Single drive dual hopper conveyor system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11780690-B2
Application number	US-202217885253-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 10, 2022
Priority date	Mar 10, 2020
Publication date	Oct 10, 2023
Grant date	Oct 10, 2023

Abstract

A single drive dual hopper conveyor system is presented having a center conveyor system and a pair of side conveyor systems that are connected to one another. A single motor is connected to the center conveyor system and drives movement of a belt within the center conveyor system. The connection of the center conveyor system to the side conveyor system causes the belts of the side conveyor systems to be simultaneously driven as the belt of the center conveyor system is driven. This arrangement eliminates the need for multiple motors. A guide at the center of the belts is configured to guide the belts through the center of the housings and prevent the buildup of grain within a cut-out section of the flights of the belt that is needed to allow access to the links of the belts to facilitate driving of the belts.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A conveyor system, comprising:
a first conveyor system;
the first conveyor system extending from a tail section to a head section;
a motor operatively connected to the first conveyor system;
wherein the first conveyor system includes an upward curved section positioned between the tail section and the head section;
wherein the first conveyor system includes a housing;
wherein the first conveyor system includes a drag chain having links and a plurality of flights;
wherein the drag chain is configured to transport grain through the housing from a tail end to a head end;
wherein the housing includes a top wall;
wherein the first conveyor system includes a support arrangement positioned adjacent the top wall in the curved section;
wherein the support arrangement is configured to maintain separation between the top wall of housing and the drag chain during operation.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
the side conveyor systems extending from a tail section to a head section;
the side conveyor systems operatively connected to the first conveyor system;
wherein operation of the motor simultaneously drives operation of the first conveyor system and drives operation of the side conveyor systems.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
the side conveyor systems extending from a tail section to a head section;
the side conveyor systems operatively connected to the first conveyor system;
wherein operation of the motor simultaneously drives operation of the first conveyor system and drives operation of the side conveyor systems
a hopper associated with each of the side conveyor systems, wherein each side conveyor systems is configured to receive grain through the associated hopper, wherein each side conveyor system is configured to convey the received grain to the first conveyor system.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
wherein the side conveyor systems are configured to convey grain toward the first conveyor system.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
the side conveyor systems extending from a tail section to a head section;
wherein the head section of the side conveyor systems are positioned adjacent and above the tail section of the first conveyor system such that grain conveyed from the side conveyor systems is dispensed onto the first conveyor system.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
wherein the side conveyor systems are positioned in approximate linear alignment with one another and wherein the first conveyor system is positioned in approximate perpendicular alignment to the side conveyor systems.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate a shaft connected to the head section of the first conveyor system.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is operatively connected to a gearbox that is operatively connected to a shaft connected to the head section of the first conveyor system.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side conveyor systems;
wherein the tail section of the first conveyor system is operatively connected to the head section of the side conveyor systems such that rotation of the first conveyor system causes rotation of the side conveyor systems.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gearbox positioned between each side conveyor system and the first conveyor system.

11. A conveyor system, comprising:
a center conveyor system;
wherein the center conveyor system includes a drag chain having links and a plurality of flights;
wherein the plurality of flights include a cut-out section positioned below the links of the drag chain;
a guide;
the guide positioned within the cut-out section of the plurality of flights in alignment with and below the links of the drag chain;
the guide configured to prevent the buildup of grain within the area of the cut-out section of the plurality of flights.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first hopper;
a first side conveyor system;
wherein the first hopper provides a path for grain to the first side conveyor system;
a second hopper;
a second side conveyor system;
wherein the second hopper provides a path for grain to the second side conveyor system.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a first side conveyor system;
a second side conveyor system;
wherein the center conveyor system has a head section and a tail section, wherein the tail section is positioned between the first side conveyor system and the second side conveyor system.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the center conveyor system has a tail section and a head section, wherein the head section feeds grain to an exterior grain transfer or storage device.

15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a motor;
a first side conveyor system;
a second side conveyor system;
wherein the motor is operably connected to the center conveyor system, the first conveyor system and the second conveyor system by a chain drive system or a belt drive system.

16. A high side conveyor system, comprising:
a housing;
the housing having an upper chamber;
the housing having a lower chamber;
the housing having a divider separating the upper chamber and the lower chamber;
a drag chain having links and a plurality of flights; the drag chain positioned within the housing such that the drag chain travels forward in the upper chamber;
the drag chain positioned within the housing such that the drag chain travels rearward in the lower chamber;
wherein each of the plurality of flights has a first cut-out section;
a guide;
the guide positioned within the first cut-out section; the guide configured to prevent the buildup of grain within the area of the cut-out section.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a support arrangement;
wherein the conveyor system includes a first straight section configured to transport grain horizontally,
wherein the conveyor system includes a second straight section configured to transport grain at an inclined angle; and
wherein the conveyor system includes a curved section configured to transport grain from the first straight section to the second straight section;
wherein the housing includes a top wall;
wherein the support arrangement is positioned on the top wall in the curved section;
wherein the flights have a second cut-out section;
wherein the support arrangement is positioned within the second cut-out section;
wherein the support arrangement is configured to maintain separation between top wall of housing and drag chain during operation.

18. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a support arrangement;
wherein the conveyor system includes a first straight section configured to transport grain horizontally,
wherein the conveyor system includes a second straight section configured to transport grain at an inclined angle; and
wherein the conveyor system includes a curved section configured to transport grain from the first straight section to the second straight section;
wherein the housing includes a top wall extending from the first straight section to the second straight section;
wherein the support arrangement is positioned on the top wall in the curved section;
wherein the support arrangement is configured to maintain separation between the top wall of the housing and the drag chain;
wherein the support arrang

Assignees

• Sukup Mfg

Inventors

• Heilskov Chris
• Brownmiller David Jay
• Zweck Adam
• Platte Dustin

Classifications

• B65G67/24 Primary

  Unloading land vehicles · CPC title

• B65G23/24

  Gearing between driving motor and belt- or chain-engaging elements (contained in drums, rollers or wheels B65G23/08) · CPC title

• B65G47/18

  Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes · CPC title

• B65G2201/042

  Granular material · CPC title

• B65G2814/0326

  for moving bulk material upwards or horizontally · CPC title