Grain aeration systems and techniques
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a first controller coupled to a first sensor and a first aeration fan, the first sensor and the first aeration fan being positioned in proximity to a first agricultural crop storage facility located at a first site, wherein the first controller controls the operation of the first aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the first sensor;
a second controller coupled to a second sensor and a second aeration fan, the second sensor and the second aeration fan positioned in proximity to a second agricultural crop storage facility located at a second site, wherein the second controller controls the operation of the second aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the second sensor; and
a central computer communicatively coupled to the first and second controllers, wherein the central computer monitors operation of the first and second aeration fans.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a networked grain aeration control system. For example, the system can provide centralized monitoring of the aeration of a number of grain storage facilities, thereby improving the management of stored grain. The networked grain aeration control system can allow the custodian of the system to offer an aeration service. Farmers, or other individuals, cooperatives, or companies can purchase the aeration service at a cost proportionate to the amount of stored grain to be aerated and the duration of storage. In this manner, the purchaser of the aeration service can avoid relatively high fixed costs that can be associated with various aeration hardware.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first controller coupled to a first sensor and a first aeration fan, the first sensor and the first aeration fan being positioned in proximity to a first agricultural crop storage facility located at a first site, wherein the first controller controls the operation of the first aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the first sensor;
a second controller coupled to a second sensor and a second aeration fan, the second sensor and the second aeration fan positioned in proximity to a second agricultural crop storage facility located at a second site, wherein the second controller controls the operation of the second aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the second sensor; and
a central computer communicatively coupled to the first and second controllers, wherein the central computer monitors operation of the first and second aeration fans. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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monitoring and regulating aeration fans positioned in remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities via a central computer of a networked grain aeration system; and
charging fees in an amount related to an amount of grain and duration of storage being stored in each of the respective agricultural crop storage facilities.
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19. A method comprising:
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monitoring aeration fans positioned in remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities via a central computer of a networked grain aeration system;
controlling the aeration fans; and
selling grain spoilage insurance for amounts of grain being stored in one of the agricultural crop storage facilities associated with the monitored aeration fans.
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20. A method comprising:
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monitoring aeration fans positioned in remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities via a central computer of a networked grain aeration system; and
storing a history log of the aeration of grain stored in each of the remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method comprising:
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monitoring aeration fans positioned in remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities via a central computer of a networked grain aeration system; and
automatically recording a chain of custody of grain stored in the remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method comprising:
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controlling operation of at least one aeration fan in an agricultural crop storage facility to provide aeration of grain based on grain temperature, ambient temperature and ambient relative humidity so as to approach a target temperature and desired moisture content for the grain; and
adjusting operation of the aeration fan to account for heat caused by operation of the fan.
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27. A method of aerating grain comprising:
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defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature, the relative humidity band being truncated as a function of climate, such that a dryer portion of the band is larger in a wet climate and a wetter portion of the band is larger in a dry climate;
defining a budgeted amount of aeration for a unit of time for the grain;
accumulating a backlog of budgeted amounts of aeration with passing units of time when aeration does not occur; and
aerating the grain when the backlog defines unused budgeted time, an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method of aerating grain comprising:
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defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature, the relative humidity band being truncated as a function of climate, such that a dryer portion of the band is larger in a wet climate and a wetter portion of the band is larger in a dry climate;
defining a budgeted amount of aeration for a unit of time for the grain;
accumulating a backlog of budgeted amounts of aeration with passing units of time when aeration does not occur;
aerating the grain when the backlog defines unused budgeted time, an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band.
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31. A method comprising:
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defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature;
defining a budgeted amount of aeration for a unit of time for an allotment of grain;
accumulating a backlog of budgeted amounts of aeration with passing units of time when aeration does not occur;
aerating the allotment of grain when the backlog defines unused budgeted time, an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band; and
adjusting the relative humidity band in a non-symmetric fashion around the target relative humidity based on a past history of relative humidity when aeration occurred. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:
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an aeration fan;
a controller that controls operation of the aeration fan according to climate conditions; and
a sensor coupled to the computer controller to measure at least one climate condition, the sensor being positioned within the storage facility in close proximity to the aeration fan such that conditions measured by the sensor account for heat produced by the aeration fan. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:
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means for defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
means for defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature, the relative humidity band being truncated as a function of climate, such that a dryer portion of the band is larger in a wet climate and a wetter portion of the band is larger in a dry climate;
means for defining a budgeted amount of aeration for a unit of time for the stored grain;
means for accumulating a backlog of budgeted amounts of aeration with passing units of time when aeration does not occur; and
means for aerating the stored grain when the backlog defines unused budgeted time, an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band.
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37. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:
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means for defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
means for defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature;
means for defining a budgeted amount of aeration for a unit of time for the stored grain;
means for accumulating a backlog of budgeted amounts of aeration with passing units of time when aeration does not occur;
means for aerating the stored grain when the backlog defines unused budgeted time, an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band; and
means for adjusting the relative humidity band in a non-symmetric fashion based on a past history of relative humidity when aeration occurred.
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38. A method comprising:
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defining a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
defining a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature;
aerating grain when an ambient temperature is within the temperature band and an ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band; and
adjusting the relative humidity band around the target relative humidity in a non-symmetric fashion based on a past history of ambient relative humidity when aeration occurred.
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39. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:
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at least one sensor to sense conditions;
at least one aeration fan; and
a controller coupled to the aeration fan and the sensor, the controlled being configured to;
define a temperature band around a target grain temperature;
define a relative humidity band around a target relative humidity determined as a function of ambient temperature;
turn on the aeration fan to aerate the grain when a sensed ambient temperature is within the temperature band and a sensed ambient relative humidity is within the relative humidity band; and
adjust the relative humidity band around the target relative humidity in a non-symmetric fashion based on a past history of sensed ambient relative humidity when aeration occurred.
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40. A method comprising:
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monitoring aeration fans positioned in remotely located agricultural crop storage facilities via a central computer of a networked grain aeration system; and
controlling operation of the aeration fans based on electricity demand in geographical locations associated with the agricultural crop storage facilities.
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41. A system comprising:
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a first controller coupled to a first sensor and a first aeration fan, the first sensor and the first aeration fan being positioned in proximity to a first agricultural crop storage facility located at a first site, wherein the first controller controls the operation of the first aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the first sensor;
a second controller coupled to a second sensor and a second aeration fan, the second sensor and the second aeration fan positioned in proximity to a second agricultural crop storage facility located at a second site, wherein the second controller controls the operation of the second aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the second sensor; and
a central computer communicatively coupled to the first and second controllers, wherein the central computer monitors operation of the first and second aeration fans and selects operational modes for the first and second controllers, the operational mode for the first controller defining operational parameters for operation of the first aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the first set of sensors and the operational mode for the second controller defining operational parameters for operation of the second aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the second set of sensors, wherein the operational modes for the controllers define operational parameters including temperature bands and temperature-dependent relative humidity bands, wherein at least one of the temperature bands and the temperature-dependent relative humidity bands are truncated such that the truncated bands are non-symmetric about target values, the truncation being based on climates surrounding the respective agricultural crop storage facility.
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Specification