Air diverting system for a seed drying bin

An air diverting system for a seed dryer bin having a duct connected to and in communication with openings in the seed bin and a fan. An airflow diverter assembly rotatably mounted within the duct and having a handle for rotating the assembly to a desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an air diverting system and more particularly an improved air diverting system for a seed drying bin.

Seed drying bins are well-known in the art. Typically, seed drying bins have an air flow plenum constructed of steel panels that is positioned between a fan and a seed drying chamber. To divert air flow between the top and bottom of the seed chamber a complex device of cables and trap doors is presently used. Not only are the steel panels expensive, but the cables are subject to wear and the device is difficult to install, remove, and replace when a cable breaks. Thus a need exists in the art for a system that addresses these deficiencies.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an air diverting system that is more economical to manufacture.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an air diverting system that has fewer parts and is easier to install.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one skilled in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air diverting system for a seed dryer bin having a duct connected to and in communication with openings in a seed bin and a fan. Rotatably mounted within the duct is an air diverter assembly that is operatively connected to a handle for moving the assembly to a desired position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, a seed dryer10has opposing bins12and14that are separated by an upper plenum16and a lower plenum18. Each bin12and14has an outside wall20, an inside wall22and a top door24used to fill the bins with seed26. Within each bin12and14is slanted air permeable floor28that are perforated/grated such that seed26will not pass through but air will.

On the inside wall22of each bin12and14is an upper and a lower opening30and32that are connected to and in communication with a duct34. On the side opposite the inside wall22, the duct has an intake opening36that is connected to and in communication with fans38and40. As an example only, bin12is connected to fan38, which resides in lower plenum18, by duct34and bin14is connected to fan40which resides in upper plenum16by duct34.

Disposed within and mounted to duct34is an air flow diverter assembly42. Preferably, the diverter assembly is positioned adjacent to intake opening36. The diverter assembly42has an air diverting wall44and a pair of sidewalls46. The air diverting wall44is of any shape and preferably has a generally concave arcuate shape. The sidewalls46are pivotally mounted to walls48in duct34by a stub shaft50that extends through a pivot bearing52mounted in openings54in walls48. A handle56is connected to at least one stub shaft50outside of duct34. Alternatively, a motor (not shown) is connected to the stub shaft50. Mounted to wall48adjacent handle56is a locking mechanism58that retains handle56in a desired position.

In one embodiment, mounted to the interior of the duct34is a first stop60, a strike bar62, and a second stop64. Each of the stops60and64and the strike bar62have seals66attached thereto. In addition, on the interior of wall48and on a corner edge68of the diverter assembly42are aligned strips70of slidable material such as UHMW polyethylene that allows the diverter assembly42to slide in relation to wall48.

In operation, when fans38and40are activated, air is blown through intake opening36to the diverter assembly42. When the diverter assembly42is in a raised or first position, air flows through lower opening30into bin12and through upper opening32into bin14. When in the raised position, back edge72of diverter wall44engages second stop64while front edge74engages strike bar62to seal duct34.

To change the direction of air flow the diverter assembly42is rotated by handle56or motor to a lowered or second position. In the second position air flow is diverted from fan68through opening30and into bin12and from fan70through opening32into bin14. When in the second position the front edge74of wall44engages first stop60and the back edge72engages strike bar62to seal duct34.

Accordingly an air flow diverter for a seed bin dryer has been disclosed that, at the very least, meets all of the stated objectives.