Abstract:
An auxiliary rotary drive for at least one auger that in normal operation is rotatable to transport grain from a grain tank of a harvesting apparatus. The auxiliary rotary drive is configured to rotate the at least one auger during cleanout to assist air nozzles or other means to remove residual grain or residue from the harvesting apparatus. The auxiliary rotary drive can be arranged to transfer power to the auger via a clutch arrangement arranged between the auxiliary rotary drive and the auger. The auxiliary rotary drive turns the auger at a speed slower than a normal operating speed of the auger.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to harvesting apparatus, such as combines. Particularly, the invention relates to a cleanout system for a harvesting apparatus.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Horticultural crops may be classified as edible crops, inedible crops, genetically modified organisms (GMO&#39;s), non-GMO, organic, pesticide-free, or in accordance with other crop attributes. Inedible crops may include crops such as fiber, cotton or rubber, for example. Genetically modified crops may include vegetables that are genetically manipulated to hold their shelf life longer than traditionally cultivated vegetables. Organic crops are harvested from plants that are grown without exposure to certain pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals.  
           [0003]    Crops may be grown to specific crop attributes or specifications. Crop attributes may be based on the genetic composition of a crop, the growing practices for a crop, or both. For example, a certain variety of corn may be grown that has greater oil content than other varieties because of genetic or environmental factors. Similarly, a certain variety of soybeans may be grown that has a different protein content or other crop attribute that is desirable. A processor, a pharmaceutical company, a manufacturer or another concern may desire to purchase agricultural products with specific crop attributes from a grower or another supplier. The grower or supplier may wish to charge a premium for crops with specific crop attributes compared to a commodity-type crop. The purchaser of the agricultural product may desire sufficient assurance that the agricultural product that is being purchased actually possesses the crop attributes that are sought.  
           [0004]    Thus, a need exists to accurately identify crops with specific crop attributes throughout the growing and distribution of crops with specific crop attributes and any products derived therefrom. Further, a purchaser of an agricultural product or a crop may desire or demand the ability to trace the identity of the crop with specific crop attributes to verify the presence of the crop attributes, or the absence of undesired attributes, as a condition for a commercial transaction.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need to segregate crops during harvesting such that no mixing of crops or crop residue with different attributes occurs. After unloading a combine grain compartment, there may be grain and residue left in the lower portions of the grain compartment and in the unloader tube that cannot be easily mechanically removed. The present inventors have recognized that in order to ensure segregation of crops with different attributes, it would be desirable if the combine was able to be thoroughly cleaned of grain and residue between harvesting of crops of different attributes.  
           [0006]    Presently, to thoroughly clean grain compartments, the operator must sometimes crawl into a very small space that is not accessible from the ground and vacuum out or sweep out the grain and residue. During the cleanout of the grain tank, it is difficult to clean under the cross auger covers and in hidden areas of the tank as well. It is also difficult to clean, and verify adequate cleaning of, unloader tubes because of limited access and no effective method to inspect the tube for adequate cleaning. The typical time and effort to completely remove all the grain and residue from the combine, particularly from the grain tank and unloader tube, is very long and the task difficult.  
           [0007]    The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable if the grain compartment and unloader tube of a harvesting apparatus could be more easily and quickly thoroughly cleaned, minimizing the need to vacuum out or sweep out grain or residue.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The invention provides an auxiliary rotary drive for at least one auger that in normal operation is rotatable to transport grain from a grain tank of a harvesting apparatus. The auxiliary rotary drive is configured to rotate the at least one auger during cleanout to assist air nozzles or other means to remove residual grain or residue from the harvesting apparatus. The auxiliary rotary drive can be arranged to transfer power to the auger via a clutch arrangement arranged between the auxiliary rotary drive and the auger. The auxiliary rotary drive has sufficient power to turn the auger via the clutch arrangement. Preferably, the auxiliary rotary drive turns the auger at a speed slower than a normal operating speed of the auger.  
           [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary rotary drive is in an off condition during normal operation of the auger. The auxiliary rotary drive preferably comprises an electric motor. The clutch arrangement preferably comprises a drive sheave fixed to a rotary output shaft of the drive, an input pulley rotationally coupled to the auger, and a belt coupled to the output and input pulleys.  
           [0010]    The clutch arrangement further comprises a belt tensioning system operatively connected to tension the belt. The belt tensioning system comprises a cylinder operative to increase the distance between the input and output pulleys to tension the belt. The system further comprises an operator-actuated switch for activating the auxiliary rotary drive and the belt tensioning system. The operator-actuated switch comprises an elongated cable having a switch element at an end of the cable.  
           [0011]    A control system can be provided, the control system including the operator-actuated switch, a timer, and an audible alarm. The control system can be configured such that once the operator-actuated switch is actuated, the timer delays operation of the auxiliary rotary drive for a pre-selected time during which time the audible alarm sounds.  
           [0012]    The system is preferably configured for turning the unloader auger and grain tank cross augers during cleaning to assist in cleaning out the grain tank and unloader tube. A sequence and method for triggering mechanical parts to turn is provided. The system provides a method of jogging the system for cleanout. During actuation, the system incorporates a delay and simultaneous audible alarm. The unloader tube and grain tank cross auger areas are blown clean without risk of entanglement.  
           [0013]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematical side view of a harvesting apparatus that incorporates the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematical plan view of the harvesting apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a grain compartment area of the harvesting apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary bottom perspective view of the grain compartment area shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 2;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an unloading auger driving system;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front side perspective view of an auxiliary drive system for augers; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a back side perspective view of the auxiliary drive system as shown in FIG. 7.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a harvesting apparatus, such as an agricultural combine  10 . Such combines are of a type described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,198, herein incorporated by reference, and are also of the type commercially available as a JOHN DEERE 9650 STS or 9750 STS combine. Although the invention is being described as being incorporated into a rotary combine, it may also be used on other combines, such as conventional straw walker machines.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 shows an agricultural combine  10 , also known as a combine thresher. The combine  10  comprises a supporting structure  12  having ground engaging means  14  extending from the supporting structure. A harvesting platform  16  is used for harvesting a crop and directing it to a feederhouse  18 . The harvested crop is directed by the feederhouse  18  to a beater  20 . The beater directs the crop upwardly through an inlet transition section  22  to the axial crop processing unit  24 . The axial crop processing unit is located between, and supported by the sidesheets of the combine.  
         [0025]    The axial crop processing unit  24  comprises an axial rotor housing  26  and an axial rotor  28  located in the housing. The harvested crop enters the housing through the inlet transition section  22 . The rotor is provided with an infeed portion, a threshing portion and a separating portion. The rotor housing has a corresponding infeed section, a threshing section and a separating section.  
         [0026]    Both crop processing portions, the threshing portion and the separating portion, are provided with crop engaging assemblies. The threshing section of the rotor housing is provided with a concave and the separating section is provided with a grate. Grain and chaff released from the crop mat falls through the concave and the grate. The concave and grate prevent the passage of crop material larger than grain or chaff from entering the cleaning system  34 .  
         [0027]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, grain and chaff falling through the concave and grate is directed to cleaning system  34  which removes the chaff from the grain. The clean grain is then directed by a clean grain elevator  36  to a fountain auger  38 . The fountain auger  38  directs the grain into a grain tank or grain compartment  40 . The clean grain elevator  36  and the fountain auger  38  comprise a means for moving the clean grain from the grain floor of the combine to a storage bin formed by the grain tank  40 . The grain is removed from the grain tank  40  by unloading auger  57 . As the straw reaches the end of the crop processing unit it is expelled through an outlet to a beater  46 . The beater  46  propels the straw out the rear of the combine. The operation of the combine is controlled from the operator&#39;s cab  48 .  
         [0028]    When the clean grain compartment  40  is to be unloaded, transverse unloading augers  56  and  58  direct the grain to the side of the compartment where it comes into contact with an unloading auger  57  which directs the clean grain through a vertical unloading tube  61  and a horizontal unloading tube  59 . The auger  57  includes a vertical section  57   a , at least partially within the tube  61 , a right angle gear  57   b , and a horizontal section  57   c  within the tube  59 . During an unloading operation, tube  59  would normally be extended outwardly from the side of the combine so that clean grain can be more readily directed into a wagon or truck.  
         [0029]    The grain compartment  40  includes a trough  60 , which includes a major trough region  70  and a minor trough region  72  that house the horizontal augers  56 ,  58 , respectively. The trough  60  is open to a charge housing or sump  64 . The vertical auger section  57   a  extends through the vertical tube  61  and into the sump  64  (see FIG. 5). The grain which is fed through the trough horizontally by the horizontal augers  56 ,  58  is delivered into the sump  64  and is removed by the vertical auger section  57   a  through the tube  61 , and by the horizontal auger section  57   c  through the tube  59 .  
         [0030]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, the major trough region  70  includes a forward inclined wall  76  and a rearward inclined wall  78 . The minor trough region  72  includes a rearward inclined wall  82  that curves into the rearward inclined wall  78  of the major trough region  70 . The sump  64  includes parallel sidewalls  84  that extend substantially parallel and vertical and are fastened substantially continuously to the inclined walls  78 ,  82 . Only the left side sump sidewall  84  is visible in the Figures, the right side sump sidewall is substantially the same shape as the left side sidewall.  
         [0031]    The augers  56 ,  58  are driven by sprockets  108 ,  110 . The auger  57  is driven by a right angle gear drive  112  that is driven by a sprocket  116  via an input shaft  116   a.    
         [0032]    One drive arrangement for turning the sprockets  108 ,  110 ,  116  for normal grain and unloading operation is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,863, herein incorporated by reference, or the drive arrangement can be of the type commercially available on a JOHN DEERE 9650 STS or 9750 STS combine.  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sump includes a front oblique wall  118 , a rear oblique wall  119 , and an auger casting  120 . The auger casting  120  is fastened to the oblique walls  118 ,  119 . The front oblique wall  118  is fastened to the forward inclined wall  76  and the sidewalls  84 ,  86 . The rear oblique wall  119  is fastened to the rearward inclined wall  82  and the sump sidewalls  84 . The sump sidewalls  84 , the auger casting  120 , and the walls  118 ,  119  form a substantially enclosed sump  64  except for drain openings described below. When plugs, or covers and gaskets bolted over openings, are installed into, or onto, the casting  120 , the sump  64  is substantially sealed against the trough region  70 ,  72 .  
         [0034]    The auger casting  120  includes journals  122 ,  124  for rotatably holding a horizontal axis gear assembly  126  for the right angle gear drive  112 . The auger casting  120  also includes a journal  130  (FIG. 5) for supporting and rotationally holding a vertical axle  132  of the auger  57 . A vertical axis gear  134  is fixed to the axle  132 . Turning of the gear  134  turns the auger  57 .  
         [0035]    The auger casting  120  includes drain openings  170  that allow the lowest portion of the sump  64  to be drained of water and/or grain. In operation, gaskets and plates, or plugs close the drain openings  170 . For faster cleanout of the sump  64  and trough  60 , the walls  118 ,  119  of the sump can be replaced by a casting having grate hole patterns such as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on the same day as the present application and identified by attorney docket No. 6301 P0050US, herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 illustrates a drive system  200  for the clean grain unloading system. The grain unloading system is driven by a first sheave  238  that is driven by the driving means  30 , as is known, such as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,863. A belt  239  is driven by the sheave  238 . When the belt  239  is taught, the belt  239  drives a second sheave  240 . A clutch arrangement  250  instigates rotary motion of the sheave  240 . The clutch arrangement  250  is controlled by controls  254  in the operator&#39;s cab. A tensioning sheave  256  is selectively pressed into the belt  239  to instigate drive of the second sheave  240 . The tensioning sheave  256  is driven into the belt  239  by a hydraulic cylinder  257  that is controlled by the associated controls  254 .  
         [0037]    The sheave  240  is operatively coupled to a sprocket  302  which is provided with a chain  304 . The chain  304  engages sprockets  108 ,  110  for driving the unloading transverse augers  56 ,  58 , and a sprocket  116  for driving the auger  57  for directing grain from the sump  64  through the vertical tube  61  and the horizontal unloading tube  59 . The sprocket  312  is a spring biased tensioning sprocket for maintaining tension in the chain  304 .  
         [0038]    According to the invention, an auxiliary rotary drive  340  is provided to rotate the augers  56 ,  57 ,  58 . The auxiliary rotary drive  340  includes a third sheave  350  fixedly mounted to the second sheave  240  and to the sprocket  302  to rotate therewith. A motor  354  is mounted to a lever  356  that is pivotally connected at one end  357  to a fixed structure on the combine chassis. The motor  354  includes an output shaft  355  fixed to a drive sheave  360 . The motor  354  is preferably a 12 volt DC electric motor; although a pneumatic, hydraulic or other type motor is also encompassed by the invention. The motor  354  can be within a preferred range of ⅕ HP to 20 HP and 20 RPM to 200 RPM. For example the motor  354  can be a ⅕ HP motor having 135 inch pounds torque and 18.5 full load amps. By use of a gear box  354   a  (FIG. 8) with about a 20:1 gear ratio, the motor drives the output shaft  355  at about 80 RPM under load.  
         [0039]    A belt  370  is wrapped around the third sheave  350  and the drive sheave  360 . A spring  374  is connected between a free end portion  375  of the lever  356  and the lever end  357 . A pneumatic cylinder  378  is connected between the free end portion  375  of the lever and the lever end  357 . Expansion of the cylinder  378  against tension force from the spring  374  causes the lever to pivot downwardly, clockwise about the point  357 , to tension the belt  370  between the sheaves  350 ,  360 . Once tensioned, if the motor is energized, the sheave  360  drives the sheave  350  into rotation. Thus, the second sheave  240  and the sprocket  302  are also driven into rotation.  
         [0040]    Because the motor  354  has a relatively small power output and is geared for slow output rotation, the second sheave  240  is rotated slowly. As a comparison, the augers  56 ,  57 ,  58  run at about 420 RPM during grain unloading. Under power from the motor  354  during cleanout operation, the augers  56 ,  57 ,  58  run at about 25 RPM. Such slow rotation is advantageous for a cleaning operation of the grain compartment  40 , the horizontal unloader tube  59 , and around the unloading augers  56 ,  58 ,  57 .  
         [0041]    The cylinder  378  includes a ram side  380  and a piston side  382 . Pneumatic tubing connects the piston side  382  to a port of a solenoid valve  386 . FIG. 6 shows the solenoid valve  386  in the energized position. In this position, pressurized air from a supply  388  is connected to the piston side  382 . The air supply  388  can be an external supply that is connected to the piston side  382  by a quick connect coupling  389 , or other type coupling. A vent to atmosphere  390  is connected to the ram side  380  of the cylinder  378 . Thus, pressurized air to the piston side  382  causes an extension of a cylinder rod  378   a  from the cylinder body  378   b . This movement tensions the belt  370 . When the solenoid valve  386  is not energized, a spool  386   a  of the solenoid valve  386  is shifted upwardly as shown in FIG. 6, by spring force of a solenoid spring  386   c , into the alternate position. In the alternate position, under force from the spring  374 , the piston side  382  of the cylinder  378  compresses the air therein as the rod  378   a  retracts into the body  378   b , the compressed air limited in pressure by a relief valve  400  that is set to vent the compressed air at about 5 psig.  
         [0042]    An electronic control  406  includes necessary switching, 12 volt supply, and timer electronics to operate the system. The actuation switch  408  is preferably on a coiled tether cable  409  that can be plugged into the control system  406 . In this regard, the control system  406  includes a cable  406   a  that extends to an elevated position adjacent to the grain tank top and terminates in a plug  406   b . The control system also includes a cable  406   c  that extends to a position accessible from grade adjacent the motor  354  and terminates in a plug  406   d . The tether cable  409  can be plugged into either plug  406   b  or  406   d  to operate the control system  406  via the switch  408 . This allows the operator cleaning the grain tank  40  at an elevated position from grade to conveniently start or stop rotation of the augers  56 ,  57 ,  58  during cleaning, or allows an operator at grade to start or stop the augers  56 ,  57 ,  58 .  
         [0043]    The control system  406  includes a switching line  410  that selectively provides power to the motor  354 . The control also provides an actuation line  412  to the solenoid valve  386 . Additionally, the control system  406  provides actuation lines  416  to one or more audible alarms  420   a ,  420   b . The switch  408  and tether cable  409  can be plugged into the system  406  at plural locations such as at ground level and at grain tank level.  
         [0044]    The control system  406  incorporates a timer circuit or a timer relay switch to provide a delay while sounding alarms  420   a ,  420   b.    
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 illustrates the structural configuration of the auxiliary rotary drive  340 . The lever  356  is pinned for rotation to a bracket  520  by a stud/pin  524 . The bracket  520  is fastened to a stationary structure  528  of the combine by fasteners  532 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 illustrates a bracket  538  fixed to the lever  356 , and a bracket  540  fixed to stationary structure  542  of the combine. The cylinder  378  is connected to the brackets  538 ,  540  with pins or bolts (not shown). The spring  374  is also connected to the brackets  538 ,  540 . The motor  354  can be connected to the output shaft  355  via a gearbox  354   a , as necessary.  
         [0047]    In operation, the unloader tube and grain tank cross auger areas are blown clean while the auger system is slowly turned, for efficient and quick cleaning.  
         [0048]    A method of the invention includes engaging and disengaging the system. The procedure for engaging the system comprises the following steps:  
         [0049]    1. A remote location is chosen to plug in the remote tether, either at ground level or and grain tank level.  
         [0050]    2. Air is supplied to the system.  
         [0051]    3. The remote switch  408 , being a momentary switch, is manually depressed and held down.  
         [0052]    4. Twelve volts is sent to timer circuitry and audible alarms  420   a ,  420   b  are activated for a preselected period of time, such as two seconds. During the preselected time, the motor  354  is not activated.  
         [0053]    5. After the preselected time elapses, the timer circuitry shuts off the audible alarms and sends twelve volts to the motor  354 , wherein the motor starts turning. The motor turns at about 80 RPM with the belt still loose.  
         [0054]    8. Twelve volts are sent to the air solenoid valve  386  wherein the solenoid valve spool slides and supplies pressurized air to the air cylinder  378 .  
         [0055]    9. Air enters the piston side  382  of the air cylinder and air pressure overcomes force from the return spring  374 .  
         [0056]    10. The air cylinder ram side ( 380 ) air is vented to atmosphere through vent  390 .  
         [0057]    11. The air cylinder pushes the turning motor downward into the belt  370  and the unloader sheave  240  starts turning.  
         [0058]    12. The unloader augers  56 ,  57 ,  58  turn at about 25 RPM due to the ratios of the sprockets.  
         [0059]    13. Strategically positioned remote air nozzles and/or manually directed air wands, are used while the augers are turning to provide for effective cleanout. Air systems for cleanout are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed on the same day as the present application and identified as attorney docket No. 6301 P0080US, and in U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed on the same day as the present application and identified as attorney docket No. 6301 P0090US, both herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0060]    The disengagement of the cleanout system is as follows:  
         [0061]    1. The momentary tether switch  408  is de-activated by releasing finger or thumb pressure on the switch.  
         [0062]    2. The twelve volt supply is immediately shut off to the timer circuit or element, the solenoid valve  386 , and the motor  354 .  
         [0063]    3. The solenoid valve  386  shifts and shuts off air supply  388  to the cylinder  378 .  
         [0064]    4. The return spring  374  pulls the motor sheave  360  out of engagement with the belt  370  by overpowering the force of the cylinder.  
         [0065]    5. The ram side  380  of the cylinder  378  is vented to let atmospheric air into the cylinder.  
         [0066]    6. The air on the piston side  382  of the cylinder is pressurized back to the solenoid valve  386 .  
         [0067]    7. The air from the cylinder is pushed against the 5 PSI relief valve  400 .  
         [0068]    8. The spring-induced pressure being higher than the 5 PSI relief valve-controlled pressure, allows air to discharge, allowing the cylinder to retract.  
         [0069]    9. The system is then effectively off.  
         [0070]    The system of the invention provides safety advantages. The timer circuit delays the start of the moving parts of the system while audible alarms sound before the parts begin moving. Once moving, the auxiliary motor  354  turns the augers at a slow speed. The system force is relatively low. The system effectively turns off with loss of voltage or air. The system requires both air and voltage to be engaged. The air pressure has to be maintained high enough to overcome return spring force, which can be 40 pounds. The switch  408  is manually operated and is a momentary switch.  
         [0071]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.