System and method for detecting a condition indicative of plugging of a discharge path of an agricultural combine
First Claim
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1. An agricultural combine comprising:
- a body defining a space, the space having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion containing a separating system, and a rear opening spaced rearwardly of the separating system;
an crop residue propeller disposed in the rearward portion of the space between the separating system and the rear opening and operable for propelling a flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path from the separating system toward a rear end of the space;
a cleaning system disposed in the forward portion of the space below the crop residue propeller and including a fan disposed for directing a flow of air rearwardly through an air flow channel through the space between the cleaning system and the propeller, the cleaning system further including a beater pan disposed beneath the propeller and above the air flow channel and a sieve disposed below the airflow channel; and
an air pressure sensor disposed in the forward portion of the space, the air pressure sensor disposed below the beater pan and above the sieve, the air pressure sensor operable for sensing an air pressure condition in the forward portion which is indicative of a plugging condition toward the rear end of the space, wherein the forward portion is substantially free of plugging thereby increasing the reliability of monitoring the onset of plugging in the rearward portion.
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Abstract
A system and method for detecting a condition indicative of onset of plugging or actual plugging of a discharge of an agricultural combine, utilizing a pressure sensor disposed at a location within the combine spaced from the discharge and operable for sensing an air pressure condition relating to a flow indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition toward or in the discharge.
43 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An agricultural combine comprising:
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a body defining a space, the space having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion containing a separating system, and a rear opening spaced rearwardly of the separating system; an crop residue propeller disposed in the rearward portion of the space between the separating system and the rear opening and operable for propelling a flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path from the separating system toward a rear end of the space; a cleaning system disposed in the forward portion of the space below the crop residue propeller and including a fan disposed for directing a flow of air rearwardly through an air flow channel through the space between the cleaning system and the propeller, the cleaning system further including a beater pan disposed beneath the propeller and above the air flow channel and a sieve disposed below the airflow channel; and an air pressure sensor disposed in the forward portion of the space, the air pressure sensor disposed below the beater pan and above the sieve, the air pressure sensor operable for sensing an air pressure condition in the forward portion which is indicative of a plugging condition toward the rear end of the space, wherein the forward portion is substantially free of plugging thereby increasing the reliability of monitoring the onset of plugging in the rearward portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12)
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7. An agricultural combine comprising:
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a body defining a space the space having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion containing a separating system, and a rear opening spaced rearwardly of the separating system; a rotary beater disposed in the rearward portion of the space between the separating system and the rear opening and operable for propelling a flow of crop residue rearwardly along a crop flow path from the separating system toward a rear end of the space; a cleaning system disposed in the forward portion of the space below the rotary beater and including a fan disposed for directing a flow of air rearwardly through an air flow channel through the space between the cleaning system and the beater, the cleaning system further including a beater pan disposed beneath the rotary beater and above the air flow channel and a sieve disposed below the airflow channel; and an air pressure sensor disposed in the forward portion of the space adjacent to or in the air flow channel and operable for sensing an air pressure condition in the forward portion which is indicative of a plugging condition in the rear end of the space, wherein the forward portion is substantially free of plugging thereby increasing the reliability of monitoring the onset of plugging in the rearward portion. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification