This invention relates generally to an agricultural combine and a flow distributor apparatus therefore which is operable for controlling the spread width discharge of a flow of straw or other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposit on and over a field, and the method of use thereof, and, more particularly, to an adjustably positionable flow guide element for a vertical spreader, which flow guide element is located generally intermediately adjacent to counter-rotating spreader paddles of the vertical spreader to receive and direct the flow of crop residue therefrom and is adjustably repositionable relative to the spreader paddles to controllably adjust the flow of crop residue to effect a desired pattern of crop residue flow therefrom, for instance, so as to better and more evenly distribute the flow side to side over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested.
Historically, combines have typically included or had associated therewith a crop residue spreader for disposing onto the field from which the crop was harvested the straw and other residue separated from the harvested crop. In addition, some combines have employed a chaff spreader for spreading chaff residue separated from the grain by the cleaning apparatus or system onto the crop field. With earlier spreaders, however, in many instances, uneven distribution of the crop residue occurred, with a greater or heavier concentration often being distributed nearer the center of the swath and a lesser or lighter concentration being distributed father sidewardly. Such uneven distribution resulted in various problems such as, but not limited to, subsequent difficulty in passing fall tillage tools through residue clumps or thick areas, uneven insulation of the field, resulting in uneven field warming and thawing and subsequent uneven crop emergence during the following planting season, and other problems resulting from increased rodent and insect habitat.
Consequently, it was recognized that it would be desirable to be able to spread the straw, chaff, and other residue as evenly as possible over the entire width or swath of that section of the field over which the combine has just passed and from which crops had been harvested. It was also recognized that, in some instances, in order to compensate for crop type, varying moisture and weather conditions, such as wind and the like, and also combine header width, it would be further desirable to have an ability to adjust the crop residue spread.
Efforts to address such concerns and desires have been ongoing, and various crop residue spreaders have been developed which can propel residue a distance equal to about one half the width of a typical combine header, rather than simply dropping or distributing the crop residue behind the spreader. However, such spreaders have continued to suffer from various shortcomings. Many of such spreaders have exhibited a tendency to provide uneven crop residue distribution or coverage in the side to side direction over the swath, especially on uneven and varying terrain and in varying wind conditions. For example, with reference to a vertical spreader, that is, a spreader utilizing one or more rotary impellers or other elements rotatable about a generally horizontal axis, or an axis oriented or tilted at a small acute angle to horizontal, and configured for directing a flow or flows of crop residue sidewardly, the resultant distribution has often tended to be uneven in the sideward direction, for instance, typically thicker in one region or along one side of the swath, and thinner or less uniform in another region or along the other side of the swath, sometimes due, in part, to varying geographical and environmental conditions.
Thus, what has been sought is a crop residue flow distributor for a vertical crop residue spreader, having a capability to adjustably distribute or guide portions of a discharged flow of crop residue for achieving a desired pattern of the distributed residue across the entire width or swath of the harvest cut, under varying geographical and environmental conditions, which can effect more even distribution side to side over a region of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, to thereby achieve the advantages, and avoid the shortcomings and problems, of the prior art devices, discussed hereinabove.
One recent development in such regard has been an adjustable crop residue flow distributor apparatus for a vertical crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine, as disclosed and discussed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/194,844, which residue flow distributor includes fore and aft adjustment capabilities and a flow guide element, positioned generally adjacent to spreader paddles, that includes movably adjustable arm elements, the positions of which arm elements can be altered to adjust the flow of crop residue.
Efforts to develop other improved constructions that will overcome the various problems discussed hereinabove have continued, and it has now been found that reliable results can also be achieved by employing a residue flow distributor apparatus, as described hereinafter, that does not need to have or rely upon fore and aft adjustments of the flow distributor or movably adjustable arm elements, and the complexities associated therewith, yet which can deliver improved side to side distribution of the crop residue.
There is thus disclosed herein a flow distributor apparatus for an agricultural combine which is operable for discharging a flow of straw or other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposit on and over a field, and, more particularly, a flow distributor apparatus that includes a flow guide or distributor element that is adjustably repositionable adjacent to counter-rotating spreader paddles to receive and direct the flow of crop residue therefrom. The flow distributor apparatus includes an adjusting mechanism which is operable to adjustably reposition the flow guide element relative to the spreader paddles to controllably adjust the clearance between the outer swept diameter of the spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of the flow guide element. Such changes in clearance alter and redirect the flow of crop residue so as to effect a desired pattern of crop residue flow from the spreader, such as to compensate for changing geographical and environmental conditions, in order that, under such conditions, a better and more even distribution of the crop residue may be realized over the entire width of the cut.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the flow distributor apparatus includes a distributor or flow guide element portion, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the flow guide or the flow guide element, that has an apex portion with opposed laterally extending wing or arm portions depending therefrom to free end portions and side surfaces extending generally longitudinally between fore and aft ends of the flow guide element portion, with the longitudinally extending side surfaces defining crop residue flow surfaces. The flow guide element portion is supported on a combine, such as at the back sheet or back plate of the spreader, beneath a generally downwardly facing inlet or entry opening at which the crop residue is introduced into the flow residue distribution system and generally intermediate to the spreader paddles, with at least the free end portions disposed such that the crop residue flow surfaces are located generally extending beneath portions of the spreader paddles and sidewardly outwardly relative thereto to the free end portions of the flow guide, for carrying and guiding a flow of crop residue from the entry opening and the spreader paddles so that such residue will flow sidewardly and outwardly from the spreader for distribution over a field.
The flow distributor apparatus also includes an adjusting mechanism operable to effect movement of the flow guide element at least either vertically or horizontally or rotationally relative to the spreader paddles, such that the clearance between the outer swept diameter of the spreader paddles and the flow surfaces of the flow guide element can be adjustably varied, including optionally as desired or required, to control the side to side residue spread.
A coupling connector, which may take the form of a protrusion at the aft end of the flow guide element, such as a tab projection or an extending stud or shaft, and which passes through an opening in the back sheet or back plate of the spreader, couples the flow guide element to the adjusting mechanism such that operation of the adjusting mechanism will effect a repositioning of the coupling connector and of the flow guide element coupled thereto. Such repositioning may result in a vertical movement of the flow guide element, a horizontal movement of the flow guide element, or a rotation of the flow guide element, or a combination of such movements, relative to the spreader paddles.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, which is designed to address vertical movement of the flow guide element relative to the spreader paddles, the adjusting mechanism includes a cart or carriage assembly coupled to the flow guide element through the coupling connector for maintaining the flow guide element generally adjacent to the frontside of the back sheet or back plate of the spreader and for effecting generally vertical movement of the flow guide element relative to the spreader paddles. The cart or carriage assembly is generally vertically movable along the backside of the back plate of the spreader, such as under control of an electrically operable screw drive or linear actuator, and is preferably mounted at or beyond the back plate of the spreader. The coupling connector extends through an opening in the back plate of the spreader, which opening, for such embodiment, may be an elongated, generally vertical slot though which the coupling connector can extend and along which the coupling connector can be moved. Biasing elements, such as springs, may preferably be associated with the cart and utilized to provide a tension, applied through the coupling connector, to maintain the flow guide element in close association with or close proximity to the frontside of the back plate of the spreader, and an insert having a low coefficient of friction may be employed to minimize the effect of frictional forces between the aft end of the flow guide element and the back sheet or back plate of the spreader as the flow guide element is being repositioned or adjusted.
Although, for such preferred embodiment, the opening in the back plate of the spreader is noted as being a vertical slot, the opening may, for other embodiments, be sized and configured to permit the type of and maximum repositioning to be allowed for a flow guide element and, consequently, such opening could be a horizontal slot, a box, circle, or ellipse, or other configuration suitable for the particular embodiment utilized and the effects desired.
In certain preferred forms of the flow guide element portion, the wing or arm portions thereof are essentially mirror images of one another, with the crop residue flow surfaces including concavely curved surface segments for receiving the flow being directed thereto by respective spreader paddles and for directing the flow of residue along such surfaces for generally sidewardly discharge therefrom. To assist in sidewardly distribution, finger projections may be mated to the flow guide element along the free end portions thereof to extend further sidewardly generally below the spreader paddles. When the flow guide element is positioned generally centrally intermediate the spreader paddles, it can be vertically moved relative to the spreader paddles such that, in at least one positioning, the concavely curved surface segments of the wing or arm portions of the flow guide element are generally concentric with the sweep diameters of the respective spreader paddles.
Other and additional embodiments of the invention and forms of components thereof, including various forms of the flow guide element portion, the coupling connector, and the adjusting mechanism, including adjusting mechanism features such as trolley carts and tripod carriers, as well as a further and more complete understanding of the invention, may be derived and will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown, wherein like numerals refer to like items, and wherein prime designators in conjunction with a numeral, e.g., 42′ and 42″, identify variations of the element designated by that numeral,
With further reference to
Impellers 28 and 30, which may form or include paddles of appropriate sizes and configurations for the uses intended, are rotated by suitable driving elements, such as by conventionally constructed and operable hydraulic motors powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid received from a pump (not shown) of combine 22, an electric motor, belt, or the like, again in the well known manner. Rotational axes 32 and 34 extend at least generally in the fore and aft directions, that is, generally forwardly and rearwardly with respect to combine 22, and are generally horizontal or oriented at a small acute angle to horizontal, depending on an orientation or tilt of spreader 24 on combine 22, which can be optionally variable and adjustable in the well known manner.
Housing 26 of spreader 24 includes spaced, opposed radial side walls, and a rear wall 36, sometimes referred to as the back sheet or back plate of the spreader, extending therebetween across the width of spreader 24, defining an internal cavity containing impellers 28 and 30. Housing 26 defines a forwardly and upwardly facing inlet opening for receiving the residue flow from the threshing system, and a downwardly facing discharge opening 38, through which the residue is propelled downwardly and in opposite sideward directions by impellers 28 and 30, respectively.
Residue flow within housing 26 is propelled by the rotating impellers 28 and 30 in the predetermined rotational directions A and B along circumferential flow paths, at speeds equal to or increased relative to the inlet speed of the residue flow such that the residue does not build up at the inlet and is expelled from housing 26 through discharge opening 38 at a corresponding speed. In the instance wherein spreader 24 is solely used for spreading, the speed imparted to the residue by impellers 28 and 30 will be sufficient to effect airborne travel of the residue a substantial sideward distance from combine 22 for deposit on regions of the agricultural field over which combine 22 has just traveled and from which the crops have been harvested.
As noted hereinabove, it is desired in many instances to distribute the crop residue discharged by impellers 28 and 30 substantially evenly over the width of a swath of the field from which the crop has just been harvested by combine 22, which width is typically defined by the overall width of a harvesting head of combine 22, which width can be as much as 30 to 40 feet in the instance of some heads currently in use. Thus, it is desirable that rotary impellers 28 and 30 have the capability to expel or propel crop residue a distance of up to about 20 feet or so therefrom, corresponding to one-half the width of the header used on combine 22, and possibly farther as combine headers of greater width are introduced. Impellers 28 and 30 can be suitably configured and rotated at a sufficient velocity for propelling crop residue such as, but not limited to, chopped straw, stems and branches, cobs and the like, the required distance of up to one-half the width of a header currently being used, by a conventional hydraulic motor or any other suitable driver as mentioned above. The problem to be currently overcome, however, is distributing the crop residue substantially evenly over this distance of up to about 20 feet or so, including in the region of a swath directly beneath spreader 24, and under varying geographical and environmental conditions.
The flow distributor apparatus of the present invention is primarily associated with spreader 24, and especially with back sheet or back plate 36 thereof. As depicted in
For purposes of clarity in the further discussion of the present invention, it should be understood that, within the context of these discussions, the term “sideward” is meant to refer to or identify a direction generally transverse to the fore and aft directions, the term “sidewardly outwardly” is meant to refer to a sideward direction away from a center line 72 (
As may be better observed with reference to
In such regard, the particular configuration of adjusting mechanism 78 is not considered critical to the subject invention, and adjusting mechanism 78 can thus take or include many known forms, including, by way of example and not of limitation, carriage or frame mounted x-y worm drive constructions, rack and pinion arrangements, geared assemblages, including ring gear constructions, and linear actuator controlled cart assemblies, to effect the particular flow guide movements desired for the combine and spreader, which movements may be any or all of vertical, horizontal, or rotational movement. The adjustment may be effected by any appropriate means, including, but not limited to, mechanical, hydraulic, and electric means, including through the use of hydraulic cylinders and linear actuators, and in any manner appropriate for the combine and spreader in use. One or more adjustment actuator components for effecting movement of the coupling connector 74 and coupled flow guide element 42 may be provided, depending upon the movement positioning desired, which actuator components may be directly or remotely actuatable for effecting vertical, horizontal, or rotational movement of the flow guide element, either independently or in combination. Such actuator components can be any suitable commercially available devices, such as, but not limited to, electric or other motors, cylinders, solenoids, or the like, and can be controlled from a suitable location, such as an operator cab of the combine. With particular reference to
As may also be observed from
As the crop residue enters the top of the spreader 24, the counter-rotating impellers 28 and 30 direct a significant portion of the residue flow towards center divider 88 and downwardly therealong towards flow guide element 42. The distance that spreader 24 can discharge crop residue is related to the clearance between the tips of the spreader paddles as the paddles rotate past the flow guide element 42. If flow guide element 42 remains fixed in a given position, the clearance will also remain fixed, and the spread width will therefore also remain fixed for the then-current conditions in which the combine 22 and spreader 24 are operating. However, by repositioning the flow guide element 42 to change the clearance between the tip of the spreader paddles as the paddles rotate past the flow guide element 42, the spread width can be altered. Depending upon the positioning of flow guide element 42, flow of the crop residue for discharge from the spreader 24 can be altered to some extent to result in a greater or lesser sidewardly outwardly throw of the residue, and the positioning of the flow guide element can be selected based upon factors such as terrain, crop, and wind conditions to result in a desired crop residue distribution.
As discussed hereinabove, the flow distributor apparatus may be configured such that the flow guide element 42 can be repositioned in any or all of vertical, horizontal, or rotational directions. In some circumstances and with some equipment, adequate results may be realized by use of a flow distributor apparatus that is repositionable in only one of such directions, such as in the vertical direction. In such regard,
The illustrated attachment of the divider plate 88′ to the apex portion 44′ of flow guide element portion 42′ obviates various difficulties that might otherwise arise from use of the split form of the divider plate 88 and flow guide element portion 42 of
In the particular preferred embodiment set forth in
As best shown in
Preferably, springs or other types of biasing elements, such as the springs 150 which are best shown in
An insert 152, such as is best shown in
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, modifications may be made to the embodiments depicted in
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various drive mechanisms other than the screw drive mechanisms depicted in
By a re-orientation of the cart assembly 100 of
From the foregoing, it should be readily understood and appreciated that the cart assembly of
Similarly, it should be recognized that various adjusting mechanisms other than that depicted in
With tripod frame 262 positioned adjacent to the backside of back plate 36 with arm 268A extending generally vertically and with arms 268B and 268C disposed at generally equal angles to the vertical, actuators 280 and 282 are mounted on or adjacent to back plate 36 and rigidly connected to tripod frame 262, such as by pin connections, near the junctures of arms 268A and 268B and arms 268A and 268C, as best shown in
From the foregoing, it should thus be understood and recognized that various combinations of controlled motion can be effected not only by the particular embodiments described and discussed herein, but also by other embodiments that may, for example, employ simplified or enhanced versions or forms of the tripod or a like carrier assembly, such as for X-Y-R movement, or various versions or forms of a trolley cart with a flow guide element that has a shaft-like coupling connector, such as for X-R or Y-R motion. The identifications of and discussions describing such specific configurations and their operations is not intended, however, to rule out any other embodiments that might be employed to the same effect within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As will be apparent from all the foregoing, many of the elements discussed herein, including the flow guide element, the coupling connector, and the adjusting mechanism, may take varied and alternate forms, and certain elements, such as the divider plate and the insert described hereinabove, may optionally be included or excluded, depending upon the desires of users and the requirements and configurations of combines and spreaders with which the present invention may be employed.
It will also be recognized that, although the present invention need not have or rely upon fore and aft adjustments of the flow guide element or movably adjustable arm elements, such as is as disclosed and discussed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/194,844, the use of such is also not prohibited by the present invention, especially to the extent that the use of such features in the practice of the present invention may permit further refinements in the controlled deposit of crop residue upon a field.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing description and discussion, and as may be best observed by reference to
In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a flow distributor apparatus, and method of use thereof, that can be utilized to provide a desired pattern of crop residue distribution therefrom to obtain a more uniform distribution of crop residue over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, especially under varying geographic and environmental conditions. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/808,369, filed May 25, 2006.
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