Combine with adjustable straw guide

• US 6,783,454 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Bueermann, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PETRAVICK, MEREDITH C
• Application Number:
  US10/396,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 460/111-112, 460/113, 460/901, 460/1, 460/6, 56/102.R, 56D/IG.15
• US Class Current: 460/112
• CPC Class Codes: A01F 12/40 Arrangements of straw crushers or cutters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 460/901 Material distributor

Abstract

A combine comprising a separator feeds straw to a discharge assembly. An adjustable straw guide is adjusted by a motor that is controlled by a controller. The controller receives signals from a sensor that senses the transverse distribution of the straw. The adjustable straw guide is positioned between the separator and the discharge assembly. The sensor is arranged to detect the straw upstream of the outlet of the discharge assembly.

Claims

1. An agricultural combine comprising a separator and a discharge assembly for receiving straw from the separator and discharging the straw from the combine, an adjustable straw guide is associated with the discharge assembly, the adjustable straw guide is positioned by a motor, the motor is controlled by a controller that is in communication with a sensor installed to sense the transverse distribution of straw, wherein the straw guide is arranged between the separator and the discharge assembly.

10. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 1 wherein the separator comprises a rotor arranged in a housing.

2. The agricultural combine as defined by 1 wherein the discharge assembly is a straw chopper.

3. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 2 wherein the adjustable straw guide is positioned by the controller to evenly distribute straw to the straw chopper from the separator.

4. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 2 wherein the straw chopper has an outlet from which straw is expelled from the straw chopper, the sensor is located upstream from the outlet of the straw chopper.

5. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 4 wherein the straw chopper is provided with a housing and the sensor is located in the housing.

6. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 2 wherein the straw chopper has a housing having a width and several sensors are distributed over the width of the straw chopper, each being installed to determine material flow intensity.

7. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 6 wherein at least one of the sensors is a capacitance sensor.

8. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 6 wherein at least one of the sensors detects noises caused by impacting straw.

9. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 6 wherein at least one of the sensors comprise an element which can be moved by the straw, and whose position can be detected.

11. An agricultural combine comprising a separator and a straw chopper for receiving straw from the separator and discharging the straw from the combine through an outlet, an adjustable straw guide is associated with the straw chopper, the adjustable straw guide is positioned by a motor, the motor is controlled by a controller that is in communication with a sensor installed to sense transverse distribution of straw, wherein the sensor is arranged in the straw chopper upstream from the outlet.

12. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 11 wherein the straw chopper is provided with a housing and the sensor is located in the housing.

13. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 12 wherein housing of the straw chopper has a width and several sensors are distributed over the width of the housing, each being installed to sense material flow intensity.

14. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 13 wherein at least one of the sensors is a capacitance sensor.

15. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 13 wherein at least one of the sensors detects noises caused by impacting straw.

16. The agricultural combine as defined by claim 13 wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an element which can be moved by the straw, and whose position can be detected.