Abstract:
A spreader assembly for a combine harvester, the assembly including a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/545,404, entitled “COMBINE SPREADER ARRANGEMENT HAVING INDEPENDENTLY POSITIONABLE SPREADER DISKS”, filed Jul. 10, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGY FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a spreader disk arrangement for a combine harvester. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved spreader disk arrangement having independently positionable spreader disks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A combine harvester, or a combine, is a machine that is used to harvest grain crops. The objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally were distinct, in one pass of the machine over a particular part of the field. Among the crops that may be harvested with a combine are wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, flax or linseed, and others. The waste (e.g., straw) discharged on the field includes the remaining dried stems and leaves of the crop which may be, for example, chopped and spread on the field as residue or windrowed and subsequently baled for feed and bedding for livestock. 
     A combine harvester cuts crop using a wide cutting header. The cut crop may be picked up and fed into the threshing and separating mechanism of the combine, typically consisting of a rotating threshing rotor or cylinder to which grooved steel bars, commonly referred to as rasp bars or threshing elements, may be bolted. These rasp bars thresh and aid in separating the grains from the chaff and straw through the action of the drum against the concaves, i.e., shaped “half drum,” that may also be fitted with steel bars and a meshed grill, through which grain, chaff and smaller debris may fall, whereas the straw, being too big or long, is carried through to the outlet. The chaff, straw, and other undesired material are returned to the field via a spreader mechanism. 
     In an axial flow combine, this threshing and separating system serves a primary separation function. The harvested crop is threshed and separated as it is conveyed between a longitudinally arranged rotor and the inner surface of an associated chamber comprising threshing and separating concaves, and a rotor cage or cover. The cut crop material spirals and is conveyed along a helical path along the inner surface of the chamber until substantially only larger residue remains. When the residue reaches the end of the threshing drum, it is expelled out of the rear of the combine. Meanwhile, the grain, chaff, and other small debris fall through the concaves and grates onto a cleaning device or shoe. For ease of reference, this smaller particulate crop material that contains the grain and chaff is referred to as threshed crop. The grain still needs to be further separated from the chaff by way of a winnowing process. 
     Clean grain is separated out of the threshed crop by way of a flat oscillating cleaning system that can include a chaffer and sieves. Generally, the cleaning system operates by mechanical and pneumatic methods; blowing air through the threshed crop to winnow the chaff and then sieving the grain to separate the grain from other particulates. Clean grain that is separated from residue via the sieves is typically transported to a grain tank in the combine for temporary storage. The grain tank is typically located atop the combine and loaded via a conveyer that carries clean grain collected in the cleaning system to the grain tank. 
     In normal operation, the waste product is generally expelled out the back of the combine. The waste product such as straw is either evenly spread via a set of spreader disks or windrowed for picking up via another machine such as a baler. Typically, the combine will windrow the chaff, which is generally in a first stream, discharged by a threshing rotor via a discharge beater or integral chopper and is positioned above a cleaning system. The smaller particles that pass through threshing concave grates includes the grain and the chaff, which is discharged onto the cleaning system for winnowing. The chaff is blown rearward by a cleaning fan in a second stream, which is generally below the straw path (the first stream). 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical spreader arrangement. The spreader disks  102  and  104  are attached and secured to a frame  106 . The frame typically includes two or more cross-members  108  for providing support for the disks  102  and  104  when spinning. A motor  110 , including a series of belts, gears or other drive systems is provided for the operation of the disks  102  and  104 . A more detailed explanation of a spreader assembly is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Generally, the chaff material flows in the direction of arrow A over the spreader disks  102  and  104 , which catch a portion of the chaff and throw a portion of the chaff about the rear of the combine. When the combine is configured for windrowing, a windrow hood or other similarly apparatus diverts the flow of straw over the disks  102  and  104  and frame  106  to an opening in the back of the combine. However, as combine output has increased, this arrangement has resulted in straw and chaff back-up due to the inability of the straw to clear any frame structures and belts associated with the drive system. As such, when windrowing a large quantity of straw, a build-up can occur in the spreader disk assembly compartment, in effect building a straw bale in the compartment. 
     Another way to achieve windrowing requires pivoting the spreader out of the straw flow path, such as rearward and upward to allow the entire residue to discharge directly behind the combine and not be spread. Alternatively, the spreader disks could be removed from the drive shaft to windrow the entire crop residue (such as the spreader assembly as shown in  FIG. 1 ). However, both of these configurations have the limitation that the combine cannot windrow the straw and spread the chaff simultaneously. In some instances, it may be preferable to have baled straw that is free from chaff and the chaff is discharged back onto the field by the spreader assembly to be reincorporated into the soil. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a combine having a windrow door positioned above the spreader disks and configured to pivot upward and rearward to divert the first stream of straw rearward and over the spreader disks, thereby bypassing the spreader disks so that the first stream is deposited in a continuous mound behind the combine. 
     According to a first embodiment of the invention, a spreader assembly for a combine harvester includes a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material. 
     According to one aspect of the first embodiment, the pair of disks includes a left disk operably connected to a first motor and a right disk operably connected to a second motor. 
     According to another aspect of the first embodiment, the at least one support of the spreader frame assembly includes a left support arm configured to support the left disk and the first motor and a right support arm configured to support the right disk and the second motor. 
     According to another aspect of the first embodiment, the left disk is configured to move about the left support arm independently of the right disk, and the right disk is configured to move about the right support arm independently of the left disk. 
     According to another aspect of the first embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to rotate about the spreader frame assembly to provide access to a cleaning system of the combine harvester or to internal working component of the combine harvester. 
     According to another aspect of the first embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to pivot about an axial axis to fluff the material during windrowing. 
     According to another aspect of the first embodiment, the spreader frame assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the frame of the combine harvester such that the spreader frame assembly rotates into a storage position. 
     According to a second embodiment of the invention, a combine harvester includes a threshing component configured to separate usable crop material from non-usable material, a collection component connected to the threshing component and configured to collect the usable crop material, and a spreader assembly for spreading the non-usable material. The spreader assembly includes a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor, and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing the non-usable material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing non-usable material. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the pair of disks includes a left disk operably connected to a first motor and a right disk operably connected to a second motor. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the at least one support of the spreader frame assembly includes a left support arm configured to support the left disk and the first motor and a right support arm configured to support the right disk and the second motor. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the left disk is configured to move about the left support arm independently of the right disk, and the right disk is configured to move about the right support arm independently of the left disk. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to rotate about the spreader frame assembly to provide access to a cleaning system of the combine harvester or to internal working component of the combine harvester. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to pivot about an axial axis to fluff the material during windrowing. 
     According to another aspect of the second embodiment, the spreader frame assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the frame of the combine harvester such that the spreader frame assembly rotates into a storage position. 
     According to a third embodiment of the invention, a spreader assembly for a combine harvester includes a left disk operably connected to a first motor, a right disk operably connected to a second motor, and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support connected to the frame of the combine harvester, a left support arm configured to support the left disk and the first motor, and a right support arm configured to support the left disk and the second motor. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material. 
     According to another aspect of the third embodiment, the left disk is configured to move about the left support arm independently of the right disk, and the right disk is configured to move about the right support arm independently of the left disk. 
     According to another aspect of the third embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to rotate about the spreader frame assembly to provide access to a cleaning system of the combine harvester or to internal working component of the combine harvester. 
     According to another aspect of the third embodiment, the left disk and the right disk are configured to pivot about an axial axis to fluff the material during windrowing. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an existing spreader assembly for use with a combine harvester; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary combine harvester for use with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary spreader disk assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate various spreader disk arrangements for inclusion in a spreader assembly such as that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary agricultural combine  200 , which may also be referred as a combine or harvester throughout this specification. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the combine  200  can include a longitudinally axially arranged threshing and separation system  212 , and a concave  220  within the threshing and separation system  212 . The threshing mechanism may also be of any well-known construction and operation. In some embodiments, the concave  220  may also be used with combines having transversely aligned threshing and separation system in a combine. 
     As shown, threshing and separation system  212  is axially arranged, in that it includes a cylindrical threshing rotor  214  conventionally supported and rotatable in a predetermined direction about a rotational axis therethrough for conveying a flow of crop material in a helical flow path through a threshing chamber  216  extending circumferentially around the rotor  214 . As shown, concaves  220  may extend circumferentially around the rotor  214  and the flow of crop may pass in the space between the spinning rotor and the concaves. As the crop material flows through the threshing and separation system  212 , the crop material including, for example, grain, straw, legumes, and the like, will be loosened and separated from crop residue or MOG (material other than grain) such as, for example, husks, cobs, pods, and the like, and the separated materials may be carried away from the threshing and separation system  212  in a well-known conventional manner. Crop residue can be redistributed to the field via a spreader assembly  222 , located at the back of the harvester. 
     The remaining threshed crop, which includes the grain to be collected, is then cleaned via a cleaning system (not shown). The cleaning system can include conventional winnowing mechanisms including a fan that blows air across a series of reciprocating sieves. Through the winnowing action of the air and the reciprocating sieves, clean grain may be collected and sorted from the remaining chaff. The clean grain may be conveyed to the grain tank  250  via a cross auger that conveys grain laterally from the bottom of the cleaning system to a vertical conveyor (or elevator) that conveys grain up a load tube to be spilled into grain tank  250 . At the bottom of grain tank  250 , a one or more cross augers move grain laterally from the bottom of the grain tank  250  to vertical tube  262  of unload tube  260  representing a turret style system of offloading. Vertical tube  262  may include an auger for propelling grain up and to another auger within the unload tube  260 . Unload tube  260  may be rotated such that it may extend its full length laterally for unloading grain from the grain tank  250  to a support vehicle, such as a truck that is driving along the side of the combine  200 . Unload tube  260  may also be oriented to the rear for storage, as shown. In a swivel style offloading system (not shown), the vertical tube  262  and unload tube  260  is replaced by an unloading auger that is attached to the one or more cross augers conveying grain from the cleaning system and may pivot from side to side from the combine  200 , conveying grain from the combine  200 . 
     As discussed above, typically a first stream of straw is windrowed while a second stream of chaff is separately moved through the combine. However, it may be desirable to provide a combine configured to accommodate additional combinations. For example, it may be desirable for a combine to windrow the first stream while spreading the second stream, or to combine the two streams into either a single windrow or to spread both streams simultaneously. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure teaches a combine having a windrow door positioned above the spreader disks and configured to pivot upward and rearward to divert the first stream of straw rearward and over the spreader disks, thereby bypassing the spreader disks so that the first stream is deposited in a continuous mound behind the combine. The second stream of chaff will be spread via the spreader disks and, thus, there will be no interruption to the harvesting process. In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIGS.  3  and  4 A- 4 C, the spreader assembly does not include frame cross-members that would interrupt the flow of the first stream of straw as it transitions from either the upper or lower position to the opposite position, thereby providing a seamless transition from spreading to windrowing, and from windrowing to spreading. In other examples, removing the frame cross-members permits the spreader disk orientation to be changed (e.g., about a fore/aft axis for fluffing the windrow), or rotating the disks rearward and sideward about a vertical axis for providing axis to additional spreader assembly or combine components. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary spreader assembly  300  that reduces the problems addressed above in reference to traditional spreader assemblies, particularly straw and chaff becoming caught on cross-members of a spreader assembly frame and causing a bale to form at or near the spreader assembly, or to cause a blockage to the flow of material through the spreader assembly. The spreader assembly  300  includes two spreader disks  302  and  304 . Each spreader disk  302  and  304  includes a plurality of radial ridges or paddles  306  spaced and configured to catch a portion of the chaff when the spreader disks are spinning. Spreader disk  302  is operably connected to motor  308  via a driveshaft and framing assembly  310 . Similarly, spreader disk  304  is operably connected to motor  312  via a driveshaft and framing assembly  314 . By providing two motors  308  and  310 , each disk  302  and  304  can be operated separately. Additionally, the belts/drive assembly required in a typical spreader arrangement to power both disks from a single motor is eliminated, thereby removing the cross-shaft as one potential obstacle to straw and chaff when the combine is windrowing. 
     Each of disks  302  and  304  (and the associated motors and drive/frame assemblies) may be operably connected to a frame assembly  316 . The frame assembly  316  may include a lower cross-member  318  as well as side-members  320  and  322 . It should be noted that frame assembly  316  as shown in  FIG. 3  is shown by way of example only. As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , certain spreader assembly configurations may eliminate all cross-members. 
     The design of frame assembly  316  provides a large, open space  324  through which straw can pass when the combine is windrowing, thereby eliminating the prior art frame cross-members that interfered with the flow of the chaff. Additionally, the frame assembly  316  may be pivotally attached to pivot arms  326  and  328  at fixed pivot points  330  and  332 . This arrangement results in the frame assembly  316  to be rotated for storage or non-use. A proximity sensor may be provided that detects when the frame assembly is rotated into the storage position and disables the motors  308  and  312 , thus stopping their operation. For example, the motors  308  and  312  may be hydraulic motors. When rotated into storage position, the proximity sensor may cut off hydraulic oil flow, thereby disabling the operation of the motors  308  and  312 . Similarly, the proximity sensor may cut off electricity to the motors  308  and  312  if the motors are electric motors. 
     Similarly, each spreader disk arrangement may be rotationally mounted onto frame assembly  316  at pivot points  334  and  336  respectively. This provides each spreader disk  302  and  304  with an independent movement relative to the other disk. Additionally, the axis of rotation about the pivot points  334  and  336  may be in the same direction of travel as the combine, thus permitting a sideways rotation of the disks  302  and  304 . This arrangement allows the disks  302  and  304  to be at an angle such that the center location of the disks is lower than the outer perimeter of the disks, such that the crop material deflected onto the disks may be permitted to fall between the disks onto the ground, while some of the crop momentum is slowed by the rotating disks. This may allow the windrow material to be “fluffed” in the process, which incorporates air into the windrow for faster drying time. Positioning the disks  302  and  304  in the sideways position may be accommodated by a rigid member (e.g., a strap) with positioning holes and a latching pin to secure the disk in a desired position, or through the use of a hydraulic or electric actuator. 
     The position and arrangement of the various components of spreader assembly  300  provides a versatile system that overcomes many of the drawbacks of prior art approaches. As outlined above, the spreader assembly  300  eliminates the cross-members interfering with the flow of straw when windrowing. Additionally, the position of the spreader disks  302  and  304  when rotated into storage position provides an operator of the combine with access to the cleaning system at each side of the spreader assembly  300 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate additional exemplary embodiments for a spreader assembly. As shown in  FIG. 4A , a first spreader assembly  400  includes two disks  402  and  404  independently supported with no frame cross-members. Rather, each of disks  402  and  404  is supported at each side by one of support arms  406  or  408 . This permits each disk  402  and  404  to be rotated into a storage or non-use position independently of the other disk. An additional advantage of this embodiment is no cross-members to collect crop residue that may lead to blockage of the combine. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 4B  illustrates multiple isometric views of a spreader assembly  410  including a disk  412  independently mounted and supported on support arm  416 . This arrangement permits rotation of the disk  412  in a first direction (e.g., rearwards) as well as about a fore/aft axis to permit sideways rotation. As before, this embodiment has no cross-members to collect crop residue that may lead to blockage of the combine. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a left side of a spreader assembly  420  including a disk  422  mounted on a support arm  426 . This arrangement provides the disk  422  may rotate about a vertical axis (in a similar direction to the support arm  426 ), thereby allowing the disk to rotate and pivot to the rear and side of the combine to provide access to the cleaning system. The right side of this arrangement is similar to the left side but in a mirrored configuration. As before, this embodiment has no cross-members to collect crop residue that may lead to blockage of the combine. 
     It should be noted the embodiments illustrates in  FIGS. 4A-4C  are shown by way of example only to illustrate the freedom of movement of the spreader disks resulting from the elimination of the frame cross-members. In addition to removing obstacles to windrowing material, the elimination of the frame cross-members provides for additional degrees of movement for the spreader disks, thereby providing new alternatives for moving the disks to storage or cleaning positions for improved access to the internal working components of the combine, as well as new alternatives for operating the disks in different positions (as discussed above with fluffing the windrow). 
     It should also be noted that the arrangements discussed herein are shown by way of example only, and are intended to increase the ease with which a combine customer or operator can switch from spreading to windrowing while maintaining high efficiency without sacrificing any potential performance of the combine. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. For example, two pairs of opposing compression rollers can be employed to ensure completely crushed crop materials. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover be construed to all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.