Patent Abstract:
An adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/982,416 filed on Oct. 31, 2007 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to housings for axial-flow, rotary agricultural combines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Agricultural combines are large machines that harvest, thresh, separate and clean an agricultural crop. The resulting clean grain is stored in a grain tank located on the combine. The clean grain can then be transported from the grain tank to a truck, grain cart or other receiving bin by an unloading auger. 
     Rotary combines have one or two large rotors for threshing and separating the harvested crop material. In most rotary combines the rotor or rotors are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the machine. These rotors are provided with an infeed section for receiving harvested crop material, a threshing section for threshing the harvested crop material received from the infeed section and a separating section for freeing grain trapped in the threshed crop material received from the threshing section. Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,563; 5,688,170 and 7,070,498. 
     It is well known to provide a housing for receiving a threshing and separating rotor with, secured to the inside of the housing, numerous guide vanes or bars which are arranged in a helical configuration. Conventionally, the guide vanes are fixed so that the rate of throughput of crop material can be varied only by changing the speed of rotation of the rotor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. RE31,257 describes an axial-flow rotary separator of the type which may be used in a combine harvester and in which crop material is propelled downstream in a generally helical path while being processed within a separator housing by use of adjustable internal guide vanes within the separator housing. 
     Adjusting guide vanes of this type may be used to vary the rate of axial progression of crop material through the separator so as to control the efficiency of threshing and separating. If, for example, excessive losses of grain in discharged straw occur, the crop material feed rate can be reduced by adjustment of the vanes such as, for example, varying the angle of inclination or the pitch of the vanes. 
     The present inventors have recognized one drawback to adjusting the angle of the vanes is that the vanes conform to a generally curved, cylindrical or oblong, separating section wall or cover. When the angle of the vanes is changed, the vanes no longer closely conform to the curvature of the wall and gaps can occur. Gaps can become clogged with crop material and make operation of the adjustable vanes difficult. 
     The present inventors have also recognized that angular movement of the adjustable vanes can change the generally cylindrical, curved shape of the separating section cover. This change can significantly change the characteristics of material flow for the section. 
     The present inventors have recognized that a need exists for providing a adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that could be easily and effectively adjusted and would not adversely affect the operating characteristics of the combine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. 
     Preferably, the housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. 
     Preferably, all of the adjustable vanes are ganged together and moved together. Although, independently moving less than all of the vanes is also encompassed by the invention. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes is deflected to skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes. 
     The vanes on the surface of the flat wall section are very easy to adjust, are easy to move, and seal effectively against the flat wall section throughout a range of position adjustment of the adjustable vanes. 
     Preferably, the flat wall section is contiguous with a further flat wall section, wherein the two flat wall sections approximate generally the cylindrical or oblong curved shape of the housing cover. 
     According to the invention, a small angular adjustment of the adjustable vanes eliminates one revolution of crop movement in the separating section of the rotor housing, i.e., advancing the adjusting vanes rearward provides a shortcut for the crop to skip one fixed helical revolution through the paths defined by the fixed vanes. 
     This adjustment reduces straw damage in the separator section by a significant amount. As an example, in the case where there are six fixed vanes in the separating section, by adjusting the adjustable vanes, the crop will only pass by five fixed vanes. Such adjustment could lower crop damage 15%. Adjustable vanes allow the farmer or operator to fine-tune the harvesting process to balance grain loss with straw damage to meet individual requirements. 
     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, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic side view of an agricultural combine the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic side view of a crop processing unit taken from the combine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cover for a crop processing unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a further bottom perspective view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken generally along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken generally along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken generally along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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. 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/982,416, filed on Oct. 31, 2007 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 1  shows an agricultural combine  10  comprising a supporting structure  12  having ground engaging wheels  14  extending from the supporting structure. The operation of the combine is controlled from operator&#39;s cab  15 . 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 crop processing unit  24  threshes and separates the harvested crop material. Grain and chaff fall through grates on the bottom of the unit  24  to the cleaning system  26 . The cleaning system  26  removes the chaff and directs the clean grain to a clean grain elevator (not shown). The clean grain elevator deposits the clean grain in grain tank  28 . The clean grain in the tank  28  can be unloaded into a grain cart or truck by unloading auger  30 . Threshed and separated straw is discharged from the axial crop processing unit  24  through outlet  32  to discharge beater  34 . The discharge beater  34  in turn propels the straw out the rear of the combine. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the axial crop processing unit  24  comprises a rotor housing  36  and a rotor  37  located inside the housing  36 . The front part of the rotor  37  and the rotor housing  36  define the infeed section  38  of the crop processing unit. Longitudinally downstream from the infeed section  38  are threshing section  39  and separating section  40 . The rotor  37  comprises a drum  100  to which crop processing elements for the infeed section, threshing section, and separating section are affixed. The drum  100  comprises a rearward cylindrical portion  102  and a forwardly extending frusto-conical portion  104 . 
     The rotor  37  shown in  FIG. 2  is similar to the rotor explained in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498, herein incorporated by reference. However, in contrast to the rotor shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498, the rotor  37  within the threshing section  39  includes a long tapered profile throughout the threshing section  39  without the cylindrical portion within the threshing section as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498. 
     The rotor  37  in the infeed section  38  is provided with helical infeed elements  42  located on the frusto-conical portion of the drum  100 . The helical infeed elements  42  engage harvested crop material received from the beater  20  and inlet transition section  22 . 
     In the threshing section  39  the rotor  37  is provided with a number of threshing elements  122  for threshing the harvested crop material received from the infeed section  38 . 
     The separating section  40  of the rotor includes outwardly projecting tines  126  similar to the tines disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 12 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,279, herein incorporated by reference. 
     The threshing section  39  of the rotor housing is provided with a concave  146  and the separating section  40  is provided with a grate  148 . Grain and chaff released from the crop mat falls through the concave  146  and the grate  148 . The concave and grate prevent the passage of crop material larger than grain or chaff from entering the cleaning system  26 . 
     The rotor is axially arranged in the combine and defines a central rotor axis RA. The rotor axis RA is a straight line passing through the infeed, threshing and separating portions of the rotor. 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the infeed section  38  of the rotor housing  36  is provided with a closed cover  162  and a closed bottom  164 . The cover  162  is provided with helical indexing vanes  165 . The cover and bottom are bolted to axial rails  166  and  168 . The forward portion of the closed bottom  164  is provided with an inlet transition section which is similar to one of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,070,498 or 5,344,367, herein incorporated by reference. 
     The closed cover  162  of the infeed section  38  defines an infeed axis IA. The infeed axis IA is parallel to and substantially collinear with the rotor axis RA defined by the rotor. As such, the infeed portion of the rotor is substantially concentrically arranged in the infeed section  38  of the rotor housing as defined by the cover  162 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , the threshing section  39  is provided with a closed threshing cover  172  having helical vanes  174 . The cover is bolted to axial rails  166  and  168 . The concave  146  is pivotally mounted to the frame of the combine below rail  168  at  175 . An adjustment assembly  176  for adjusting concave clearance is mounted to the frame of the combine below rail  166 . The concave  146  is provided with a closed extension  78 . 
     The threshing cover  172  defines a threshing axis TA that is parallel to the rotor axis RA. The threshing axis is located above the rotor axis RA. In addition, the threshing axis is slightly offset to the side of the rotor axis in a downstream direction. As such, the cover of the threshing section is eccentrically arranged relative to the threshing portion of the rotor. 
     The separating section  40  is provided with a separating cover  180  having helically arranged, fixed vanes  182 . According to the preferred embodiment, the separating cover  180  has a complex cross-section that comprises a curved section  184  configured along an oblong curvature, and a contiguous first flat wall section  185  and a contiguous second flat wall section  186 . The vanes  182  are curved and are fixedly mounted onto the curved section  184 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , a plurality of adjustable vanes  188  are arranged on the first flat wall section  185 . The vanes  188  each have an L-shaped cross section each having a flat base  189   a  and an upstanding leg  189   b . The flat base  189   a  conforms to a surface of the first flat wall section  185 . The flat base  189   a  of each adjustable vane  188  is pivotally attached to the first flat wall section  185  at pivot points  188   a  near trailing ends  188   b  thereof by use of a fastener or pin. The upstanding leg  189   b  of each adjustable vane  188  is in registry with a leading end  182   a  of one fixed vane  182 . The leg  189   b  of each adjustable vane  188  has a curved edge  189   d  to match the edge curvature of the fixed vanes  182 . 
     The adjustable vanes  188  are connected to an actuation mechanism  189  at a swing point  188   c  on the adjustable vane  188  that is spaced from the pivot point  188   a . The actuation mechanism  189  comprises a bar  190  located outside the first flat wall  185  and connected to one, more than one, or preferably all of the vanes  188  at the swing points  188   c  by respective fasteners or pins  191 . Each fastener or pin  191  penetrates through a respective curved slot  185   a  that is provided through the first flat wall section  185 . The slots  185   a  allow for the swinging motion of the adjustable vanes  188  about their pivot points  188   a . Each fastener or pin  191  slides through its respective curved slot  185   a.    
     A force directed substantially along the longitudinal direction on the bar  190  causes a shifting of one, more than one, or preferably all of the adjustable vanes  188  about their respective pivot points  188   a . The vanes can be shifted from a position corresponding to the helical path of the fixed vanes  182  ( FIG. 5 ) to a position wherein the adjustable vanes  188  are rearwardly shifted ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) wherein some of the helical crop flow between the rotor and housing after passing between the vanes  188  will be deflected to skip some of the passages defined between the fixed vanes  182  the next pass around the housing and take a more direct route through the annular passage between the rotor and the housing, i.e., the crop material will make fewer helical rotations within the separating section of the rotor housing between the separating section inlet and outlet. 
     A motion actuator  196 , such as a hydraulic cylinder, is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 3 . The motion actuator can be a manual actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric linear actuator or any other known motion actuator. A powered motion actuator can be controlled from the operator cabin  15 . 
     Because the adjustable vanes  188  are mounted to a flat wall section  185 , changing the angle of the vanes  188  does not affect their close conformance to the surface of the flat wall section. Furthermore, the use of two contiguous flat wall sections  185 ,  186  together approximates the overall curved shape of the housing separating section so that no significant increase in flow resistance is realized. 
     It is also possible for a sensing means which detects the throughput of crop material to be provided within the separator section  40 . The sensing means may be directly or indirectly connected to a sender which controls the actuation mechanism, so that, in the event of an overload of material in the apparatus, the actuation mechanism can adjust the vanes  188  in order thereby to increase the rate of throughput of crop material, at least temporarily. 
     The cover  180  is bolted to axial rails  166  and  168 . Grate  148  is also bolted to rails  166  and  168 . Grate  148  is similar to the grate disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,891. 
     The separating cover  180  defines a separating axis SA that is parallel to the rotor axis RA. The separating axis is located above the rotor axis RA. In addition, the separating axis is offset to the side of the rotor axis in a downstream direction. As such, the cover of the separating section is eccentrically arranged relative to the separating portion of the rotor. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frusto-conical transition section  200  is provided between the threshing section  39  and the separating section  40 , overlapping each section. 
     The transition section  200  includes a cover  210  having a substantially frusto-conical curvature. The cover  210  includes vanes  214   a ,  214   b . The vane  214   a  has a relatively wide width similar to the vanes  174  of the threshing section  39 . The vane  214   a  is substantially continuous with the last vane  182   a  of the separating section  40 . The vane  214   b  has a relatively wide width section  214   c  similar to the width of the vane  174  of the threshing section  39 , and a relatively thinner width section  214   d  similar to the width of the vane  182  of the separating section  40 . 
     Some rotors provided a further, reverse taper portion  220  of the rotor drum  100  at an outlet end of the processing unit  24  having an angle of taper “J.” A deflecting plate  180   a  in the separator cover  180  can be arranged over the reverse taper portion  220  to provide for a smooth, energy-efficient flow of crop material. 
     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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0