Rail interrupter

A rotor assembly for harvesting a crop. The rotor assembly has a rotating portion defined along a rotation axis, a surrounding assembly at least partially surrounding the rotating portion, the surrounding assembly having at least one separation grate coupled to a support. The support defines an inner surface and has at least one interrupter receiver. The at least one interrupter receiver is selectively coupleable to an interrupter to position the interrupter radially inward of the inner surface towards the rotation axis.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to an interrupter, and more specifically to an interrupter positioned on a crop processing arrangement for an axial rotary agricultural combine.

BACKGROUND

Many work machines, and in particular work machines designed to harvest a crop, utilize a rotating assembly to separate grain or the like from the remaining plant debris such as leaves, stalks, and stems. The rotating assembly is often formed from a substantially hollow drum with a rotor that rotates therein. As the rotor rotates, any crop and debris positioned within the hollow drum is agitated and moved axially towards the rear of the rotating assembly which often has a separating section. As the rotor separates the grain from the remaining debris, the grain falls through grates or the like along a lower portion of the rotating assembly. Once the grain is separated, it is further processed and temporarily stored in a tank of the work machine.

The rotating assembly often has a support structure extending longitudinally along each side of the rotating assembly. The support structure provides a location to couple the grates along the lower portion of the rotating assembly and cover elements over the upper portion of the rotating assembly. When the grates and cover elements are coupled to the support structure they form a substantially cylindrical cavity within which a drum rotates. The capacity of the rotating assembly depends on how efficiently the rotating assembly can separate the grain from the remaining plant debris. Crop conditions and crop type, among other things, affects the capacity of the rotating assembly. Accordingly, it is advantageous to have a rotating assembly that has a high capacity and is adjustable to different crop conditions and types.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a rotor assembly for harvesting a crop. The rotor assembly has a rotating portion defined along a rotation axis, a surrounding assembly at least partially surrounding the rotating portion, the surrounding assembly having at least one separation grate coupled to a support. The support defines an inner surface and has at least one interrupter receiver. The at least one interrupter receiver is selectively coupleable to an interrupter to position the interrupter radially inward of the inner surface towards the rotation axis.

In one example of this embodiment, the at least one interrupter receiver includes a slot defined through the support, wherein the interrupter extends through the slot. In another example, the interrupter has an interrupter length that defines the distance which the interrupter extends from the inner surface towards the rotating portion, the interrupter length being variable. In one aspect of this example, the at least one interrupter receiver is sized to receive a plurality of interrupter types, wherein the plurality interrupter types each have different interrupter lengths.

In another example of this embodiment, the interrupter is a square stock defined longitudinally along at least a portion of the support. In another example, the interrupter is a round bar defined longitudinally along at least a portion of the support. In yet another example, the interrupter is a tine extending from the support towards the rotating portion. In another example, the interrupter has a triangular or conical side profile.

In yet another example, the interrupter is selectively coupled to the at least one interrupter receiver to reposition the interrupter between a limited exposure position wherein the interrupter does not extend past the inner surface of the support towards the rotating portion and a full exposure position wherein the interrupter extends past the inner surface towards the rotating portion. In one aspect of this example, the interrupter is repositionable between the limited exposure position and the full exposure position through an electronic user interface.

In another aspect of this example, the interrupter is repositionable between the no exposure position and the full exposure position through a mechanical adjustment.

Another embodiment is a harvested crop processing arrangement. The harvested crop processing arrangement has a support rail defining an inner surface, at least one grate coupled to the support rail at least partially about a rotation axis, and an interrupter coupled to the support rail. The interrupter is coupleable to the support rail in a first orientation where at least a portion of the interrupter extends radially inward towards the rotation axis and past the inner surface of the support rail.

In one example of this embodiment, the interrupter is coupleable to the support rail in a second orientation where the interrupter does not extend substantially radially inward towards the rotation axis past the inner surface. In another example, the interrupter has a leading face that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface when the interrupter is in the first orientation. In one aspect of this example, the interrupter has a trailing profile that extends from the leading face to the inner surface, wherein the trailing profile is not perpendicular to the inner surface.

In another example, the interrupter is pivotally coupled to the support rail and comprises a solenoid that selectively repositions the interrupter between the first orientation and a second orientation.

Another embodiment is a crop harvesting machine that has at least one ground engaging mechanism coupled to a frame, a cutting head coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop from an underlying surface, a crop processing arrangement coupled to the frame through a plurality of support sections. The crop processing arrangement further having a rail with a top side, bottom side, inner surface, and outer surface, the rail extending between two adjacent support sections, a cover coupled to the rail along the top side of the rail, a grate coupled to the rail along the bottom side of the rail, a rotor rotationally coupled to the crop harvesting machine along a rotation axis and positioned at least partially between the cover and the grate, and a first interrupter group coupled to the rail between the top side and the bottom side, the first interrupter group defining at least one interrupter. The first interrupter group is coupleable to the rail in a first orientation to position the at least one interrupter through a first slot in the rail to extend radially inward towards the rotation axis past the inner surface.

One example of this embodiment is a second interrupter group coupled to the rail between the top side and the bottom side, the second interrupter group defining at least one interrupter. The second interrupter group is coupleable to the rail in the first orientation to position the at least one interrupter through a second slot in the rail to extend radially inward towards the rotation axis past the inner surface. Both the first interrupter group and the second interrupter group are also coupleable to the rail in a second orientation where none of the at least one interrupters are positioned through the corresponding first or second slot when the corresponding first or second interrupter group is in the second orientation. In one example of this embodiment, the first interrupter group is coupleable to the rail in the first orientation while the second interrupter group is coupled to the rail in the second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and methods, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

InFIG. 1, an embodiment of a harvester or agricultural combine10is shown with a chassis or frame12with one or more ground engaging mechanism such as wheels14which are in contact with the underlying surface or ground. Wheels14are coupled to the frame12and are used for a forward propulsion of the combine10in a forward operating or travelling direction. The forward operating direction is to the left inFIG. 1. The operation of the combine10is controlled from an operator's cab16. The operator's cab16may include any number of controls for controlling the operation of the combine10. A cutting head18is disposed at a forward end of the combine10and is used in order to harvest crop such as corn and to conduct it to a slope conveyor20. The harvested crop is conducted by a guide drum22from the slope conveyor20. The guide drum22guides the harvested crop through an inlet transition section24to an axial harvested crop processing arrangement26, as shown inFIG. 1.

The harvested crop processing arrangement26may include a rotor housing34and a rotor36arranged therein. The rotor36includes a hollow drum38to which crop processing elements are fastened for a charging section40, a threshing section42, and a separating section44. The charging section40is arranged at the front end of the axial harvested crop processing arrangement26. The threshing section42and the separating section44are located downstream in the longitudinal direction and to the rear of the charging section40. The drum38may be in the form of a truncated cone located in the charging section40. The threshing section42may include a forward section in the form of a truncated cone and a cylindrical rear section. The cylindrical separating section44of the drum38is located at the rear or end of the axial harvested crop processing unit26.

Corn, chaff, and the like that fall through a thresher basket associated with the threshing section42and through a separating grate associated with the separating section44may be directed to a clean crop routing assembly28with a blower46and sieves48,50with louvers. The sieves48,50can be oscillated in a fore-and-aft direction. The clean crop routing assembly28removes the chaff and guides the clean corn over a screw conveyor52to an elevator for clean corn. The elevator for clean corn deposits the clean corn in a corn tank30, as shown inFIG. 1. The clean corn in the corn tank30can be unloaded by means of an unloading screw conveyor32to a corn wagon, trailer, or truck. Harvested crop remaining at the lower end of the lower sieve50is again transported to the harvested crop processing arrangement26by a screw conveyor54and an overhead conveyor. The harvested crop residue delivered at the upper end of the upper sieve48that consist essentially of chaff and small straw particles may be conveyed by means of an oscillating sheet conveyor56to the rear and to a lower inlet58of a crop debris routing assembly60.

The aforementioned blower46produces an air flow that carries much of the chaff and small particles to the rear of the combine and to the crop debris routing assembly60. The blower46is capable of providing three or more air paths inside the combine. A first air or flow path may be through a front portion of the combine10. A second air or flow path may be above the lower sieve50and below the upper sieve48or chaffer. A third air or flow path may be below the lower sieve50. All three air or flow paths fill the combine body and can create pressurized air flow to pick up and carry straw, grain, and other residue or particles to the rear of the combine10.

Threshed-out straw leaving the separating section44is ejected through an outlet62from the harvested crop processing arrangement26and conducted to an ejection drum64. The ejection drum64, or discharge beater, interacts with a sheet66arranged underneath it to eject the straw to the rear, and the grain and Material Other than Grain (hereinafter “MOG”) is directed through the clean crop routing assembly28. A wall68is located to the rear of the ejection drum64. The wall68guides the straw into an upper inlet70of the crop debris routing assembly60.

The crop debris routing assembly60may include a housing72(i.e., chopper housing) with a rotor74arranged therein that can rotate in a counterclockwise direction about an axis extending horizontally and transverse to the direction of operation. The rotor74may include a plurality of chopper knives76, pendulously suspended in pairs and distributed around the circumference of the rotor74, that interact with opposing knives78, which are fixed to the housing72. Two impeller blowers82arranged side by side alongside each other, may be provided downstream of an outlet80of the crop debris routing assembly60. Only a single blower82is shown inFIG. 1. The impeller blowers82may include a number of impeller blades84, each of which is connected rigidly to an upper circular disk86, that can rotate about central axes88. The disks86with the impeller blades84that extend radially can be rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor90that is attached above a bottom sheet102which is connected with the housing72of the crop debris routing assembly60. At their radially inner ends the impeller blades84are connected to a cylindrical central body92that transitions into a cone94with a point on its end facing away from the disk86. The impeller blades84may be rectangular and the height of the body92(without cone94) may be equal to the height of the impeller blades84. The cross section of the body92and the cone94may be circular, although it could also have a multifaceted shape.

Referring now toFIG. 2, one non-exclusive example of the harvested crop processing arrangement26removed from the combine10is illustrated. More specifically, one embodiment of a surrounding assembly214is illustrated defined along a rotation axis212. Further, a support rail202is illustrated extending longitudinally along harvested crop processing arrangement26. The support rail202may provide structural stability to the harvested crop processing arrangement26and couple the crop processing arrangement26to the combine10. Further, the support rail202may generally provide locations for cover elements50,52,54to be coupled thereto along an upper portion and grate elements46,48to be coupled thereto at a lower portion of the support rail202. The cover elements50,52,54and the grate elements46,48may be coupled to the support rail202to define a cylindrical cavity along the rotation axis212in which the rotor36may be positioned.

While only one support rail202is visible inFIG. 2, a second support rail202may also be positioned on the opposite side of the crop processing arrangement26and extend longitudinally there along similarly as the visible support rail202. Further, the support rail202may actually be a plurality of rails. For example, the support rails may include a separating rail section204, a threshing rail section206, and a charging rail section208. Each rail section204,206,208may extend between support sections210of the combine10. The support sections210may be any portioned of the combine10that is structurally supported by the frame12, either directly or through additional components.

While a specific configuration of the support rail202is shown and described with reference toFIG. 2, this disclosure contemplates implementing the teachings discussed herein with any type of support rail. More specifically, any type of supporting member that runs at least partially longitudinally along the harvested crop processing arrangement26may utilize the teachings discussed herein. Accordingly, the example ofFIG. 2is not considered exclusive.

Referring now toFIG. 3, an isolated view of a support rail302coupled to grates48,46is illustrated with the cover elements50,52,54removed. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, a plurality of interrupters304are coupled to the support rail302. The interrupters304may extend radially inwardly from the support rail302to contact any crop material positioned therein as the rotor36rotates. More specifically, one objective of the crop processing arrangement is to separate the grain from the MOG quickly and efficiently. The interrupters304may extend sufficiently into the crop processing arrangement26to agitate the crop material as it passes there along to thereby further dislodge any grain material.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the interrupters304are positioned only along the separating section44. However, this disclosure also contemplates implementing the teachings discussed herein along the threshing section42and the charging section40as well. Accordingly, while not specifically illustrated, this disclosure also contemplates positioning interrupters along the charging and threshing sections40,42as well.

FIG. 4illustrates a back view of the embodiment ofFIG. 3with an exemplary rotor36illustrated therein. The in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the rotor36may rotate in a counterclockwise direction402. Further, the interrupters304may have a leading face404that is about perpendicular to an inner surface406of the support rail302. In this configuration, as the rotor36moves the crop in the counterclockwise direction402, it may contact the leading face404of the interrupter304to thereby further agitate the crop to dislodge grain positioned therein. The dislodged grain may then fall towards and through the separating grate48to be further processed by the combine10.

Referring now toFIG. 5, another aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. More specifically, the plurality of interrupters304may be combined into interrupter groups502. An interrupter group502may be an assembly of interrupters304that can be selectively coupled to the support rail302to be positioned there through. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, each of the interrupter groups502may be selectively coupled to the support rail302as desired. In this configuration, the user may select the ideal number of interrupter groups502to couple to the support rail302based on crop type and field conditions. In one non-exclusive example, only every other interrupter group502may be coupled to the support rail302to agitate the crop and the remaining interrupter groups302may be substantially smooth along the inner surface406. Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates coupling any combination of interrupter groups502to the support rail302based on the field and crop conditions and the user's preference.

Any number of interrupters304may be coupled to each interrupter group502. In one non-exclusive embodiment, there may be five interrupters304on each interrupter group502. In another example, there may be four interrupters304in each interrupter group502. Further still, other examples may have less than four interrupters304per interrupter group502while other have more than five interrupters304per interrupter group502. Accordingly, any number of interrupters302are considered herein for an interrupter group502.

InFIG. 6, a side view of the support rail302is illustrated. The support rail302may have a top side602that couples to the cover element54and a bottom side604that couples to the separating grate48. The top and bottom side may have through holes or the like to allow a fastening mechanism, such as a bolt, to be positioned there through to couple the support rail302to the corresponding cover element54and separating grate48. However, any known fastening means is considered herein. Further still, in one embodiment the support rail302is welded to the cover element54and separating grate48.

Also illustrated inFIG. 6is a trailing profile606of the interrupter304. The trailing profile606may be a sloped edge of the interrupter304that extends from a base of the interrupter304to the leading face404. While the leading face404is discussed herein as being about perpendicular relative to the inner surface406, the trailing profile606may be sloped relative thereto when coupled to the support rail302as illustrated inFIG. 6. In this arrangement, any crop debris that is knocked loose above the interrupter304may fall more freely down towards the separating grate48. In other words, while the leading face404is positioned to agitate crop as it flows in the counterclockwise direction402, the trailing profile606may be tapered to allow crop material to more easily pass there over in the clockwise direction.

In one aspect of this disclosure, each interrupter group502may be a plurality of interrupters304extending from a base608. The base608may be a substantially planar member that provides enough structural support to couple each interrupter304of the interrupter group502thereto. Further still, the base608may have one or more through hole defined therein that allows the base608, and in turn the interrupter group502, to be coupled to the support rail302via an interrupter receiver610. The interrupter receiver610may be one or more fastener. However, any known method for coupling two components to one another is considered herein.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the interrupters304may have an interrupter length612. The interrupter length612may be the length the leading face404extends radially inwards towards the rotation axis212past the inner surface406. In one aspect of this disclosure, the interrupter length612may be varied for different interrupters304to accommodate different field and crop conditions. Further still, in one embodiment of this disclosure the positioning of the interrupter304relative to the inner surface406may be variable and in turn the interrupter length is variable as well.

InFIG. 7a, one embodiment of a base702is illustrated wherein the base702extends to cover substantially an entire back surface of the support rail302. Further, the base702may have a notched end706wherein adjacent bases must be properly oriented to be positioned along the support rail302to be coupled to the receivers610. Alternatively,FIG. 7billustrates a base704that does not occupy the entire back surface of the support rail302. Further still, the base704does not have a notched end and can be oriented as desired without regards to the orientation of the adjacent base704.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a back side of the support rail302is illustrated with all interrupters304removed therefrom. In one aspect of this disclosure, the support rail302may have a plurality of slots802defined there through. The slots802may be sized to allow a corresponding interrupter304to be positioned there through to extend from the inner surface406while the base608remains positioned along an outer surface804. Also illustrated inFIG. 8are couplers806extending from the outer surface804. The couplers806may be one embodiment of the receivers610and correspond with the fasteners, such as nuts or the like, to selectively couple interrupter groups502thereto.

InFIG. 9, another aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. More specifically, the interrupter group502ofFIG. 9is illustrated oriented substantially 180 degrees opposite the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6. That is to say, the interrupters304are not extending through the slots802but rather are extending away from the outer surface804. In this configuration, the interrupters304may not be extending into the crop harvesting arrangement26. Further still, the interrupter group502may still be coupled to the support rail302via the base608. However, in this configuration that base608may act as a cover for the corresponding slots802to substantially block crop and debris from passing there through.

In one aspect of this disclosure, each interrupter group502may be coupleable to the rail302in either an interrupting configuration (seeFIGS. 4-7) or in a smooth configuration (seeFIG. 9). In the interrupting configuration, the interrupters304pass through the slots802radially inward of the inner surface406the interrupter length612to contact and agitate crop is it passes thereby. In the smooth configuration, the interrupters304may be oriented radially away from the outer surface804so crop may pass over the corresponding slots802without being substantially agitated. In one aspect of this disclosure, the couplers806may be spaced to receive the interrupter groups502in either the interrupting configuration or the smooth configuration. Further still, the interrupter groups502may be coupled to the support rail302in an alternating pattern between the interrupting and smooth configurations. In one aspect of this disclosure a user may orient the interrupter groups502in any possible combination of smooth and interrupting configurations to address the crop and field conditions.

Another embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated inFIG. 10. The embodiment ofFIG. 10may utilize a similar support member302and interrupter groups502as discussed herein. However, in the embodiment ofFIG. 10the interrupter groups502may be pivotally coupled to the support member302at a pivot axis1002. The pivot axis1002may be a hinge or any known mechanism for pivotally coupling two members to one another. Further, the pivot axis1002may allow the interrupter group502to pivot relative to the support member302between the interrupting configuration and the smooth configuration.

In the illustrative view ofFIG. 10, the interrupter group502is in the smooth configuration. In the smooth configuration, an interrupter angle1004is defined between the outer surface804of the support member302and the base608of the interrupter group502. Further, the interrupter angle1004may be about or greater than the angle of the trailing profile606relative to the base608. In this orientation, the interrupters302may not extend substantially through the corresponding slots802and therefore not substantially contact crop and other debris in the crop harvesting arrangement26.

Alternatively, the interrupter group502may pivot about the pivot axis1002until the interrupter angle1004is substantially zero. In other words, the interrupter group502may pivot about the pivot axis1002until the base608is substantially adjacent to the outer surface804. In this orientation, the interrupters304extend through the corresponding slots802a maximum interrupter length612and are oriented in the interrupting configuration.

In one aspect of this disclosure, a solenoid1006or actuator may selectively pivot the interrupter group502relative to the support rail302. More specifically, in one non-exclusive example the solenoid1006may be pivotally coupled to the top side602on one end and to the base608of the interrupter group502on the other end. In this configuration, the solenoid1006may be selectively engaged to alter the interrupter angle1004. Each interrupter group502of the crop harvesting arrangement26may have a solenoid to control the interrupter angle1004of the interrupter group502. Accordingly, in one aspect of this disclosure the interrupter angle1004of each interrupter group502may be independently controller to create a crop harvesting arrangement26that can efficiently harvest at a high capacity.

While the solenoid1006is discussed herein as transitioning the interrupter group502between the interrupting and smooth configurations, one embodiment utilizes an actuator instead of a solenoid1006. The actuator may be hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric and capable of positioning the interrupter group502in any angular orientation there between. That is to say, the interrupter length612may be varied. In certain crop and field conditions the user may desire the interrupter angle1004to be any angle between the interrupting and smooth configurations. In this example, the actuator may move the interrupter group502until the corresponding interrupters304only partially extend through the corresponding slots802.

In one aspect of this disclosure, the user may identify the crop and field conditions and orient the interrupter groups502in whatever configuration is ideal for the crops and field conditions. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-9, the user may manually alter the interrupter groups502by selectively coupling the interrupter groups502to the corresponding interrupter receivers610in the desired orientation. Alternatively, in the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the user may engage a user interface to select the desired orientation of the interrupter groups502. The user interface may be in communication with a controller that controls the position of the solenoids1006to further alter the interrupter groups502as identified by the user interface. Accordingly, the teachings in this disclosure can be implemented in many different configurations depending on the capabilities of the combine10and the needs of the user.