Grain tank unloader and clean out control

• US 20060104770A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Crego, John B., Talbi, Aziz, Frego, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,452,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/526
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/1217 Unloading mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/002 with mixing or shredding element rotating on horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/42 mounted on the load-transporting element

Abstract

An unloader control for an unloader conveyor and grain tank conveyor of an agricultural combine, which, when an unload command is received, will automatically initiate operation of the unloader conveyor to commence conveying grain in an inlet end thereof toward the outlet end thereof so as to allow smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer to the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, then automatically initiate operation of the grain tank conveyor for moving grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, and, when a clean out command is received during operation of the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, will automatically cease operation of the grain tank conveyor, then, after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end, automatically cease operation of the unloader conveyor.

Claims

1. A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

an unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;

a device controllably operable for connecting the grain tank conveyor in rotatably driven relation to a rotating power source, and for disconnecting the grain tank conveyor from the power source; and

a controller operably connected to the unloader drive and to the device and automatically operable when a first input is received for initiating operation of the unloader drive and then after a first delay initiating operation of the device for connecting the grain tank conveyor in rotatably driven relation to the power source, and when a second command is received disconnecting the grain tank conveyor from the power source and after a second delay then ceasing operation of the unloader drive.

2. The control of claim 1, wherein the grain tank conveyor is positioned to convey grain into an inlet end of the unloader conveyor and the first delay comprises a time period sufficient for the unloader conveyor to convey an amount of grain from the inlet end thereof sufficient to allow smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor.

3. The control of claim 2, wherein the second delay comprises a time period sufficient for any grain in the unloader conveyor to be conveyed therethrough.

4. A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor of an agricultural combine, the grain tank conveyor being disposed for conveying grain into an inlet end of the unloader conveyor, comprising:

at least one unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;

a device controllably operable in a first operating mode for connecting the unloader drive in rotatably driving relation to the grain tank conveyor, and in a second operating mode for disconnecting the unloader drive from the grain tank conveyor; and

a controller operably connected to the unloader drive and to the device and operable when a first input is received for automatically first initiating operation of the unloader drive such that the unloader conveyor will begin moving grain from the inlet end thereof toward an outlet end thereof and then automatically initiating operation of the device in the first mode for moving grain in the grain tank conveyor into the inlet end, and when a second input is received initiating operation of the device in the second mode for ceasing movement of grain into the inlet end and then ceasing operation of the unloader drive after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end.

5. The control of claim 4, wherein the unloader drive includes a clutch automatically engageable by the controller when the first input is received for connecting the unloader drive in rotatably driven relation to a rotating power source, and the device comprises a second clutch which in the first operating mode is engaged for connecting the unloader drive in driving relation to the grain tank conveyor, and the controller automatically initiates operation of the second clutch in the first operating mode after a predetermined time period has elapsed after initiating operation of unloader drive.

6. The control of claim 5, wherein the second clutch is an electrically controlled clutch and the controller automatically outputs an electrical signal thereto to engage after elapse of the predetermined time period.

7. The control of claim 5, wherein the second clutch is a fluid controlled clutch and the controller automatically outputs a fluid signal thereto to engage after elapse of the predetermined time period.

8. The control of claim 4, wherein the unloader conveyor comprises a first auger having an inlet end, the grain tank conveyor comprises a second auger positioned to convey grain to the inlet end of the first auger, and the controller is automatically operable for initiating operation of the second auger a sufficient time after initiating operation of the first auger to so as to avoid damaging grain contained in the conveyors in the vicinity of the inlet end of the unloader conveyor.

9. A method for unloading grain from a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate unloader conveyor including an enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, an opposite outlet end including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged, an elongate unloader conveyor element extending through the housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening, the unloader conveyor being pivotable between a stored position beside the combine and an unloading position extending sidewardly therefrom in cantilever relation thereto, and an unloader drive operably controllable for operating the conveyor element;

providing an elongate grain tank conveyor disposed in a bottom region of the grain tank operable for conveying grain therefrom into the opening of the inlet end of the unloader conveyor, and a device operably controllable for operating the grain tank conveyor;

providing a controller operable for controlling the unloader drive and the device;

when the unloader conveyor is in the unloading position and an input is received by the controller to unload, automatically initiating operation of the unloader drive such that the unloader conveyor will commence conveying grain away from the inlet end so as provide capacity in the inlet end for a smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer to enter the inlet end then automatically initiating operation of the device for operating the grain tank conveyor for conveying grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor; and

then

when a second input is received by the controller, automatically controlling operation of the device so as to cease feeding of grain into the inlet end and then automatically ceasing operation of the unloader drive after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end such that the unloader conveyor will be lighter when subsequently moved from the unloading position to the stored position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the device comprises a clutch disposed in connection with the unloader drive and the grain tank conveyor and operable for connecting the unloader drive in driving relation to the grain tank conveyor and disconnecting the unloader drive therefrom.

11. A method of operation of an unloader for unloading grain from a grain tank of an agricultural combine, the unloader including an elongate unloader conveyor including a tubular housing having an enclosed inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged, an elongate unloader conveyor element extending through the tubular housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the tubular housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening, a grain tank conveyor extending into the inlet opening from a bottom region of the grain tank and operable for conveying grain from the grain tank into and through the inlet opening into the tubular housing, and a controller for controllably operating the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, the method comprising the steps of:

when an unload command is received by the controller, automatically initiating operation of the unloader conveyor to commence conveying grain in the inlet end thereof toward the outlet end sufficiently to provide capacity in the inlet end for smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyer into the inlet end, then automatically initiating operation of the grain tank conveyor for moving grain into the inlet end of the unloader conveyor; and

when a clean out command is received by the controller during operation of the unloader conveyor and the grain tank conveyor, automatically ceasing operation of the grain tank conveyor, then, after a sufficient time period for the unloader conveyor to convey substantially all of any grain therein through the outlet end, automatically ceasing operation of the unloader conveyor.

12. A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

an unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;

a grain tank drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the grain tank conveyor; and

apparatus operably connected to the unloader drive and to the grain tank drive and automatically operable when operation of the drives is commenced for allowing initiating operation of the unloader drive and then after a time delay sufficient for conveyance of grain from an inlet region of the unloader conveyor for allowing a smooth transition of grain from the grain tank conveyor into the unloader conveyor, initiating operation of the grain tank drive.

13. The control of claim 12, wherein the unloader drive and the grain tank drive each comprise a fluid driven motor, and the apparatus comprises a sequence valve having an input connected to a fluid line from a pressurized fluid source to the unloader drive and an output connected to a dump valve connected to a fluid line from the pressurized fluid source to the grain tank drive, the sequence valve being operable when a predetermined high pressure condition is present in the line to the unloader drive, to open the dump valve to divert fluid flow from the grain tank drive, to prevent operation of the grain tank drive until the high pressure condition is alleviated.

14. The control of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is automatically operable during operation of the drives for discontinuing operation of the grain tank drive when a pressure condition is present in the unloader drive representative of a clogging condition in the unloader conveyor.

15. The control of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is automatically operable to resume operation of the grain tank drive upon removal of the clogging condition in the unloader conveyor.

16. A control for an unloader conveyor and a grain tank conveyor for a grain tank of an agricultural combine, comprising:

an unloader drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the unloader conveyor;

a grain tank drive controllably operable for rotatably driving the grain tank conveyor; and

apparatus operably connected to the unloader drive and to the grain tank drive and automatically operable during operation of the drives for discontinuing operation of the grain tank drive if the unloader conveyor becomes clogged.

17. The control of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is automatically operable to resume operation of the grain tank drive upon removal of the clog.

18. The control of claim 16 wherein the apparatus is operable for allowing initiating operation of the unloader drive and then after a delay, initiating operation of the grain tank drive.

19. The control of claim 16, wherein the unloader drive and the grain tank drive each comprise a fluid driven motor, and the apparatus comprises a sequence valve having an input connected to a fluid line from a pressurized fluid source to the unloader drive and an output connected to a dump valve connected to a fluid line from the pressurized fluid source to the grain tank drive, the sequence valve being operable when a predetermined high pressure condition representative of a clog in the unloader conveyor is present in the line to the unloader drive, to open the dump valve to divert fluid flow from the grain tank drive, to prevent operation of the grain tank drive until the high pressure condition is alleviated.