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

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Smith, Dwayne B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Torres; Alicia M
• Application Number:
  US11/879,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 56/102.R, 460/1, 460 4- 7, 460/99, 460/100, 460/115, 460/119
• US Class Current: 460/6
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/1276 for cleaning mechanisms

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.

Claims

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.