Patent ID: 12232446

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, cutting and leaving crops on a field for drying over a number of days have significant negative effects on the economy of crop harvesting and may compromise safety to farmers and others. The harvester and modular units described herein allow for a crop to be cut, conditioned, dried, and collected (e.g., baled, cubed, or pelletized) in a single pass through the field and in one session or period with no other machinery or equipment being used in this process. The modular units may each include a drying unit and one of a type of collection units such as a baler, a cuber, or a pelletizer in mechanical communication with the drying unit.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Referring to the figures,FIG.1is a schematic illustration of a harvesting system100, according to an example of the principles described herein. The harvesting system100may include a harvester102and at least one modular unit104. The fluid system814may include any coupled to the harvester102. The harvester102carries the modular unit104, and together the harvester102and the modular unit104are able to cut (e.g., harvest), condition, dry, and collect a standing crop134. The standing crop134may include, for example, any grass, legume, or other herbaceous plant. More specifically, the standing crop134may include grasses such as ryegrass, timothy, brome, fescue, Bermuda grass, orchard grass, and other grass species, legumes, such as alfalfa (e.g., Lucerne) and clovers (e.g., red, white, and subterranean), pasture forbs, oat, barley, wheat, straw, plant materials of these plant varieties, and combinations thereof.

The harvester102includes a header106used to harvest the standing crop134. The header106may include, for example, a reel108, which serves to supply the standing crop134to a cutting bar110and a screw conveyor112. The reel1082may be driven by a hydraulic motor, a pneumatic motor, a mechanical motor or other device about its longitudinal axis. The cutting bar110cuts the standing crop134and the screw conveyor112conveys the harvested material from the standing crop134to a conditioner114. The conditioner114serves to crimp and crush the newly harvested standing crop134to promote faster and more even drying. A conditioner may include at least one grooved roller and a substrate between which the harvested material is forced through, causing the stalks to split, and allowing liquid trapped behind cell walls (e.g., sap and cell sap) to leak out and also giving more surface area for evaporation.

The harvester102may also include a chassis116and a number of wheels118driven by the harvester102to cause the harvester102to move about an area such as a field where harvesting is to be performed. In one example, the harvester102may be driven using an all-wheel drive or other types of drive systems. Further, in one example, the harvester may include self leveling systems that cause the harvester102to remain level with the surface of the field where the standing crop134is being harvested. The chassis116may include a platform120on which the modular unit(s)104seat and are coupled to the harvester102. The modular unit(s)104are coupled to the platform120and a rear bulkhead122of the harvester102via a number of mechanical coupling devices124-1,124-2,124-3,124-4,124-5,124-6,124-7,124-n, where n is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as mechanical coupling device(s)124unless specifically addressed otherwise). The mechanical coupling devices124may include, for example, bolts, nuts, dowels, pins, cams, clamps, fasteners, clips, rivets, screws, hooks, links latches, and levers, quick release skewers, among a variety of other coupling devices. The harvester102may also include a hitch126coupled to the chassis116for coupling a number of additional units or devices to the harvester102such as, for example, trailers, hopper devices, and bale carriers, among other devices. In one example, the hitch126may be used to pull a wagon or other equipment wagons that could be loaded with an overhead auger arm from the pelletizing and cubing modular unit(s)104described herein. Once the wagons are loaded, the harvester102or another tractor may move the pellets or cubes back to a storage facility or silo for off-loading, while replacing the wagon with an empty wagon so harvesting may continue.

In one example, the mechanical coupling devices124may include a number of elements that reduce or eliminate vibrations, noise, and/or wear on components such as, for example, a hardwood such as teak, rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or similar material that may be placed between the harvester102and the modular unit104, and/or within the modular unit104between elements therein. These elements that reduce or eliminate vibrations, noise, and/or wear may be, for example, approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inches thick.

The modular unit104may include a plurality of different modular unit(s)104that may be electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and/or physically coupled to the harvester102. As described herein, the plurality of modular unit(s)104include a drying unit to dry the harvested material and one of a type of collection units to collect and package the harvested material. More regarding the types of modular unit(s)104that may be coupled to the harvester102are described herein. The ability to couple a plurality of different modular unit(s)104to the harvester102allows for an economic way to purchase agricultural equipment without having to purchase separate, specialized equipment to perform different functions.

The harvester102may include a control system128and/or the modular unit(s)104may include a control system130. The control systems128,130serve to control the various functions and operations of the harvester102and the modular unit(s)104as described herein including, for example, activation and deactivation of the header, the conditioner114, a number of conveyor systems used to move the harvested material through the harvester102and the modular units104, and the elements within the modular unit(s)104including the drying unit302and collection units and their respective devices and elements described herein. In the examples described herein, the conveyor systems may be manufactured to include materials capable of withstanding heating and cooling temperatures that may occur within the harvesting system100and especially within the drying units of the modular unit(s)104described herein.

FIG.2is a perspective, schematic illustration of a modular unit for forming rectangular bales, according to an example of the principles described herein. Thus, with reference toFIGS.1and2, the modular unit(s)104may include a number of panels132-1,132-2,132-3,132-4,132-6,132-6(collectively referred to herein as side panel(s)132unless specifically addressed otherwise) that include including a top panel132-1, four side panels132-2,132-3,132-4,132-5, and a bottom panel132-6. The modular unit(s)104may also include a frame to support the panels132. The top panel132-1, a third side panel132-4, the fourth side panel132-5, and the bottom panel132-6are not shown inFIG.2as they are obstructed by the first side panel132-2and the second side panel132-3.

The modular unit104depicted inFIG.2is depicted as an intermodal shipping container designed and built for intermodal freight transport and may be used across different modes of transport such as, for example, from ship to rail to truck without unloading and reloading the cargo contained inside. In the application described herein, the intermodal shipping container form factor allows the drying unit, the collection unit and other elements contained within the several modular unit(s)104to remain therein without a need to off-load these devices in order to use them in connection with the harvester102in order to harvest, condition, dry, collect and put up the harvested material. Further, the enclosure provided by the side panels132of the intermodal shipping container form factor reduces or eliminates wear on the components within the modular unit104that may otherwise occur should the components be exposed to the environmental elements. In one example, the side panels132may be designed to be removable or separable from the modular unit104. In this example, the contents of the modular unit104may be exposed to an environment exterior to the modular unit104to allow for heat to transfer more quickly and fluidly from the modular unit104during operation. The side panels132may be removed when, for example, the environment exterior to the modular unit104does not include precipitation (e.g., during nominal harvesting periods) to thermally dump internal heat and moisture within the modular unit104to an area exterior to the modular unit104. The intermodal shipping container form factor may include an approximately 20-foot-long intermodal shipping container, but may include a length, height, and/or depth. In one example, the intermodal shipping container form factor may include an approximately 40-foot-long intermodal shipping container to process additional amounts of harvested material as described herein.

The side panels132are coupled together via a frame including a number of corner pillars206-1,206-2,206-3,206-4(collectively referred to herein as corner pillar(s)206unless specifically addressed otherwise), a number of top joists208-1,208-2,208-3,208-4(collectively referred to herein as top joist(s)208unless specifically addressed otherwise), and a number of bottom joists210-1,210-2,210-3,210-4(collectively referred to herein as bottom joist(s)210unless specifically addressed otherwise). The corner pillars206, top joists208, and bottom joists210may be coupled together using fasteners or via welding or by monolithically forming the corner pillars206, top joists208, and bottom joists210as a single piece. In one example, the top panel132-1and the bottom panel132-6may be permanently or monolithically formed with the corner pillars206, and joists208,210.

In one example, and as depicted inFIG.2, the second side panel132-3and the fourth side panel132-5may include doors that may be opened during operation and when coupled to the harvester102. In one example, the doors depicted on the side panels132-3and132-5may not exist, and may be replaced with panels including the first door326and the third or rear doors420,520,620depicted inFIGS.3through6. In one example, the third or rear doors420,520,620may include a panel to install for storage. During harvest the third or rear doors420,520,620are opened in order to expel the bales, pellets or cubes. This allows harvested material to be introduced into the modular unit104for drying by the drying unit and collection into bales, cubes, and pellets, and allows for the collected, harvested material to be dispensed from the modular unit104into the field area or onto another device for transport.

Further, in one example, the side panels132may be selectively removed from the corner pillars206, the top joists208, and the bottom joists210during operation. In this example, the side panels132may be selectively coupled to the corner pillars206, the top joists208, and the bottom joists210after use for storage purposes.

In one example, the modular unit104may include a number of handling elements to assist a user in lifting the modular unit onto and off of the chassis116of the harvester102. The handling elements may include forklift apertures204-1,204-2defined in a base202of the modular unit104, the base being defined by the bottom joists210. The forklift apertures204-1,204-2allow for the forks of a forklift device to be inserted therein and lifted onto and off of the harvester102. Further, in one example, the handling element may include a number of twist lock corner castings212-1,212-2,212-3,212-4,212-5,212-6,212-7,212-8(collectively referred to herein as twist lock corner casting(s)212unless specifically addressed otherwise) located at each corner of the modular unit104. Twist lock corner castings212-6and212-7are obstructed inFIG.2by the remainder of the elements of the modular unit104. The female portion of the twist lock connector formed by the twist lock corner castings includes the 7×7×4½ in (180×180×110 mm) corner casting, which is fitted to the corners of the modular unit104, and has no moving parts, but includes at least one oval-shaped hole. The male component of the twist lock connector may be referred to as a male twist lock, which is fitted to cranes or other lifting equipment. The male twist lock may be inserted through the hole, and then the top portion (normally pointed to make insertion easier) is rotated 90° so that it cannot be withdrawn from the oval-shaped hole.

With reference again to the forklift apertures204and the twist lock corner castings212, farmers may often have equipment to interface with these elements of the modular unit104. For example, a farmer may possess a front-end loader or similar tractor to which a set of bucket forks or a set of male twist locks attached to a bucket of the front-end loader. The male twist locks may include, for example, the male twist locks described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,601, the entirety of which is incorporated herein and as an example only. In this manner, existing equipment may be utilized without significant additional expense to the user. As will be described in more detail below, the twist lock system including the twist lock corner castings212and the male twist locks may also be used to secure the modular unit104to the platform120of the harvester102and to secure different modular unit(s)104to a storage surface and one another for storage.

FIG.3is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of a drying unit302of a modular unit104, according to an example of the principles described herein. As the modular unit(s)104depicted inFIGS.4through6include the drying unit302,FIGS.4through6will be described in connection withFIG.3.FIG.4is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of the modular unit104for forming rectangular bales, according to an example of the principles described herein.FIG.5is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of the modular unit104for forming round bales, according to an example of the principles described herein.FIG.6is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of a modular unit104for forming pellets, according to an example of the principles described herein. The drying unit302serves to dry the harvested material before collection into bales, cubes, pellets, and other forms of collected units. In one example, the various elements of the drying unit302and collection units described herein may be coupled to the panels132, the corner pillars206, the top joists208, the bottom joists210or other supporting structures of the modular unit104. In one example, the various elements of the drying unit302and collection units described herein may be coupled to a frame (not shown) or other support structure (not shown) to support the elements described herein as being included within the modular unit(s)104. Further, in one example, the various elements of the drying unit302and collection units described herein may be electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and/or physically coupled to the harvester102so that the various elements of the drying unit302and collection units may be driven by the harvester102directly or indirectly. In one example, the modular unit(s)104may be electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and/or physically coupled to the various elements of the drying unit302and collection units described herein to drive the various elements.

The drying unit302may include a drying system304. The drying system304includes a rotating drum306. A plurality of carriers308may be rotatable coupled to the rotating drum306via a number of respective pivots310. In one example, the number of carriers may be between 4 and 20. In one example, the number of carriers308may be 6 or less. In one example, the carriers308may be approximately 6 feet long, or longer as needed and may be shaped like a windrow of harvested material. In one example, the carriers308may be punched or perforated from the top and rear of the carrier308at an approximately 35-45 degree downward angle towards the front of the carrier308in order to add additional drying capability as the carriers rotate. The direction of the punches or perforations ensure that any stems of the harvested material do not go into the carriers308and create a block in the harvesting system100. The harvested material may be conveyed into the carriers308and conveyed within the carriers308to allow for the relatively wet harvested material to begin a drying process provided by the drying unit302. The harvested material may dry as the rotating drum306rotates. Although the rotating drum306is depicted as having an elliptical shape, the rotating drum306may include an oblong shape, shapes that extend further into the top portion of the drying unit302, or other shapes that allow the harvested material to be moved throughout the drying unit302to ensure that the harvested material dries.

The rotating drum306may be rotated using a track motor314mechanically coupled to the rotating drum306. At least one track arm316-1,316-2may be coupled between a support structure of the modular unit104to the track motor314and the rotating drum306with the rotating drum306being rotated by the track motor314. As a drying process to dry the harvested material is begun, the rotating drum306rotates, and the carriers308rotate with the rotating drum306. As the rotating drum306rotates the carriers308swivel and self-level via the pivots310to not drop the harvested material to the floor of the drying unit302but to ensure that the harvested material is exposed to environmental conditioning states within the drying unit to dry the harvested material as described herein.

The drying unit302may also include a drying unit conveyor mechanism312to convey the harvest material from the conditioner114exterior to the modular unit104and into the drying unit302for drying. In one example, the drying unit conveyor mechanism312may extend outside of the drying unit302and/or may interface with elements of the conditioner114to move the harvested material into the drying unit302. In one example, a cutting device may be included within the drying unit302to allow for the harvested material to be cut when an amount of harvested material is introduced into the drying unit302. In one example, a first door326may include a cutting device to cut the harvested material as the first door326closes to begin a drying process to dry the harvested material within the drying unit302.

The harvested material may be moved into the carriers308through various means. In one example, the harvested material may be moved into the carriers308by the carriers308being moved to below the drying unit conveyor mechanism312where a void in the drying unit conveyor mechanism312exists. In one example, the conveyor mechanism312may be moved to a position approximately 8 inches above the carriers308in order to allow the harvested material to drop down onto the carriers308. In one example, the harvested material may be scooped up by the carriers308as they pass the harvested material positioned on the drying unit conveyor mechanism312. In one example, the carriers308may include a number of protrusions that act as tines or rakes to spear or hook the harvested material and carry the harvested material along the rotating drum306.

The drying unit302may also include at least one sensor(s)318to detect at least one measurable, environmental state within the drying unit302. Although one sensor318is depicted throughout the figures, any number of sensors318may be included within the drying unit302including a plurality of sensors318and a plurality of different types of sensors318. The sensor318may include sensors such as, for example, a temperature sensor, a heat flux sensor, an infrared thermometer, a quartz thermometer, a resistance temperature detector, a silicon bandgap temperature sensor, a thermometer, a thermocouple, a thermistor, a pyrometer, a microbolometer, a humistor, a hygrometer, a barometer, a phytometric leaf sensor, a lysimeter, a phsychrometer, a Hook gauge evaporimeter, a calorimeter, a flame detector, a mass scale, a digital mass scale, a weight scale, a digital weight scale, a strain gauge, other types of sensors for measuring a number of environmental states within the drying unit302. The control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104may activate the sensor(s)318to measure and determine the environmental states within the drying unit302. More details regarding the processes of the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104with relation to the sensor(s)318is provided herein.

The intent of the drying unit302is to (1) expose the harvested material to high temperatures to increase the amount of fluid (e.g., water) molecules from liquid to vapor; (2) cause air to move about the harvested material to carry the vapor away and prevent the air near the harvested material from becoming saturated with the vapor; and (3) create a low humidity state within the drying unit302so that evaporation will continue steadily and to ensure condensation of the vapor back onto the harvested material does not occur. Thus, a number of environmental states within the drying unit302may be measured to determine a level at which these environmental states are in. In one example, the temperature of the interior of the drying unit302, the harvested material, surfaces within the drying unit302, or combinations thereof may be measured by the sensor(s)318to determine if the temperature to which the harvested material is exposed to is conducive to evaporation of fluids from the harvested material. Further, in one example, the humidity levels within the drying unit302may be measured by the sensor(s) to determine if the vapor (e.g., water vapor) within the air of the drying unit302is below a threshold where evaporation of fluid from the harvested material may continue without the vapor condensing back onto the harvested material.

The sensor318may also include a mass or weight sensor to detect a mass or weight of harvested material introduced into the drying unit302for drying. The mass or weight sensor may determine how much of the harvested material is currently contained within the drying unit302, how much more of the harvested material may be introduced into the drying unit302, and/or how much of the harvested material exists within the drying unit302as the harvested material is removed from the drying unit302into the collection unit. The sensor(s)318may also include an object sensor to detect the presence of objects including, for example, harvested material within the drying unit302.

Still further, a sensor318to detect whether combustion of the harvested material has occurred such as a flame detector may be included. The control systems may use the flame detector128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to activate an extinguishing system320to extinguish any combusting material. Although the extinguishing system320is depicted in the figures as being included within the drying unit302, in one example, a plurality of extinguishing system320may be included in the drying unit302, in the collection unit402,502,602, and throughout the harvesting system100in order to safeguard the modular unit104, the harvester102, and the harvesting system100. In one example, the harvesting system100may include a first extinguishing system320associated with the drying unit302, and a second extinguishing system320mounted to an underside of the top panel132-1. Other types of sensors318may be used to determine other environmental states as described herein. The extinguishing system320may be triggered to activate if and when combustion of the harvesting material occurs and to ensure safe operation of the harvesting system100. The sensors318may report to the control system130of the modular unit104to sense and report moisture content within the harvested material. Based on the sensed moisture content within the harvested material, the control system130of the modular unit104and/or the control system128of the harvester102may take a number of actions including slowing and/or stopping movement of the harvesting system100along a surface of the field, slowing and/or stopping operation of the header106, slowing and/or stopping activation of conveyors, slowing and/or stopping opening and closing of doors within the modular unit104, and/or slowing and/or stopping operation of the collection unit, until drying and cooling of the harvested material is achieved.

In one example, the control system130of the modular unit104and/or the control system128of the harvester102may cause the header106to be lifted up from a surface of the field, and/or cause the harvester102to reverse its direction for a predetermined distance (e.g., approximately 3 feet) in order to ensure that standing crop134does not obstruct the cutting bar110or is not run over by the harvester102. Once the drying unit302has completed its drying of the harvested material contained therein based on the feedback from the sensors318and activation of the environmental state adjustment devices322, the control system130of the modular unit104and/or the control system128of the harvester102may resume operation of the harvesting system100as described herein.

The drying system304, along with the sensor(s)318to detect the environmental state(s), includes a number of environmental state adjustment devices322-1,322-2,322-3,322-4,322-5,322-m, where m is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as environmental state adjustment device(s)322unless specifically addressed otherwise). The environmental state adjustment devices322may include any device that is capable of adjusting at least one environmental state within the drying unit302. In one example, the environmental state adjustment devices322may include a number of fans to create a flow of air from the area where the harvested material is dried (e.g., away from the drying system304) and to an area outside the drying unit302and/or the modular unit104. In order to vent the relatively more humid air inside the modular unit104to a position outside of the modular unit104, a number of vent doors324-1,324-2,324-3,324-4,324-5,324-p, where p is any integer greater than or equal to 1 (collectively referred to herein as vent door(s)324unless specifically addressed otherwise) may be included. The vent doors324may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104as data is collected by the sensor(s)318that define a humidity level above a predetermined threshold, for example. In one example where the environmental state adjustment devices322include fans, the revolutions per minute (rpms) of the fans may be increased or decreased individually and/or collectively, or may be stopped and/or reversed in rotational direction individually and/or collectively, to allow for air ambient to the modular unit104to be introduced into the drying unit302and/or allow for air internal to the drying unit302of the modular unit104to be exhausted to the outside of the modular unit104. In this manner, different currents of air (e.g., clockwise or counter clockwise) may be produced. In one example, the direction of rotation of the fans may be cycled or changed any number of instances during a drying process. In one example, the environmental state adjustment devices322may be offset from one another along exterior surfaces of the drying unit so that the environmental state adjustment devices322do not interfere with individual air currents produced.

In one example, the environmental state adjustment devices322may also include a dehumidifier to reduce and maintain a predetermined level of humidity in the air within the modular unit104and/or to prevent and/or eliminate growth of mildew by extracting water or other fluids from the air. Still further, the environmental state adjustment devices322may also include a cooling device such as an air conditioner that may remove heat and moisture from the interior areas of the modular unit104to the ambient areas outside the modular unit. Other environmental state adjustment devices322may be included within the modular unit104to cause a predetermined level or threshold of one or more environmental states within the drying unit302of the modular unit104.

In operation, the drying unit302may accept the harvested material from the harvester102including the header106and conditioner114through a first door326. The first door326may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104as data is collected by the sensor(s)318. For example, the sensor(s)318may detect a lack of harvested material being dried in the drying unit302. In instances where no harvested material is located within the drying unit302or an amount of harvested material is below a threshold, the first door326may be opened to allow more harvested material to enter the drying unit302. The drying unit conveyor mechanism312may be activated to convey the harvest material from the conditioner114exterior to the modular unit104and into the drying unit302for drying.

Once a predetermined volume or weight of the harvested material is present within the drying unit302, drying of the harvested material may take place. The rotating drum306of the drying system304may be activated to cause the carriers308to capture the harvested material and begin to move the harvested material within the drying unit302. In this manner, the harvested material is exposed to air flows within the drying unit302and is agitated such that different surfaces of the harvested material are exposed to the flow of air.

As the drying system304operates, the sensor(s)318may detect temperatures, levels of humidity, weights, and other environmental states within the drying unit302and within the harvested material. Data obtained from the sensor(s)318is used by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to determine how to operate the environmental state adjustment device(s)322. For example, detection of too high of a temperature above a threshold or too high of a level of humidity above a threshold, the environmental state adjustment device(s)322may be activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to bring the environmental state within the drying unit302to a state where the fluids or moisture within the harvested material may most effectively evaporate and dry out the harvested material. During activation of the environmental state adjustment device(s)322, one or more of the vent door(s)324may be opened to allow the moisture to vent out of the drying unit302as described herein.

In one example, the sensor(s)318may determine whether the harvested material is dry above a threshold. Once the sensor(s)318determine that the harvested material is dry above the threshold, the sensor(s)318may determine a temperature of the harvested material to determine if the harvested material is above a threshold (e.g., the harvested material is too hot) for collection into bales, cubes, and/or pellets. If it is determined that the temperature of the harvested material is above the threshold, the environmental state adjustment device(s)322may provide cooler, unheated air to be circulated prior to moving the harvested material into the collection units described herein. By cooling the harvested material before collection by the collection unit, the risk of spontaneous combustion is significantly reduced.

Once the sensor(s)318determine that the harvested material is dried to a predetermined level based on the detected environmental states, the control systems128, a second door328may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to allow the dried, harvested material to be moved from the drying unit302to a collection unit402,502,602as depicted inFIGS.4through6. The drying unit conveyor mechanism312and/or a collection unit conveyor mechanism404may be activated to assist in moving the harvested material. In one example, in order to off-load the harvested material from the carriers308, the carriers308may be turned about their respective pivots310when, for example, the carriers308near the bottom of the drying unit302. The carriers308may all perform this off-loading process in turn. The door to the collection unit402,502,602may be opened during emptying of a first one of the carriers308, and the conveyer systems and/or the collection unit402,502,602may resume operation in order to avoid creating an obstruction from too much harvested material at one time attempting to enter the collection unit402,502,602. Once all the carriers398are emptied, the first door326of the drying unit302may also be open to expel the dried, harvested material out the second door328and to allow undried, harvested material to enter the drying unit302via the first door326. As the undried, harvested material enters the drying unit302via the first door326, the harvester102may proceed to harvest additional standing crop134to fill the drying unit302and the carriers308.

The collection units402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6will now be described in more detail as their respective functions differ in the manner in which they collect and package the dried, harvested material. It is noted that although certain types of collection unit402,502,602are described in connection withFIGS.4through6, any type of collection unit may be employed including, for example, a baler that creates a small rectangular bale, a baler that creates a second size of a rectangular bale, a baler that creates a third size of a rectangular bale, a baler that may create at least two sizes of round bales, a pelletizer that creates cylindrical pellets, a cuber that creates hay cubes, and other types of collection units.

Further, the various collection units402,502,602described herein may include any number of dispensing devices. For example, a baler that creates small rectangular bales may include a pull behind gatherer that collects individual small rectangular bales before dropping the small rectangular bales to the ground outside the modular unit104to allow a plurality of the small rectangular bales to be dropped together. The larger rectangular balers and round balers may also include exit platforms and/or angled tailgates to all the larger rectangle and round bales to assist the bales to the ground after exiting the modular unit104. These dispensing devices assist in allowing the bales to fall to the ground while reducing an amount of plant matter such as leaves and grain from becoming dislodged from the bales, in the case of the round bales it will also assist in preventing them from rolling if they were just dropped out of the baler. In one example, the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104may execute instructions stored in memory that define drying times, collection times, and field speeds for each of the different types of modular unit(s)104so that the harvesting system100may allow for any backup of the harvested material within the harvester102and/or the modular unit104. In this manner, the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104and provide different drying times, collection times, and field speeds for each of the different types of modular unit(s)104.

Once the bales are deposited throughout the field, a bale wagons or other equipment may immediately load the bales and transport the bales to a storage facility such as a barn. This allows for the user to operate the harvester102at different angles or directions. Because the systems and methods described herein allow for the bales deposited by the modular unit(s)104to be transported from the field immediately after harvesting and processing through the harvesting system100, the direction of harvesting the standing crop134may be chosen by the user. Allowing for the user to choose the direction of harvesting ensures that the user can take into account any directional bends of the standing crop134. In one example, coordinates collected via, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) of how the field was harvested may be stored in memory, and may assist in deciding a direction to harvest a next crop. Thus, the user may be able to cleanly cut the field during a next cutting of the standing crop134. Further, because the systems and methods described herein allow for the bales deposited by the modular unit(s)104to be transported from the field immediately after harvesting and processing through the harvesting system100, the harvested material remains dry if, during harvesting, it should begin to precipitate, or it precipitates during maintenance of the harvester102, the user wishes to cease harvesting for a given period, or for other reasons. The harvesting system100eliminates the chance that unbaled harvested material is left in the field to be precipitated on, bleached, and/or drained of nutrients.

Further, in one example, the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104may execute instructions stored in memory that define drying times, collection times, and field speeds for each of the different types of standing crop134that is to be harvested. For example, a consistent product may be determined, and parameters used to harvest the standing crop134and condition, dry, and collect the harvested material for each type module may be stored in memory and executed by the control systems128,130. In this example, a user may define a desired moisture level to be obtained within the different types of standing crop134that may be harvested using the harvesting system100. For example, alfalfa may contain approximately 50% moisture by weight when cut, whereas other crops such as hay grass may have a relatively lower moisture content. The control systems128,130may store such data, and operate the various elements of the harvesting system100accordingly to achieve a desired moisture level such as, for example, a 30% to 35% moisture level to ensure that the crop does not fall apart but includes a relatively lower moisture level to ensure that mold and spontaneous combustion issues do not arise.

In one example, the drying unit302may further include an auger to move the harvested material throughout the drying unit302. In one example, the auger may assist in moving the harvested material from the first door326to the drying system304to engage with the drying system304. Further, in one example, the auger may assist in moving the harvested material from the sides of the drying unit302to engage with the drying system304.

FIG.4is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of a modular unit104for forming rectangular bales418, according to an example of the principles described herein. The collection unit402ofFIG.4includes a first picker406to, when activated, pick the dried, harvested material from the drying unit conveyor mechanism312and/or a collection unit conveyor mechanism404and place the harvested material adjacent an auger408. The auger408causes the harvested material to be drawn to a center of the collection unit402in preparation for the harvested material to be moved through a chute410. The chute410may be dimensioned such that it is approximately as wide as a bale of harvested material. A second picker412assists in the movement of the harvested material up into the chute410. As the harvested material moves through the chute410, the harvested material is placed within a packing chamber414, where a packing block416may pack the harvested material into the bale418. The packing block416may move in the direction toward the bale and past the packing chamber via, for example, a pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical piston or ramrod (not shown). Although not depicted, baling twine or other elements used to bind the harvested material together into the bale may be applied to the bale. Once a bale418has been created by the collection unit402, a third door420may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to allow the bale to exit the collection unit402of the modular unit104. Once the bale exits the modular unit104, it may be allowed to drop to the surface of the field from which the standing crop134was harvested for later gathering or may be conveyed into a trailer or separate equipment for transport away from the field. Other arrangements of elements within the collection unit402ofFIG.4may be used to accomplish the collection of the dried, harvested material into a rectangular bale418.

In the example ofFIG.4and throughout the examples of the modular units104described herein, a spring device may be included in the collection units402on, for example, the fourth side panel132-5, the four side panels132-2,132-3,132-4,132-5, the corner pillar206, the top joists208, the as bottom joists210, or other elements of the modular unit104. The spring device may allow for approximately 3 t0 6 inches of shift of the collection unit separate from the modular unit such that the force applied by the packing block416may be alleviated. In other words, during the collection process performed by, for example, the collection unit402ofFIG.4, the rear force may be enough to stop the forward movement of the harvester102in some instances. Thus, the spring device may reduce or eliminate any disruptive force applied by the packing block416on the harvester102without restricting the baler from packing a quality bale.

FIG.5is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of a modular unit104for forming round bales516, according to an example of the principles described herein. The collection unit502ofFIG.5includes a picker506to, when activated, pick the dried, harvested material from the drying unit conveyor mechanism312and/or a collection unit conveyor mechanism504and place the harvested material adjacent an auger508. The auger508causes the harvested material to be drawn to a center of the collection unit502in preparation for the harvested material to be moved through a pair of rollers. As the harvested material passes the auger508, a belt510captures the harvested material and moves the harvested material between a first roller512and a second roller514where the harvested material is flattened and arranged in a plane or flattened layer. The belt510continues to move the flattened harvested material toward a collection area where the round bale516is turning as more layers of the flattened harvested material is collected onto the round bale516. In this manner, a continuous layer of flattened harvested material is added to the round bale516until the round bale516grows to a desired size (e.g., diameter or weight). Once the round bale516has been created by the collection unit502, the round bales may then be twine tied, and/or wrapped in netting or plastic, and a third door520may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to allow the round bale516to exit the collection unit502of the modular unit104. Once the round bale516exits the modular unit104, it may be allowed to drop to the surface of the field from which the standing crop134was harvested for later gathering or may be conveyed into a trailer or separate equipment for transport away from the field. Other arrangements of elements within the collection unit502ofFIG.5may be used to accomplish the collection of the dried, harvested material into the round bales516.

FIG.6is a side, cut-away schematic illustration of a modular unit104for forming pellets618, according to an example of the principles described herein. The collection unit602ofFIG.6includes a first picker606to, when activated, pick the dried, harvested material from the drying unit conveyor mechanism312and/or a collection unit conveyor mechanism604and place the harvested material adjacent an auger608. The auger608causes the harvested material to be drawn to a center of the collection unit602in preparation for the harvested material to be moved through a pair of die rollers. As the harvested material interfaces with the auger608, a second picker612assists in the movement of the harvested material up a first die roller614and a second die roller616. The first die roller614and the second die roller616include a plurality of dies622formed in the die rollers614,616. In one example, the die rollers614,616are brought into a pressurized interface with one another to compress or mold the harvested material into the shape defined by the dies622. Thus, the harvested material is introduced to the die rollers614,616by the auger608and the second picker612, and forced between the die rollers614,616. The force between the die rollers614,616causes the harvested material to move into the dies622and form a number of pellets618. The pellets618match a shape as defined by the dies622, and the shape may include, for example, cylindrical shapes, oval shapes, square shapes, cube shapes, and circle shapes, among any other shape as defined by the dies622. Once the pellets618have been created by the collection unit602, a third door620may be manually opened by a user and/or automatically opened via actuators that are activated by the control systems128,130of the harvester102and/or the modular unit(s)104to allow the pellets618to exit the collection unit602of the modular unit104. Once the pellets618exit the modular unit104, the pellets618may be conveyed into a trailer or separate equipment for transport away from the field. In one example, a containment bin may be included on the rear of the module unit104into which the pellets618may be dispensed. Once full, the pellets618within the containment unit may be augured to a pull behind wagon. In one example, a bale out wagon may be pulled up by the harvester102to off-load the module unit104or the containment unit. Other arrangements of elements within the collection unit602ofFIG.6may be used to accomplish the collection of the dried, harvested material into the pellets618.

In the example ofFIG.6, the pellets618formed by the collection unit602when straw is harvested it may be used for a variety of purposes including feed for animals, ground covering for livestock such as in stalls (e.g., as well as when in baled form), and as fuel pellets which may be burned as a form energy. In the case of using the pellets as fuel for burning, the pellets may be mixed with, for example, wood pellets in order to reduce an amount of wood pellets used in a given application and to reduce emissions associated with the burning of wood pellets. In this manner, Because the pellets618may be a renewable resource, natural resources are benefitted.

The different types of modular units104described in connection withFIGS.4through6allow for a user such as a farmer to economically obtain equipment in the form of the harvester102and the various modular unit(s)104that also allow the user to obtain the harvested material in a variety of different configurations including, for example, at least three sizes of rectangular bales or at least two sizes of round bales, pellets and cubes of various shapes. The modularity of the modular unit(s)104allows for the user to quickly and easily change a desired output when harvesting a field of standing crop134. Further, because each of the modular unit(s)104described inFIGS.4through6provide for a drying unit302that effectively dries the harvested material before collection by the collection units402,502,602, use of any of the modular unit(s)104results in a product that is fully harvested, dried, and collected without the potential loss in product that may result from leaving a harvested crop in the field for drying. Thus, in a single pass of the harvesting system100, the standing crop134is harvested, dried, collected, and stored (e.g. “put up”).

Although the drying units302of the modular unit(s)104are described herein to include a drying system304, other drying devices and methods may be employed to dry the harvested material. In one example, the drying unit302may include a dehydration system, fans, a convection air dryer or a warm air dryer being cycled in and out of the modular unit(s)104, or combinations thereof that operate while the harvested material is rotated using augers, hay rotators, the drying system304, and combinations thereof.

FIG.7is a side schematic illustration of two of the modular unit(s)104coupled to one another, according to an example of the principles described herein.FIG.7will be described in connection withFIG.1to discuss the manner in which the modular unit(s)104are coupled to the platform120and the bulkhead122of the harvester102during use of the modular unit(s)104in connection with the harvest of the standing crop134as well as to discuss the manner in which the modular unit(s)104are coupled to one another in connection with stacking and storing the modular unit(s)104.

As mentioned above, a number of mechanical coupling devices124may be used to couple the modular unit(s)104to the harvester102and to one another. In one example, as mentioned above, the mechanical coupling devices124may include male twist locks. As described above, the modular unit(s)104includes twist lock corner castings212that serve as a female portion to which the mechanical coupling devices124(also referred to herein as male twist locks) may couple. Further, similar female recesses formed in the twist lock corner castings212may also be formed in the platform120and the bulkhead122of the harvester102. With this understanding, the modular unit104may be coupled to the platform120and the bulkhead122by coupling the male twist locks124to the twist lock corner castings212of the modular unit104and the female recesses formed in the platform120and the bulkhead122. In this manner, the architecture of the modular unit104(e.g., an intermodal shipping container) that already exists including the twist lock corner castings212may be used to secure the modular unit104to the harvester102.

As depicted inFIG.7, the male twist locks124may also be used to couple a plurality of modular unit(s)104together. Intermodal shipping containers, when being transported via, for example, a shipping vessel, are coupled in large stacks using the male twist locks124. Similarly, the modular unit(s)104may be coupled together using the male twist locks124.

In one example, the modular units104may also be coupled to a wall702or other structure for storage during an off season or when otherwise not in use. In this example, the modular units104are coupled to the wall702or other structure using a number of the mechanical coupling devices such as the male twist locks124-5,124-6,124-7,124-8and a corresponding number of recesses formed in the wall702that are similar to the recesses of the twist lock corner castings212. In this manner, the modular unit(s)104may be stacked and coupled to one another and collectively supported as a group of a plurality of modular unit(s)104. Further, in this manner, coupling the modular units104to the wall702or other structure further supports the coupled modular unit(s)104from toppling over.

In one example, the panels132of the modular unit(s)104may be convex such that an exterior of the panels132extend away from an interior of the modular unit104. The convex side panels132provide for the modular unit(s)104to withstand high winds and precipitation (e.g., rain or snow) that may fall on the modular unit(s)104. Further, the convex side panels132allow the precipitation that may otherwise fall on the modular unit(s)104to slide or shed off of the modular unit(s)104. This results in less wear on the side panels132that may occur from standing water such as rusting or other forms of environmental damage.

FIG.8is a block diagram of the harvesting system100ofFIG.1according to an example of the principles described herein. The harvesting system100includes the harvester102and the modular unit104. Further, the harvester102includes the control system128and the modular unit104includes the control system130as described herein. In one example, the control systems128,130may work in concert with each other in bringing about the functions of the harvesting system100. In one example, the control systems128,130may work independent of one another bringing about the functions of the harvesting system100.

The control system128of the harvester102is communicatively and physically coupled to the mechanics802of the harvester102in order to control at least one function of the mechanics802. The mechanics802may include, a number of drive system(s)804. The drive system(s)804may include, for example, acceleration systems, braking systems, steering systems, geo-positioning systems, autonomous driving systems, and other systems used in any manner to cause or assist the harvester to move. For example, the drive system804may be any and all devices and systems that allow for a user to move the harvester102during the harvesting of the standing crop134. Movement of the harvester102via activation of the drive system(s)804may be performed autonomously via instructions received from the control module(s)810, partially autonomously, or via input from a user, and combinations thereof.

The mechanics802may also include the header106used to harvest the standing crop134as described herein. The control module(s)810may instruct the header106to activate. In one example, when the header106is activated, the harvester102may also activate the conditioner114. Further, the mechanics802may include a number of conveyor system(s)806that move the harvested material from the header106(including the conditioner114) to the modular unit104. Still further, a number of door(s)808may be included in the mechanics802. The door(s)808may be opened to provide the harvested material between the various elements of the harvester102and between the harvester102and the modular unit104. In one example, a number of actuators may be coupled to the door(s)808to, when activated by, for example, the control module(s)810, open and close the door(s)808. In one example, the door(s) described herein including doors326,328,420,520,620,808, and836may be hinged coupled to the modular unit104such that they swing into or out from the modular unit(s). Further, in one example, there may not exist rear doors on the module units104. In another example, the door(s)326,328,420,520,620,808, and836described herein may be translating coupled to the modular unit104such that the door(s) move up and down along a vertical plane of a side or division within the modular unit(s)104in order to not obstruct operation of the various elements of the modular unit104and to not obstruct harvested material moving into, within, and out from the modular unit104.

The devices of the mechanics802of the harvester102and the mechanics832of the modular unit104may be driven using the drives(s)840included as part of the harvester102and the drive(s)842included as part of the modular unit104, respectively. The drive(s)840,842may include a fluid system814, a number of mechanical system(s)816, and/or an electrical system818. The fluid system814of the harvester102and the fluid system824of the modular unit104may include any system that utilizes compression of a fluid such as, for example, a gas or a liquid, to bring about transmission of power such as to provide mechanical movement. The fluid system814of the harvester102and the fluid system824of the modular unit104may include any combination of pneumatic motors, hydraulic motors, cylinders, pistons, rods, fittings, hoses, reservoirs, accumulators, compressors, amplifiers, actuators, and other hydraulic and pneumatic devices to assist in the movement of the mechanics802of the harvester102and the mechanics832of the modular unit104. The fluid system of the harvester102may be fluidically coupled to the fluid system824of the modular unit104to provide power to the fluid system824of the modular unit104. In one example, the harvester102may include a number of fluid system motors that are, in turn, powered by an engine (not shown) of the harvester102. In one example, the fluid systems for the harvester102and the module unit104may be self-contained such that the fluids are not lost or leaked from the fluid systems. Further, the fluid systems may be routed within portions of the harvester102and the modular unit104such that the pneumatic motors, hydraulic motors, cylinders, pistons, rods, fittings, hoses, reservoirs, accumulators, compressors, amplifiers, actuators, and other hydraulic and pneumatic devices are accessible for coupling, repairing, and cleaning. In this example, the power supplied by the harvester102via, for example, a diesel engine, fuel cells or other power systems may be utilized to power the fluid system824of the modular unit104. In one example, the modular unit104may include a power source to power the fluid system824and the mechanics832of the modular unit104independent of or in addition to fluid system power provided via the harvester102.

The drive(s)840of the harvester102and the drives(s)842of the modular unit104may include respective mechanical systems816,826that may be used to drive the elements of the harvester102and the modular unit104. The mechanical systems816,826may include, for example, a power takeoff (PTO), clutches gears, differentials, and other mechanical devices that may drive or power the functional elements of the harvester102and the modular unit104. In one example, the mechanical systems816of the harvester102may be driven by a motor (not shown) of the harvester102. Further, the mechanical systems816of the harvester102may mechanically couple with and drive the mechanical systems826of the modular unit104. In one example, the harvester102may include a PTO as a mechanical system816, and the modular unit104may include as part of its mechanical systems826a mating accessory drive shaft for mechanically driving the mechanics832or other devices of the modular unit104. In one example, the modular unit104may include a power source to power the mechanical systems826and the mechanics832of the modular unit104independent of or in addition to mechanical power provided via the harvester102.

The drive(s)840of the harvester102and the drives(s)842of the modular unit104may include respective electrical systems818,828to power the harvester102, the modular unit104, and their respective devices. The electrical systems818,828, may include any wiring, circuits, batteries, alternators, and other electrical devices that may be used to drive or power the elements of the harvester102and the modular unit104. In one example, the electrical system818of the harvester102may include a battery, alternator or similar power source. In this example, the battery or alternator may be powered by an engine (not shown) of the harvester102, and the electrical system818of the harvester102may be electrically coupled to the electrical system828of the modular unit104to provide electrical power to the modular unit104and its devices. In one example, the modular unit104may include an electrical power source to power the electrical system and the mechanics832of the modular unit104independent of or in addition to electrical power provided via the harvester102.

The mechanics832of the modular unit104may further include conveyor systems834used to move the harvested material from the harvester102, into the modular unit104, into the drying unit302, from the drying unit302into the collection unit838, and/or out of the collection unit838and modular unit104.

Similar to the door(s)808of the mechanics802of the harvester,802, the mechanics832of the modular unit104may also include a number of door(s)836. In one example, the modular unit104may include the first door326where the harvested material may enter the drying unit302of the modular unit104. Further, the modular unit104may include the second door328separating the drying unit302and the collection units402,502,602. Still further the modular unit104may include the third door420,520,620as depicted inFIGS.4,5, and6, respectively, that opens from the collection units402,502,602where the collected, harvested material exits the modular unit104. In one example, a number of actuators may be coupled to the door(s)836to, when activated by, for example, the control module(s)820, open and close the door(s)836.

The mechanics832of the modular unit104may also include the drying unit302and the collection unit838as described herein. The drying unit302, includes the sensor(s)318, the environmental state adjustment device(s)322, the extinguishing system320, and the drying system304. The collection unit838ofFIG.8may include any one of the collection units402,502,602depicted and described in connection withFIGS.4,5, and6among other types of collection units described herein.

The control system128of the harvester102and the control system130of the modular unit104may include a number of control module(s)810,820. The control module(s)810,820may include, for example, processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), systems on a chip, and other processing devices.

Memory812,822may include any computer-readable media, and may take the form of volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM) and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM) or flash RAM. The computer-readable media devices include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data for execution by one or more processors of a computing device. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable media does not include transitory media, such as modulated data signals and carrier waves, and/or signals.

The control module(s)810,820may instruct the mechanics802,832and the drives840to function as described herein. The control module(s)810,820are communicatively coupled to the drive(s)840,842and mechanics802,832to instruct the elements thereof to perform their respective functions as described herein. Further, the drive(s)840,842are electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and/or physically coupled to their respective mechanics802,832to provide power to the mechanics802,832as described herein.

Further, the control module(s)810,820may include the hardware architecture to retrieve executable code from the memory812,822and execute the executable code. The executable code may, when executed by the control module(s)810,820cause the control module(s)810,820to implement at least the functionality of the harvester102and the modular unit(s)104, according to the methods described herein. In the course of executing code, the control module(s)810,820may receive input from and provide output to a number of the remaining hardware units.

The control module(s)820of the modular unit104are also communicatively coupled to a number of sensor(s)830. The sensor(s)830may include any of those sensor(s)318depicted and described in connection withFIGS.3through6. The control module(s)820may activate the sensor(s)830in order to detect at least one environmental state within the drying unit302. In one example, the control module(s)820may activate the sensor(s)830when triggered by an action such as, for example, during the introduction of harvested material into the drying unit302, activation of the drying system304, during operation of the drying unit302), during the movement of the harvested material from the drying unit302to the collection units838, among other triggering events. In one example, the control module(s)820may activate the sensor(s)830at predetermined intervals, continually throughout the operation of the drying unit302, at other predetermined times, and combinations thereof.

The sensor(s)830may communicate data representing the environmental state within the drying unit302to the control module(s)820. Once received, the data representing the environmental state within the drying unit302is used by the control module(s)820to activate the drying system304, environmental state adjustment device(s)322, and/or the extinguishing system320.

The modular unit104may be coupled to the harvester102, and at least one of the fluid systems814,824the mechanical systems816,826, and the electrical systems818,828may be coupled together to provide power and functionality to the modular unit104. Further, the control module(s)810of the harvester102may be communicatively coupled to the control module(s)820of the modular unit104such that the two control module(s)810,820are able to coordinate operations and functions of the harvesting system100as the harvesting system100is operated. For example, the control module(s)810of the harvester102may communicate data regarding an instances of harvested material being prepared to enter the drying unit302of the modular unit104to the control module(s)820of the modular unit104to inform the control module(s)820of the modular unit104of when to activate the first door326, and/or any of the elements of the drying unit302in order to being drying of the harvested material.

In one example, the control module(s)810,820may report to one another the progress of operations being performed in the harvester102and the modular unit104and communicate a number of states of operation of the harvester102and the modular unit104. In one example, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may provide an indication to the control module(s)810of the harvester102as to how close an amount of harvested material is to being dried so that the control module(s)810of the harvester102may determine how much of the standing crop134to harvest, a rate at which the harvester102is to be moved while harvesting the standing crop134, whether to activate the conditioner114, and whether to activate the header106of the harvester102, among other operations performed by the harvester102. Similarly, the control module(s)810of the harvester102may provide an indication to the control module(s)820of the modular unit104when the header106of the harvester102is activated, when the conditioner114of the harvester is activated, a speed at which the harvester102is moving during a harvesting operation, and a rate of harvested material being harvested by the header106, among other operations performed by the harvester102.

FIG.9is a flowchart showing a method900of drying a harvested material, according to an example of the principles described herein. The functions described in connection with the method900ofFIG.9may be controlled by the control module(s)810,820. The method900may include, at902, detecting environmental state within the drying unit302of the modular unit104. At902, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the sensor(s)830to obtain data defining the environmental state within the drying unit302and receive that data for further processing. At904, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate at least one of the environmental state adjustment devices322to adjust the state of the environment within the drying unit302based on the data obtained from the sensor(s)830at902. For example, the sensor(s) may include sensors capable of detecting the temperature and the humidity levels of the air within the drying unit302, and the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the environmental state adjustment devices322to adjust the temperatures and humidity levels within the drying unit302that is conducive to causing the harvested material located in the drying unit302to dry to a predetermined level. The predetermined level of dryness may include a level of humidity, for example within the drying unit302dropping below a predetermined level so as to avoid a state within the harvested material where mold may grow or a situation where spontaneous combustion may occur. In one example, a number of thresholds may be set autonomously or by a user that defines an acceptable level of humidity within the drying unit302before the drying unit302finishes dying the harvested material.

At906, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may determine whether the harvested material within the drying unit302is ready for collection by the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6). To do so, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104determines whether the data obtained from the sensor(s)830indicate that the environment within the drying unit302is within the predetermined parameters or below at least one threshold indicating that the harvested material is dry enough to collect into bales, cubes, pellets, or otherwise aggregated. In response to a determination that the harvested material is not ready for collection (e.g., the harvested material is not dry) (determination NO,906), the method may loop back to902where the environment within the drying unit302is detected. In this manner, the looping of the method between902,904, and906provides for a periodic or continuous determination of the dryness of the harvested material before collection.

In response to a determination that the harvested material is ready for collection (e.g., the harvested material is sufficiently dry based on the thresholds) (determination YES,906), the method may include moving the harvested material into the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) at908. In one example, the door(s)836may be activated to open, and the conveyor systems834may be used to move the harvested material from the drying unit302into the collection unit838for collection.

FIG.10is a flowchart showing a method1000of drying and collecting a harvested material, according to an example of the principles described herein. The functions described in connection with the method1000ofFIG.10may be controlled by the control module(s)810,820. The method1000may include, at1002, detecting environmental state within the drying unit302of the modular unit104. At1002, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the sensor(s)830to obtain data defining the environmental state within the drying unit302and receive that data for further processing. At1004, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate at least one of the environmental state adjustment devices322to adjust the state of the environment within the drying unit302based on the data obtained from the sensor(s)830at1002. For example, the sensor(s) may include sensors capable of detecting the temperature and the humidity levels of the air within the drying unit302, and the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the environmental state adjustment devices322to adjust the temperatures and humidity levels within the drying unit302that is conducive to causing the harvested material located in the drying unit302to dry to a predetermined level. The predetermined level of dryness may include a level of humidity, for example within the drying unit302dropping below a predetermined level so as to avoid a state within the harvested material where mold may grow or a situation where spontaneous combustion may occur. In one example, a number of thresholds may be set autonomously or by a user that defines an acceptable level of humidity within the drying unit302before the drying unit302finishes dying the harvested material.

At1006, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may determine whether the harvested material within the drying unit302is ready for collection by the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6). To do so, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104determines whether the data obtained from the sensor(s)830indicate that the environment within the drying unit302is within the predetermined parameters or below at least one threshold indicating that the harvested material is dry enough to collect into bales, cubes, pellets, or otherwise aggregated. In response to a determination that the harvested material is not ready for collection (e.g., the harvested material is not dry) (determination NO,1006), the method may loop back to1002where the environment within the drying unit302is detected. In this manner, the looping of the method between1002,1004, and1006provides for a periodic or continuous determination of the dryness of the harvested material before collection.

In response to a determination that the harvested material is ready for collection (e.g., the harvested material is sufficiently dry based on the thresholds) (determination YES,1006), the method may include opening the second door328,836separating the drying unit302and the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) at1008. Further, the method1000includes activating the conveyor systems834at1010to move the harvested material from the drying unit302into the collection unit838for collection. Further, the method1000, at1012, includes activating the collection unit838to collect or aggregate the harvested material into bales, cubes, or pellets.

FIG.11is a flowchart showing a method1100of harvesting, drying, and collecting a harvested material, according to an example of the principles described herein. The functions described in connection with the method1100ofFIG.11may be controlled by the control module(s)810,820. The method1100ofFIG.11may include, at1102, determining whether a volume of harvested material within the drying unit302of the modular unit104is above a threshold. The threshold may be predetermined, or user selected or defined. Further, the threshold may define a volume of the harvested material within the drying unit302that includes an effective amount of harvested material for a drying cycle. The effective amount of harvested material may take into consideration a rate at which the drying unit302is able to dry the harvested material, a rate at which the harvested material is harvested by the header106and ingested into the harvester102, a rate at which the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) collects and dispenses the harvested material, and other rates that define an efficiency of the harvesting system100in harvesting, drying, and collecting the harvested material. In one example, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the sensor(s)830to determine the volume of the harvested material harvested by the header106, a volume of harvested material within the drying unit302, a volume of harvested material within the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6), and other metrics. In this example, the sensor(s)830may include optical sensors, mass sensors, weight sensors, or other sensors that determine the volume of the harvested material.

In response to a determination at1102that the volume of the harvested material within the drying unit302(1102, determination NO), the method may loop back to before1102in order to allow additional harvested material to enter the drying unit302for drying. In response to a determination at1102that the volume of the harvested material within the drying unit302(1102, determination YES), the method may include activating the header1104to which the drying unit302is coupled to harvest the standing crop134. Thus, as a first volume of harvested material is being dried within the drying unit302, the control module(s)810of the harvester102may activate the header1104to harvest a second volume of the standing crop134to obtain more harvested material for processing.

The control module(s)810of the harvester102and/or the control module(s)810of the harvester102may operate the movement of the harvester102at1106. The speed at which the harvester102moves along a surface while harvesting the standing crop134may be affected by the rate at which the drying unit may dry the harvested material302. For example, the control module(s)810of the harvester102and/or the control module(s)810of the harvester102may determine a rate at which the harvested material is dried in the drying unit302and reduce or increase the speed of the harvester102and, as a result, a rate of harvesting the standing crop134, in order to ensure that the drying unit302and the harvesting system100as a whole is not overwhelmed by too much harvested material. In one example, the control module(s)810of the harvester102and/or the control module(s)810of the harvester102may cause the harvester102to stop periodically before moving forward again to allow the drying unit302to complete a drying cycle of harvested crop present within the drying unit302.

At1108, an environmental state within the drying unit302may be detected. In one example, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may activate the sensor(s)830to detect the environmental state within the drying unit302as described herein. Data defining the detected environmental state may be sent by the sensor(s)830to the control module(s)820for processing. Based on the detected environmental state, the control module(s)820may activate at least one of the environmental state adjustment devices322of the drying unit302at1110to adjust the environmental state within the drying unit302.

At1112, the control module(s)820of the modular unit104may determine whether the harvested material is ready for collection by the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6). The control module(s)820may make such a determination at1112based on the detection and adjustment of the environmental state in the drying unit302. Thus, the control module(s)820may activate the sensor(s)830periodically or continually to determination whether the environmental state within the drying unit302indicates that the harvested material is dry and ready for collection by the collection unit collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6). In response to a determination that the harvested material is not ready for collection by the collection unit collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) (1112, determination NO), the method1100may loop back to1108where the environmental state within the drying unit302may be detected, and to1110where the environmental state is adjust within the drying unit302based on the detected environmental state. Looping the method in this manner allows for periodic and/or continuous determination of the environmental state within the drying unit302to ensure that the harvested material is dried to a point where the harvested material will not be affected by mold, spontaneous combustion, or other effects that may occur if the harvested material were collected undried.

In response to a determination that the harvested material is ready for collection by the collection unit collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) (1112, determination YES), the method1100may include opening the door328,836separating the drying unit302and the collection unit838(402,502,602ofFIGS.4through6) at1114. Further, the method1100includes activating the conveyor systems834at1116to move the harvested material from the drying unit302into the collection unit838for collection. Further, the method1100, at1118, includes activating the collection unit838to collect or aggregate the harvested material into bales, cubes, or pellets.

In an example of the present disclosure, a harvester includes a harvester and at least one modular unit mechanically coupled to the harvester and powered by the harvester. The modular unit includes a drying unit to dry a harvested material introduced into the harvester. The drying unit includes at least one rotating drum, a number of appendages extending from the at least one rotating drum, at least one sensor to determine at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and at least one environmental state adjustment device to adjust at least one environmental attribute within the drying unit. The modular unit also includes a collection unit to collect the harvested material into a unit, a first conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and a control system to control at least the harvester, the drying unit, the collection unit, the first conveyor mechanism, the sensor, and the environmental state adjustment device based on a signal received from the at least one sensor.

The harvesting system may also include at least one module coupling device to mechanically couple the modular unit to the harvester. The at least one modular unit includes a plurality of modular units, and the plurality of modular units may be coupled to one another when stacked via the at least one module coupling device.

The harvesting system may further include a header. The header may include a cutting implement to cut a standing crop to create the harvested material, and a reel to position the standing crop adjacent the cutting implement to cut the standing crop. The harvesting system may further include a conditioner to condition the harvested material before the harvested material is introduced into the drying unit.

The control system of the harvesting system includes at least one control module, memory communicatively coupled to the control module, the memory storing one or more instructions that, when executed by the control module, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including instructing the at least one sensor to detect the at least one environmental state within the drying unit, activating the environmental state adjustment device to adjust the at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and determining that the harvested material is ready for collection by the collection unit based on the at least one environmental state detected within the drying unit.

The operations further include, based on the determining, opening a door separating the drying unit and the collection unit, activating the first conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and activating the collection unit to collect the harvested material into the unit. The collection unit is a baler, a cuber, or a pelletizer.

In another example of the present disclosure, a modular unit for attachment to a harvester includes a drying unit to dry a harvested material introduced into the harvester. The drying unit includes at least one rotating drum, a number of appendages extending from the at least one rotating drum, at least one sensor to determine at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and at least one environmental state adjustment device to adjust at least one environmental attribute within the drying unit. The modular unit also includes a collection unit to collect the harvested material into a unit, a first conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and a control system to control at least the drying unit, the collection unit, the first conveyor mechanism, the sensor, and the environmental state adjustment device based on a signal received from the at least one sensor.

The modular unit may further include a second conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from a position outside the modular unit into the drying unit, the control system to activate the second conveyor mechanism. The modular unit may further include a third conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from a position inside the collection unit to a position outside the collection unit of the modular unit. The drying unit further includes a fire suppressant system. The modular unit may further include a pneumatic system fluidically coupled to at least the drying unit, the collection unit, and the first conveyor mechanism. The control system controls the pneumatic system to drive at least the drying unit, the collection unit, and the first conveyor mechanism. The collection unit is a baler, a cuber, or a pelletizer.

The modular unit further includes a frame surrounding at least the drying unit and the collection unit, a number of side panels coupled to the frame to cover at least the drying unit and the collection unit during storage, at least one loading device to accommodate loading of the modular unit onto the harvester, and at least one module coupling device to mechanically couple the modular unit to the harvester. The side panels are convex such that an exterior of the side panels extend away from an interior of the modular unit.

In yet another example of the present disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of at least one control system to control at least one function of a modular unit coupled to a harvester, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include instructing at least one sensor to detect at least one environmental state within a drying unit containing a harvested material, activating an environmental state adjustment device to adjust the at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and determining that the harvested material is ready for collection by a collection unit based on the at least one environmental state detected within the drying unit.

The operations further include, in response to the determining, opening a door separating the drying unit and the collection unit, activating at least one conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and activating the collection unit to collect the harvested material into a unit. The operations further include determining a volume of the harvested material within the drying unit, activating a header coupled to the harvester to which the drying unit is coupled, the header to harvest a standing crop and the activation being based at least in part on the volume of the harvested material within the drying unit, and operating movement of the harvester to which the drying unit is coupled based at least in part on the volume of the harvested material within the drying unit. The at least one control system is housed in the harvester, in the modular unit, or combinations thereof. The at least one control system controls at least one function of the harvester.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for harvesting, conditioning, drying, and collecting a standing crop in a single pass of a harvesting system. The systems and methods described herein reduce waste in harvesting a standing crop by not allowing the crop, after harvesting, to lie in the field and be subjected to environmental elements that may reduce the nutrient value of the harvested crop. The systems and methods described herein, instead, collect the harvested material directly after harvesting into a viable, nutrient-filled feed product. Thus, such systems and methods may be used to more efficiently harvest a usable and more nutrient-filled product on a consistent basis.

Further, the systems and methods described herein impact agricultural markets by providing a more efficient process of harvesting crops with a consistently superior value resulting in a decrease in costs to users and benefiting other processes downstream including livestock ranching and agriculture end products including dairy products and meat products, renewable energy sources as burnable straw pellets, among others. Crop harvested using the systems and methods described herein result in a higher quality of crop-eating animals, bringing about a greater weight gain per volume or weight of the harvested crop. Further, the health to each breed and species of animal may be benefitted from consumption of the high-quality crop harvested using the systems and methods described herein. Thus, the chances of livestock becoming sick due to consuming dusty or moldy crop is significantly reduced or eliminated. Still further, the chances of pregnant livestock losing off spring in utero due to the consumption of dusty or moldy crop is also significantly reduced or eliminated.

Further, the harvested crop obtained via the systems and methods described herein are relatively higher quality and may be sold at a premium by the user creating a situation where a return on investment in the harvester is realized more quickly. Further, the increase in crop harvesting may allow users to export their crop to other markets including foreign markets. Being able to harvest a superior crop via the systems and methods described herein increases savings to the user and the user's insurance providers since the high-quality crop is less susceptible to spontaneous combustion which can damage or destroy farming equipment and facilities.

Further, because of the modular nature of the harvester and its modular units providing a wide variety of functions associated with the drying unit of each modular unit, the need to purchase additional, specialized equipment is reduced or eliminated. This additional equipment may include, for example, swathers, side rakes, balers, cubers, pelletizers, and windrowing devices and equipment, among other types of farming equipment. Further, having a plurality of modular units available to the user allows for different tasks such as baling, cubing, pelletizing, etc., to be accomplished simultaneously and also allows the modular units to be shared among different users performing work on different farms.

Still further, the use of the systems and methods described herein result in a decrease in costs associated with maintenance of a number of machines and reduces overall fuel costs associated with the operation of those machines. Further, labor associated with these tasks is also significantly reduced or eliminated via use of the systems and methods described herein. Still further, the use of the systems and methods described herein allows for the user to determine, in a more flexible manner, the timing of a harvest of the standing crop. This allows for the user to produce a harvested crop at a more economically beneficial time, possibly creating more crops or tonnage of quality product per year.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the examples above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional examples may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such examples should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.