Grain aeration systems and techniques

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.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A computer-implemented method for determining a control policy for a crop storage facility, the computer-implemented method comprising:
 obtaining a crop objective on a central computer;   obtaining, on the central computer, at least one fan characteristic of a fan associated with a crop storage facility that is in network communication with the central computer;   causing a processor of the central computer to determine a control policy configured to control at least one controller of the fan to facilitate the crop objective on the crop stored in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially based on the obtained fan characteristic; and   causing the processor of the central computer to send the control policy to the at least one controller of the crop storage facility.   
     
     
         43 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the fan characteristic is a fan size. 
     
     
         44 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the fan characteristic includes an estimated heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         45 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the fan characteristic includes a measured heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         46 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with a crop temperature value that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         47 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with a crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         48 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with an asymmetrical crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         49 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with a humidity value that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         50 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with a humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         51 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 42 , wherein the control policy is configured with an asymmetrical humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         52 . A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for determining a control policy for a crop storage facility, the computer-executable instructions comprising:
 obtaining a crop objective;   obtaining at least one fan characteristic of a fan associated with a crop storage facility;   determining a control policy configured to control at least one controller of the fan to facilitate the crop objective on the crop stored in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially based on the obtained fan characteristic; and   sending the control policy to the at least one controller of the crop storage facility.   
     
     
         53 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 52 , wherein the fan characteristic is a fan size. 
     
     
         54 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 52 , wherein the fan characteristic includes an estimated heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         55 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 52 , wherein the fan characteristic includes a measured heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         56 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 52 , wherein the control policy is configured with at least one member of a group comprising: a crop temperature value that accounts for the fan characteristic, a crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, an asymmetrical crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, a humidity value that accounts for the fan characteristic, a humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, and an asymmetrical humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic. 
     
     
         57 . A system for determining a control policy for a crop storage facility, the system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured for:
 obtaining a crop objective; 
 obtaining at least one fan characteristic of a fan associated with a crop storage facility; 
 determining a control policy configured to control at least one controller of the fan to facilitate the crop objective on the crop stored in the crop storage facility, wherein the determined control policy is at least partially based on the obtained fan characteristic; and 
 sending the control policy to the at least one controller of the crop storage facility. 
   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the fan characteristic is a fan size. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the fan characteristic includes an estimated heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the fan characteristic includes a measured heat value generated by the fan. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the control policy is configured with at least one member of a group comprising: a crop temperature value that accounts for the fan characteristic, a crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, an asymmetrical crop temperature value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, a humidity value that accounts for the fan characteristic, a humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic, and an asymmetrical humidity value band that accounts for the fan characteristic.