AUTO CURE VARIABLE FAN DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling interior air temperature inside a crop storage facility, wherein a fan moves heated air from a burner in the storage facility and can draw air into the storage facility through an air intake, the method comprising:
- detecting a first temperature of air inside the storage facility;
comparing the first temperature to a second temperature;
if the first temperature is less than the second temperature, increasing an operating level of the burner;
if the first temperature is less than the second temperature and the burner level is at a predetermined maximum operating level, decreasing a fan output;
if the first temperature is less than the second temperature and the fan throughput is at a predetermined minimum level and the burner is at or above a predetermined maximum, at least partially closing the air intake; and
if the first temperature is less than the second temperature, the burner is at the predetermined maximum operating level, and the air intake is fully closed, recirculating the air inside the storage facility.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for controlling air characteristics for storage facilities. A controller and temperature sensors can detect an external temperature and compare it to a reference temperature. Depending on the relationship between the external temperature and the reference temperature (e.g. warmer or colder) the controller can initiate a burner, open an air intake, and operate fans to achieve desirable conditions within the facility efficiently.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for controlling interior air temperature inside a crop storage facility, wherein a fan moves heated air from a burner in the storage facility and can draw air into the storage facility through an air intake, the method comprising:
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detecting a first temperature of air inside the storage facility; comparing the first temperature to a second temperature; if the first temperature is less than the second temperature, increasing an operating level of the burner; if the first temperature is less than the second temperature and the burner level is at a predetermined maximum operating level, decreasing a fan output; if the first temperature is less than the second temperature and the fan throughput is at a predetermined minimum level and the burner is at or above a predetermined maximum, at least partially closing the air intake; and if the first temperature is less than the second temperature, the burner is at the predetermined maximum operating level, and the air intake is fully closed, recirculating the air inside the storage facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling air temperature in a crop storage facility, the method comprising:
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monitoring an external temperature; comparing the external temperature to a first reference temperature; if the external temperature is greater than the first reference temperature, opening an air intake door to the facility to permit external air to enter the facility and operating a burner at a first level; with the air intake door open, monitoring a temperature within an air plenum of the facility; if the temperature in the air plenum is below a second reference temperature, closing the air intake door and turning off the burner; and if the temperature in the air plenum is above the second reference temperature, opening the air intake door. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for operating an air control system of a facility in a warm-to-cold operation, the air control having a burner, at least one fan, and an air intake, wherein the air control system is reversible between the warm-to-cold operation and a cold-to-warm operation, the method comprising:
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operating the air control system in a warm-to-cold operation; comparing an interior air temperature of the facility to a reference temperature; if the interior air temperature is greater than the reference temperature, reversing the air control system from the warm-to-cold operation to the cold-to-warm operation; if the interior air temperature is less than the reference temperature, increasing the burner; if the burner has reached a maximum operating state, and the interior air temperature is greater than the reference temperature, reversing the air control system from the warm-to-cold operation to the cold-to-warm operation; if the burner has reached a maximum operating state and the interior air temperature is less than the reference temperature, reducing the fan; if the fan has reached a minimum operating state, and the interior air temperature is greater than the reference temperature, reversing the air control system from the warm-to-cold operation to the warm-to-cold operation; if the fan has reached a minimum operating state, and the interior air temperature is less than the reference temperature, at least partially closing the air intake; and if the air intake is closed, entering a recirculation operation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification