A sweep auger system having a driveshaft with auger flighting and a backboard extending a length from an inward end to an outward end. An input of a gearbox is connected to an outward end of the drive shaft and a sweep wheel having a plurality of notches, arms and feet is connected to an output of the gearbox. A drive shield is placed around a rearward side of the sweep wheel that forms a channel that is configured to capture grain agitated by the drive wheel. A guide plate is connected to the gearbox and covers a portion of the gearbox. The guide plate angles from an upper outward edge downward and forward to a lower inward edge that is configured to urge the grain captured within the channel of the drive shield to move in front of the sweep auger system reducing grain left in the grain bin.

In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus comprising an auger section having an auger and a drive unit containing a motor for driving the auger. A collector ring housing containing a collector ring is positioned between the auger section and the drive unit. In another aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for attachment to a floor grate. The apparatus includes a pivot stand attached to a top surface of the floor grate, the pivot stand defining a vertical pivot axis. A collector ring has a first stationary portion and a second rotatable portion, with the stationary portion attached to the pivot stand. A housing surrounds the collector ring, and the housing and second rotatable portion of the collector ring rotate together about the pivot axis.

A discharge assembly for use in or with dispensing apparatus. The discharge assembly includes an entry chamber for receiving one or more items to be dispensed in use. At least one discharge outlet is provided in the entry chamber. The directing member is movably mounted in the entry chamber for directing the one or more items through the at least one discharge outlet in use. At least one opening is defined in or associated with the directing member for allowing the one or more items to move through the at least one opening and towards the discharge outlet in use. A closure member is associated with the at least one opening of the directing member and said closure member is arranged to move in use between an open position, wherein the one or more items can move through the at least one opening of the directing member, and a closed position, wherein the one or more items are prevented from moving through the at least one opening of the directing member. A resilient biasing member is provided on or associated with the closure member to bias the closure member to the open position in use.

A discharge assembly for use in or with dispensing apparatus. The discharge assembly includes an entry chamber for receiving one or more items to be dispensed in use. At least one discharge outlet is provided in the entry chamber. The directing member is movably mounted in the entry chamber for directing the one or more items through the at least one discharge outlet in use. At least one opening is defined in or associated with the directing member for allowing the one or more items to move through the at least one opening and towards the discharge outlet in use. A closure member is associated with the at least one opening of the directing member and said closure member is arranged to move in use between an open position, wherein the one or more items can move through the at least one opening of the directing member, and a closed position, wherein the one or more items are prevented from moving through the at least one opening of the directing member. A resilient biasing member is provided on or associated with the closure member to bias the closure member to the open position in use.

A sweep auger system having a driveshaft with auger flighting and a backboard extending a length from an inward end to an outward end. An input of a gearbox is connected to an outward end of the drive shaft and a sweep wheel having a plurality of notches, arms and feet is connected to an output of the gearbox. A drive shield is placed around a rearward side of the sweep wheel that forms a channel that is configured to capture grain agitated by the sweep wheel. A guide plate is connected to the gearbox and covers a portion of the gearbox. The guide plate angles from an upper outward edge downward and forward to a lower inward edge that is configured to urge the grain captured within the channel of the drive shield to move in front of the sweep auger system reducing grain left in the grain bin.

The present invention provides an apparatus for storing gas hydrate pellets that includes: a storage tank having an inlet formed at a top portion thereof for having gas hydrate pellets injected therein; a transfer part formed at a lower portion of the storage tank so as to transfer the injected gas hydrate pellets to an outside of the storage tank; a rotating shaft vertically formed in the storage tank; a plurality of division plates coupled to the rotating shaft to partition an internal space of the storage tank, each having a bottom portion thereof formed above a top portion of the transfer part; an extension plate coupled to a lower portion of each of the division plates in such a way that the extension plate is movable up and down; and a guide formed at an upper portion of the transfer part and configured to guide the extension plate so as to allow the extension plate to be revolved by rotation of the rotating shaft without an interruption with the transfer part.

A sweep system is presented for a grain bin. The sweep system includes an elongated body extending a length between an inward end and an outward end and having a leading side and a trailing side. The elongated body is connected to a pivot point at the center of the grain bin and is configured to rotate around the pivot point. In one or more embodiments, a tail section of the sweep system is located as the outward end of the elongated body. In one or more arrangements, a track-driven drive system is positioned in the tail section. The track-driven drive system has a continuous track formed by a continuous chain and a plurality of paddles connected thereto. The track-driven drive system is configured to move the outward end of the elongated housing around the grain bin thereby facilitating emptying of grain from the grain bin by the sweep system.

A bin sweep system for a bin having a floor surface and a central well may comprise a center post defining a common center and a sweep assembly configured to move across the floor surface of the bin and having an inboard end and an outboard end. The sweep assembly may comprise at least two sweep segments including a first sweep segment and a second sweep segment, with the first sweep segment being located toward the inboard end and the second sweep segment being located toward the outboard end. At least one of the sweep segments may be movable about the center post substantially independently of another of the sweep segments.

A modular storage bin sweep system utilizing paddles to sweep particulate matter across a floor may comprise a sweep assembly including at least two units connectable together. The assembly may comprise a plurality of interconnected paddles, a power unit configured to the paddles, a drive unit configured to move the sweep assembly with respect to a surface of the bin below the sweep assembly. In some embodiments, a traction enhancement structure may increase traction of the drive unit on the floor. In some embodiments, a pivot unit is configured to permit a degree of pivotability of the axes of the units with respect to each other, and may be combined with a drive unit. In some embodiments, the power unit includes a rotary electrical power transfer structure configured to transfer electrical power to the power unit when rotating in the bin.

A powder supply device that continuously supply a fixed amount of powder, including a powder accommodation container including a powder delivery hole in an circular outer shape bottom plate, and a disk that continuously rotates and conveys the powder by a groove facing the powder delivery hole and provided on circumference, wherein the disk is disposed to be slidably rotatable with respect to the circular outer shape bottom plate in a state in which a part of a region where the groove is located is covered with the circular outer shape bottom plate of the powder accommodation container.