U.S. patent application number 12/875433 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for system for determining counter knife bank insertion position.
Invention is credited to Jason M. Benes, Edmund N. Holt, II, Nathan E. Isaac, Brent E. Smith.
Application Number | 20120056024 12/875433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45769961 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120056024 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Isaac; Nathan E. ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING COUNTER KNIFE BANK INSERTION POSITION
Abstract
A chopper assembly for a combine includes a rotary chopper
element, a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper
element to form a passageway for crop residue and a knife bank
adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly. The knife bank
is movable between a first position where the knife bank is fully
inserted into the passageway and a second position where the knife
bank is full retracted from the passageway. An actuating mechanism
is used to move the knife bank between the first position and the
second position. A position sensor is used to measure the position
of the actuating mechanism and determine the position of the knife
bank relative to the passageway.
Inventors: |
Isaac; Nathan E.;
(Lancaster, PA) ; Benes; Jason M.; (Mount Joy,
PA) ; Holt, II; Edmund N.; (Denver, PA) ;
Smith; Brent E.; (Lititz, PA) |
Family ID: |
45769961 |
Appl. No.: |
12/875433 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
241/25 ;
241/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 12/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
241/25 ;
241/33 |
International
Class: |
B02C 4/32 20060101
B02C004/32 |
Claims
1. A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment comprising: a rotary
chopper element; a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary
chopper element to form a passageway for crop residue; a knife bank
adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly, the knife bank
being movable between a first position where the knife bank is
fully inserted into the passageway and a second position where the
knife bank is fully retracted from the passageway; at least one
panel at least partially enclosing the rotary chopper element, the
chopper grate assembly and the knife bank; an actuating mechanism
to move the knife bank between the first position and the second
position; a sensor to measure the position of the actuating
mechanism and determine a position of the knife bank; and the
sensor being positioned on an opposite side of the at least one
panel from the rotary chopper element, the chopper grate assembly
and the knife bank.
2. The chopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the sensor is offset
from the actuating mechanism to indirectly measure the position of
the actuating mechanism.
3. The chopper assembly of claim 1 wherein: the actuating mechanism
comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a rod and a first arm, the
hydraulic cylinder, rod and first arm are positioned on an opposite
side of the at least one panel from the rotary chopper element, the
chopper grate assembly and the knife bank; the hydraulic cylinder
is configured to move the rod in an axial direction; the rod is
connected to the first arm and the first arm is pivoted by movement
of the rod to move the knife bank between the first position and
the second position; the sensor comprises a second arm connected to
the rod and the second arm is pivoted by movement of the rod; and
the sensor is configured to detect movement of the second arm and
determine the position of the actuating mechanism based on movement
of the second arm.
4. The chopper assembly of claim 3 wherein the actuating mechanism
further comprises: a linkage connected to the first arm and rotated
by movement of the first arm, the linkage extending through the at
least one panel; a third arm connected to the linkage, the third
arm being pivoted by rotation of the linkage; a positioning arm
connected to the third arm, the positioning arm being moved axially
by movement of the third arm; a portion of the linkage, the third
arm and the positioning arm are positioned on a side of the at
least one panel with the rotary chopper element, the chopper grate
assembly and the knife bank; and the knife bank being connected to
the positioning arm, the knife bank being pivoted between the first
position and the second position by movement of the positioning
arm.
5. The chopper assembly of claim 3 wherein: the first arm has a
first angular displacement; the second arm has a second angular
displacement; and the second angular displacement is greater than
the first angular displacement.
6. The chopper assembly of claim 4 wherein the second angular
displacement is greater than the first angular displacement by a
factor in the range of about 1.25 to about 3.0.
7. The chopper assembly of claim 5 wherein the second angular
displacement is greater than the first angular displacement by a
factor of about 1.75.
8. The chopper assembly of claim 4 wherein the first angular
displacement is about 32 degrees and the second angular
displacement is about 56 degrees.
9. The chopper assembly of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a
potentiometer.
10. A chopper assembly for a combine comprising: a rotary chopper
element; a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper
element to form a passageway for the passage of crop residue; a
knife bank adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly, the
knife bank being movable between a first position where the knife
bank is fully inserted into the passageway and a second position
where the knife bank is fully retracted from the passageway; an
actuating mechanism to move the knife bank between the first
position and the second position; a position sensor to measure the
position of the actuating mechanism and determine a position of the
knife bank; and the position sensor is offset from the actuating
mechanism to indirectly measure the position of the actuating
mechanism.
11. The chopper assembly of claim 10 further comprising: at least
one panel at least partially enclosing the rotary chopper element,
the chopper grate assembly and the knife bank; and the position
sensor being positioned on an opposite side of the at least one
panel from the rotary chopper element, the chopper grate assembly
and the knife bank.
12. The chopper assembly of claim 10 wherein: the actuating
mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a rod and a first arm;
the hydraulic cylinder is configured to move the rod in an axial
direction; the rod is connected to the first arm and the first arm
is pivoted by movement of the rod to move the knife bank between
the first position and the second position; the position sensor
comprises a second arm connected to the rod and the second arm is
pivoted by movement of the rod; and the position sensor is
configured to detect movement of the second arm and determine the
position of the actuating mechanism based on movement of the second
arm.
13. The chopper assembly of claim 12 wherein the actuating
mechanism further comprises: a linkage connected to the first arm,
the linkage is rotated by movement of the first arm; a third arm
connected to the linkage, the third arm being pivoted by rotation
of the linkage; a positioning arm connected to the third arm, the
positioning arm being moved axially by movement of the third arm;
and the knife bank being connected to the positioning arm, the
knife bank being pivoted between the first position and the second
position by movement of the positioning arm.
14. The chopper assembly of claim 12 wherein; the first arm has a
first angular displacement; the second arm has a second angular
displacement; and the second angular displacement is greater than
the first angular displacement.
15. The chopper assembly of claim 14 wherein the second angular
displacement is greater than the first angular displacement by a
factor in the range of about 1.25 to about 3.0.
16. The chopper assembly of claim 15 wherein the second angular
displacement is greater than the first angular displacement by a
factor of about 1.75.
17. The chopper assembly of claim 14 wherein the first angular
displacement is about 32 degrees and the second angular
displacement is about 56 degrees.
18. The chopper assembly of claim 10 wherein the position sensor
comprises a potentiometer.
19-20. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates generally to a chopper
assembly for a combine. The present application relates more
specifically to a system to determine the position of a counter
knife bank in a chopper assembly.
[0002] Harvesting equipment, such as agricultural combines, can use
integral chopper assemblies or systems to transport material away
from the threshing system and to also treat the material, e.g., by
further cutting the material, as it is being transported away from
the threshing system. A rotary chopper element or portion of the
integral chopper system can be operated at or near 3000 revolutions
per minute (RPM) to transport the material from the threshing
system to a spreading system. When operated at 3000 RPM, the
material is transported with the shortest mean length of cut to
permit modern minimum tillage applications. In a less common
embodiment, the integral chopper system can be operated at a speed
of about 800 RPM to more gently transport the material from the
threshing system to a spreading system and with considerably less
chopping activity. When operated at 800 RPM, the material can be
transported to the spreading system with the longest length and
least amount of damage.
[0003] Integral chopper systems can have a residue chopper assembly
that has a rotary chopper component or element disposed laterally
within a housing extending generally horizontally across the flow
path of the crop residue through the housing, as well as a counter
knife assembly extending generally parallel to and spaced from the
rotary chopper element. The counter knife assembly has included a
chopper grate assembly spaced below and extending generally
parallel to the rotary chopper element and a knife mounting
assembly positioned generally beneath the chopper grate
assembly.
[0004] Often, the counter knife assembly can have an adjustment
mechanism that is operable to vary the spacing between a grate
portion of the chopper grate assembly and the knife mounting
assembly, as well as the degree of projection of the blade elements
of the knife mounting assembly through the slots of the grate
portion. The adjustment mechanism can be operated to move the knife
mounting assembly between a fully engaged or inserted position with
the blade elements of the knife mounting assembly extending through
the slots towards the rotary chopper element and a fully retracted
position in which the blade elements are fully withdrawn or
retracted from the slots. In addition, the adjustment mechanism can
move the blade elements to various positions between a fully
engaged position and a fully retracted position.
[0005] When the knife mounting assembly is in an engaged position,
either fully or partially, the crop residue can be chopped into
smaller pieces by the cooperative actions of the knife blades or
elements of the knife mounting assembly and the knife blades or
paddles on the rotating rotary chopper element as the crop residue
is moved and propelled rearward. The knife mounting assembly is
usually positioned into an engaged position, either fully or
partially, when the rotary chopper element is operated at or near
3000 RPM and is usually positioned in a fully retracted position
when the rotary chopper element is operated at 800 RPM to avoid
excessive power requirements for the combine. In addition,
different types of crop material may have different desired
chopping requirements. Thus, it would be desirable to know the
position of the knife mounting assembly to avoid excessive power
requirements when operating the chopper system at lower speeds,
e.g., 800 RPM, and to confirm that the crop material is being cut
as desired.
[0006] One example of a system for determining the position of the
knife mounting assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,413. As
described in the patent, a sensor is placed in association with the
knife blades of the knife mounting assembly to provide a signal
representative of the position of the knives. Since the sensor is
positioned in direct association with the knives, the sensor
requires precise calibration to make an accurate measurement of the
position of the knives and is susceptible to damage from crop
residue.
[0007] Therefore, what is needed is a system that can accurately
determine the position of the counter knife bank in a chopper
assembly without being susceptible to damage from material passing
through the chopper assembly.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present application relates to a chopper assembly for
harvesting equipment. The chopper assembly includes a rotary
chopper element, a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary
chopper element to form a passageway for crop residue, and a knife
bank adjustably connected to the chopper grate assembly. The knife
bank is movable between a first position where the knife bank is
fully inserted into the passageway and a second position where the
knife bank is fully retracted from the passageway. At least one
panel is used to at least partially enclose the rotary chopper
element, the chopper grate assembly and the knife bank. The chopper
assembly also includes an actuating mechanism to move the knife
bank between the first position and the second position and a
sensor to measure the position of the actuating mechanism and
determine a position of the knife bank. The sensor is positioned on
an opposite side of the at least one panel from the rotary chopper
element, the chopper grate assembly and the knife bank.
[0009] The present application further relates to a chopper
assembly for a combine. The chopper assembly includes a rotary
chopper element, a chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary
chopper element to form a passageway for the passage of crop
residue and a knife bank adjustably connected to the chopper grate
assembly. The knife bank is movable between a first position where
the knife bank is fully inserted into the passageway and a second
position where the knife bank is fully retracted from the
passageway. The chopper assembly also includes an actuating
mechanism to move the knife bank between the first position and the
second position and a position sensor to measure the position of
the actuating mechanism and determine a position of the knife bank.
The position sensor is offset from the actuating mechanism to
indirectly measure the position of the actuating mechanism.
[0010] The present application additionally relates to a method for
controlling operation of a combine. The method includes measuring a
rotational speed of a rotary chopper element and comparing the
measured rotational speed to a preselected rotational speed. The
method also includes measuring a position of a knife bank relative
to the rotary chopper element with a sensor offset from the knife
bank and comparing the measured position to a preselected position
for the knife bank. The method further includes disabling a system
for the combine in response to the measured rotational speed being
less than or equal to the preselected rotational speed and the
measured position not being equal to the preselected position.
[0011] One advantage of the present application is increased
accuracy in measuring the position of the counter knife bank.
[0012] Another advantage of the present application is that the
sensor is located outside of the primary flow path of material and
is thus less susceptible to damage from the material.
[0013] A further advantage of the present application is that
in-cab or automated adjustability of the counter knife bank can be
enabled based on measured counter knife bank position.
[0014] An additional advantage of the present application is better
horsepower management in response to the measured counter knife
bank position.
[0015] Another advantage of the present application is the ability
to retract the counter knife bank either manually based on operator
commands or automatically based on a closed loop system independent
of the operator, when a foreign or non-crop object (e.g., a rock)
enters the machine, in order to prevent damage to the chopper
assembly or the counter knife bank.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present application
will be apparent from the following more detailed description of
the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a simplified side plan view, from the left
side, of an agricultural combine.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a simplified side plan view, from the left
side, of the threshing system and a portion of the crop residue
treatment and distribution system of the combine of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view, from the left front side,
of an integral chopper assembly, showing an exemplary embodiment of
a counter knife assembly.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a simplified left side plan view, generally
viewed from position X in FIG. 3, of a portion of the integral
chopper assembly of FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of various
portions of the concave pan portion of the integral chopper
assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a plan view looking forwardly from the rear of
the integral chopper assembly towards the rotary chopper
element.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an exemplary knife bank
assembly.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged perspective view of a retainment
mount of the knife bank assembly of FIG. 7.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative knife bank
assembly.
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a different perspective view of the
alternative knife bank assembly of FIG. 9.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged perspective view of a retainment
mount of the knife bank assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0028] FIGS. 12-14 show, in simplified left side plan views,
different positions for the knife blades of the counter knife
assembly.
[0029] FIG. 15 shows, in a simplified left side plan view, an
actuating mechanism for the counter knife assembly and a sensor for
determining the position of the counter knife assembly.
[0030] FIG. 16 shows a cut away view showing additional details of
the actuating mechanism and sensor of FIG. 15.
[0031] FIGS. 17-18 show, in simplified left side plan views,
different positions for the actuating mechanism and sensor of FIG.
15.
[0032] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary agricultural combine 20
that can include a longitudinally axially arranged threshing system
22 and a crop residue treatment and distribution system 24 with a
crop residue spreader 26. Threshing system 22 can include a
cylindrical threshing rotor 28 within a rotor housing 32. The rotor
28 can be conventionally supported and rotatable in a predetermined
direction, e.g., clockwise, about a rotational axis 30. The rotor
28 can convey a flow of crop material in a helical flow path
through a space 34 extending circumferentially around an outer
cylindrical surface 35 of rotor 28 and an inner circumferential
surface 38 of rotor housing 32. As the crop material is moved
through space 34, the crop, such as grain, legumes, or the like,
can be loosened and separated from crop residue, such as husk and
pods, and carried away in a conventional manner.
[0034] The crop residue can continue along the helical path through
space 34, and is then expelled, as denoted by arrows B, into and
through a discharge opening and passage 36, which can be an
extension of space 34 at the downstream end of threshing rotor 28.
The consistency of the flow of crop residue, volume thereof, and
extent or pattern thereof, can vary, and may be a function of a
variety of conditions, including, but not limited to, the speed of
rotation of rotor 28, crop type, plant maturity, moisture content,
and weather conditions. As an example, speeds for rotor 28 can vary
between just a few hundred RPM to over 1000 RPM. Wheat and other
small grains can have relatively small crop residue components,
whereas other grains, such as corn, can have larger components,
such as thick stalk segments, cob fragments, and large leaves.
[0035] Crop residue treatment and distribution system 24 can
include a transport and chopping assembly, such as integral chopper
assembly 46 configured about an aft portion of the combine 20,
sometimes hereinafter referred to as rotary assembly 46, having a
rotary chopper element 47 rotatable in a direction E above a
concave pan assembly such as chopper grate assembly 48. The chopper
assembly 46 is operatively connected downstream of the threshing
system 22 to receive the flow of crop material from the threshing
system 22. Rotary chopper element 47 can rotate at a rapid speed,
so as to be capable of accelerating and propelling a flow of crop
residue rearward within the confines of the rear end of combine 20,
as generally denoted by arrows F. Such rearward flow can be guided
and directed by internal panels or shields, generally denoted by
shields 50, to flow through a rear opening so as to be deposited
directly onto a field, such as in a windrow, or to flow into a
secondary crop residue chopper and/or spreader 26 for spreading in
a swath on the field.
[0036] FIGS. 3-4 depict a portion of an integral chopper assembly
46 that includes not only a concave pan portion that employs a
replaceable grate portion and an interruption plate downstream from
the slots in the grate portion of the chopper grate assembly 48,
but also a rotary chopper portion or element 47 that extends
generally horizontally across the flow path of the crop residue
above the chopper grate assembly 48. The chopper grate assembly 48
can include a counter knife assembly 60. The rotary chopper element
47 can include a cylindrical element or rotary member 61, and has a
number of paddles or knife blades 62 mounted or affixed thereto at
a plurality of mounting locations distributed about the periphery.
The particular positioning, arrangement, and configuration of the
paddles or knife blades 62 can be determined based on particular
requirements to be satisfied.
[0037] FIG. 5 depicts in an exploded view various components of the
chopper grate assembly 48 of the integral chopper assembly 46,
including a generally concave pan portion 65, sometimes hereinafter
also referred to as a concave pan assembly. The concave pan portion
65 includes a grate portion 66 positioned between leading and
trailing plate portions 69A and 69B that extends generally parallel
to the rotary chopper element 47 with a plurality of spaced slots
68.
[0038] In FIG. 4, rotary chopper element 47 and grate portion 66 of
concave pan portion 65 of chopper grate assembly 48 define a
passageway 70 therebetween for the crop residue flow that is
directed to the integral chopper assembly 46 for treatment thereby,
such as crop residue flow B from the threshing system 22 (see FIG.
2). The slots 68 in grate portion 66 are generally elongated and
extend along the grate portion 66 generally in the direction of the
crop residue flow B.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the counter knife assembly 60
includes a stationary knife bank 76 having a plurality of spaced
knife elements 78 positioned generally beneath and parallel to both
rotary chopper element 47 and grate portion 66. The knife elements
78 are mounted at positions along knife bank 76 that correspond to
slots 68 in grate portion 66. The slots 68 in grate portion 66 can
be sized and configured to permit the knife elements 78, when
moved, to project through slots 68.
[0040] Slots 68 and knife elements 78 are appropriately positioned
relative to knife blades 62 of rotary chopper element 47 to permit
the knife elements 78 and knife blades 62 to be interengagable with
one another, so as to pass adjacent to one another without
contacting one another. An exemplary embodiment of the
interengagable movement of the knife elements 78 and knife blades
62 is illustrated in FIG. 6, which depicts the rotary element 47
and top portions of the knife elements 78 of the counter knife
assembly 60 when the knife elements 78 project through slots 68 of
the grate portion 66 into the flow passageway 70. The knife blades
62 and knife elements 78 are so mounted that they are
interengageable with one another during a chopping operation
without contacting or interfering with one another.
[0041] The integral chopper assembly 46 can include an adjustment
mechanism 101 for adjustably varying the positioning of the knife
bank assembly 76 relative to the grate portion 66 of the chopper
grate assembly 48 between a fully engaged position wherein the
knife elements 78 of the knife bank assembly 76 extend through the
slots 68 of the grate portion 66 of the chopper grate assembly 48
at a maximum projection and a partially or fully retracted position
wherein the knife elements 78 project minimally, if at all, through
the slots 68. The knife bank 76, which extends between first and
second knife bank end plates 104 and 106, is generally spaced from
and parallel to both rotary chopper element 47 and grate portion 66
and extends between opposed side wall or plates 84 and 86 of the
concave pan portion 65.
[0042] The counter knife bank 76, which is dimensioned to extend
generally the width of the grate portion 66 between knife bank end
plates 104 and 106, includes spaced mounting eyelets 108 along a
side 110. A shaft member 112 extends through mounting eyelets 108
to end connections 114 and 116 on the respective opposed side
plates 84 and 86 of concave pan portion 65. The shaft member 112,
when so mounted through the end connections 114 and 116, defines an
engagement positioning axis 118 (see FIG. 3), sometimes hereinafter
also referred to as swivel axis 118, about which knife bank 76 can
be rotated or pivoted in an arc-like movement.
[0043] Knife bank end plates 104 and 106 also include lower
portions 124 and 126, which are operatively connected via
respective positioning rods 134 and 136 to a lever assembly 138.
The lever assembly 138 can be operable to effect, through the
coupled movement of positioning rods 134 and 136, a rotation or
pivoting of knife bank end plates 104 and 106 and the knife bank 76
about swivel axis 118. The rotation or pivoting of the knife bank
can be used to extend or retract the knife elements 78 into or from
the flow passageway 70. Lever assembly 138 includes an operable
lever 140 coupled at axis 142 to a rotatable connecting rod 143
that extends between side plates or walls 84 and 86 of concave pan
portion 65. The connecting rod 143 can be attached to support links
144 and 146. Support links 144 and 146 are respectively connected
to positioning rods 134 and 136.
[0044] When lever 140 is operated, as denoted by arrow G in FIG. 4,
support links 144 and 146 are caused to rotate thereby effecting
rotational movement of end portions 154 and 156 of support links
144 and 146 about axis 142, as denoted by arrow H in FIG. 4,
consequent movement of positioning rods 134 and 136, and the
resultant rotational movement of the knife bank assembly 76,
including knife bank end plates 104 and 106, about swivel axis 118.
By thus operating, and then fixing the status of lever assembly 138
at a given position, a user can conveniently alter and fix the
positioning of the knife bank 76 relative to grate portion 66,
thereby controlling to some extent the amount by which the knife
elements 78 are permitted to project through slots 68.
[0045] The ability to effect a repositioning of the knife bank 76
relative to grate portion 66 is beneficial in circumstances where a
user finds it desirable to be able to withdraw or retract the knife
elements 78 of the counter knife assembly 60 from the flow passage
70, such as to clear obstructions/foreign objects as well as in
circumstances where the user wishes to adjust the quality of the
chop. Typically, the greater the amount of projection, the finer
the chop, and the less the amount of projection, the coarser the
chop.
[0046] It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in
the art that, although the position of knife bank 76 in the
embodiment of FIGS. 3-4 is shown controlled by the operation of a
lever assembly 138 and associated linkages, various other
mechanisms and devices could equally as well be utilized to control
the positioning of positioning rods 134 and 136 or, more directly,
the swivel positioning of knife bank end plates 104 and 106, or
even the placement of knife bank 76 closer or farther from grate
portion 66. Such mechanisms and devices may be manually or
automatically operable, including remotely by a user, such as from
the cab of a combine, and may include various and sundry systems
and components of well known construction for effecting the desired
movements, placements, or positioning.
[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a solenoid 400 can be
operatively connected to the lever assembly 138. The solenoid 400
is connected to the lever 140. The solenoid 400 can be, for
example, a New Holland solenoid model 681923, which is a push type
solenoid. The solenoid 400 receives a signal i.e., an input, from a
controller through solenoid wires 402. Alternatively, the lever can
be adjusted by an actuator, hydraulic cylinder, a linear actuator,
an pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a motor or the
like.
[0048] In another embodiment, the solenoid 400 can be connected to
the knife bank 76 anywhere along its structure so as to move the
knife bank 76 from a fully engaged position to at least a partially
refracted position. That is, the solenoid 400 can move the knife
bank 76 between a first position (e.g., the knife bank 76 is fully
retracted from the chopper grate assembly 48) and a second position
(e.g., the knife bank 76 is fully engaged with the chopper grate
assembly 48).
[0049] FIG. 6 shows one exemplary knife blade arrangement 200 in
which twenty-one (21) generally like ring portions 202 are axially
stacked side-by-side along the longitudinal axis 203 of rotary
member 61. Mounts or mounting lugs 204, sometimes hereinafter
referred to as lugs, are affixed, such as by welding, to the outer
periphery 205 of rotary member 61 at spaced annular intervals that
are generally equal to one another.
[0050] From previous discussions hereinabove, it should be
appreciated that, when the counter knife assembly 60 is in an
engaged position, with the knife elements 78 thereof projecting
between slots 68 of the grate portion 66 of chopper grate assembly
48, with rotary member 61 being rotated at about 3000 RPM, the
knife blades 62 on the rotary member 61 can serve to transport
residue rapidly towards the rear of combine 10 and, while doing so,
can also interact with the knife elements 78 of the counter knife
assembly 60 to chop or cut the residue into smaller pieces.
Alternatively, especially if the counter knife assembly 60 is
positioned in its refracted position, with the knife elements 78
being retracted within slots 68 of the grate portion 66 of chopper
grate assembly 48, with rotary member 61 being rotated at a lesser
rate of about 800 RPM, the knife blades 62 on the rotary member 61
can serve to transport residue contacted thereby towards the rear
of combine 20, but more slowly and with less damage to the crop
residue, as a consequence of which longer and larger pieces of
residue will be transported rearward in combine 20.
[0051] FIGS. 7-11 depict counter knife assemblies, and components
thereof, that may be employed as the counter knife assembly 60 of
FIGS. 3-4 in such a way as to better illustrate the manner in which
the knife elements 78 are mounted or affixed to knife bank 76. In
the exemplary embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7-11, knife bank 76,
which can be dimensioned to extend between knife bank end plates
104 and 106 and the width of the grate portion 66 (FIGS. 3 and 4),
includes a trough bracket 230 positioned between knife bank end
plates 104 and 106, with a plurality of retainment mounts 232
spaced therein and therealong, to each of which retainment mounts
232 at least one knife element 78 may be attached. However, in a
further exemplary embodiment as better shown in FIGS. 8 and 11,
each retainment mount 232 can be capable of having two spaced,
knife elements 78 mounted thereto in a side-to-side arrangement,
which knife elements 78 may be of conventional designs and include
spaced mounting holes 234 near the bases 236.
[0052] Each retainment mount 232, of which two variations are shown
in FIGS. 8 and 11, can be generally pistol-shaped with a grip
portion 238 attachable, as by a nut and bolt mounting 240 as shown
in FIG. 7 or by welding as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, along the
interior side 242 of the extended trough bracket 230, and a
generally flat-sided barrel portion 244 extending outwardly from
its juncture with the grip portion 238. In the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 8, each retainment mount 232 includes a central body
portion 246 between side walls 247, whereas the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 11 includes only a central web portion 248 between side
walls 247.
[0053] Along the barrel portions 244 of each retainment mount 232
are located a mounting hole 249 positioned closer to the grip
portion 238 and a mounting slot 250 positioned closer to the distal
end 251 of the barrel portion 244. Nut and bolt pairs 252 are
utilized to mount the knife elements 78 to the retainment mounts
232, with a first nut and bolt pair associated with mounting hole
249 and one of the spaced mounting holes 234 of a knife element 78
and a second nut and bolt pair associated with mounting slot 250
and the other of the spaced mounting holes 234 of that knife
element 78.
[0054] When the knife bank 76 is mounted and the various other
components of the chopper grate assembly 60 so assembled and
configured as depicted in FIG. 3, with the knife elements 78 of the
knife bank 76 projecting through slots 68 of grate portion 66, crop
residue can be transported through passageway 70 as the knife
blades 62 of the rotary member 61 rotate past the knife elements 78
of knife bank 76 in the interengageable fashion as depicted in FIG.
6. If a rock or other foreign object impacts one or more given
knife elements 78 of knife bank 76 with sufficient force to
overcome the clamping force of the nut and bolt pair 252 associated
with mounting slot 248, such knife element 78 may rotate about an
axis formed by the nut and bolt pair 252 associated with mounting
hole 246, as is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 wherein knife elements 78'
and 78'' are shown rotated to displaced or relaxed positions.
[0055] FIGS. 12-14 show different positions for the knife blades 78
of the counter knife assembly 60. FIG. 12 shows the counter knife
assembly 60 and knife blades 78 in a completely retracted position
or at a zero degree (0.degree.) insertion position. When the
counter knife assembly 60 is in the refracted position, the knife
blades 78 are positioned out of the flow path of the crop residue
and do not provide any additional chopping of the crop residue
travelling through the chopper assembly 46. FIG. 13 shows the
counter knife assembly 60 and knife blades 78 in a fifty percent
(50%) inserted position or at a twenty four degree (24.degree.)
insertion position. When the counter knife assembly 60 is in the
50% position, the knife blades 78 are partially positioned in of
the flow path of the crop residue and can provide some additional
chopping of the crop residue travelling through the chopper
assembly 46. FIG. 14 shows the counter knife assembly 60 and knife
blades 78 in a fully inserted position or at a forty eight degree
(48.degree.) insertion position. When the counter knife assembly 60
is in the fully inserted position, the knife blades 78 are
positioned in the flow path of the crop residue and provide the
most additional chopping of the crop residue travelling through the
chopper assembly 46.
[0056] In one exemplary embodiment, the amount of rotation of the
knife bank assembly 76 determines the amount of insertion of the
knife blades. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14, the
knife bank assembly 76 is rotated 48 degrees to travel from the
completely retracted position to the fully inserted position. In
other exemplary embodiments, the amount of rotation or degrees of
rotation required to have the knife bank assembly 76 travel from
the completely refracted position to the fully inserted position
can be in the range of about 20.degree. to about 70.degree..
[0057] In FIGS. 15 and 16, an actuating mechanism 310 is used to
adjust or move the position of the counter knife assembly 60 and/or
the knife bank assembly 76. A position sensor 312 is located
relative to the actuating mechanism 310 to measure or calculate the
position of the actuating mechanism 310 and thereby measure or
calculate the position of the counter knife assembly 60. In one
exemplary embodiment, the position sensor 312 can measure the
position of the actuating mechanism regardless of whether the
actuating mechanism is manually operated or machine operated (see
e.g., FIGS. 3-4). The position sensor 312 and part of the actuating
mechanism 310 can be located outside of the chopper assembly 46 and
the flow path of crop residue. Stated differently, the position
sensor 312 and part of the actuating mechanism 310 are separated
from the chopper assembly 46 by one or more shields or panels.
However, in other exemplary embodiments, the position sensor 312
and actuating mechanism 310 can be located in closer proximity to
the chopper assembly 46, e.g., inside the shield or panel.
[0058] The actuating mechanism 310 includes a hydraulic cylinder
314 that can be used to move a rod 316 in an axial direction based
on the amount of fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 314. In another
exemplary embodiment, hydraulic cylinder 314 can be replaced by a
solenoid (see FIG. 4), a pneumatic cylinder, a linear actuator, an
pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator or a motor. The rod 316
can be connected to a first arm 318 that can be substantially
coplanar with the rod 316. The first arm 318 can be connected to a
linkage 320 that extends substantially perpendicularly from the
first arm 318 into the chopper assembly 46. Linkage 320 can operate
similar to connecting rod 143 (see FIG. 4). In one exemplary
embodiment, the linkage 320 can extend substantially the entire
width of the counter knife assembly 60 or the linkage 320 can
extend only a portion of the width of the counter knife assembly
60. The linkage 320 can be connected to at least one second arm 322
depending on how far the linkage extends into the chopper assembly
46. The second arm(s) 322 can be positioned substantially parallel
to the first arm 318. Second arm(s) 322 can operate similar to
support links 144 and 146 (see FIG. 4). The second arm(s) 322 can
be connected to positioning rod(s) 324 to adjust the position of
the counter knife assembly 60. Positioning rod(s) 324 operate
similar to positioning rods 134, 136 (see FIG. 4).
[0059] In one exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder 314
moves rod 316 back and forth in the axial direction to pivot or
rotate the first arm 318 and rotate linkage 320. For example, as
shown in FIG. 18, the exposed end of rod 316 can be moved away from
hydraulic cylinder 314 to pivot first arm 318 in a clockwise
direction and similarly rotate linkage 320 in a clockwise
direction. The rotation of linkage 320 in a clockwise direction can
pivot or rotate second arm 322 in a clockwise direction and axially
moves the end of positioning rod 324 connected to second arm 322
away from the counter knife assembly 60 to move/rotate the counter
knife assembly 60 and knife blades 78 to a fully or completely
retracted position.
[0060] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 17, the movement of exposed
end of rod 316 toward hydraulic cylinder 314 pivots first arm 318
in a counter-clockwise direction and similarly rotates linkage 320
in a counter-clockwise direction. The rotation of linkage 320 in a
counter-clockwise direction can pivot second arm 322 in a
counter-clockwise direction and axially move the end of positioning
rod 324 connected to second arm 322 toward the counter knife
assembly 60 to move/rotate the counter knife assembly 60 and knife
blades 78 to a fully inserted position. In one exemplary
embodiment, the actuating mechanism 310 can be used to position the
counter knife assembly 60 and knife blades 78 to any position
between and including a fully retracted position and a fully
inserted position.
[0061] Position sensor 312 is mounted in close proximity to
actuating mechanism 310 by a bracket 326 to measure the position of
the actuating mechanism 310 and thereby measure or determine the
position of the counter knife assembly 60. In one exemplary
embodiment, the position sensor 312 is offset from the actuating
mechanism 310, specifically, the first arm 318, and can measure the
position of the first arm 318 using a third arm 328. The third arm
328 is pinned or connected to the rod 316 and first arm 318 at one
end, e.g., using a pin and slot connection, and is coupled to the
position sensor 312 at the other end. The coupling of the position
sensor 312 to the third arm 328 permits the position sensor 312 to
rotate proportional to the motion of rod 316, first arm 318 and
linkage 320.
[0062] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the movement of the third arm 328 when
the counter knife assembly 60 is moved from the fully retracted
position to the fully inserted position. Third arm 328 is
positioned relative to the rod 316 and the first arm 318 to have a
greater angular displacement than the first arm 318 when the
counter knife assembly 60 is moved between the fully retracted
position and the fully inserted position. By providing the third
arm 328 with a greater angular displacement than the first arm 318,
the third arm 328 operates as a "multiplier" for the angular
displacement of the first arm 318 and provides for a more accurate
measurement of the position of the actuating mechanism 310.
[0063] For example, the first arm 318 can have an angular
displacement of twenty eight degrees (28.degree.), while the third
arm 328 can have an angular displacement of forty nine degrees
(49.degree.). In another example, the first arm 318 can have an
angular displacement of thirty two degrees (32.degree.), while the
third arm 328 can have an angular displacement of fifty six degrees
(56.degree.). Thus, in either example, for each degree (1.degree.)
of movement of the first arm 318, the third arm 328 is moved one
and three fourths degrees) (1.75.degree.. In other exemplary
embodiments, the third arm 328 can have a greater angular
displacement than the first arm by a factor in the range of about
1.25 to about 3.0, i.e., for every 1.degree. of movement of the
first arm, the third arm can be moved between about 1.25.degree.
and about 3.0.degree. depending on the factor selected. By having a
greater angular displacement for the third arm 328, the position
sensor 312 has a greater resolution and can more easily detect
movements of the actuating mechanism 310 to provide a more accurate
position for the actuating mechanism 310 and counter knife assembly
60. In still another exemplary embodiment, the angular
displacements of the first arm 318 and/or third arm 328 do not have
to be equal to the angular displacement of the counter knife
assembly 60 or knife bank assembly 76. The angular displacement of
the counter knife assembly 60 or the knife bank assembly 76 can be
related to the angular displacement of the first arm 318 or third
arm 328 by a predetermined ratio.
[0064] Once the position sensor 312 has determined or calculated
the position of the actuating mechanism 310 and counter knife
assembly 60, the position sensor 312 can output or provide a signal
to a control and/or monitoring system that is representative of the
position of the counter knife assembly 60. The control system can
then use the signal with the corresponding position information for
the counter knife assembly 60 to control various other systems in
combine 20. For example, the signal from position sensor 312 can be
used to provide optimization/automation based on efficiency goals
by self setting the control system based on operating goals such as
shortest time, best quality, or lowest operating costs and/or by
providing feedback for approximate horsepower consumption based on
a calibration of the crop harvested.
[0065] In one exemplary embodiment, the position sensor 312 can be
a potentiometer. However, in other exemplary embodiment, the
position sensor 312 can be any suitable measuring device that can
be used to measure the position of the third arm 328 and thereby
measure the position of the actuating mechanism 310 and the counter
knife assembly 60. In other exemplary embodiments, the position
sensor 312 can measure the position of the hydraulic cylinder 314
to determine the position of the actuating mechanism 310; the
hydraulic cylinder 314 can be a hydraulic cylinder with a built in
sensor or potentiometer to measure the position of the hydraulic
cylinder; or a series of discrete position sensors or proximity
switches can be used to incrementally measure the position of the
actuating mechanism 310. In still other exemplary embodiments,
position sensors can be used that directly measure shaft rotation
(both within and outside the chopping area) or position sensors can
be used that directly measure linkage travel in the actuating
mechanism.
[0066] In a second exemplary embodiment, the knife bank assembly 76
can have differing degrees of insertion based upon the length of
the positioning arms and the pivot arm radiuses used with the knife
bank assembly 76. For example, a difference in the amount of
insertion of a knife bank assembly 76 can be based on a change in
the corresponding pivot radius of the knife bank assembly 76. In an
exemplary embodiment, for a given first arm 318 angular
displacement, a larger pivot radius of the knife bank assembly 76,
corresponds to a lesser amount of insertion of the knife bank
assembly 76.
[0067] In another exemplary embodiment, a proximity sensor or
position sensor can be used to measure or determine whether the
counter knife assembly is in the fully retracted position. The
proximity sensor can be use to determine whether a manually
operated handle or a system controlled actuator or cylinder is in a
position corresponding to the counter knife assembly being in the
fully retracted position. The signal from the proximity sensor can
then be used to control the operation of the combine. For example,
the threshing system or chopper assembly of the combine can be
disengaged in response to a signal from the proximity sensor
indicating that the counter knife assembly is not in the fully
refracted position and the chopper assembly being operated at 800
RPM. In another example, the signal from the proximity sensor is
not used when the chopper assembly is operated at 3000 RPM because
the counter knife assembly can be located in any position from
fully retracted to fully inserted when the chopper assembly is
operated at 3000 RPM.
[0068] In a further exemplary embodiment, the position sensor can
be used to measure the position of a counter knife assembly that is
moved axially, either vertically or horizontally, between the fully
retracted position and the fully inserted position.
[0069] Although the foregoing discussions have been presented with
particular reference to integral chopper assemblies, it should be
understood and appreciated that the present application is not
intended to be and should not be considered to be limited to use or
practice in or with integral chopper systems. It should be
recognized that the present application may well also find
application and be advantageously employed and practiced in various
other types of chopper systems, including, by way of example only
and not of limitation, hood mount chopper systems. Accordingly,
references in the claims which follow to chopper assemblies or
chopper systems are intended to be broadly treated and not limited
to integral chopper assemblies or systems.
[0070] In the further consideration of the drawings of this
application and the discussion of such drawings and the elements
shown therein, it should also be understood and appreciated that,
for purposes of clarity in various of such drawings, pluralities of
generally like elements positioned near to one another or extending
along some distance may sometimes, if not often, be depicted as one
or more representative elements with extended phantom lines
indicating the general extent of such like elements. In such
instances, the various elements so represented may generally be
considered to be generally like the representative element depicted
and generally operable in a like manner and for a like purpose as
the representative element depicted.
[0071] Many of the fastening or connection processes and components
utilized in the application are widely known and used, and their
exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding of the
application by a person skilled in the art. Also, any reference
herein to the terms "left" or "right" is used as a matter of mere
convenience, and is determined by standing at the rear of the
machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Furthermore, the
various components shown or described herein for any specific
embodiment in the application can be varied or altered as
anticipated by the application and the practice of a specific
embodiment of any element may already by widely known or used by
persons skilled in the art.
[0072] It will be understood that changes in the details,
materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been
described and illustrated to explain the nature of the application
will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a
reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the
application. The foregoing description illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the
description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing
from the scope of the application.
[0073] While the application has been described with reference to
an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the application. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
application without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the application not be limited to
the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated
for carrying out this application, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *