The invention relates to a silo for storing for instance manure, wherein the silo is covered on an upper side thereof with a flexible roof, wherein the roof is manufactured from a flexible material or is otherwise deformable, wherein at least one flexible photovoltaic device is arranged on the roof, wherein the at least one flexible photovoltaic device is fastened to the flexible roof by means of first fastening means which are fixed permanently onto the roof, and second fastening means which are fixed onto the at least one flexible photovoltaic device, wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are mutually releasable and reconnectable to each other in order to thus fasten the at least one flexible photovoltaic device releasably to the roof. The invention also relates to a cover for such a silo.

An intermediate sump warning system having a sensor associated with a gate of an intermediate sump. The sensor is connected to a controller that activates a warning signal when the sensor detects that the gate is in an open position.

A locking system securing an image scanning device to a container includes a compressible material. The compressible material is disposed between a first securing plate and a second securing plate. A rotational element is disposed within curved edges of the first and second securing plates, where the curved edges each curve away from the compressible material. A shaft extends from the rotational element to the image scanning device. A fastener is secured through the first and second securing plates, and into the securing surface to lock the rotational element, and subsequently the shaft and image scanning device, in place. The locking system can be secured to a pitched surface to naturally position the image scanning device perpendicular to level ground.

A commercial hopper grain bin shell can be assembled on a concrete pad using jacks to successively support previously coupled side-wall panel rings above the concrete pad. The assembled shell can be supported above the concrete pad with the jacks while coupling a horizontal support beam around a bottom of the assembled commercial hopper grain bin shell. An uppermost ring of vertical support legs can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. An uppermost ring of hopper panels can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. The assembled shell and the vertical support legs previously coupled to the horizontal support beam can be successively supported above the concrete pad with jacks while coupling an additional ring of vertical support legs to the bottom of the previously coupled vertical support legs. An additional ring of hopper panels can be successively coupled to the bottom of the previously coupled hopper panels.

A commercial hopper grain bin shell can be assembled on a concrete pad using jacks to successively support previously coupled side-wall panel rings above the concrete pad. The assembled shell can be supported above the concrete pad with the jacks while coupling a horizontal support beam around a bottom of the assembled commercial hopper grain bin shell. An uppermost ring of vertical support legs can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. An uppermost ring of hopper panels can be coupled to the horizontal support beam. The assembled shell and the vertical support legs previously coupled to the horizontal support beam can be successively supported above the concrete pad with jacks while coupling an additional ring of vertical support legs to the bottom of the previously coupled vertical support legs. An additional ring of hopper panels can be successively coupled to the bottom of the previously coupled hopper panels.

A grain spreading device for evenly distribute grain as it is poured into a storage bin. The grain spreading device generally includes a flow-control ring (e.g., an evenflow ring) adapted to be positioned below a grain bin opening, the flow-control ring comprising an upper opening and a bottom, and a cone movably suspended below the flow-control ring by a plurality of springs to create a variable opening between the cone and the bottom of the flow-control ring, the plurality of springs creating a restoring force, wherein the variable opening increases in size when a weight of grain on the cone moves the cone away from the bottom of the flow-control ring against the restoring force of the plurality of springs.

A grain spreading device for evenly distribute grain as it is poured into a storage bin. The grain spreading device generally includes a flow-control ring (e.g., an evenflow ring) adapted to be positioned below a grain bin opening, the flow-control ring comprising an upper opening and a bottom, and a cone movably suspended below the flow-control ring by a plurality of springs to create a variable opening between the cone and the bottom of the flow-control ring, the plurality of springs creating a restoring force, wherein the variable opening increases in size when a weight of grain on the cone moves the cone away from the bottom of the flow-control ring against the restoring force of the plurality of springs.

A fill under tarp for grain and grain storage system is disclosed. The fill under has a tarp body with a plurality of tarp sections having an inner edge extending to a terminal outer edge defining an outer perimeter. A tarp section seam is disposed between tarp sections. A yoke having a center and opposing inner and outer terminal edges is disposed generally in the center of the tarp body and configured for strengthening the tarp body. A corner of the outer terminal edge of the yoke is disposed coincident with the tarp section seam. A transition seam is disposed between the outer terminal edge of the yoke and inner edge of the tarp body. An opening in the yoke has an outer circumference coincident with the inner edge of the yoke so that the opening is configured to receive grain for storing underneath the fill under tarp.

A sensing apparatus for monitoring a substance contained in a storage building, the apparatus comprising: a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a roof of the storage building; a sensing assembly mounted to the mounting bracket, the sensing assembly including: a sensor for measuring a parameter of the substance in the storage building when the sensor is in a measuring orientation; and a housing for housing the sensor, the housing being pivotably connected to the mounting bracket and being freely pivotable relative to the mounting bracket about a pivot axis, the housing being orientable in an operative position in which the sensor is in the measuring orientation to allow the sensor to measure the parameter of the substance, the sensing assembly having a center of mass located below the pivot axis such that the housing is urged towards the operative orientation by gravity.

A sensing apparatus for monitoring a substance contained in a storage building, the apparatus comprising: a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a roof of the storage building; a sensing assembly mounted to the mounting bracket, the sensing assembly including: a sensor for measuring a parameter of the substance in the storage building when the sensor is in a measuring orientation; and a housing for housing the sensor, the housing being pivotably connected to the mounting bracket and being freely pivotable relative to the mounting bracket about a pivot axis, the housing being orientable in an operative position in which the sensor is in the measuring orientation to allow the sensor to measure the parameter of the substance, the sensing assembly having a center of mass located below the pivot axis such that the housing is urged towards the operative orientation by gravity.