Particulate Sampler and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A sampler for use in the control extraction of material samples from a flow stream of particulate material within a tubular conveyor. A powered extractor extends through a sample aperture body of the conveyor and when actuated will permit the periodic capture and discharge of particulate material samples of the controlled size from the flow stream to a sample discharge outlet outside of the conveyor. The powered extractor does not interfere with any material flow assistance device within the conveyor, and in operation of the conveyor, the extractor will capture periodic samples from the operating flow stream for discharge at the sample discharge outlet. The powered extractor could comprise an extractor fighting, extending into the flow stream and out through a discharge tube or might comprise a rotationally mounted extractor to adapted to permit periodic sampling during rotation of the tube.

Claims

1. A sampler for use in the controlled extraction of material samples from a flow stream of particulate material within a tubular conveyor, wherein the conveyor contains a material flow assistance device within a tubular body for the movement of the flow stream within the conveyor and comprises a sample aperture allowing material flow from the flow stream to the outside of the conveyor body at a sample location, the sampler comprising: a) a mount for attachment of the sampler to the body of the conveyor at the sample location; b) a powered extractor for engaging the sample aperture on the body of the conveyor, which when actuated will permit the periodic capture and discharge of particulate material samples of a controlled size from the flow stream to a sample discharge outlet outside of the conveyor; and c) power means operatively connected to the extractor for actuating same; wherein the powered extractor does not interfere with any material flow assistance device within the conveyor; and wherein during operation of the conveyor, the powered extractor when actuated will capture periodic samples from the operating flow stream within the conveyor, for discharge at the sample discharge outlet.

2. The sampler of claim 1 further comprising a sample receptacle in proximity to the sample discharge outlet, to receive the discharged periodic samples.

3. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the tubular conveyor is an auger, and the material flow assistance device is a fighting.

4. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the tubular conveyor is a belt conveyor, and the material flow assistance device is a conveyor belt.

5. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the extractor comprises a helical extractor fighting having an intake end and a discharge end, and an extractor tube having an attachment end for attachment to the sample aperture of the conveyor and a discharge end comprising the sample discharge outlet, wherein rotation of the extractor flighting within the extractor tube by the power means operatively connected thereto will result in the intake end of the extractor fighting extracting a sample quantity of particulate material from the flow stream for discharge at the sample discharge outlet.

6. The sampler of claim 4 wherein the extractor flighting extends into the flow stream within the conveyor body.

7. The sampler of claim 4 wherein the extractor flighting terminates in proximity to the attachment of the extractor tube and does not extend substantially into the conveyor body, such that the flow stream will only contact the extractor fighting along the edge of the flow stream and in proximity of the inner wall of the conveyor body.

8. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the tubular conveyor is a two-part swing away conveyor with a boot between sections, wherein the flow stream is substantially vertically oriented within the boot.

9. The sampler of claim 8 wherein the sample aperture is on the boot, to draw samples from the flow stream therein.

10. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the extractor comprises an extractor tube having an intake end and a discharge end and the mount of the sampler rotatably mounts the extractor tube to the conveyor such that the extractor tube can rotate within the flow stream inside the conveyor, the intake end of the extractor tube being adapted to permit periodic sample capture on rotation of the extractor tube within the flow stream by the operatively attached power means.

11. The sampler of claim 10 wherein the mount comprises a bearing or a bushing.

12. The sampler of claim 10 wherein the power means is a motor which provides steady rotation to the extractor tube and the intake end of the of the extractor tube only permits entry of material from the flow stream into the extractor tube during each rotation of the extractor tube.

13. The sampler of claim 9 wherein the powered extractor comprises an extractor tube having an intake end and a discharge end, and the mount rotatably mounts the extractor tube to the conveyor such that the extractor tube extends within the body of the conveyor and can rotate within the flow stream inside the conveyor, the intake end of the extractor tube being adapted to permit periodic sample capture on rotation of the extractor tube within the flow stream by the operatively attached power means.

14. The sampler of claim 12 wherein the power means is a motor which provides steady rotation to the extractor tube and the intake end of the of the extractor tube only permits entry of material from the flow stream into the extractor tube during each rotation of the extractor tube.

15. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the power means is a hydraulic motor.

16. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the power means an electric motor.

17. The sampler of claim 1 wherein the power means permits the adjustable actuation of the powered extractor, to vary the speed of sample recovery at the sample discharge.

18. A particulate material conveyor including a periodic sampling device for the controlled extraction of material samples from a flow stream of particulate material therein, said conveyor comprising: a) a substantially tubular body having an intake end and a discharge end; b) a material flow assistance device within the body for the movement of the flow stream within the conveyor; c) power means for operation of the material flow assistance device; d) a sample aperture allowing material flow from the flow stream to the outside of the conveyor body at a sample location; and e) a sampler attached to the conveyor at the sample aperture; wherein a powered extractor does not interfere with the material flow assistance device within the conveyor; and wherein during operation of the conveyor the powered extractor when actuated will capture periodic samples from an operating flow stream within the conveyor, for discharge at a sample discharge outlet.

19. The conveyor of claim 18 wherein the conveyor is an auger and the material flow assistance device is a fighting.

20. The conveyor of claim 18 wherein the conveyor is a belt conveyor and the material flow assistance device is a conveyor belt.

21. The conveyor of claim 18 wherein the conveyor is a two-part swing-away conveyor with a boot between sections, wherein the operating flow stream is substantially vertically oriented within the boot.

22. A method of obtaining controlled periodic material samples from a flow stream of particulate material within a tubular conveyor, wherein the conveyor contains a material flow assistance device within a tubular body for the movement of the flow stream within the conveyor and comprises a sample aperture allowing material flow from the flow stream to the outside of the conveyor body at a sample location, said method comprising: a) providing a sampler for use in conjunction with the conveyor, said sampler comprising: a. a mount via which the sampler is attached to the body of the conveyor, in relation to the sample location; b. a powered extractor for engaging the sample aperture on the body of the conveyor, which when actuated will permit the periodic capture and discharge of particulate material samples of a controlled size from the flow stream to a sample discharge outlet outside of the conveyor; and c. power means operatively connected to the extractor for actuating same; b) operating the conveyor to create a flow stream therein from the intake end to the discharge end; c) actuating the power means of the sampler, whereby the powered extractor will capture periodic samples from the flow stream and discharge them to the sample discharge outlet; wherein the powered extractor does not interfere with any material flow assistance device within the conveyor; and wherein during operation of the conveyor the powered extractor when actuated will capture periodic samples from the operating flow stream within the conveyor, for discharge at the sample discharge outlet.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the sampler is the sampler of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labelled with like numerals, and where;

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a detail view of one embodiment of a sampler in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the power extractor comprises a rotating extractor tube, and the sampler for demonstrative purposes is shown attached to a vertical side wall of a body of a conveyor;

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of a sampler in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the power extractor comprises an extractor flighting within an extractor tube, and the sampler for demonstrative purposes as shown attached to a curved side wall of the body tube of a tube conveyor;

[0024] FIGS. 3A through 3D demonstrate in cross section three different configurations of the sampler of the present invention attached to the body of a tube conveyor;

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a sampler in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the sampler is mounted on a swing away grain auger to provide an example of a method of use of the sampler; and

[0026] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a grain sampling sampler in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the sampler is mounted on the side of a conventional grain auger to provide an additional example of a method of use of the sampler.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following discussion provides examples of embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the described embodiment are examples of possible configurations of the invention, and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions contained herein are to be regarded as illustrative of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Conveyor Types:

[0028] As outlined elsewhere herein, the present invention comprises a material sampler which can be used to extract periodic and metered samples of particulate material from a flow stream within a tubular conveyor of many types. The two primary types of tubular conveyors which are explicitly contemplated within the scope of the present invention would be either a tubular auger, which consists of a helical fighting within a body tube, having an intake and discharge end between which material can be conveyed by rotation of the flighting within the body tube, or secondly belt conveyor. A belt conveyor of this type typically has a conveyor belt mounted within a body tube which when the conveyor belt is actuated will result again in the carriage of material on the belt from an intake and to a discharge end of the body tube. Belt conveyors are less reliant upon a perfectly cylindrical body tube than the requirements of a helical flighting within an auger which requires a cylindrical body tube. A belt conveyor having some type of a tubular enclosure even of a different cross-sectional profile is also contemplated within the scope of the present inventioninsofar as the sampler device of the present invention could still be used in association therewith. It will also be understood that in further embodiments of the present invention, a sampler practising the same general rotary capture method could also be used in a pneumatic tube conveyor system, and that is also intended to be covered within the scope of the present invention with whatever necessary modifications would be required in the powered extractor of the present invention to accommodate the pneumatic system.

Sampler:

[0029] FIG. 1 demonstrates one embodiment of a sampler in accordance with the present invention. The sampler 1 shown attached by a mount 30 to the side wall of a conveyor, shown at 100. The flow stream area of the particulate material which will flow within the body of the conveyor is shown at FS. The intake end of the sampler 1 can be seen disposed within the flow stream area FS. As outlined elsewhere herein, the sampler 1 will not interfere with the material flow assistance device within the body tube of the conveyor. The interior fighting of the conveyor is not shown in this Figure although it will be understood that in the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the specific location of the attachment of the sampler 1 would potentially be to the side wall of the boot of a swing away conveyor.

[0030] The powered extractor comprises an extractor tube 20 within a housing 10. Extractor tube 20 is sized such that it can freely rotate within the housing 10 which comprises a component of the mount of the sampler 1 to the conveyor.

[0031] The extractor tube 20 has an intake end 26 and a discharge end 24. The intake end which is shown is shaped into a scoop structure by partially cutting away the wall 22 of the discharge tube 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this scoop -shaped intake end 26 of the extractor tube 20 can receive particulate material from the flow stream within the conveyor, and directed into the interior of the extractor tube 20, where it will flow under influence of gravity in the embodiment shown to exit the extractor tube 20 at the discharge end 24. The sample 75 can be seen placed into a receptacle 70. In these cases, it will be preferable that the extractor tube 20 be oriented at an angle relative to the surface of the earth such that the interior of the tube will be sloping downward, such that gravity assists the flow of material through the interior of the tube. In some cases, an angle of 30 relative to the surface of the earth will be preferred. In other cases, angles greater or less than 30 may functional sufficiently well. In addition, the mount can also be adapted such that the angle of the extractor tube can be varied, depending on the confirguation of the conveyor or other implement to which it has been attached.

[0032] The mount 30 is shown, coupled with mounting hardware 35, for the attachment of the sampler 1 to the wall of the conveyor. The sampler will pass through a sample aperture in the wall of the conveyor. In some embodiments, the aperture in the wall of the conveyor will comprise an existing inspection/service access port. In their original configuration, these access ports are covered with removable covering plates, allowing a user to periodically inspect the interior of the conveyor. Conveniently, after removal of an inspection/service access port covering plate, the sampler can be mounted in the opening, obviating the need to modify the conveyor itself in order to mount the sampler.

[0033] In some cases, the extractor tube 20 might be secured within a housing 10 by one or more support bearings 15 which are designed to support and allow the extractor tube 20 to rotate with minimal friction within its housing and within the flow stream of the particulate material within the conveyor. The bearings 15 are also effective to secure the extractor tube 20 in a fixed positional relationship relative to the conveyor housing such that the extractor tube 20 does not slide out of, or move longitudinally within, the housing inadvertently, and the alignment of the longitudinal axes of the housing and the extractor tube 20 is substantially maintained. The extractor tube 20 can be secured to the bearings 15 in a number of ways including by friction fit, by adhesives or otherwise, by which rotatable structures and housings are secured using bearings and similar mechanisms and structures. The bearing will preferably be like those known to those of skill in the art, where one part is secured to the inner wall of the housing, a second part is secured to the other surface of the hollow tube, and the bearing armature permits the relatively free rotation of the portion secured to the housing relative to the portion secured to the hollow tube. Rotation of the tube assists in facilitating the continued movement of material being sampled from the flow stream through the hollow tube and into the sample receiver, such that the hollow tube is unlikely to clog while in operation. In some embodiments, the bearings may comprise bushings or similar structure that will support the extractor tube 20, while allowing it to rotate relatively freely. In some embodiments, one configuration comprises and upper and lower bushing positioned analogously to the bearings 15 depicted in FIG. 1.

[0034] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the power means 40 comprises a motor. The motor, via a drive system, will rotate the extractor tube 20 resulting in the scooped extraction of particulate material from the flow stream within the conveyor. The drive system can have various configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive comprises an electric motor 40 mounted on the side of the housing body via a drive mount 42. The motor will have a drive axle 50 extending from the motor. Towards the end of the axle, a motor drive wheel 52 is attached. On the hollow tube is also included a complimentary tube drive wheel 54. The motor drive wheel and hollow tube drive wheel are connected by a drive belt 60, effective to transfer rotational motion from the motor to the hollow tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive system is shown as comprising two pulleys connected by a belt. In other embodiments, the drive belt might take the form of a chain, and the two drive wheels would comprise sprockets that engage the chain. In still other embodiments, a direct drive system might be employed, where the motor drive wheel and tube drive wheel are in direct contact, obviating the need for a belt or chain or similar component. Or, in still other embodiments, a motor drive wheel might make direct contact with the outer surface of the hollow tube. All such arrangements are considered to be within the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed.

[0035] Any of a number of types of motor are useable with the present invention. In one embodiment, the motor can be an electric motor that is powered by the electrical system of the farm implement that operates a grain auger or similar system. As shown, the motor may be connected to a power source 300 by a wiring harness 45 that transmits electrical energy from the power source to the motor. In some embodiments, the wiring harness may include a 7-pin plug that is compatible with the on board 12-volt power supply of a tractor or other implement. In some embodiments, it might also be preferable to have a motor that is battery drive and to have a rechargeable battery system as the power source. A self-contained system provides the advantage of obviating the need to connect the sampler to a farm implement, which may or may not have a convenient source of electrical power available. In a simple embodiment, a control switch 44 is included to enable an operator to turn the drive system on and off as desired. Additional controls such as rheostats and other well-known ways to vary the speed of electric motors are also compatible with the system, such that the speed of rotation of the hollow tube can be varied by controlling motor rpm. The ultimate speed of rotation of the hollow tube might also be dictated by the drive ratio between the motor and hollow tube, through the use of different size drive wheels and the like.

[0036] In one embodiment, attaching the sampler to a particulate conveyor will typically involve drilling one or more holes in the side of the implement large enough to admit the part of the housing and hollow tube that will extend into the interior of the particulate conveyor. The length of the portion of the extractor tube 20 that extends into the interior of the implement will be sized such that the end of the tube will be positioned substantially within the middle of where the material stream 110 will flow when the implement is in operation. The system can then be secured with commonly used fasteners 35 such as nut and bolt combinations which will extend through the mounting flange and the side wall of the particulate conveyor. An advantage of the present system is that it can be easily mounted to existing equipment, or provided as an original equipment option, depending on the preference of the user. For example, in some cases it may be possible to use pre-existing inspection access ports as a mounting location for the sampler on a conveyor.

[0037] As shown above and described herein, the intake end 26 of the extractor tube 20 is formed with a cutout or scoop-shaped portion. As the tube is rotated, the cutout will be continually be rotated through 360, so that at some times it is facing substantially upwards into the material stream, thereby admitting material (e.g., grain) into the interior of the extractor tube 20 where the material will then pass through the tube by gravity. As the extractor tube 20 continues to rotate, at certain times the scoop or cutout portion within the material flow stream will be facing substantially downwardsin this particular instance a vertically oriented flow streamthus resulting in effectively no material entering the extractor tube 20. The net result is the system provides the ability to acquire a pulsed sampling over time, where discrete volumes of sample are collected, separated by a time interval where a sample is not collected. By varying the speed of rotation of the extractor tube, and/or the rate of flow of material within the implement, an operator can achieve samples of various volumes. For example, with a high rotation rate and low material flow rate, the sample size will be reduced. Conversely, with a slow rotation rate, and high material flow rate in the implement, sample size can be increased.

[0038] As discussed above, the system can include various forms of controls and metering to allow more precise sample collection. For example, the system could include a rheostat or similar electrical control to allow a user to vary the speed of the motor, along with a readout to indicate what the speed of the motor is at any particular setting selected by the operator. In addition, the sample receiver may be calibrated for volume to allow a user to easily determine what volume of grain or other material being sampled are being collected at certain motor speed. Conveniently, the system could be provided with a conversion chart to enable a user to rapidly select a motor speed to achieve a certain sample size, without the need to know the actual flow rate of the material stream being sampled.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic figure showing an alternate embodiment of the sampler 1 of the present invention, wherein the powered extractor 20 comprises an extractor flighting 21 operating within an extractor tube 20. Each of the extractor flighting 21 and the extractor tube 20 has intake ends, and discharge ends. The intake end 26 of the extractor flighting 21 is shown, along with the discharge end 24 in proximity to the discharge outlet of the extractor tube 20. The extractor flighting 21, operatively connected to the motor 40 by a drive belt 60, when actuated by the motor 40 will by operation of the flighting auger measured amounts of particulate material from the flow stream FS, through the extractor tube 20 for dischargeagain there is a receptacle 70 shown for demonstrative purposes only. The receptacle itself does not form a mandatory element of the broadest claimed embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] The embodiment of FIG. 2 is shown attached to the curved side wall of a tube conveyor. In the particular embodiment shown, the extractor flighting 20 extends beyond the intake end of the extractor tube 20, into the flow stream FS. Again, there is no material transfer assistance device shown in this Figuresuch as an auger flighting or auger conveyor within the conveyor wall 100, but it will be understood that to the extent that an interior apparatus exists within the wall 100, the sampler of the present invention will be configured so not as to interfere with the operation of such apparatus.

[0041] FIGS. 3A through 3D are cutaway schematic figures intended to demonstrate the configuration of different types of powered extractors in accordance with the sampler of the present invention, intended to demonstrate the use of the invention with different types of conveyors with different types of interior equipment. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment similar to the FIG. 1, wherein the power extractor comprises an extractor tube 20 with the scoop-shaped intake end disposed within the flow stream FS of the conveyor. In an alternate embodiment using an extractor tube 20 within a housing 10, FIG. 3B shows the intake scoop end 26 of the extractor tube 20 is located in proximity, within the housing 10, to the sample aperture in the wall 100 of the conveyorthis type of an embodiment is intended to allow for the measured extraction of samples in accordance with the present invention where there is auger flighting shown within the primary conveyor tube which cannot be interfered with by operation of the sampler of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3C is one cutaway view of an embodiment of the sampler and conveyor of the present invention where the sampler comprises an extractor flighting 21 within extractor tube 20, with the intake end 26 of the extractor tube 20 disposed within the conveyor and within the flow stream FS. FIG. 3d shows a schematic of a further embodiment of the sampler of the present invention wherein the power extractor comprises an extractor flighting 21, with the intake end 26 of the extractor tube 20 located within the sample aperture of the wall of the conveyor, but in such a way that it does not interfere with the primary auger flighting within the conveyor tube. These figures show only for schematic approaches to the configuration of the sampler of the present invention in conjunction with the tube conveyor of some types. It will be understood that there are other types of two conveyors including pneumatic tube conveyors or the like which could also be used in accordance with the remainder of the present invention and association with which the necessary modifications to the configuration of the sampler itself or the location of the intake end 26 of the extractor tube 20 could be affected to implement the operability of the present invention and association with those of the types of conveyors again all such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Shown in FIG. 4 is one example of a conveyor and sampler as described herein. A sampler much like that illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above, can be secured to an implement 100, in this case, the junction of a swing away auger. The swing away auger can have a feed auger 120, with an inlet port 200 into which material is drawn up for transfer from one storage location to another. As shown, the feed auger includes an elbow such that the material falls downwards creating a material flow stream into which the hollow has been positioned by virtue of being mounted on the side of the implement. A swing way auger will also have an output auger 130 that then takes the material and sends it through an outlet port 210 to another storage location.

[0044] The embodiment of FIG. 4 as illustrated shows only a cutaway view of the boot area of a swing away auger but it is believed to be sufficient for the purposes of demonstrating the idea using the sampler 1 of the present invention in conjunction with the vertically oriented flow stream in the boot of a swing away auger or in a similar application.

[0045] The system is also adaptable to other types of uses as well. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 5, the sampler 1 might be secured to the side of a conventional auger and samples taken while the material is being transferred upwards from a first location 90 to a different location such as a storage bin. In this simpler arrangement, the inlet port 200 and outlet port 210 are part of a single auger tube.

Conveyor Apparatus:

[0046] As claimed and discussed elsewhere herein, it is explicitly intended that the subject matter of the present invention encompasses not only the sampler 1 as outlined but also a particulate conveyor incorporating a sampler in accordance with the remainder of the present invention. Any conveyor incorporating sampler and sampling methodology outlined herein is explicitly intended to be encompassed by the subject matter and the claims of this invention. Both the sampler for a retrofit application, as well as a conveyor with a sampler built-in on an OEM basis are intended to be covered.

Sampling Method:

[0047] As outlined elsewhere above, the method of operation of the present invention, to capture periodic samples of controlled volume from within the flow stream of particulate material within a tubular conveyor is also intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The method of the present invention which is disclosed comprises using a conveyor equipped with a sampler in accordance with the present invention to capture control periodic materials and apples from a flow stream of particulate material within a tubular conveyor. The tubular conveyor contains a material flow assistance device within a tubular body for the movement of the flow stream within the conveyor and comprises a sample aperture allowing material flow from the flow stream to the outside of the conveyor body a sample location. The sampler is attached at the sample location, allowing upon actuation for the extraction of periodic material samples from the flow stream within the conveyor.

[0048] The first operating step of the method of the present invention is to operate the conveyor to create a flow stream of particulate material therein, travelling from an intake and to a discharge end of the conveyor. The sampler will be actuated by its power means, resulting in the periodic controlled capture by operation of the powered extractor of periodic samples of particulate material from the flow stream for discharge at the sample discharge outlet. The powered extractor, as outlined above with respect to the apparatus, would not interfere with any material flow assistance device within the conveyor, and during operation of the conveyor, the powered extractor when actuated would capture periodic samples from the operating flow stream. The power means of the sampler used in accordance with the method could be a fixed or variable speed, such that the quantity of material captured could be increased or decreased as required. As outlined in accordance with the remainder of the present invention actual conveyor of the method of the present invention could be an auger containing a helical flighting, a belt conveyor within a tubular body of varying cross-section, or even a pneumatic conduit system. Any type of a particulate material movement system which results in the movement of a flow stream of material from intake to a discharge, which could be fitted with a sampler in accordance with the apparatus of the present invention, could be within the scope of the method as well.

[0049] It should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms comprises and comprising should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.