Abstract:
Disconnect systems for use in power transmission components and systems are provided. Such disconnect systems may be utilized in various applications, and bale processors using such disconnect systems are disclosed. One disconnect system is provided for selectively transmitting force between first and second shafts. The disconnect system includes a first closure configured to rotate with the first shaft, and a second closure configured to rotate with the second shaft. The second closure is movable along the second shaft to selectively engage the first closure, and the second closure has a detent respectively operable with proximal and distal depressions of the second shaft. The first and second closures are engaged with one another when the detent operates with the proximal depression, and are disengaged from one another when the detent operates with the distal depression. Respective operation of the detent with the proximal and distal depressions biases the second closure from moving along the second shaft.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The current invention relates generally to power transmission components and systems, and more particularly to couplers for use in power transmission components and systems. Such couplers may be utilized in various applications, and in some embodiments the current invention relates to bale processors. 
         [0002]    Bale processors are devices used to spread the content of bales of bale filamentary material in a controlled way for reasons such as mulching or feeding livestock. Examples of bale processors are shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/290,558, filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company on May 29, 2014; PCT/US2013/023153, filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, published as WO2013/112841; and PCT/US2011/058514, filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, published as WO2013/066287. Each of those publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety—and form part of—the current disclosure. A copy of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/290,558 is provided with the Information Disclosure Statement accompanying this application, and is therefore publicly available and easily accessible for posterity through the United States Patent &amp; Trademark Office. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere. 
         [0004]    According to one embodiment, a disconnect system is provided for selectively transmitting force between first and second shafts. The disconnect system includes first and second closures. The first closure is configured to rotate with the first shaft, and the second closure is configured to rotate with the second shaft. The second closure is movable along the second shaft to selectively engage the first closure, and the second closure has a detent respectively operable with proximal and distal depressions of the second shaft. The first and second closures are engaged with one another when the detent operates with the proximal depression, and the first and second closures are disengaged from one another when the detent operates with the distal depression. Respective operation of the detent with the proximal and distal depressions biases the second closure from moving along the second shaft. 
         [0005]    According to another embodiment, a bale processor includes a hopper for receiving a bale of baled material, a discharge opening for outputting chopped material; a processing section, and a disconnect system for selectively transmitting force between first and second shafts. The processing section has primary and secondary rotors. The primary rotor has an axis of rotation and is rotatable to chop the material from the bale received in the hopper. The secondary rotor is rotatable to chop the material after being chopped by the primary rotor, and the secondary rotor is offset from the primary rotor such that the primary rotor is between the secondary rotor and the discharge opening. The disconnect system has first and second closures and a partition. The first closure is fixed along and rotatable with the first shaft. The second closure is rotatable with the second shaft and is movable along the second shaft such that the first and second closures selectively engage one another. Engagement of the first and second closures causes rotation of the first shaft to be transmitted to the second shaft, whereby the secondary rotor is operable. Rotation of the first shaft is not transmitted to the second shaft when the first and second closures are disengaged from one another. The partition is movable between a dividing position and a neutral position. The second closure is movable along the second shaft when the partition is at the neutral position, and the partition is between the first and second closures such that the first and second closures cannot be engaged with one another when the partition is at the dividing position. 
         [0006]    According to still another embodiment, a bale processor includes a hopper for receiving a bale of baled material, a discharge opening for outputting chopped material; a processing section, and a disconnect system for selectively transmitting force between first and second shafts. The processing section has primary and secondary rotors. The primary rotor has an axis of rotation and is rotatable to chop the material from the bale received in the hopper. The secondary rotor is rotatable to chop the material after being chopped by the primary rotor, and the secondary rotor is offset from the primary rotor such that the primary rotor is between the secondary rotor and the discharge opening. The disconnect system has first and second closures. The first closure is fixed along and rotatable with the first shaft. The second closure is rotatable with the second shaft and is movable along the second shaft such that the first and second closures selectively engage one another. Engagement of the first and second closures causes rotation of the first shaft to be transmitted to the second shaft, whereby the secondary rotor is operable. Rotation of the first shaft is not transmitted to the second shaft when the first and second closures are disengaged from one another. The second shaft has proximal and distal depressions, and the second closure has a detent respectively operable with the proximal and distal depressions. The first and second closures are engaged with one another when the detent operates with the proximal depression, and the first and second closures are disengaged from one another when the detent operates with the distal depression. Respective operation of the detent with the proximal and distal depressions biases the second closure from moving along the second shaft. 
         [0007]    According to still yet another embodiment, a disconnect system for selectively transmitting force between first and second shafts includes a first closure configured to rotate with the first shaft, and a second closure configured to rotate with the second shaft, the second closure being movable along the second shaft to selectively engage the first closure. The first shaft and the second shaft may be axially misaligned. To correct for the axial misalignment, the second closure comprises a snap ring which is configured to allow the second closure to adjust in a radial direction on the second shaft when the second closure selectively engages the first closure. Further, the second closure has a detent respectively operable with proximal and distal depressions of the second shaft. The first and second closures are engaged with one another when the detent operates with the proximal depression. The first and second closures are disengaged from one another when the detent operates with the distal depression. Respective operation of the detent with the proximal and distal depressions bias the second closure from moving along the second shaft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a bale processor according to one embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a section view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with a secondary rotor engaged according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2 a    is a section view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with a secondary rotor engaged according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a section view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with the secondary rotor disengaged according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3 a    is a section view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with the secondary rotor disengaged according the embodiment of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows structure for moving an internal deflector, according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4 a    shows structure for moving an internal deflector, according to another embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5 a    shows primary and secondary intermeshing rotors according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5 b    is a side view of  FIG. 5   a.    
           [0017]      FIG. 6 a    shows primary and secondary non-intermeshing rotors according to another embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6 b    is a side view of  FIG. 6   a.    
           [0019]      FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of a power transmission disconnect system incorporated in the bale processor of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the current invention and with the disconnect system at an engaged position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7 b    is another perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at the engaged position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7 c    is a section view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at the engaged position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8 a    is a perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at an intermediate disengaged position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8 b    is another perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at the intermediate disengaged position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9 a    is a perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at a disengaged position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9 b    is another perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at the disengaged position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9 c    is a section view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , with the disconnect system at the disengaged position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , in context of the bale processor of  FIG. 1  and with the internal deflector lowering from the raised position to the lowered position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the disconnect system of  FIG. 7 a   , in context of the bale processor of  FIG. 1  and with the internal deflector lowered. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a bale processor  100 , according to one embodiment. The bale processor  100  includes a hopper (or “tub”)  110  for receiving bale of forage, bedding, or another bale filamentary material (e.g., hay, straw, corn stover, etc.); a processing section  120  that includes primary and secondary rotors  130 ,  140 ; and a discharge opening  160  for outputting processed (or “chopped”) bale filamentary material. The terms “primary” and “secondary” are used herein for convenience in referring to the rotors  130 ,  140  and indicate that the bale filamentary material interacts with the rotor  130  before interacting with the rotor  140  (as described in detail below). 
         [0030]    The hopper  110  of embodiment  100  is consistent with “hopper 12” of WO2013/066287. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hopper  110  may be of various configurations, shapes, and sizes. A conveyor  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , may be included in the hopper  110  to rotate a bale inside the hopper  110 . The conveyor  112  of embodiment  100  and its means of operation are consistent with “chain conveyor 16” and the accompanying disclosure in WO2013/066287. But especially since various conveyors are well known, those skilled in the art will understand that alternate types of conveyors and ways of powering conveyors—whether now known or later developed—may be utilized. Further, “conveyor” is used broadly herein to include any various elements (e.g., rotatable wheels and cams) capable of rotating bales inside the hopper  110 . 
         [0031]    As shown in the drawings, the bale processor  100  may include elements for allowing travel and transport thereof—e.g., wheels  116  and hitch  118 . Mobility may not be desirable in all cases, however, and stationary embodiments are clearly contemplated herein. 
         [0032]    Attention is now directed to the processing section  120  ( FIGS. 2, 2   a ,  3  and  3   a ). The primary rotor  130  is positioned to interact with (i.e., chop) the bale in the hopper  110 , preferably—though not necessarily—as the bale rotates due to the conveyor  112 . Directions of the primary rotor  130  and the conveyor  112  can each change as desired, but the default direction of both when looking at  FIGS. 2, 2   a ,  3  and  3   a  is clockwise. 
         [0033]    The primary rotor  130  may have various cutting configurations for cutting bale filamentary material, whether now known or later developed. In embodiment  100 , the primary rotor  130  is consistent with “flail rotor 14” of WO2013/066287. Moreover, at least one control/slug bar  133  consistent with the “depth control bars/slugs 18” of WO2013/066287 is included in embodiment  100  for controlling the distance that an outer end of the rotor  130  extends into an outer surface of a bale in the hopper  110 . 
         [0034]    Clockwise rotation (in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the primary rotor  130  chops bale filamentary material from a bale in the hopper  110  in an impingement zone  114 —as described regarding operation of the “flail rotor 14” in WO2013/066287. But instead of the chopped bale filamentary material always directly exiting the bale processor through a discharge opening once chopped, bale filamentary material in the bale processor  100  may advance in a direction away from the discharge opening  160  to the secondary rotor  140 . 
         [0035]    The secondary rotor  140  is laterally offset from the primary rotor  130 , and it may be desirable for an axis  141  of the secondary rotor  140  to be generally parallel to and higher than an axis  131  of the primary rotor  130  ( FIG. 2 ). Moreover, it may be desirable for the processing section  120  to have a wall  124  extending generally horizontally at least from a point below the axis  141  to a point past extended flails  132  of the primary rotor  140 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]    As with the primary rotor  130 , the secondary rotor  140  may be configured in various ways to cut bale filamentary material. In some embodiments, the secondary rotor  140  intermeshes with the primary rotor  130  when in use; in other embodiments, the rotors  130 ,  140  are non-intermeshing. An example intermeshing arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , and an example non-intermeshing arrangement is shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   . Intermeshing may increase the transfer of bale filamentary material between the rotors  130 ,  140 . 
         [0037]    In both  FIG. 5 a    and  FIG. 6 a   , flails  132  have a one-piece design with two blades  132   a ,  132   b . Flails  142  are similarly shown having two blades  142   a ,  142   b ; and while FIGS.  5   a  and  6   a  do not show blades  142   a ,  142   b  in a one-piece design (instead, the blades  142   a ,  142   b  are individual, free swinging blades mounted on either side of a common pivot, such as by a common bolt), a one-piece design may nevertheless be used. While two blades are not required in all embodiments, they may provide increased mass and stability over a single blade, and may lose less energy (and therefore put more energy into a cutting action) than a single blade. Further, a two-blade intermeshing arrangement may provide still improved transfer of bale filamentary material between the rotors  130 ,  140 . For example, the intermeshing arrangement may reduce the distance that bale filamentary material must travel unassisted, greatly reducing the probability of wet material sticking or stopping forward travel (causing a plugged condition). 
         [0038]    Rasp bars  149  may be adjacent the secondary rotor  140  to agitate material rotated by the secondary rotor  140 , increasing the chopping effectiveness of the secondary rotor  140 . Additionally, or alternately, rasp bars may be formed with or coupled to the secondary rotor  140  (such as protrusions from a twelve o&#39;clock position to a six o&#39;clock position along the secondary rotor  140 , for example) to keep the bale filamentary material agitated and thus chopped multiple times. 
         [0039]    Gearing or other power-transmitting devices (e.g., belts and pulleys, chains and sprockets, etc.) may allow a single motor to power both the primary rotor  130  and the secondary rotor  140  (and further the conveyor  112 ), though multiple motors or other rotation-inducing devices may be used. Further, while the secondary rotor  140  may rotate opposite the primary rotor  130 , it may be desirable for both to rotate in the same direction (e.g., clockwise in  FIG. 2 ). In the embodiment  100 , the secondary rotor  140  is smaller than the primary rotor  130  and rotates at a higher RPM. It may be desirable for the secondary rotor  140  to rotate at least fifty percent faster than the primary rotor  130 , even more desirable for the secondary rotor  140  to rotate at least eighty-five percent faster than the primary rotor  130 , and even still more desirable for the secondary rotor  140  to rotate at least twice as fast as the primary rotor  130 . For example, the primary rotor  130  may rotate at approximately 1500 RPM and the secondary rotor  140  may rotate at approximately 3000 RPM. In commercial embodiments of the bale processor in WO2013/066287, rotation of the “flail rotor 14” may be at approximately 1000 RPM to achieve similar throw distances. 
         [0040]    To allow the bale processor  100  to selectively utilize the secondary rotor  140 , the secondary rotor  140  may be selectively engaged/disengaged from the power-transmitting device (e.g., through a transmission or movement of the secondary rotor  140 ) and an internal deflector  150 ,  150   a  may selectively remove/provide a partition between the primary and secondary rotors  130 ,  140 . As discussed further below, movement of the internal deflector  150  may be synchronized with engagement/disengagement of the secondary rotor  140 . 
         [0041]    The internal deflector  150 ,  150   a  may have numerous configurations and methods of moving between disengaged ( FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2 a   ) and engaged ( FIG. 3, 3   a ) positions. For example, the deflector  150   a  may have an end  152  that travels along a track  153   a  ( FIG. 4 ), and a pivot  154   a  may allow sections  155   a ,  155   b  to move relative to one another. In an alternate embodiment, the deflector  150  may include a hydraulic cylinder  151  (or other equivalent device) translationally attached to a deflector plate  153 . At a disengaged position ( FIG. 2 a   ) the hydraulic cylinder  151  holds the deflector plate  153  away from the rotors  130 ,  140 . At an engaged position, the deflector plate  153  passes through opening  154  to rest between the disengaged rotors  130 ,  140 . Particularly in embodiments with intermeshing rotors  130 ,  140 , it may be desirable for the primary and secondary rotors  130 ,  140  to respectively have flails  132 ,  142  that fall freely when not in use.  FIG. 3  shows the secondary rotor  140  disengaged and the flails  142  falling freely. But even in these embodiments, however, stationary knife sections may form part of the primary rotor  130  or the secondary rotor  140  to create an additional slicing action. For example, stationary knife sections may extend from a twelve o&#39;clock position to a six o&#39;clock position along the secondary rotor  140 . 
         [0042]    To ensure that the secondary rotor  140  remains disengaged when the internal deflector  150  is in the engaged (or “blocking”) position, the mechanism for disengaging the secondary rotor  140  may be mechanically or electrically (e.g., through sensors and computer programming) linked to the mechanism for moving the internal deflector  150 . In one embodiment, a gearbox and driveline mechanism is used to engage/disengage the secondary rotor  140  and move the internal deflector  150 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 7 a    through  11  show one power transmission disconnect system  200  incorporated in the bale processor  100 . The disconnect system  200  may include a coupler  201  consisting of a driving shaft  202 , a driven shaft  204 , and corresponding closures  210  and  220 , which selectively allows force to be transmitted from the driving shaft  202  to the driven shaft  204 , and the driven shaft  204  (directly or indirectly) powers the secondary rotor  140 . The coupler  201  is at an engaged position in  FIGS. 7 a  through 7 c   , an intermediate disengaged position in  FIGS. 8 a , 8 b   , and  10  and a fully disengaged position in  FIGS. 9 a -9 c    and  11 . 
         [0044]    The driving shaft  202  has a closure  210  (best shown in  FIGS. 8 a  through 9 c   ) that rotates with the driving shaft  202 , and a complementary closure  220  is movable along the driven shaft  204  to selectively interact with (e.g., receive, or be received by) the closure  210 . The driven shaft  204  has a splined end, and the complementary closure  220  may have projections that mate with channels  205  such that the closure  220  may slide along the driven shaft  204 . The driven shaft  204  further includes depressions  206   a ,  206   b , and a detent  207  (e.g., a ball or ring  208  biased by a spring  209 , as shown in  FIG. 9 c   ) may cooperate with the depressions  206   a ,  206   b  to temporarily bias the closure  220  at the engaged and disengaged positions ( FIG. 7 c   , engaged;  FIG. 9 c   , disengaged). 
         [0045]    The coupler  201  may be configured to correct for misalignment of the shafts  202  and  204  when in an engaged position. As noted above, the closure  220  slides axially along the shaft  204 , and specifically along channels  205  to move the coupler  201  between engaged and disengaged positions. However, in the engaged position, it is common for shafts  202  and  204  to be slightly misaligned (i.e., the distance between the shafts centers of rotation measured at the plane of power transmission), often leading to premature wear or failure of the coupler  201 , as well as less than optimal performance of the machine. To correct for misalignment of the shafts  204  and  205 , the closure  220  may be equipped with a snap ring  203  which allows the closure  220  to be radially adjustable (or essentially float) on the shaft  204 . To move from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the closure  210  is oriented such that it engages with the closure  220 . Closure  220  can radially shift on the shaft  204  in any direction to correct for parallel misalignment of shafts  202  and  204 , thus reducing the forces created by shaft misalignment. Adjustment of the closure  220  on the shaft  204  may correct at least as much as 0.125″ of axial misalignment of the shafts  202  and  204 , though the closure  220  may be configured to correct a greater degree of misalignment. 
         [0046]    The disconnect system  200  further includes a partition  230  selectively movable between a dividing position ( FIGS. 9 a    through  11 ) and a neutral position ( FIGS. 7 a  through 8 b   ), and a lock  235  prevents the partition  230  from undesirably moving from the neutral position. More particularly, the partition  230  rotates about axis  231  and a spring-loaded pin  238  interacts with a hole  239  ( FIG. 7 b   ) to maintain the partition  230  at the neutral position. 
         [0047]    An automatic safety  240  has an interference portion  242  pivotably coupled to an actuation portion  244  (i.e., at axis  243 ), and the actuation portion  244  is rotatable about axis  245 . A spring  248  biases the interference portion  242  downwardly such that the interference portion  242  does not interact with corresponding structure  232  of the partition  230  ( FIG. 10 ) and such that the partition  230  is rotatable from the dividing position to the neutral position. The actuation portion  244  further includes an end  246  that may be moved by lowering the internal deflector  150 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 11 , lowering the internal deflector  150  forces the actuation portion  244  to pivot about the axis  245  (due to force on the end  246  imparted by the internal deflector  150 ), overcoming the spring  248  and moving the interference portion  242  upwardly such that the interference portion  242  interacts with structure  232  to prevent the partition  230  from rotating from the dividing position to the neutral position. Engaging the automatic safety  240  with the partition  230  when the internal deflector  150  is in the lowered position as described above ensures that the secondary rotor  140  is inoperable, thus preventing damage. 
         [0048]    A hydraulic or pneumatic valve  250  (e.g., a ball valve) may be automatically actuated by rotation of the partition  230  to allow the deflector  150  to be raised and lowered when the partition  230  is moved to the dividing position. When the partition  230  is in the dividing position, the ball valve  250  is open, allowing hydraulic flow to the cylinders that allow for actuation of the deflector  150 . When the partition  230  is in the neutral position, the ball valve  250  is closed, preventing hydraulic flow to the deflector  150 , and therefore locking the deflector  150  in place. 
         [0049]    So the disconnect system  200  may start at the engaged position ( FIGS. 7 a  through 7 c   ), such that the closures  210 ,  220  interact with one another to transfer force, the partition  230  is at the neutral position, and the automatic safety  240  is clear of the partition  230 . While the disconnect system  200  is at the engaged position, force is transferred from the driving shaft  202  to the driven shaft  204  (via the closures  210 ,  220 ) to ultimately operate the secondary rotor  140 , and the internal deflector  150  is positioned such that material may travel from the primary rotor  130  to the secondary rotor  140 . 
         [0050]    To move to the disconnect system  200  to the disengaged position ( FIGS. 9 a  through 9 c   ), the driving shaft  202  is stopped, and the closure  220  is moved along the driven shaft  204  (and specifically along the channels  205 ) to separate the closure  220  from the closure  210 . In moving the closure  220 , the biasing force between the detent  207  and the depression  206   a  ( FIG. 7 c   ) is overcome, and the detent is subsequently seated in the depression  206   b  ( FIG. 9 c   ). This brings the disconnect system  200  to the intermediate disengaged position shown in  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   . Next, the pin  238  is removed from the hole  239 , allowing the partition  230  to rotate about the axis  231  to the dividing position ( FIGS. 9 a  through 9 c   ); when at the dividing position, the partition  230  physically prevents the closures  210 ,  220  from mating together. 
         [0051]    Rotating the partition  230  automatically actuates the valve  250 , which in turn allows the deflector  150  to be lowered. Lowering the deflector  150  moves the interference portion  242  of the automatic safety  240  to prevent the partition  230  from rotating from the dividing position to the neutral position, as described above and shown in  FIG. 11 . This ensures that the driven shaft  204  (and thus the secondary rotor  140 ) cannot be actuated when the deflector  150  is lowered. 
         [0052]    To return the disconnect system  200  to the engaged position ( FIGS. 7 a  through 7 c   ), the deflector  150  is raised, allowing the spring  248  to separate the interference portion  242  from the structure  232  of the partition  230  ( FIGS. 9 a  through 9 c   ). The partition  230  is then rotated to the neutral position, and the pin  238  interacts with the hole  239  to maintain the partition  230  at the neutral position ( FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   ). Rotation of the partition  230  automatically closes the valve  250 , which ensures that the deflector  150  is not lowered. Finally, the closure  220  is moved along the driven shaft  204  (and specifically along the channels  205 ) to mate the closure  220  with the closure  210 . In moving the closure  220 , the biasing force between the detent  207  and the depression  206   a  ( FIG. 9 c   ) is overcome, and the detent  207  is subsequently seated in the depression  206   a  ( FIG. 7 c   ). With the disconnect system  200  at the engaged position, force is again transferred from the driving shaft  202  to the driven shaft  204  via the disconnect system  200 . 
         [0053]    Attention is now directed to use of the overall bale processor  100 . After the primary rotor  130  chops bale filamentary material from a bale in the hopper  110  as described above, the chopped bale filamentary material typically passes from the primary rotor  130  to the secondary rotor  140  ( FIG. 2 ). By traveling in the same direction as the primary rotor  130  (e.g., clockwise in  FIG. 2 ), the secondary rotor  140  further chops the bale filamentary material and causes the bale filamentary material to change direction (e.g., from traveling downwardly about the axis  131  to traveling upwardly and clockwise about the axis  141 ). The bale filamentary material then rotates back to the primary rotor  130 , where it is chopped still further and resumes its travel about the axis  131  to be discharged through the discharge opening  160 . The described arrangement of the processing section  120  causes the bale filamentary material to be chopped three distinct times (twice by the primary rotor  130  and once by the secondary rotor  140 ) and may provide substantial reductions in bale filamentary material length in relatively short order. 
         [0054]    Cut lengths of approximately three inches and under may be desirable in various applications. For example, forage must generally be no longer than three inches to be used in a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) mixer wagon. Similarly, some methods of biomass processing of bale filamentary material may benefit from relatively small cut lengths. Yet such a fine cut is not always necessary or desirable. When a fine cut is not needed, the secondary rotor  140  may be disengaged and the internal deflector  150  may be moved to the blocking position ( FIGS. 3 and 11 ) as discussed above. In this arrangement, after the primary rotor  130  chops bale filamentary material from a bale in the hopper  110  as described above, the chopped bale filamentary material rotates with the primary rotor  130  about the axis  131  and is discharged through the discharge opening  160  without being impeded by the secondary rotor  140 . 
         [0055]    An operator may perform maintenance on the primary rotor  130  through the discharge opening  160 , and the secondary rotor  140  may be accessed (e.g., from a standing position) by removing an external portion of the processing section  120 . 
         [0056]    In use, when the closures  220  and  210  are engaged, the internal deflector  150  is hydraulically locked out from movement via ball valve  250  and the partition  230 , which is connected to the ball valve  250 , cannot be rotated to actuate the ball valve  250 . Once the closure  220  is disengaged from closure  210 , the partition  230  may be rotated into the dividing position, thereby blocking engagement of closures  210  and  220 . With the partition  230  in the dividing position, the hydraulic circuit (i.e., ball valve  250 ) used to operate the internal deflector  150  is opened. Internal deflector  150  may then be actuated to the lowered position. As the internal deflector  150  is lowered, automatic safety  240  is mechanically actuated thereby moving the interference portion  242  into an interference position with the partition&#39;s  230  corresponding feature  232 . The interference position prevents the partition  230  from being moved into the neutral position at all times when the internal deflector  1450  is in the lowered position. 
         [0057]    When the closures  220  and  210  are disengaged, the partition  230  prevents connection of closures  220  and  210 . The closure  220  cannot be connected to closure  210  until the partition  230  is rotated into the neutral position. The partition  230  cannot be rotated into the neutral position until the internal deflector  150  is raised. Once the internal deflector  150  is raised, the interference portion  242  is spring-returned to a lowered position, which allows the partition  230  to rotate to the neutral position thus closing the ball valve  230  and allowing closures  220  and  210  to be connected. With closures  220  and  210  in an engaged position, operation of the secondary rotor  140  may commence. 
         [0058]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the driving and driven shafts  202 ,  204  may be reversed such that the closure  210  is positioned along the driven shaft  204  and the closure  220  is positioned along the driving shaft  202 . Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting.