South Dakota Patent of the Month – September 2021
Sioux Steel Company is focused on high-quality grain storage systems, livestock equipment and ProTec buildings. They don’t just manufacture these products, they develop innovative versions, creating the most efficient and novel products for their clients. Recently, they have designed a bin sweep system for use in grain bin unloading processes.
Their bin sweep system has contoured paddles which sweep particles across the floor of a bin. The sweep assembly has both an inboard and outboard end. The elongated inboard end moves product towards the central area of the bin. The outboard end locates towards the peripheral area. These work in tandem to sweep particles towards a sump formed in the floor so that the particles move on to the next stage of handling to exit the bin. The paddles are movable along these paths and move on a generally inward movement towards the central area of the bin. Each paddle has an inboard and outboard side. The paddle’s shape and position better trap the particles, preventing them from escaping during sweeping. They are dragged along the floor surface by a loop member. This endless loop is mounted on the sweep housing and has paddles spaced along it. The flexible rubber paddles replace dangerous augers, improving the safety and efficiency of the system.
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