Hopper Bottom for Storage Bin with Integral Aeration

Abstract

A hopper bottom for a grain bin includes a hopper wall having an inverted cone shape so as to taper downwardly and inwardly towards a central bottom opening and including ventilation openings therein. Perforated ducts extend into the grain bin from the ventilation openings. According to one embodiment upright support legs support the hopper wall above the foundation. Each upright support leg has a hollow interior chamber to direct air from an inlet manifold structure to the ventilation openings in the hopper wall. According to another embodiment, an outer support wall supports the hopper wall above a floor structure which collectively enclose a manifold space which directs air from a blower into the ventilation openings in the hopper wall.

1 . A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin above a foundation, the hopper bottom comprising:
 a hopper wall having an inverted cone shape so as to taper downwardly and inwardly from a peripheral edge at a top end of the hopper wall to a central opening at a bottom end of the hopper wall, the peripheral edge being arranged to support the cylindrical side wall of the grain bin thereabove;   a plurality of upright support members supporting the hopper wall above foundation, each upright support member spanning between a bottom end arranged to be supported on the foundation and a top end supporting the hopper wall thereon, and each upright support member comprising a hollow interior chamber;   a plurality of ventilation openings in the hopper wall in communication with the hollow interior chambers of respective ones of the upright support members;   a manifold structure communicating between the hollow interior chambers of the upright support members; and   an inlet opening in the manifold structure arranged for communication with a blower so as to be arranged to direct ventilation air from the blower and into the grain bin through the manifold structure, the upright support members and the ventilation openings.   
     
     
         2 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 1  wherein the support members comprise upright legs supported at circumferentially spaced locations about the peripheral edge of the hopper wall. 
     
     
         3 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 2  wherein each upright leg comprises a tubular member defining the respective hollow interior chamber therein. 
     
     
         4 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 1  wherein the manifold structure comprises a hollow tubular footing member extending in a circumferential direction below the peripheral edge of the hopper wall such that each upright support member communicates between the footing member and the respective ventilation opening in the hopper wall. 
     
     
         5 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a screen member spanning each of the ventilation openings in which the screen member is substantially flush with an upper surface of the inner wall. 
     
     
         6 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of perforated ducts arranged to extend into the grain bin, the perforated ducts being in communication with the ventilation openings in the inner hopper wall respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 6  wherein the plurality of perforated ducts are arranged to extend upwardly from the respective ventilation openings alongside the cylindrical side wall of the grain bin. 
     
     
         8 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 6  wherein the plurality of perforated ducts are arranged to extend downwardly and inwardly from the respective ventilation openings along the hopper wall towards the central opening. 
     
     
         9 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 6  in combination with an upright perforated exhaust duct suspended centrally in the grain bin. 
     
     
         10 . A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin thereon, the hopper bottom comprising:
 a floor structure spanning radially outwardly from a central area to a surrounding perimeter area;   an outer support wall extending upwardly from the perimeter area of the floor structure about the central area of the floor structure to a top end spaced upwardly from the floor structure and arranged to support the cylindrical side wall of the grain bin thereabove;   an inner hopper wall having an inverted cone shape so as to taper downwardly and inwardly from a top end to a bottom end of the inner hopper wall, the top end of the inner hopper wall being joined with the outer support wall at a location spaced above the floor structure about a full circumference of the outer support wall, and the bottom end of the inner hopper wall being supported in proximity to the floor structure about the central area of the floor structure;   a plurality of ventilation openings formed in the inner hopper wall;   a plurality of perforated ducts arranged to extend into the grain bin, the perforated ducts being in communication with the ventilation openings in the inner hopper wall respectively; and   an inlet opening in the outer support wall arranged for communication with a blower;   the outer support wall comprising a continuous cylindrical wall joined to the floor structure about a full circumference of the floor structure so as to define an enclosed manifold space surrounding the inner hopper wall such that ventilation air forced into the enclosed manifold space through the inlet opening is arranged to be directed upwardly through the ventilation openings in the inner wall and into the perforated ducts.   
     
     
         11 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of perforated ducts are arranged to extend upwardly from the respective ventilation openings alongside the cylindrical side wall of the grain bin. 
     
     
         12 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of perforated ducts are arranged to extend downwardly and inwardly from the respective ventilation openings along the hopper wall towards the central opening. 
     
     
         13 . The hopper bottom according to  claim 10  in combination with an upright perforated exhaust duct suspended centrally in the grain bin.