Abstract:
A cleaning system for an agriculture work vehicle including a combination of a grain cleaning sieve having a limited region containing larger apertures providing increased grain throughput and also increased air throughput relative to the other regions of the sieve, utilized with a fan system that provides a substantially higher air flow rate through the region relative to the other regions of the sieve, such that a downward airborne flow of crop material above and flowing toward the limited region is subject to an air flow having a substantially higher flow rate compared to the other regions above the sieve, which operates to aggressively separate material other than grain from the grain above the limited region, and such that substantially only grain will fall onto and pass through the limited region of the grain cleaning sieve.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to grain cleaning systems of agricultural combines, and, more particularly, to a cleaning system including a combination of a grain cleaning sieve having a limited region containing larger apertures for increased grain throughput and also increased air throughput relative to the other regions of the sieve utilized in combination with a fan system that provides a substantially higher air flow rate through the limited region relative to the other regions of the sieve to provide more aggressive grain cleaning capability to a downward flow of higher density airborne crop material above and flowing toward the limited region relative to the other regions of the sieve, the system allowing grain accumulation on the limited sieve region insufficient to interfere with the air flow and grain cleaning capability thereabove, less grain spillage over the front edge of the sieve, and grain flow having a lower density of crop material to the other regions of the sieve for enhanced cleaning efficiency in the other regions. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the harvesting of crops it is desired that the grain be separated from other elements or portions of the crop, such as from pod or cob fragments, straw, stalks, and the like. Agricultural combines typically have employed a rotary threshing or separating system for separating the grain from such other crop elements or portions. In general, a rotary threshing or separating system includes one or more rotors, which can extend axially (front to rear) or transversely within the body of the combine, and which are partially or fully surrounded by a perforated concave. The crop material is threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor within the concave, and the separated grain, together with some particles, such as chaff, dust, straw, and crop residue collectively referred to as material other than grain (MOG), are discharged through the perforations of the concave so as to fall onto a grain bed or pan, or so as to fall directly onto the cleaning system itself. 
     Cleaning systems further separate the grain from MOG and typically include a fan directing an air flow stream upwardly and rearwardly through one or more fore to aft reciprocating sieves. The air flow stream operates to lift and carry the lighter elements of the MOG towards the rear end of the combine for discharge therefrom. Clean grain, being heavier, and larger pieces of MOG, which are not carried away by the air flow stream, will fall onto a surface of an upper sieve where some or all of the clean grain passes through the upper sieve to a lower, finer sieve. Grain and MOG remaining on the sieve surface are physically separated by the reciprocal action of the sieves as the material moves rearwardly therealong. Any grain and/or MOG remaining on the surface of the upper sieve are discharged at the rear of the combine. 
     The quantity of clean grain and MOG passing through the sieves is typically controllable, in part, by varying the opening size of the sieves. To this end, sieves include rows of fingers, each row supported on, and rotatably adjustable about, a longitudinal axis. These rows of fingers define laterally extending grain passages between confronting surfaces of adjacent rows of fingers. Rotating the rows through various angular positions increases or decreases the opening size of the passages between the adjacent rows. Thus, material passes through the sieve by falling generally vertically through the spaces between the fingers or by entering the passages between the rows and falling through at the angle defined by the angular position of the rows of fingers as the sieve is reciprocated. As the rows of fingers are rotated more towards a vertical orientation, the opening size of the passages between the rows is increased to allow more crop material to fall through the sieve through the lateral passages. If the opening size of the passages is too large, an increased amount of MOG will be allowed to pass through the lateral passages of the sieve. Conversely, as the rows of fingers are rotated more towards a horizontal orientation, the opening size of the passages between the rows is decreased to allow less crop material to fall through the sieve through the spaces between the fingers and the lateral passages. If the opening size of the passages is too small, less MOG is allowed to pass through the sieve, but less clean grain falls through the sieve as well. Therefore, if the sieve passages are opened too much, increased MOG is allowed therethrough, and if the sieve passages are opened too little, less MOG passes therethrough, but grain throughput is reduced. 
     Typically the threshing system, the grain pan, a pre sieve, or the like, directs a downward flow of crop material toward the upper sieve. A limited portion of the flow of crop material, typically that portion of the flow directed toward the forward portion of the sieve, includes a higher density of grain and MOG than the portion of the flow of crop material directed further rearwardly on the sieve. Often the cleaning fan system is configured to provide an air flow stream at a significantly higher air flow rate near the forward portion of the sieves coincident with the denser portion of the flow of crop material. For one representative combine cleaning system, for example, the rate of the air flow directed through the forward six to eight inches of the upper sieve has been observed at between about seven to about eight hundred cubic feet per minute (without grain present), which has been observed to be approximately twice the rate of air flow beyond this forward region, for instance, at about three to about four hundred cubic feet per minute observed at twelve to fifteen inches from the front of the sieve. 
     Ideally while the portion of the flow of crop material including the higher density of grain and MOG is airborne en route to the forward portion of the upper sieve, the flow of air at a significantly higher air flow rate generated by the cleaning fan will be directed therethrough for separating the lighter MOG from the heavier grain such that the lighter MOG will be carried rearwardly over the upper sieve, and the heavier, smaller grain will be allowed to fall onto the upper sieve where it can fall through the spaces between the adjacent fingers of the upper sieve to the lower sieve. Thus, by virtue of the air flow through the airborne flow of crop material, some separation of grain from MOG will occur above the surface of the upper sieve, and some separation will occur on the surface of the upper sieve as a function of the opening size and reciprocation of the upper sieve. That is, under ideal conditions, lighter elements of MOG will be carried by the air flow rearwardly over the upper sieve to be discharged in a desired manner from the combine, heavier elements of MOG will be carried rearwardly by the reciprocating action of the sieves, and grain will fall through the openings of the upper sieve. 
     When in operation, however, the limited portion of the flow of crop material including the increased density of grain and MOG directed toward the forward portion of the upper sieve having standard spacing between sieve fingers, results in crop material collecting and accumulating on the forward portion of the upper sieve. The accumulation of crop material can build to such an extent as to spill over the forward edge of the upper sieve to the clean grain pan bypassing the lower sieve or into the fan housing. Further, the higher rate air flow stream is unable to pass through the openings of the forward portion of the upper sieve to the extent that the ideal airborne separation above the upper sieve is severely limited or not present at all. As a result the amount of grain cleaned at the forward portion of the upper sieve is severely limited or reduced relative to the ideal situation. 
     Therefore, what is sought is a combine grain cleaning system which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages or problems set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     What is disclosed is a combine grain cleaning system which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages or problems set forth above. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, what is disclosed is a cleaning system for a work vehicle including an upper sieve mounted within the work vehicle beneath a threshing system thereof so as to be located in a path of a downward airborne flow of crop material output by the threshing system. The crop material includes a mixture of grain and particles of material other than grain (MOG), including particles lighter than the grain. The flow of crop material includes a first portion containing a significantly higher density of crop material compared to a second portion of the flow. The first portion of the flow of crop material is directed to a first sieve region of a limited extent. 
     The upper sieve includes the first sieve region, typically a forward region, and a second sieve region beyond the first sieve region being disposed for receiving the second portion of the flow of crop material. The first sieve region includes first fingers configured and oriented to define first spaces therebetween, and the second sieve region includes second fingers configured and oriented to define second spaces therebetween, wherein the first spaces are larger than the second spaces. 
     A cleaning fan system is configured and operable for directing an air flow stream upwardly through the upper sieve. The air flow stream includes a first air flow portion of limited extent having a significantly higher first air flow rate directed through the first sieve region as compared to a second air flow rate of a second air flow portion directed through the second sieve region. The first air flow portion will interact with the downward airborne flow of the first portion of the flow of crop material above the first sieve region such that substantially only grain will fall onto and through the first sieve region and such that substantially all of the particles of material other than grain being lighter than grain will be propelled beyond the first sieve region. Additionally, the first air flow portion passing through the larger spaces of the first sieve region will generate an air flow condition above the first sieve region which will interact with the downward flow of the first portion of the flow of crop material to separate and propel beyond the first sieve region substantially all of the particles of material lighter than the grain and to allow essentially only grain to fall onto the first sieve region to pass through the larger first sieve spaces. As a result, the grain falls onto the first sieve region for passing through the larger spaces thereof, and the material other than grain is carried by the first air flow portion away from the first sieve region. The cleaning system will also typically include a second lower sieve for additional cleaning of the grain deposited from the upper sieve. 
     As typically disposed in an agricultural combine, the upper sieve includes a predetermined number of rows of first fingers extending therealong and the second sieve region includes a predetermined number of rows of second fingers extending therealong, wherein confronting surfaces of adjacent rows define grain passages. Each of the rows is supported on an elongate member rotatable about a longitudinal axis through a range of angular positions including positions wherein the passages are larger, generally allowing more grain and more material other than grain to pass through the passages, and positions wherein the passages are smaller, generally allowing less grain and less material other than grain to pass through the passages. 
     According to an aspect of the invention the first air flow portion directed through the larger first spaces of the first sieve region will allow substantially only grain to pass through the first spaces of the first sieve region, such that adjusting the rows to an angular position wherein the passages are smaller generally allows more grain and less material other than grain to pass through the sieve. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the limited extent of the first sieve region is less than about one fourth of a total extent of the sieve in the predetermined direction, usually rearward. Yet another aspect of the invention requires the first sieve region include at least about three rows of first fingers and no more than about ten rows of first fingers. 
     A feature of the invention related to the first sieve region provides that the first spaces of the first sieve region are at least about one and one half times greater than the second spaces of the second sieve region. 
     Another feature of the invention relates to the inclusion of baffles and associated structure for directing the first air flow portion through the first sieve region and the second air flow portion through the second sieve region. According to another feature of the invention the first air flow rate of the first air flow portion is at least about one and one half times greater than the second air flow rate of the second air flow portion. Quantitatively, one aspect of the invention provides that the first air flow rate is at least about seven hundred cubic feet per minute and the second air flow rate is less than about four seven hundred cubic feet per minute. 
     Attendant advantages of the system of the present invention include more clean grain collected near the forward portion of the cleaning system, any crop material accumulation on the forward portion of the upper sieve is insufficient to blunt air flow from the cleaning fan system, less clean grain movement towards the rear portion of the sieve to be separated from MOG a second time thereby increasing the efficiency of the cleaning system, and less grain lost in the cleaning fan system or discharged from the rear of the combine. 
     These advantages are realized by the combination of features of the present invention wherein the convergence of the downward airborne flow of higher density crop material and the upward flow of the high rate air stream through the limited region of the grain cleaning sieve having larger openings, creates an air flow condition over the limited sieve region such that substantially only grain will fall onto and through the limited sieve region without accumulation sufficient to impact the air flow condition thereabove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a representative simplified side view of an agricultural combine for use with the cleaning system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a representative simplified side view of another agricultural combine for use with the cleaning system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a representative simplified side view of yet another agricultural combine for use with the cleaning system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified side view of a threshing and separating system and the cleaning system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified side view of the cleaning system illustrating the combined features of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified side view of a prior art cleaning system illustrating an observed situation during the cleaning process; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial, simplified top view of a sieve having a first sieve region including rows of first fingers having first spaces therebetween and a second sieve region including rows of second fingers having second spaces therebetween according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial, simplified side view of the sieve illustrating representative air flow at the first sieve region and the second sieve region. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to generally like items or features,  FIGS. 1-3  depict three agricultural combines  10  intended to be representative of a wide variety of work machines suitable for use with the present invention, the relevant difference, for purposes of describing the present invention, relating to the conveyance of threshed crop material to a cleaning system  20 . Combine  10  includes a header  12  mounted on a front end thereof operable for severing crops from a field during forward motion of combine  10  and a feeder  14  operable for conveying the cut crops to a rotary threshing and separating system  16  within combine  10 . Generally threshing and separating system  16  includes one or more rotors at least partially enclosed by and rotatable within a corresponding number of perforated concaves. The cut crops are threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor within the concave, and smaller elements of crop material including grain and particles of material other than grain (MOG), including particles lighter than grain, such as chaff, dust and straw, are discharged through perforations of the concave. Larger elements, such as stalks, leaves and the like are discharged from the rear of combine  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , smaller elements of crop material  28  are discharged through the perforations of the concave to a crop material conveyor  18  disposed beneath threshing and separating system  16  for conveyance as a flow of crop material to an upper sieve  22 . Crop material conveyor  18  may be a pre sieve as shown in  FIG. 1 , a grain pan including one or more augers as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , or other well known suitable conveyance devices. As an alternative, as shown in  FIG. 3 , smaller elements of crop material may be discharged through the perforations of the concave as a flow of crop material directly to upper sieve  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  which depict cleaning system  20  according to the present invention, a downward airborne flow of crop material to sieve  22  includes a first portion  32  containing a significantly higher density of crop material compared to a second portion  42  of the flow beyond first portion  32  in a predetermined direction, typically rearward. Upper sieve  22 , seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and in  FIG. 7  in partial view from above, includes a first sieve region  34  of a limited extent, represented by E 1 , being disposed for receiving first portion  32  of the flow of crop material. First sieve region  34 , typically a forward sieve region, includes first fingers  38  configured and oriented to define first spaces  40  therebetween. A second sieve region  44  beyond first sieve region  34  is disposed for receiving second portion  42  of the flow of crop material and includes second fingers  48  configured and oriented to define second spaces  50  therebetween. First spaces  40  are larger than second spaces  50  in at least one direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 7  by dimensions measured and represented by S 1  and S 2 , respectively, to allow more grain to pass therethrough. 
     In one feature of the invention, limited extent E 1  of first sieve region  34  is less than one fourth of a total extent E of the sieve in the predetermined direction, usually rearward, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . According to another feature of the invention, first sieve region  34  includes at least about three (3) rows of first fingers  38 . Three (3) rows of fingers are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  for purposes of this description. In yet another embodiment, first sieve region  34  includes at least about three (3) and no more than about ten (10) rows of first fingers  38 . According to yet another feature of the invention, first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34  are at least one and one half times greater than second spaces  50  of second sieve region  34  as illustrated by S 1  and S 2  of  FIG. 7 . 
     A cleaning fan system  30  is configured and operable for directing an air flow stream upwardly through upper sieve  22 . The air flow stream includes a first air flow portion  36  of limited extent having a significantly higher first air flow rate directed through first sieve region  34  as compared to a second air flow rate of a second air flow portion  46  directed through second sieve region  44 , the relative air flow rates denoted by larger and smaller sizes of arrows  36  and  46 , respectively. 
     According to one feature of the invention, fan system  40  includes baffles and associated structure  62  ( FIG. 4 ) for directing first air flow portion  36  through first sieve region  34  and second air flow portion  46  through second sieve region  44 . According to one aspect of the invention, the first air flow rate of first air flow portion  36  is at least about one and one half times greater than the second air flow rate of second air flow portion  46 . More specifically, another aspect of the invention requires that the first air flow rate be at least about seven hundred (700) cubic feet per minute. Yet another aspect of the invention requires that the second air flow rate be less than about four hundred (400) cubic feet per minute. 
     Thus according to the invention, first air flow portion  36  will interact with the downward airborne flow of first portion  32  of the flow of crop material above first sieve region  34  such that substantially only grain will fall onto and through first sieve region  34  and such that substantially all of the particles of MOG being lighter than the grain will be propelled beyond first sieve region  34 . Additionally, first air flow portion  36  passing through larger first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34  will generate an air flow condition above first sieve region  34  which will interact with the downward flow of first portion  32  of the flow of crop material to separate and propel beyond first sieve region  34  substantially all of the particles of MOG and to allow essentially only grain to fall onto first sieve region  34  to pass through larger first sieve spaces  40 . As a result, the grain falls onto first sieve region  34  for passing therethrough, and MOG is carried by first air flow portion  36  away from first sieve region  34 . 
     Second air flow portion  46  directed through second sieve region  44 , along with the reciprocating action of upper sieve  22  separates grain from MOG in second portion  42  of the crop flow as the crop material moves rearwardly along second sieve region  44  of sieve  22  in the usual manner. Crop material, including mostly MOG, remaining in second portion  42  of the crop flow which does not pass through upper sieve  22 , is discharged from the rear of combine  10 . Grain and any MOG  52  passing through upper sieve  22  falls to lower sieve  24  for further cleaning, and clean grain  54  passing through lower sieve  24  falls to a clean grain pan  26  for collection in the well known manner. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , according to one aspect of the invention, first sieve region  34  includes a predetermined number of rows of first fingers  38  extending therealong, and second sieve region  44  includes a predetermined number of rows of second fingers  48  extending therealong. It is important to note that each of the rows of fingers is attached to an elongate member in the well know manner and spacing R between rows in first sieve region  34  and rows in second sieve region  44  is the same. As seen in  FIG. 8  confronting surfaces of adjacent rows define grain passages  56 . The rows are supported on the elongate member rotatable about a longitudinal axis through a range of angular positions including positions wherein passages  56  are larger, generally allowing more grain and MOG to pass therethrough, and positions wherein passages  56  are smaller, generally allowing less grain and MOG to pass therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 8  for a particular passage  56  of size P, first air flow portion  36  directed through larger first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34  results in considerably more air flow above first sieve region  34  as compared to the air flow above second sieve region  44 . 
     According to the combined features of the invention, first air flow portion  36  directed through larger first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34  will allow substantially only grain to pass through first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34 . Therefore adjusting the rows to an angular position wherein passages  56  are smaller results in substantially only grain passing through first sieve region  34  and overall more grain and less MOG passing through sieve  22 . Decreasing the density of crop material in second portion  42  of the flow of grain by allowing more grain to pass through first sieve region  34  increases the efficiency of separation of the thinner layer of crop material at second sieve region  44 , thereby increasing effectiveness of upper sieve  22  overall. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6  which depicts a situation observed during harvesting using systems known in the art. First portion  32  of the flow of crop material falls to a forward end of upper sieve  22  coincident with first air flow portion  36 . It has been observed, however, that rather than the grain falling through upper sieve  22 , crop material accumulates at the forward end of upper sieve  22  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Because of this accumulation of crop material, first air flow portion  36  is blunted and/or redirected to other portions of cleaning system  20 . Some of the accumulated crop material  58  may fall over the forward end of upper sieve  22  to clean grain pan  26  without the benefit of the additional cleaning provided by lower sieve  24 . Crop material  60  may also fall into the structure or housing of fan system  30  where it may interfere with the function of fan system  30  or accumulate within the fan system  30 , and, over time, may cause or contribute to difficulties in the operation of thereof. 
     In contrast, the combination of features of the present invention, namely first portion  32  of the flow of crop material delivered concurrently with first air flow portion  36  directed through first sieve region  34 , creates an air flow condition over first sieve region  34  such that substantially only grain will fall onto and through first sieve region  34  without accumulation thereon sufficient to impact the air flow condition thereabove, and such that substantially all the MOG will be propelled away from first sieve region  34 . As indicated above, increasing the opening size on sieve  22  typically allows more grain but also allows more MOG to fall through. However, according to the combination of the features of the present invention, larger first spaces  40  of first sieve region  34  serve a dual purpose. First, larger spaces  40  allow higher rate first air flow portion  36  to pass through the limited extent E 1  of first sieve region  34  to create an air flow condition sufficient to allow substantially only grain to fall onto and through first sieve region  34  and to propel substantially all of the MOG beyond first sieve region  34 . Second, larger spaces  40  allow more grain to fall through the limited extent E 1  of first sieve region  34 , limiting accumulation of grain and preventing blunting of first air flow portion  36 , thus maintaining the air flow condition above first sieve region  34 . This condition is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  by the dashed lines above first sieve region  34  below which substantially only grain passes onto first sieve region  34  and beyond which substantially all of the MOG is propelled. As a result of the combination of features of the invention, the convergence of the downward airborne flow of higher density crop material and the upward flow of the high rate air stream through the limited region of the grain cleaning sieve having larger openings, creates an air flow condition over the limited sieve region such that substantially only grain will fall onto and through the limited sieve region without accumulation sufficient to impact the air flow condition thereabove. 
     Attendant advantages of the system of the present invention include more grain cleaning and throughput by the forward portion of the cleaning system, the forward region of the upper sieve accumulates only clean grain, and not to the extent so as to impede air flow through the forward region of the sieve or sufficient to reduce the air flow condition above the forward region of the sieve that provides the high grain cleaning capability. 
     In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a cleaning system for an agricultural work vehicle including a sieve having a region of increased grain throughput. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.