Grain aeration systems and techniques

• US 20030033057A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Targeted Grain Management Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Targeted Grain Management Incorporated
• Inventors: Kallestad, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,004,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/277
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 25/22 Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 21/06 Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply F26B21/14 takes precedence; control in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/22 Controlling the drying process in dependence on liquid content of solid materials or objects
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/063 for drying granular material in bulk, e.g. grain bins or silos with false floor shallow layer rotary sweep drying bins F26B9/10; perforated wall silos with drying air channels in the stack F26B9/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer stores a log of operation time associated with the first and second aeration fans.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer stores a log of conditions sensed by the first and second sensors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the agricultural crop storage facilities include grain storage bins.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer is communicatively coupled to the first and second controller via a packet based network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second controllers are coupled to the first and second aeration fans via control nodes.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the central computer stores first data indicative of the conditions sensed by the sensors, and second data indicative of the operation time associated with the aeration fans.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a first client computer communicatively coupled to the central computer, the first client computer having access to data pertaining to the first agricultural crop storage facility located at the first site; and

a second client computer communicative coupled to the central computer, the second client computer having access to data pertaining to the second agricultural crop storage facility located at the second site.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first client computer does not have access to data pertaining to the second agricultural crop storage facility, and wherein the second client computer does not have access to data pertaining to the first agricultural crop storage facility.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first set of sensors coupled to the first controller, wherein the first controller controls the operation of the first aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the first set of sensors; and

a second set of sensors coupled to the second controller, wherein the second controller controls the operation of the second aeration fan according to conditions sensed by the second set of sensors.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the central computer 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.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operational mode for the first controller is different from the operational mode for the second controller.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the operational mode for the first controller defines operational parameters including a temperature band and a temperature-dependent relative humidity band, wherein the first controller causes the first aeration fan to turn on when the ambient conditions sensed by the first set of sensors indicate that ambient temperature is within the temperature band and ambient relative humidity is within the temperature-dependent relative humidity band.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operational parameters for the first controller further include an amount of time that the first aeration fan can operate per day, the amount of time accumulating into a backlog when the aeration fan does not operate, wherein the first controller causes the first aeration fan to operate only when the backlog has not been exhausted.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first controller automatically adjusts the operational parameters by increasing the temperature band and the temperature-dependent relative humidity band when the backlog exceeds a backlog threshold.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the temperature band and the temperature-dependent relative humidity band is truncated such that the truncated band is non-symmetric about a target value, the truncation being based on a climate surrounding the first agricultural crop storage facility located at the first site.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller controls the operation of the first aeration fan according to ambient conditions sensed by the first sensor and heat produced by the first aeration fan;

and

wherein the second controller controls the operation of the second aeration fan according to ambient conditions sensed by the second sensor and heat produced by the second aeration fan.

18. A method comprising:

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.

19. A method comprising:

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.

20. A method comprising:

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.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein storing the history log includes storing information relating to operation times of the aeration fans.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein storing the history log includes storing information relating to ambient conditions sensed at the remotely located agricultural storage crop facilities.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

replacing an aeration controller for one of the aeration fans; and

downloading information from the history log to the replaced aeration controller, the downloaded information including information relating to the operation time and ambient conditions in proximity to an aeration fan associated with the replaced aeration controller.

24. A method comprising:

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.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising storing a history log relating to the aeration during the recorded chain of custody.

26. A method comprising:

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.

27. A method of aerating grain comprising:

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.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising widening the relative humidity band when less than a predetermined amount of aeration has occurred.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising adjusting the relative humidity band in a non-symmetric fashion based on a past history of relative humidity when aeration occurred.

30. A method of aerating grain comprising:

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.

31. A method comprising:

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.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

adjusting the temperature band in a non-symmetric fashion around the target temperature based on a past history of temperature when aeration occurred.

33. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:

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.

34. The aeration system of claim 33, the sensor being a first sensor, the system further comprising a second sensor coupled to the computer controller and positioned outside the grain storage facility to measure an ambient climate condition, wherein the computer controller determines an offset based on the conditions measured by the first sensor relative to the conditions measured by the second sensor and adjusts operation of the aeration fan based on the offset.

35. The aeration system of claim 33, further comprising a central computer communicatively coupled to the controller and remotely located relative to the grain storage facility, the central computer storing a history log of conditions sensed by the sensor and operation time associated with the aeration fan.

36. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:

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.

37. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:

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.

38. A method comprising:

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.

39. An aeration system for aerating stored grain at a grain storage facility comprising:

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.

40. A method comprising:

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.

41. 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 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.