
wherein the sweep apparatus is operatively connected to the grain conveyor;
a drive wheel;
wherein the drive wheel is operatively connected to the sweep apparatus;
wherein a single motor drives operation of the grain conveyor, the sweep apparatus and the drive wheel.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pusher connected adjacent the outward end of the elongated body, the pusher having a wheel, wherein the wheel is in contact with a floor of the grain bin such that the wheel of the pusher pushes the elongated body around the pivot point.

8. A system for a grain bin, comprising:
a sweep apparatus having an elongated body;
the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end;
the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point;
wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin;
the elongated body having a head section positioned adjacent the inward end of the elongated body;
wherein the head section includes a plurality of openings configured to allow grain to flow through the head section so as to facilitate emptying of grain from the grain bin;
at least one carrier wheel positioned adjacent the inward end of the elongated body, wherein the at least one carrier wheel positioned adjacent the inward end of the elongated body is in engagement with a wear track on a floor of the grain bin as the elongated body rotates around the pivot point.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an agitator operatively connected to the elongated body;
the agitator position adjacent the outward end of the elongated body;
the agitator positioned adjacent a leading side of the elongated body;
the agitator having a movement member;
wherein the elongated body is configured to rotate around the pivot point in a first rotational direction;
wherein when the elongated body rotates around the pivot point, the movement member of the agitator moves thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate rotation of the elongated body.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body houses a sweep mechanism, wherein the sweep mechanism is an auger.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body houses a sweep mechanism, wherein the sweep mechanism is a paddle sweep.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body houses a sweep mechanism, wherein the sweep mechanism is a drag chain.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an agitator having a movement member, wherein the movement member of the agitator rotates.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a center sump positioned adjacent the pivot point of the elongated body.

15. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one pusher operatively connected to the elongated body adjacent a trailing side of the elongated body, wherein the at least one pusher is configured to push the elongated body around the axis of rotation.

16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one carrier wheel operatively connected to the elongated body adjacent a leading side of the elongated body.

17. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a scraper operatively connected adjacent the outward end of the elongated body, wherein the scraper extends past the outward end of the elongated body and extends behind the outward end of the elongated body such that the scraper is configured to scrape grain that is just outside of the path of the elongated body and move the scraped grain into the path of the elongated such that the scraped grain is captured by the elongated body on a second pass of the elongated body.

18. A sweep system for a grain bin, comprising:
an elongated body;
the elongated body having a sweep mechanism;
the elongated body extending a length from an outward end to an inward end;
the inward end of the elongated body operatively connected to a pivot point;
wherein the elongated body is configured to pivot around the pivot point as the elongated body rotates around the grain bin;
the elongated body having a head section positioned adjacent the inward end of the elongated body;
an agitator operatively connected to the elongated body;
wherein the position of the agitator is adjustable along a length of the elongated body;
the agitator having a movement member;
wherein the elongated body is configured to rotate around the pivot point in a first rotational direction;
wherein the sweep mechanism is configured to move grain toward the pivot point;
wherein when the elongated body rotates around the pivot point, the movement member of the agitator moves thereby agitating grain so as to facilitate rotation of the elongated body.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the sweep mechanism is an auger.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the sweep mechanism is a paddle sweep.

21. The system of claim 18 , wherein the movement member of the agitator rotates.

22. The system of claim 18 , wherein the movement member of the agitator is an impeller that rotates.

23. The system of claim 18 , wherein the movement member of the agitator connects to an axle, wherein an axis of rotation of the axle extends in an approximate perpendicular alignment to the length of the elongated body.

24. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a center sump positioned adjacent the pivot point of the elongated body.

25. The system of claim 18 , further comprising at least one pusher operatively connected to the elongated body adjacent a trailing side of the elongated body, wherein the at least one pus

Assignees

• Sukup Mfg

Inventors

• Olson Ryan
• Brownmiller David Jay
• Marcks Randal

Classifications

• B65G2201/0202

  Agricultural and processed food products · CPC title

• B65G65/4836 Primary

  and moving material over a stationary surface, e.g. sweep arms or wheels · CPC title

• A01F25/2018 Primary

  Bottom unloading units for tower silos · CPC title

• B65G65/42

  using belt or chain conveyors · CPC title