US 11,835,292 B2
Bridge reducing mixed-flow grain dryer with cross-flow vacuum cool heat recovery system
Casey Scott Heilskov, Hampton, IA (US); Kerry Hartwig, Iowa Falls, IA (US); Tyler Rau, Stanley, IA (US); and Vernon Martin, Osage, IA (US)
Assigned to Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield, IA (US)
Filed by Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield, IA (US)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/516,105.
Application 17/516,105 is a continuation of application No. 16/990,257, filed on Aug. 11, 2020, granted, now 11,193,711.
Application 16/990,257 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/258,158, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, granted, now 10,767,926, issued on Sep. 8, 2020.
Application 16/258,158 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/131,865, filed on Apr. 18, 2016, granted, now 10,378,820, issued on Aug. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/937,627, filed on Nov. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0049897 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F26B 17/14 (2006.01)
CPC F26B 17/1425 (2013.01) [F26B 2200/06 (2013.01)] 46 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
29. A method of drying grain, the steps comprising:
providing a grain dryer having a pair of grain columns separated by a plenum, and the grain columns having a mixed-flow heating section positioned above a cross-flow cooling section;
passing grain vertically through the grain columns;
drying the grain using the mixed-flow heating section by moving higher temperature air outward through a plurality of inlet ducts that connect to the plenum of the mixed-flow heating section, through the grain within the grain columns of the mixed-flow heating section, and through a plurality of exhaust ducts of the mixed-flow heating section;
passing the grain through the cross-flow cooling section;
cooling the grain using the cross-flow cooling section by moving lower temperature air inward through a perforated exterior wall of the cross-flow cooling section, through the grain held within the grain columns of the cross-flow cooling section, through a perforated interior wall of the cross-flow cooling section and into the plenum of the cross-flow cooling section.