ITMI972165A1 - COLD DEHYDRATION EQUIPMENT BOTH GREEN BALL FORAGES AND BULK MATERIALS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the cold dehydration of both green fodder in cylindrical or parallelepiped bales, and of loose materials such as green chopped, cereals or legumes.

By "green" we mean here a forage or chopped material normally used for feeding livestock and particularly dairy cows, in the state in which the forage or the chopped is when the balione is respectively formed or the chopped is produced, i.e. with a significant moisture content.

The term "shredded" means the product obtained from the shredding of the whole maize plant, and which traditionally is not dehydrated, but preserved in silage.

It is also specified that by "cold" dehydration we mean here the dehydration obtained using air at a temperature normally not higher than BO's. It is therefore neither the so-called low-temperature dehydration (which, as those skilled in the art know, uses air at a temperature higher than 150 ° C), nor of high-temperature dehydration.

In the international patent application PCT / EP97 / 02G06. whose inventor is the same as in the present application, an apparatus for the cold dehydration of cylindrical bales or parallelepipeds of green fodder is described. The equipment basically consists of a set of equalized isobaric ventilation chambers, fed with a flow of dry air, the chambers extending horizontally and being arranged overlapping. The lower ventilation chamber has a plurality of insufflation openings on its upper face and is capable of supporting the weight of the bales arranged thereon, each balloon being located in correspondence with a relative insufflation opening. The intermediate ventilation chambers have a corresponding multiplicity of insufflation openings both on their upper and lower faces, and are capable of supporting the weight of the relative bales, each balon being arranged in correspondence with one or more upper insufflation openings. . The upper ventilation chamber has on its lower face a corresponding plurality of insufflation openings. Means are also provided for vertically moving the ventilation chambers between them, in both directions, while keeping them substantially horizontal.

It is necessary to specify that the term "equalized isobaric" used previously with reference to the insufflation chambers in PCT / EP97 / 02006 means chambers that have an area of their cross section (of passage of the dry air flow, generated by a fan heater) considerably greater than that of the single insufflation opening, the chambers being also connected to each other in a ring so that in each point of the chambers, when the equipment is running, there will be substantially the same pressure. Furthermore, although it is possible to have different air flow rates at the outlet from the individual insufflation openings (due to the possible different compaction of the bales), it is possible to maintain substantially the same pressure at each insufflation opening.

Conveniently, the insufflation openings are equipped with an outward protruding edge in order to improve the seal between the insufflation chamber and the bale.

In the case of cylindrical balloons the insufflation openings are conveniently provided of circular shape (the bales coming into contact with the relative two insufflation openings through its two circular bases, centered with respect to these openings), while in the case of parallelepiped bales it is since it is convenient to provide insufflation openings having a double Y shape, with the two Ys arranged symmetrically joined by the base.

By providing suitable adapters to be applied to the insufflation openings, it is possible to transform the circular openings into double Y openings, and vice versa, so as to be able to use the dehydration equipment for both cylindrical and parallelepiped bales.

The vertical displacement of the ventilation chambers in both directions is preferably obtained by means of hydraulic or pneumatic jacks, which allow the distance between the ventilation chambers to be reduced to a minimum, so as to greatly reduce the vertical dimensions of the equipment when it is not in use. ; as well as to move the ventilation chambers away from each other so as to be able to arrange the relative bales on them, and then close them again so that also the insufflation openings present on the lower face of the chambers come into contact with the bales and precisely with the their upper face.

The dry air is introduced into the ventilation chambers by means of a fan heater, which also heats it (norm. Mcn more than 80 "C), the fan being connected to them by means of bellows ducts.

The equipment can be fixed or equipped with a trolley that makes it movable by towing, or even be mounted on a motor vehicle so as to make it self-propelled. It can even be equipped with a generator to make it independent from connections to the electricity grid.

The purpose of the present invention is to produce an apparatus of the type described above, but which is capable of cold dehydrating both green fodder in cylindrical or parallelepiped bays, and loose materials (in particular green shredded and also cereals or legumes).

This object is achieved thanks to the apparatus according to the present invention, characterized in that it comprises at least one box to be placed on top of each ventilation chamber except the upper one, the box being equipped with lower openings which, when the box is placed above the relative chamber are located in correspondence with the upper insufflation openings of this chamber, the box being also equipped with openings for the discharge and removal of the loose material, the lower insufflation openings of the ventilation chambers being closable.

Preferably, each box will be equipped with means for automatically discharging the bulk material therefrom once it has been dehydrated. Means may also be provided in the box for mixing the bulk material so as to obtain a more uniform dehydration thereof.

The invention will be more easily understood from the following description of one of its embodiments. In this description reference will be made to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of the base part of the apparatus according to the present invention, shown in its open arrangement;

fig. 2 is a side elevation view thereof; Fig. 3 is a top plan view;

fig. 4 is also a front elevational view of it, but in its closed arrangement;

fig. 5 is a side elevation view thereof;

fig. 6 is neither a front elevation view but in its operating arrangement, with cylindrical bales inserted into position;

figs. 7 and 8 are front elevation views of the basic equipment respectively in the self-propelled and towable version by means of a trailer by means of a tractor, both shown in a closed arrangement;

! to fig. S is a partial view, in front elevation, of the basic equipment, which schematically shows the trend of the flow lines of dry air during operation;

fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of one of the ventilation chambers, equipped with adapters for drying parallelepiped bales;

fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical section of a caisson that can be used with the equipment according to the previous figures;

fig. 12 is a view in the direction of the arrow 12 of fig. 11;

fig. 13 is a top plan view thereof; fig. 14- is a front view of the drying equipment with the assembled bins;

fig. 15 is a front view thereof in the direction of the arrow 15 of fig. 14.

From figures 1 to 6 it can be seen that the basic apparatus, for the cold dehydration of bales, globally indicated with the reference number 1, comprises an assembly 2 of three ventilation chambers 2a, 2b and 2c which also act as support means for the bales 3 of forage to be dried.

As can be seen from the figures, the three ventilation chambers are different, in the sense that the lower ventilation chamber 2a also acts as a support base on the ground and / or as a load-bearing canvas if the equipment is wheeled or self-propelled, and has a series of four insufflation manifolds, each consisting of an edging ring 4A of the relative circular opening 4, this ring protruding upwards to fit into the forage, so as to obtain in practice the seal when a bale (for example the cylindrical bale 3 indicated in Figures 1 and 3) is placed with one of its two flat circular faces on the corresponding ventilation chamber. of one of the insufflation manifolds 4A.

The upper glass chamber 2b, in addition to having on its lower face a series of four insufflation manifolds 4A aligned and equal to those of the lower chamber 2a, also has the function of supporting the heat-ventilating unit 5, as well as a roof 9 which protects The thermoventilating unit 5 and also covers the assembly 2 of the ventilation chambers

The intermediate ventilation chamber 2c is arranged between the chambers 2a and 2b and has four insufflation manifolds 4A both on its upper face and on its lower face, these coils being the same as those of the other two shells 2a 2b and arranged in a corresponding position.

The intermediate chamber 2c is capable of supporting the weight of the beams 3 (fig. 6) which are placed on it in correspondence with the relative upper insufflation manifolds 4A.

The upper 2b and intermediate 2c ventilation chambers are supported by relative sliding hydraulic jacks 6, which are part of the basic equipment 1, which allow the intermediate ventilation chamber 2c to be raised or lowered with respect to the lower ventilation chamber 2a and the 2b upper ventilation compared to the other two chambers. It is thus possible to bring the basic equipment 1 from its condition that we will call open (figs. 1, 2) or from its operating condition (fig. 6) to its closed condition (figs. 4 and 5) and vice versa. , as well as allowing the correct positioning of the bales (3) to be dehydrated.

It should be noted that the intermediate chamber can also be split into two superimposed chambers placed side by side and respectively similar to the lower chamber 2a and the upper chamber 2b, and equipped with relative insufflation manifolds, respectively upper and lower.

As can be seen from figs. 1-6, the ventilation chambers 2a, 2b and 2c are connected to each other by means of bellows ducts 7 of suitable diameter which allow to send to each chamber 2a, 2b and 2c a dry air stream generated by the thermo-ventilating unit 5, in addition that creating a ring connection between the chambers which causes the dynamic pressure of the air stream exiting the thermo-ventilating unit 5 to result in a substantially static and uniform pressure (once the equipment is fully operational) in all the chambers ventilation ports 2a, 2b and 2c. In this way the pressure is the same in correspondence with each insufflation manifold 4, although the flow of air exiting from each manifold 4A may be different (and this is due to the different compaction that the forage can have in the various bales 3 to be dehydrated. ).

In this way, isobaric and equalized ventilation chambers are obtained, which allow to obtain an optimal result with low energy consumption.

As seen dahlias figs. 1-3 the bellows ducts 7 are all located in the rear part of the equipment 1 so as not to hinder, with the equipment open (figs. 1 and 2), the loading operations of the bays 3 to be dehydrated. The telescopic hydraulic jacks 6 are, in the specific case, three in number per chamber (but they could also be in a different number, for example only one, obviously providing suitable translation guides) and obviously arranged in such a position (fig. 6) not to hinder the loading of the bales.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the same basic equipment 1 in the closed condition (indicated with 1 '). As you can see, it has a notable compactness and minimum bulk.

Fig. 6 instead shows the same basic apparatus in the operating condition, the apparatus (indicated with 1 ") being shown already loaded with the bales 3 to be dried. To reach this condition (Fig. 6) starting from the closed condition (Figs. . 4 and 5) it is necessary to activate the jacks 6, in order to bring the ventilation chambers 2b and 2c to an elevation corresponding to the maximum opening of the equipment (figs. 1 and 2), so as to be able to comfortably arrange on the lower chamber 2a and on the intermediate chamber 2c, in correspondence with the respective insufflation manifolds 4A, the relative bales 3 to be dried. The chambers 2b and 2c can then be lowered so that the manifold 4A is inserted into the forage, so as to obtain the seal At this point it is possible to operate the heating unit 5, so that, once the steady state condition is reached, an air flow substantially at the same pressure will exit from each insufflation manifold 4A. flow nee have substantially the trend shown in fig. 9.

By extending the operation of the fan heater 5 for an appropriate interval of time, it will be possible to dehydrate to the desired degree and in a substantially uniform and therefore optimal way, the fodder that forms the single bellone 3, with a decidedly reduced energy consumption compared to traditional drying equipment.

In fig. 7 shows, in the closed condition, a variant 1A of the basic equipment of figs. 1-6, in the self-propelled version, the equipment 1A is essentially part of a truck.

In version 1B 'of fig. 8, the basic equipment, in closed condition, is part of a trailer that can be towed by a tractor 21.

The dewatering apparatuses described up to now are particularly suitable for drying cylindrical bays.

If you want to dry PCT / EP97 / 02006 parallelepiped bales, it provides suitable suction manifolds suitable for this purpose, and in particular a pair of double Y-shaped insufflation openings and edged to make the seal.

In particular in fig. 10 are visible adapters 10 applicable to the ventilation chambers in order to modify the shape of the opening (circular) of the insufflation manifolds 4A. The adapters 10 are applied to the single upper manifolds 4A of the intermediate chamber 2c to transform the relative blowing opening to be circular (4) into two blowing openings 11 in the shape of a double Y, each of which has an upward protruding edge 11A to make the seal. In correspondence with each double Y insufflation manifold (11A) a parallelepiped balloon (not shown) can be arranged so that its ligatures (which involve four of its consecutive lateral faces opposed two by two) do not come into correspondence of the manifolds (11A).

Therefore, thanks to the adapters 10 of fig. 10, the relative basic equipment (1C) can be used both for cylindrical bays and for parallelepiped bales.

From figures 1 to 6 it is clear that the relative basic equipment can be prepared in the workshop pre-assembled, ready for operation, without having to assemble at the user, the equipment can also be made on a trolley or self-propelled (fi99. 7 and 8) so as to follow the yard for mowing and packing balIons. In any case, the equipment has a structure that is simple to make and to assemble, so the related production costs are particularly low.

Furthermore, the apparatus described above allows to avoid in practice a crushing of the forage during drying, thus allowing to obtain an optimal result.

Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the dehydration air is introduced into the bay at the same time by two of its opposite faces, it is practically prevented that preferential routes are established within the balloon in the path of the dehydration air (the air being forced to exit from the laceral surface of the bale), with consequent significant energy savings, and optimization of the results.

The equipment can also be equipped with a generator and a relative fuel tank so as to make it autonomous. In this case, by also providing suitable electric motors, which can be operated by the electricity generated by the generator, and by equipping the basic equipment with special wheels or tracks driven by the aforementioned motors, it is possible to make it self-propelled.

By equipping the basic equipment with removable or foldable closing panels, or with spreadable tarpaulins, such as those of trucks, it is possible to prevent the drying forage from getting wet during operation in the event of rain.

In figs. 11-13 illustrates a caisson 30 which, in the specific case, has a paraiIelepiped shape and has its upper face open. The box 30 can be filled with a loose material to be dehydrated such as green chopped, cereals or legumes. The box 30 also has, in the specific case, four lower circular openings 34 (fig. 13) which, when the box 30 is placed on the lower ventilation chamber 2a or intermediate 2c, correspond with the upper insufflation manifolds 4A of the same. . In order to prevent the bulk material introduced into the box from falling into the blowing openings 4, there are provided as many grid or net elements 41 as there are lower openings 34 of the box 30 and which are fixed directly to the bottom of the box 30. caisson 30 (as in the illustrated case) or a! 4A upper insufflation manifold of the ventilation chambers. The grid elements can also be independent, so as to place them, when needed, on the bottom of the box 30 or on the relative upper insufflation manifold 4A.

In the specific case illustrated, the box 30 is equipped with a device which allows to mix the loose material contained in the box and, thanks to the presence of an opening 32 which can be closed by means of a door 31, to remove it from the box once it has been dehydrated to the desired degree. . This device comprises a closed chain element 33 (the chains being two, as in fig. 13, or more) and mounted on four shafts (three of which are idle, indicated with 37, and one motorized 36 by means of a relative motor variator 38) equipped of related sprockets per chain. The chain element 33 is equipped with transverse elements 35 that allow mixing and handling of the chopped or cereals present in the box 30. The door 31 can be opened or closed by operating a motor variator 38 '.

When the basic equipment 1 is in the maximum opening condition (figs. 1 and 2) it is possible to arrange two caissons 30 respectively above the lower 2a and intermediate 2c ventilation chamber, as shown in figs. 14 and 15 (in which, for the sake of simplicity, the side jacks 6, the bellows ducts 7 and other secondary details are not shown, instead visible in figs. 1-3).

In this way, a dehydration equipment is obtained (which we will indicate as a whole with 40) which allows for the cold dehydration of bulk materials.

For this use, the equipment 40 is equipped with means 39 (hoods or gate valves) that allow you to close the lower Insufflation manifolds of the upper 2b and intermediate 2c ventilation chambers.

The operation of the apparatus 40, although it is already evident for an expert in the branch from the foregoing will now be briefly described.

Once the two caissons 30 have been arranged on the relative ventilation chamber (2a and 2c respectively) so that each lower opening 34 of the caissons 30 coincides with the relative insufflation manifolds 4A, the situation shown in figs is obtained. 14 and 15, in which the equipment 40 is completely open and the lower insufflation manifolds are closed by the caps 39.

In the boxes 30 it is now possible to insert the loose material to be dehydrated (for example chopped corn, cereals or legumes). The level that the bulk material can reach must obviously be less than or at most equal to the internal height of the box 30. The loading of the bulk material will take place, in this specific case, through the free space between the upper edge of the box 30 and the ventilation chamber immediately. overhanging it.

By now operating the fan heater 5, the result is that an air flow having the previously specified characteristics will come out from each of the insufflation manifolds 4A, this flow passing through the grid or network 41 arranged in correspondence with the lower openings 34 of the single box 30, and passing through the loose material contained in the latter, to finally exit from the open upper face of the box 30. By activating variable speed motors 38, thanks to the action of the chain element, a dehydration is obtained when they are not yet arranged in position on the relative ventilation chambers, provided that means are available to move the full caissons.

It should also be noted that, in the limit, the caissons may not even be equipped with mixing means, as long as the insufflation openings are in such a number, surface and distribution as to ensure a fairly uniform dehydration of the bulk material contained in the caissons. Also the means for removing the loose material from the single box may be missing, the box being able to be emptied with external means (for example suction sleeves to be inserted into the boxes through the upper opening).

In addition to the lower insufflation openings of the insufflation chambers, the upper insufflation openings may also be closed, so that some of them can be closed in the event that there is no caisson on an insufflation chamber or part of it.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS 1. Equipment for cold dehydration both of green fodder in cylindrical or parallelepiped bales, and of bulk materials, comprising: an assembly of equalized isobaric ventilation chambers, fed with a flow of dry air, ie chambers extending horizontally and being superimposed, the lower ventilation chamber has on its upper face a multiplicity of insufflation openings and being able to support the weight of the bales arranged on it, each balon being in correspondence with one or more insufflation openings, the intermediate ventilation chambers have a corresponding multiplicity of insufflation openings both on their upper and lower faces, and being able to support the weight of the relative bales, each balon being arranged in correspondence with one or more upper insufflation openings, the upper ventilation chamber having on its lower face a corresponding multiplicity of insufflation openings: means for moving the ventilation chambers vertically to each other, in both directions, while keeping them substantially horizontal; characterized in that it comprises at least one caisson to be placed on top of each ventilation chamber except the upper one, the caisson being equipped with lower openings which, when the caisson is placed above the relative ventilation chamber, are located in correspondence with the upper insufflation openings of this chamber, the box being also provided with openings for the introduction and removal of the loose material, the lower insufflation openings of the ventilation chambers being closable. 2. Dehydration equipment according to claim 1, in which the air fed to the ventilation chambers has a temperature not exceeding 80 'C. 3. Dewatering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each bin is provided with means for automatically discharging the bulk material therefrom once it has been dehydrated. 4. Dewatering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means are provided in the bin for mixing the bulk material. 5. Dewatering apparatus according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the means for discharging the bulk material from the box and the means for mixing the bulk material comprise: a closed chain element mounted on respective chain wheels, of which at least one is motorized, and a closable discharge opening provided in a body wall in a position towards which a branch of the chain member moves, the lower edge of the discharge opening being substantially at the level of the base of the container. 6. Dewatering equipment according to claim 5, in which the closed chain element has a branch adjacent to the bottom of the box. 7. Dehydration equipment according to claim 6, in which another branch of the chain element is arranged at about 2/3 of the height of the box. S. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the chain element is formed by 2 parallel chains connected by crosspieces. 9. Dewatering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein caissons are open at the top.