Ffi Corporation

Terry L McKenzie

Paul W Peterson

Wesley L Peterson

A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor, the grain shelf floor has a hopper opening defined therein. The grain dryer additionally includes a floor sweep assembly having a wiper, wherein (i) the wiper includes a blade support and a blade attached to the blade support, (ii) the floor sweep assembly is positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor such that rotation of the floor sweep assembly causes grain positioned on the grain shelf floor to be pushed across an upper surface of the grain shelf floor by the blade until the grain falls through the hopper opening, and (iii) a first lower edge of the blade contacts the grain shelf floor so as to slide across the upper surface of the grain shelf floor as the floor sweep assembly is being rotated. A method for advancing grain within a grain dryer is also disclosed.

Wiper for a floor sweep assembly of a grain dryer associated method

A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly thereof through which grain may flow. The grain further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. In addition, the grain dryer includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor. Moreover, the grain dryer includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis. The floor sweep assembly includes a framework having (i) a first primary support member which extends radially outwardly relative to the central axis, (ii) a second primary support member which extends radially outwardly relative to the central axis, and (iii) a first ancillary support member which is spaced apart from the central axis and extends between the first primary support member and the second primary support member. The floor sweep assembly further includes a wiper positioned relative to the framework such that, when the floor sweep assembly is viewed in a plan view, the framework and the wiper define (i) a first primary intersection of the wiper and the first primary support member, and (ii) a first ancillary intersection of the wiper and the first ancillary support member.

Floor sweep assembly for a grain dryer having primary support members

A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer also includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. The grain dryer further includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor, the floor sweep assembly having (i) a support member, and (ii) a wiper positioned relative to the support member such that, when the floor sweep assembly is viewed in a plan view, the support member defines an intersection with the wiper. The grain dryer also includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis. In addition, the grain dryer includes a spacer attached to both the support member and the wiper in a manner which causes the support member to be spaced apart from the wiper. A method of advancing grain in a grain dryer with a floor sweep assembly is also disclosed.

Floor sweep assembly for a grain dryer having support members and wipers

A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor, the grain shelf floor has a hopper opening defined therein. The grain dryer additionally includes a floor sweep assembly having a wiper, wherein (i) the wiper includes a blade support and a blade attached to the blade support, (ii) the floor sweep assembly is positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor such that rotation of the floor sweep assembly causes grain positioned on the grain shelf floor to be pushed across an upper surface of the grain shelf floor by the blade until the grain falls through the hopper opening, and (iii) a first lower edge of the blade contacts the grain shelf floor so as to slide across the upper surface of the grain shelf floor as the floor sweep assembly is being rotated. A method for advancing grain across a grain shelf floor of a grain dryer with a floor sweep assembly is also disclosed.

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Terry L McKenzie