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System and method for detecting a condition indicative of plugging of a discharge path of an agricultural combine

  • US 7,544,125 B2
  • Filed: 07/17/2007
  • Issued: 06/09/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of operation of an agricultural combine comprising the steps of:

  • Providing a body defining a space containing a separating system, and a rear opening spaced rearwardly of the separating system;

    Providing a propeller disposed in 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;

    Providing a cleaning system disposed in the space below the propeller and including a fan disposed for directing a flow of air rearwardly through an air flow channel between the cleaning system and the propeller;

    Providing an air pressure sensor disposed in the space;

    Providing a crop residue chopper disposed in connection with the rear opening, and a conveyor mechanism in a rear region of the space in a position for receiving at least a portion of the flow of the crop residue from the propeller and conveying the received flow into the chopper; and

    Providing a control in connection with the air pressure sensor and a device for determining a speed of the conveyor mechanism;

    Operating the air pressure sensor for sensing an air pressure condition indicative of plugging of the conveyor mechanism; and

    Operating the control as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and determined speed of the conveyor mechanism in order to adjust the speed of at least one of the fan and the conveyor mechanism responsive thereto.

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