초록 ▼

An automatically controlled seed dryer of the present invention is adapted to efficiently and precisely dry seed by automatically controlling the temperatures directions and air flow rate; of air flow through the seed within the bin. The invention includes an upper plenum for supplying a source of h

An automatically controlled seed dryer of the present invention is adapted to efficiently and precisely dry seed by automatically controlling the temperatures directions and air flow rate; of air flow through the seed within the bin. The invention includes an upper plenum for supplying a source of hot airs a lower plenum for supplying a source of ambient air, and a mixing plenum for mixing various proportions of hot and ambient air from the upper and lower plenums. The mixing plenum has upper and lower supply doors formed between the mixing plenum and the bin for supplying the mixed air to the bin either above or below the seed. Upper and lower exhaust doors are formed in the bin above and below the seed such that by controlling the operation of the supply and exhaust doors, the direction and air flow rate of the mixed air through the seed can be precisely controlled by an electronic controller. A plurality of linear actuators control the operation of the doors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [26.] A method of drying seeds in a bin comprising the steps of:providing a bin having an upper portion disposed above the seeds to be dried a lower portion disposed below the seeds to be dried, and upper and lower exhaust ports formed in the bin in the upper and lower portion

[ What is claimed is:] [26.] A method of drying seeds in a bin comprising the steps of:providing a bin having an upper portion disposed above the seeds to be dried a lower portion disposed below the seeds to be dried, and upper and lower exhaust ports formed in the bin in the upper and lower portions, respectively;providing a first source of air having a first temperature;providing a second source of air having a second temperature;mixing air taken from the first and second sources of air to provide air having a desired temperature;blowing the mixed air into the bin and through the seeds;mixing air taken from the first and second sources of air before the air has been exposed to the seed within the bin; andcontrolling the direction of air flowing through the seeds by selectively blowing the mixed air into either of the upper and lower portions of the bin and by selectively opening and closing the upper and lower exhaust ports.