Abstract:
A rotating suction wand for a cooler box screen including a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. A first slot and at least a second slot are formed in the hollow body in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen. The construction and arrangement of the slots redistributes suction force along the length of the wand in such a way as to compensate for differences in angular rotational speed of the wand at varying radial distances from the center of the wand as well as to overcome suction force reduction which normally occurs from the center to the ends of the wand. Consequently, debris is more effectively removed from the screen from the central regions of the wand to radially distal regions thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The subject application relates in general to agricultural harvesters and in particular to an apparatus for effectively cleaning the screen of an engine cooler box of the harvester so that the cooler box can effectively operate cool during operations. 
         [0002]    The engine of an agricultural harvester such as a combine is often located at the top rear of the combine chassis with a cooler box mounted adjacent the engine. An engine fan draws cooling air into cooler box cores/heat exchangers mounted in the cooler box through a screen that is intended to prevent crop debris from coating and plugging the cooler cores/heat exchangers. The cooler cores are stacked behind the screen in such a way that the upper and lower cores rely on cleaning of the radially outer portions of the screen in order to receive cooling air flow. The middle core is able to use the central or inner region of the screen for air flow. 
         [0003]    Conventional rotating suction wands provide effective cleaning of the inner or central regions of the screen. However, cleaning of the inner or central air screen region in typical cooler boxes only provide effective air flow to the middle core, and each core is designed to cool a unique system of the combine (hydraulics, engine coolant, etc.). Thus, in current combine designs, certain systems of the combine may not experience optimal cooling. 
         [0004]    During harvesting crop residue is expelled from the rear of combine. Tail or side winds can blow this material back over the combine where it is drawn to the cooler box screen by the engine fan and covers the screen. As noted above, a rotating suction wand, which rotates e.g., at approximately 80 RPM, is connected to a vacuum source and is used to clean the cooler box screen of crop debris. Conventional rotating suction wands include a single slot for generating a suction force for clearing debris from the screen. This configuration, however, fails to optimize clearing of debris from the screen as the suction wand rotates and sucks debris from the screen. That is, the distal ends of the suction wand must traverse greater surface area and clear much more debris compared to the proximal ends of the suction wand located closer to a central hub of the suction wand. Thus, performance at the distal ends of the suction wand is diminished due to the relative higher speed of the distal ends of the suction wand compared to the relative lower surface speed near the center of the wand. In addition, suction or air flow tends to be greater nearest the hub of the rotating suction wand and diminishes toward the outer ends or tips of the wand thereby further compromising cleaning of the screen at the radially outermost regions thereof. 
         [0005]    The subject application provides for an improved suction wand for clearing debris from a screen, e.g., from a screen of a cooler box of an agricultural combine. As used herein for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, an exemplary aspect of a suction wand in accordance with the subject application for use in clearing debris from a cooler box screen of an agricultural combine will be described. However, the suction wand of the present application is not so limited to a combine harvester and can further be employed as part of other heavy machinery employing cooling package systems e.g., forage harvesters. Moreover, the suction wand of the present application can be applied to any cooling package system having a screen from which debris is to be removed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box attached at a hub thereof to a suction hose. The suction wand includes an array of slots along its length that facingly engages a cooler box screen to effectively rid the cooler box screen of clogging debris. Suction force or negative air pressure is redistributed along the length of the suction wand in order to compensate for the differences in surface speed from the center to the ends of the suction wand as well as to overcome suction force reduction which normally occurs from the center to the ends of the suction wand. Consequently, debris is effectively removed from the screen by radially outer regions of the suction wand as well as by central regions thereof while the wand more efficiently uses power input from the suction fan. 
         [0007]    According to a second aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box comprising an elongated hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. The suction wand further includes a first slot opening, a second slot opening and a third slot opening each in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box. 
         [0008]    According to a third aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box comprising a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. The suction wand further includes a first slot extending from a first end of the suction wand formed in the hollow body. The first slot is in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box. The suction wand further includes second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth slots formed in the hollow body about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth slots are in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging the screen. 
         [0009]    According to a fourth aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box comprising a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. A first slot is formed in the hollow body and extends from a first end of the suction wand. The first slot is in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box. The suction wand further includes a second slot formed in the hollow body about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end. The second slot is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging the screen and includes a wall portion extending inwardly of the hollow body that partially circumscribes the circumference of the second slot. 
         [0010]    According to a fifth aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box comprising a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. A first slot formed in the hollow body extends from a first end of the suction wand and is in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box. The suction wand further includes a second slot formed in the hollow body about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end. The second slot is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging the screen and includes a wall portion extending inwardly of the hollow body and partially circumscribing the circumference of the second slot. One leg of the wall portion extends longer than an opposite leg of the wall portion. 
         [0011]    According to a sixth aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand for a cooler box comprising a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. A first slot formed in the hollow body extends from a first end of the suction wand and is in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box. The suction wand further includes a second slot formed in the hollow body about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end. The second slot is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging the screen and includes a wall segment extending inwardly of the hollow body from an anterior wall adjacent a hub of the suction wand. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of several aspects of the subject application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subject application there are shown in the drawings several aspects, but it should be understood that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a right side view of an agricultural harvester combine illustrating a cooler box at an upper rear region thereof in accordance with an aspect of the subject application; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of an agricultural combine cooler box equipped with a screen about which a suction wand in accordance with the subject application rotates to remove debris from the screen; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with a first aspect of the subject application; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3C  is a rear plan view of the suction wand of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3D  is a coronal cross-sectional front anterior perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3E  is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3F  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is front plan view of the suction wand of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a rear plan view of the suction wand of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4E  is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  is a coronal front cross-sectional perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5D  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  is a rear plan view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6C  is a front anterior perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6D  is a coronal front cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  is a rear plan view of the suction wand of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7C  is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8A  is a sagittal cross-sectional view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8B  is an enlarged partial view of the suction wand of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8C  is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8D  is a front perspective view of the suction wand of  FIG. 8A ; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 8E  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of  FIG. 8A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    Reference will now be made in detail to the various aspects of the subject application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates an agricultural harvester  10  such as a combine or the like applicable to the subject application. Located at the upper rear of the combine is an engine which is hidden from view by a cooler box  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , cooler box  12  includes a cooler box door  14  which substantially encases a circular screen  16  in which a flow of air passes through for communication with the internals of the cooler box. The cooler box  12  houses among other things a radiator of the combine. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates a suction wand  100  having a longitudinal rear face facingly engaging the circular screen  16 . The suction wand is mounted adjacent the circular screen so as to rotate about an axis such that rotation of the tips of the suction wand forms a circle substantially matching the size of the circular screen  16  or slightly overlaying the circular screen. Extending from the suction wand  100  is a suction hose  18  operatively connected to a fan housing  20  and thereafter a discharge  22 . The structure, function and operation of the cooler box, circular screen, suction hose and fan housing are known in the art and a detailed description of such components is not necessary for a complete understanding of the present aspects of the subject application. However, a typical cooler box and related components applicable to the subject application are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,197,567 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
         [0046]    In accordance with a first aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand  100  as shown and configured in  FIGS. 3A-3F . The suction wand  100  is an elongated wand having a hollow body  102  forming an elongated interior chamber  104  ( FIG. 3E ) that is in fluid communication with the suction hose  18  for generating a negative pressure within the hollow body. The suction wand  100  also includes a hub  106  for attaching to a rotary device such that the suction wand rotates about the hub or with the rotary device. The hub is located about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to the suction hose  18 . 
         [0047]    In other words, the suction wand includes a pair of arms extending from the hub, i.e., a first arm or first end  108   a  and a second arm or second end  108   b  ( FIG. 3A ). However, the suction wand can alternatively be configured to be symmetric, asymmetric, or with more than two arms such as multiple arms extending from the hub  106 . 
         [0048]    The shape of the hollow body  102  can be that of a rectangular prism but is preferably configured with the distal ends of the hollow body tapered inwardly. The rear face  110  ( FIG. 3B ) of the suction wand is configured with three slot openings or, simply, slots  112 ,  114  and  116  each in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body  102  for allowing suction to be generated at the openings of each slot  112 ,  114  and  116 . The first slot  112  is positioned about the first end of the suction wand and extends a length about ¼ to ⅓ the longitudinal length of the suction wand. The second slot  114  extends from about the hub  106  a length about ⅓ of the longitudinal length of the suction wand. The third slot  116  is positioned about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end and extends a length about ¼ to ⅓ the longitudinal length of the suction wand. 
         [0049]    Each of the first, second and third slots  112 ,  114  and  116  have a width that is smaller than an overall width of the suction wand hollow body  102 . For example, the ratio of the width of any slot to the overall width of the hollow body can be ⅙, ⅕, ¼, ⅓ or some other fraction. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3B , at least the rear face  110  of suction wand  100  includes a plurality of stiffening ribs formed therein in order to minimize flexure of the suction wand during rotation. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 3E and 3F , the suction wand is configured with a throat region  118  about the second slot  114  so as to retard the flow of fluid communication within the interior of the hollow body between the hub and the third slot such that greater amounts of suction is preserved at the distal ends i.e., at the first and third slots  112 ,  116 , compared to the middle sections of the suction wand i.e., about the second slot  114 . The throat region  118  can be formed e.g., by a concave or U-shaped riser  120  extending inwardly of the hollow body  102  from its rear face. 
         [0051]    The throat region  118  effectively reduces the overall volume of space between the third slot  116  and the hub such that higher negative pressure about the third slot can be maintained. 
         [0052]    The slots  112 ,  114  and  116  are also configured to be tapered such that the distal ends of the slots are wider than the proximal ends i.e., ends closer to the hub  106 . 
         [0053]    The slots are also configured as substantially rectangular or trapezoidal slots having their faces facingly engaging the circular screen  16 . 
         [0054]    The first and third slots  112 ,  116  can optionally be configured to have substantially the same shape and positioned along the longitudinal length of the suction wand such that during rotation of the suction wand, the first slot  112  substantially covers the same area across the screen as the third slot  116  thereby providing double coverage of the same screen area. That is, the first slot opening  112  is spaced from the third slot opening  116  such that upon rotation of the suction wand the first slot opening defines a circular path that overlaps with a circular path defined by the third slot opening. 
         [0055]    The hollow body of the suction wand  100  extends further than the distal ends of the first and second slots  112 ,  116 . In other words, the first and second slots  112 ,  116  are spaced slightly from the most distal ends of the suction wand which advantageously increases suction emanating from the ends of the first and second slots. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 3E , the height HA at the tips of the suction wand  100  is also preferably configured to be as large as possible relative to that of height H B  at the center of the suction wand. That is, the reduction in height H A  relative to H B  is minimized to preserve suction performance at the ends of the suction wand. However, H A  can be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or some other percentage of the height of H B . 
         [0057]    Moreover, referring to  FIG. 3F , owing to the structure of the riser  120 , suction power is better distributed to the ends of the suction wand. That is, suction within a conventional wand is greatest closer to the hub than at its tips. Thus, to preserve suction power at the tips of the suction wand  100  relative to suction adjacent the hub, the riser  120  causes suction power or flow to be divided along the riser thereby resulting in lower suction at the second slot  114  and increasing suction at the third slot  116 . In other words, the volume of space occupied by the riser facilitates the redistribution of flow and pressure along the suction wand. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 3F , the lateral sides  122 ,  124  of the suction wand are also configured to taper inwardly extending from its posterior surface towards its anterior surface. 
         [0059]    Referring back to  FIG. 3C  the length of the second slot  114  extends a fixed distance so as to form an underlap with third slot  116  i.e., the second slot is spaced from the third slot. That is, the circular path defined by the second slot  114  is spaced from the circular path defined by the third slot  116  during rotation of the wand thereby advantageously preserving suction power across the suction wand. This underlap is also advantageous because suction forces extend slightly beyond the edges of the slots thereby negating the need for overlapping circular pathways and preserving suction power within the suction wand to fully cover the diameter of the screen despite the gap between the circular paths traversed by the second and third slots. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3C  further shows that the outer shape of the wand  100  can be asymmetrical. That is, the first end of the wand in which the first slot  112  resides is slightly narrower in width than the second end of the wand in which the second and third slots  114 ,  116  reside. The purpose of this asymmetry is to provide greater negative air flow to the arm of the wand that contains multiple or more slots e.g., the second and third slots in order to compensate for the greater slot opening space created by the second and third slots. That is, air flow is biased toward the second and third slots in order to maintain sufficient suction through all slots of the suction wand. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate a suction wand  200  in accordance with a second aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand  200  is similarly constructed as suction wand  100  but with the following differences. The suction wand  200  has an overall shape configured as shown in  FIGS. 4A through 4C . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , the suction wand  200  includes first  208 , second  210 , third  212 , fourth  214 , fifth  216  and sixth  218  slots each in fluid communication with an interior of a hollow body  202  for facingly engaging the screen of the cooler box. Each of the second through sixth slots  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  are separated by a partition member of the hollow body. First slot  208  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand about a first end thereof a longitudinal length about ¼ to ⅓ of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot  210  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end a longitudinal length about ¼ to ⅓ of the suction wand. Each of the third through sixth slots  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  are positioned between the second slot  210  and a hub  206  about the second end of the elongated body of the suction wand. Each of the third through sixth slots  212 ,  214 ,  216  and  218  are also configured to have an opening progressively smaller in size than the preceding slot. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate a suction wand  300  in accordance with a third aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand  300  is similarly constructed as suction wand  100  but with the following differences. Suction wand  300  includes a first slot  308  and a second slot  310 . The first slot  308  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about ¼ to ⅓ of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot  310  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub  306 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 5B-5D , the second slot  310  is also configured with a partial wall portion or riser  320  that circumscribes the second slot  310  and extends inwardly of the hollow body  302 , but only partially circumscribing a circumference of the second slot, as best shown in  FIG. 5C . The wall portion or riser  320  functions similarly to the aforementioned riser  120 . That is, partial wall or riser  320  retards the flow of fluid communication within the interior of the hollow body nearest the hub such that greater amounts of suction is preserved at the distal ends of the slots compared to the middle sections of the suction wand i.e., about the central portion of the second slot  310 . The partial wall  320  is also referred to as a U-shaped riser wherein both legs of the U extend substantially the same length. The partial wall is positioned about a proximal end of the second slot  310  e.g., between the slot and the hub. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate a suction wand  400  in accordance with a fourth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand  400  is similarly constructed as suction wand  100  but with the following differences. The suction wand  400  has an overall shape configured as best shown in  FIG. 6B . Suction wand  400  includes a first slot  408  and a second slot  410 . The first slot  408  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about ¼ to ⅓ of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot  410  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub  406 . 
         [0065]      FIGS. 6B and 6D  illustrate that the second slot  410  is also configured with a partial wall or riser  420  that circumscribes the second slot  410  and extends inwardly of the hollow body  402 , but only partially along the circumference of the second slot, as best shown in  FIG. 6B . The partial wall  420  is also referred to as a U-shaped riser and is configured substantially the same as the U-shaped riser  320  except that one leg of the U-shaped riser extends further or is longer than the other. That is, the wall portion circumscribes a most proximal end of the second slot opening  410  and extends along a first lateral side of the second slot opening further distally than along a second lateral side of the second slot opening opposite the first lateral side. The partial wall is also positioned between the hub and the second slot. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate a suction wand  500  in accordance with a fifth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand  500  is similarly constructed as suction wand  100  but with the following differences. The suction wand  500  has an overall shape configured as best shown in  FIG. 7B . Suction wand  500  includes a first slot  508  and a second slot  510 . The first slot  508  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about ¼ to ⅓ of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot  510  extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub  506 . 
         [0067]    The second slot  510  of suction wand  500  also includes a riser or bump  520  that extends inwardly from the posterior surface (or facingly engaging surface) of the suction wand, as best shown in  FIG. 7C , forming a throat region  518 . That is, the throat region  518  is formed from the posterior wall or surface extending inwardly of the hollow body so as to be adjacent the anterior wall at least partially the longitudinal length of the second slot, thereby forming a region of restricted air flow from a tip of the suction wand to the hub region  506  of the suction wand. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 8A-8E  illustrate a suction wand  600  in accordance with a sixth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand  600  is similarly constructed as suction wand  500  but with the following differences. The suction wand  600  additionally includes a flow retarder  604  ( FIGS. 8B-8E ) extending inwardly of the hollow body  602  from a posterior surface of the suction wand. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8C, 8D and 8E , the flow retarder  604  is an inwardly extending C-shaped wall segment positioned adjacent a proximal end of a wall portion or riser  620  extending inwardly of an anterior surface of the suction wand. Suction wand  600  has a hub  606  located about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to suction hose  18  ( FIG. 2 ) wherein the flow retarder is between the hub and the wall portion  620 . The flow retarder and riser collectively form an increasingly restricted flow region for the flow of air from a distal end of the suction wand toward the hub of the suction wand. That is, suction is redistributed across the length of the wand  600  whereby it is greatest at distal ends of the wand and decreases radially inwardly in order to substantially uniformly remove debris from the entire surface of the circular screen  16  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0069]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the various aspects described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that the various aspects of the subject application is not limited to the particular aspects disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the described subject application as defined by the claims.