Patent Publication Number: US-2017367264-A1

Title: Agricultural harvesting unit and method of harvesting using the unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to agricultural harvesting and, more particularly, to a harvesting unit utilizing a pressurized fluid to enhance crop processing. 
     Background Art 
     For decades, crop harvesting systems have utilized pressurized fluid to assist the processing of crops. A pioneer patent in this area—U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,082 entitled “Mechanical Air Reel”—discloses a basic arrangement of components that is common to most harvesting systems with a pressurized fluid assist capability. 
     A harvesting “head”, as commonly coupled to a combine, typically consists of a frame that bounds a processing space within which severed crop is accumulated for delivery to the combine, whereat further processing occurs. The crop is severed at the front of the frame by stationary or moving cutting bars. Laterally spaced down tubes are arranged to deliver discrete, pressurized fluid streams in the vicinity of the cutting bars. The pressurized fluid is delivered in a manner whereby it reorients the crop more optimally to be severed for placement in the frame processing space. The pressurized fluid also sweeps crop over the cutting bars that otherwise tends to submerge under the head for various reasons. At the same time, the pressurized fluid assists advancement of the severed crop towards the combine. 
     As this technology evolved, certain refinements were made to allow better adaptation to different crop types and conditions. Notably, these systems now commonly allow the angle of the pressurized fluid streams to be varied by a user. Further, the volume of pressurized fluid delivered in the streams is also commonly variable to both optimize the desired effect of the pressurized fluid and control horsepower draw on the combine power supply. Through appropriate adjustments, a user of the harvesting system may improve the processing capabilities for the system. Such adjustments may be necessary in crops with different stalk thickness, consistencies, dryness, etc. 
     With existing technology, optimal system adjustments are generally arrived at through trial and error. While experience may allow appropriate gross adjustments to be made, fine tweaking is generally carried out on trial and error basis in a field. 
     In one existing form, the down tubes are connected to a manifold, a part of which can be turned around a laterally extending axis to change the line of the pressurized fluid stream departing from each down tube outlet. The movement of the part of the manifold is commonly effected through a linear drive mechanism that may be powered by a typical 12 v power system for an associated combine. 
     To control the flow volume, it is known to incorporate a baffle into the manifold. The baffle is selectively movable to locally change the effective cross-sectional area of the manifold. In one form, the baffle pivots and is controlled in movement as by a linear drive, powered as well through the combine power system. 
     Heretofore, the actuators for the separate drives have been in the form of switches placed within a user cab on the combine wherein other combine functions are controlled by a user. However, seated in the cab, a user is unable to directly observe the front region of the harvesting system to determine whether a selected angle for the pressurized fluid streams and a particular flow volume is optimal. In a typical one man operation, the user will make an initial adjustment and then leave the cab to observe the pressurized, fluid flow characteristics while located at the front region of the head. He/she may then have to return to the cab to make a further adjustment, after which another inspection is carried out. This may have to be done multiple times, as a result of which valuable harvesting time may be wasted. Further, a user is inconvenienced by potentially having to repeatedly enter the cab, depart the cab to inspect, and re-enter the cab before harvesting begins. 
     Aside from the inconvenience, a user has an increased likelihood of injury by reason of having to repeatedly enter and exit the cab by climbing over different structure on the head and combine below the elevated cab. 
     Alternatively, the initial setup may be carried out by multiple individuals, with one occupying the cab and controlling the actuators, and the other situated to observe the front of the system and relay recommendations regarding adjustments to the user in the cab. This is generally inconvenient and doubles necessary manpower at startup. 
     Further, crop conditions may vary in a single field or in multiple fields during a typical harvesting day. Thus, adjustments may have to be made periodically, as a result of which the user experiences the same inconvenience and loss of time and/or may inefficiently use manpower as discussed above. 
     The industry has continued to contend with the above problems because of a lack of any practical solution therefor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form, the invention is directed to a harvesting unit with a combine configured to be advanced over underlying terrain and process severed crop delivered to the combine. The combine has a cab from which a user can control operation of the combine. A harvesting apparatus is configured to be advanced by the combine over an area in which crop is grown. The harvesting apparatus has a frame with laterally spaced sides, a front and a rear. The harvesting apparatus has a harvesting assembly on the frame configured to process severed crop over a width between the spaced sides of the frame as the frame is advanced by the combine. A fluid delivery system is provided through which pressurized fluid is discharged in discrete streams each directed to at least one of: a) facilitate severance of crop by the harvesting assembly; and b) facilitate advancement of severed crop rearwardly in relationship to the frame for further processing. The fluid delivery system is configured so that a user can selectively vary at least one of: a) a volume of pressurized fluid discharged in the discrete streams; and b) a direction of the pressurized fluid in the discrete streams. The fluid delivery system has a control system with at least one actuator accessible and operable from outside of the cab through a user input to cause the at least one of the volume of pressurized fluid discharged, and direction of the pressurized fluid, in the discrete streams to be varied. 
     In one form, the fluid delivery system has a plurality of tubes with outlets from which the discrete streams project. The at least one actuator is located to allow a user to access and provide an input to the at least one actuator from a location that allows the user to directly observe the tube outlets. 
     In one form, the at least one actuator is configured to allow a user to access and provide an input to the at least one actuator with the user located in front of the harvesting apparatus. 
     In one form, the fluid delivery system has a pressurized fluid source, a plurality of tubes with outlets from which the discrete streams project, and a manifold assembly that directs pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the plurality of tubes. At least a part of the manifold assembly is configured to turn around a laterally extending axis relative to the frame to thereby vary the direction of the pressurized fluid in the discrete streams. 
     In one form, the fluid delivery system has at least one baffle that is movable relative to a part of the manifold assembly to thereby vary the volume of fluid delivered from the pressurized fluid source to the plurality of tubes. 
     In one form, the control system has a drive and a controller. The drive is operated in response to a signal from the controller resulting from a user input to the at least one actuator to thereby cause the at least one of the volume of pressurized fluid discharged, and direction of the components of the pressurized fluid, in the discrete streams to be varied. 
     In one form, the control system has an actuator accessible and operable by a user input from within the cab to cause the at least one of the volume of pressurized fluid discharged, and direction of the pressurized fluid, in the discrete streams to be varied. 
     In one form, the at least one actuator and controller are configured so that the user input causes a signal to be communicated wirelessly to the controller to thereby cause the drive to be operated through the controller. 
     In one form, the combine has a power system. The controller is powered by the combine power system. 
     In one form, the drive has a linear drive assembly. 
     In one form, the control system has first and second drives, a controller, and a second actuator. The first drive is operated in response to a signal from the controller resulting from a user input to the one actuator to thereby cause the first drive to move the one baffle relative to the part of the manifold assembly. The second drive is operated in response to a signal from the controller resulting from a user input to the second actuator to thereby cause the second drive to turn the part of the manifold assembly around the laterally extending axis. 
     In one form, the controller and one and second actuators are configured so that the user input to each of the one and second actuators causes a signal to be communicated wirelessly to the controller to thereby cause the first and second drives to be operated through the controller. 
     In one form, the control system has a hand-holdable control box on which the one and second actuators are provided. The control box is untethered to a remainder of the harvesting unit whereby a user can effect operation of the one and second drives through the control box within a range around the remainder of the harvesting unit. 
     In one form, the controller and one and second actuators are configured to communicate with each other using RF signals. 
     In one form, the control system has an RF receiver within the cab. 
     In one form, the control system is configured so that the drive is caused to be operated by a signal sent by a wired connection between the controller and drive. 
     In one form, the control system is configured so that the drive is caused to be operated by a signal sent wirelessly from the controller to the drive. 
     In one form, the invention is directed to a method of harvesting crop including the steps of: obtaining the harvesting unit described above; while at a location outside of the cab and adjacent to a front region of the harvesting apparatus, providing an input to the at least one actuator to thereby cause the at least one of the volume of pressurized fluid discharged, and direction of the pressurized fluid, in the discrete streams to be varied; and advancing the harvesting unit through a field to harvest growing crop after providing the input to the at least one actuator. 
     In one form, the step of providing an input to the at least one actuator includes the steps of separately providing inputs to the one and a second actuator to cause both the volume of pressurized fluid discharged, and direction of the pressurized fluid, in the discrete streams to be varied. 
     In one form, the one and second actuators are on a control box that is untethered to a remainder of the harvesting unit. The step of operating the one and second actuators involves operating the one and second actuators from a location that is spaced from the remainder of the harvesting unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a harvesting unit, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation showing additional details of the harvesting unit in  FIG. 1 , including details of a fluid delivery system thereon; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one specific form of harvesting unit, according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, partially schematic representation of an existing manifold assembly with laterally spaced and repositionable down tubes for directing pressurized fluid against crop during a harvesting operation; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation view showing impingement of pressurized fluid streams relative to a cutting bar on the harvesting apparatus in  FIG. 4  and with an exemplary down tube in two different positions; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, perspective view of the manifold assembly in  FIG. 4  and showing a drive for moving a part of the manifold assembly at one end thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially schematic, perspective view of an existing source for supplying pressurized fluid to the manifold assembly as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a control system, according to the invention, for varying volume and direction of fluid streams discharged through down tubes; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a control box, according to the invention, incorporating actuators to which inputs can be made by a user to selectively vary volume and direction of discharge streams of pressurized fluid; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram representation of a method of harvesting crop, according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A harvesting unit, according to the invention, is shown schematically at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The harvesting unit  10  is made up of a combine  12 , configured to be advanced over underlying terrain, and a harvesting apparatus at  14 , configured to be advanced by the combine  12  over an area in which crop is grown. The harvesting apparatus  14  is commonly referred to as a “head” that may be releasably joined to the combine  12  through cooperating connectors  16 ,  18 , respectively on the combine  12  and harvesting apparatus  14 . 
     The harvesting apparatus  14  has a frame  20  that supports operating components for the harvesting apparatus  14 . The frame  20  has laterally spaced sides, a front, and a rear. 
     A harvesting assembly  22  on the frame  20  is configured to process crop over a width between spaced sides of the frame  20  as it is advanced. The harvesting assembly  22  may be configured to: a) sever crop; and/or b) process pre-severed crop, as by controlled delivery to the combine  12 . 
     The harvesting assembly  22  may include virtually a limitless number of different constructions. In just one exemplary form, the harvesting assembly  22  may include a reel that rotates around a laterally extending axis relative to the frame  20  to direct crop rearwardly relative to the frame  20  towards the combine  12 . 
     The harvesting assembly  22  may include an auger that causes crop intercepted and contained on the frame  20  to be routed from laterally opposite sides in paths converging at a delivery location  24 . Alternatively, it may use a drape or a design with a fabric or rubber apron that performs the function of the cross auger. 
     Whether the harvesting assembly  22  is designed to sever crop or handle only pre-severed crop, generally it will be configured to accommodate/process the severed crop over the width thereof and cause the severed crop to be directed to the delivery location  24 , from where the crop is directed to a processing assembly  26  on the combine  12  through which usable crop is separated and accumulated either in the combine  12 , or at a separate point of use, such as in a separate storage device. 
     The harvesting unit  10  further includes a fluid delivery system at  28 . The fluid delivery system  28  may be an integral part of the frame  20  or a separate assembly. 
     Additional details of the fluid delivery system  28  are shown schematically in  FIG. 2 . The fluid delivery system  28  has a manifold assembly  30  that delivers a fluid under pressure from a source  32  to a plurality of tubes/down tubes  34 . Each tube  34  causes the pressurized fluid to be controllably discharged in a stream at an outlet  36  associated with each tube  34 . 
     A part  38  of the manifold assembly  30  supporting the tubes  34  is repositionable relative to the frame  20  to reorient the tubes  34  to thereby change the direction of the fluid streams discharging from the tube outlets  36 . 
     A baffle  40  is movable relative to part of the manifold assembly  30  to thereby vary a volume of pressurized fluid delivered from the pressurized fluid source  32  to the tubes  34 . 
     The pressurized fluid streams are designed to facilitate severance of crop and/or facilitate advancement of severed crop rearwardly in relationship to the frame  20  for further processing. 
     The fluid delivery system  28  further includes a control system at  42 . The control system  42  is made up of at least one controller  44  through which frame mounted drives  46 ,  48  are operated. The drive  46  is responsible for moving the manifold part  38 , with the drive  48  responsible for moving the baffle  40 . The drives  46 ,  48  are caused to be operated through an input by a user to one or more actuators  50 . Through the control system  42 , the user can effect operation of one or both of the drives  46 ,  48  to thereby vary one or both of: a) the volume of pressurized fluid discharged through the tubes  34 ; and b) the direction of the pressurized fluid streams discharged at the tube outlets  36 . 
     The schematic showing in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is intended to generally describe the components making up the inventive harvesting unit  10 . The components disclosed therein may take a number of different forms and may interact in different manners. The schematic showing is intended to encompass the specific forms shown hereinbelow as well as a multitude of variations of each of the components and their interaction as would be obvious to one skilled in the art with the present teachings in hand. 
     As but one example, the schematic showing in  FIGS. 1 and 2  encompasses harvesting units as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,082 and Applicant&#39;s pending application Ser. No. 14/686,039, entitled “Harvesting Apparatus Utilizing Pressurized Fluid.” The disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,082 and that in application Ser. No. 14/686,039 are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. It is unnecessary to discuss in detail basic operation of components in the harvesting unit  10  and focus herein will be on those most significant with respect to the inventive concepts. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3-9 , the combine  12  has a cab  52  within which a user  54  can be seated in a climate controlled environment and control most combine functions. The user  54  is at a location that he/she observes the particular field from a location a significant distance behind the harvesting apparatus  14 . Thus, the user  54 , seated in the cab  52 , cannot directly see the discharging pressurized fluid interacting with crop  56  that would allow the user  54  to make an appropriate adjustment of the pressurized fluid volume exiting the tubes  34  and/or the direction of the discharging fluid streams therefrom. 
     More specifically, as seen with the known structure in  FIG. 5 , the primary volume of the fluid stream at  58  is discharged from each tube  34  in a direction indicated by the arrow  60 . Each stream  58  is directed generally downwardly and rearwardly to interact with crop in the vicinity of a leading edge  62  on a cutting bar  64  on the frame  20  of the harvesting apparatus  14 . By changing the stream direction, the crop is repositioned in different manners preparatory to cutting to thereby facilitate severance of the crop. This flow tends to sweep crop tending to submerge under the cutting bar  64  to a position wherein it will be intercepted by the cutting edge  62 . The streams  58  also advance severed crop rearwardly relative to the frame  20  within its lateral dimension. 
     Of course, the nature of the cutting structure for the crop is not critical to the invention, as numerous different structures are currently used. For example, the cutting bar  64  may be a fixed component. Alternatively, the cutting bar  64  may be made up of multiple movable parts to effect crop severance. 
     As shown for the exemplary known construction in  FIG. 4 , the manifold assembly part  38 , which moves as one piece with the down tubes  34 , is supported on the frame  20  through laterally spaced cradles  66 . The cradles  66  are configured so that the manifold assembly part  38  is guided in pivoting movement around a horizontally extending axis  68  relative to the frame  20 . As this occurs, the tubes  34 , which move as one piece with the manifold assembly part  38 , pivot back and forth around the axis  68  in a path, as indicated by the double-headed arrow  70  in  FIG. 5 , to thereby change the direction of the streams  58  relative to the frame  20  and cutting bar  64 . 
     The drive  46  connects between the frame  20  and a surrounding sleeve  72  that embraces the outer surface of the manifold assembly part  38 . The sleeve  72  has a projecting operating arm  74  that connects through a pivot arrangement to the drive  46 . In this case, the drive is a linear drive component with an extendable rod  76  repositionable through a motor  78  powered by a conventional 12V power supply  80  on the combine  12 . Extension and retraction of the rod  76  causes the manifold assembly part  38  to pivot in opposite directions around the axis  68 . 
     An exemplary form of the pressurized fluid source at  32  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The fluid source  32  depicted is an existing construction that uses a centrifugal fan component (not shown) rotated around an axis  82  by a power takeoff  84  on the combine  12 . 
     The fluid source  32  has an outlet  86  defined by a sleeve  88  that is connected to communicate generated pressurized fluid directly or indirectly to the manifold assembly part  38 . 
     Within the sleeve  88 , the baffle  40  is mounted for pivoting movement around an axis  90 . The baffle  40  is in the form of a flat plate having a central plane. The plate is turned around the axis  90  between positions wherein the plane of the plate blocks the sleeve  88  and a position wherein the plane is generally parallel to the sleeve axis  92 . By selecting the desired baffle position, the volume of pressurized fluid delivered to the manifold assembly part  38  can be controlled within a range. 
     The drive  48  may be a linear drive, similar in construction to the aforementioned drive  46  associated with the manifold assembly part  38 . The drive  48  is powered through the combine power supply  80 . Operation of the drive  48  effects extension and retraction of a rod  94  that effects opposite turning movement of the baffle  30  to around the axis  90 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , one exemplary control arrangement is depicted for the exemplary drive  46  for the manifold assembly part  38 . As depicted, the controller  44  and drive  46  are powered through the power supply  80  on the combine  12 . The controller  44  has a receiver  96  for a wireless signal produced by a generator  98  that is part of the actuator  50   a . The receiver might be within the combine cab  52 . The actuator  50   a  is caused to generate the signal to the receiver  96  when receiving an input at  100  from a user. Any wireless transmission is contemplated, such as a system using radio frequency (RF) transmission. 
     The controller  44  may be hardwired to the drive  46 . Alternatively, the controller  44  may incorporate a generator  102  for sending a wireless signal to a receiver  104  on the drive  46  to effect operation thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a hardwired actuator  50   b  may be provided in the combine cab  52  to have a function redundant to that of the actuator  50   a.    
     As a still further alternative, an actuator  50   c  may be provided to be accessible from at the front region of the harvesting apparatus  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A user may be able to provide an input to the actuator  50   c  at this location while directly observing the front of the harvesting apparatus  14 . 
     In one exemplary form, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the actuator  50   a  for the drive  46 , and a like functioning actuator  50   d  for the drive  48 , are integrated into a control box at  106  that makes up part of the control system  42 . By incorporating wireless transmission capabilities, the control box  106  may remain untethered to the remainder of the harvesting unit  10 , whereby a user can effect operation of the drives  46 ,  48  through the control box  106  within a controlled range around a remainder of the harvesting unit  10 . 
     The actuators  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d  may be configured to respond to any type of conventional user input, such as turning of a dial, repositioning of a switch, pushing a button, engaging a touch pad, etc. In the depicted form in  FIG. 9 , each actuator  50   a ,  50   d  has a pair of input push pads  108   a ,  108   b ;  110   a ,  110   b . Indicia are provided to allow a user to visually identify the appropriate location to press to effect the desired operation. As depicted, the actuator  50   a  allows the volume to be varied by pressing the “open” pad  108   a  to increase volume, and “close” pad  108   b  to decrease volume of the pressurized fluid. 
     On the actuator  50   d , pressing the pads  110   a ,  110   b  respectively shifts the outlets  36  forwardly and rearwardly by reason of the tubes following the pivoting movement of the manifold assembly part  38  around its axis  68 . This pivoting also changes the discharge direction of the discharging fluid streams  58 . 
     A strap  112  is provided on the control box  106  to facilitate handling and storage thereof, as by placing the strap around one of the user&#39;s limbs. 
     There are many variations of the invention, as described above. In one form, a user has the option of controlling the volume and direction of fluid in the streams  58  without leaving the cab  52 . Alternatively, the user can vary the volume and direction of the streams  58  from locations anywhere around the remainder of the harvesting unit  10  as long as he/she remains within the range of wireless signal generation. As a further alternative, the user might use a non-wireless construction to input at the front region of the harvesting apparatus  14  so as to cause fluid flow adjustment. 
     With the harvesting unit as described above, the user can carry out a method of harvesting crop, as shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown at block  120 , the user obtains a desired configuration of harvesting unit, as described above. 
     As shown at block  122 , with the user at a location outside of the cab and adjacent to a front region of the harvesting apparatus, he/she operates at least one actuator to thereby cause at least one of the volume of pressurized fluid, and direction of the pressurized fluid, in discrete discharging streams to be varied. 
     As shown at block  124 , the harvesting unit, with the pressurized fluid controlled to a selected volume and output stream direction, is advanced through a field to harvest grown crop. 
     The method may involve operating one or more actuators to effect the desired system adjustments. 
     The actuators may be on a control box or otherwise supported to facilitate ease of operation. 
     The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.