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

• US 20060246966A1
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Smith, Dwayne B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,381,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 460/112
• 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. An agricultural combine comprising:

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

an crop residue 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 toward a rear end of the space;

a cleaning system disposed in 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; and

an air pressure sensor disposed in the space so as to be operable for sensing an air pressure condition therein indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition toward the rear end of the space.

2. The agricultural combine of claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted in a side wall of the body adjacent to the air flow channel.

3. The agricultural combine of claim 2, further comprising a concave disposed in the space beneath the propeller and above the air flow channel, for guiding the crop residue flow propelled by the propeller, the air pressure sensor being disposed below the concave.

4. The agricultural combine of claim 3, wherein the cleaning system further comprises a generally flat, horizontal sieve disposed below the air flow channel, the air pressure sensor being disposed above the sieve.

5. The agricultural combine of claim 1, further comprising 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, the air pressure sensor being operable for sensing an air pressure condition indicative of plugging of the conveyor mechanism.

6. The agricultural combine of claim 5 further comprising a control in connection with the air pressure sensor, and a device for determining a speed of the conveyor mechanism, the control being operable for determining existence of a plugging condition as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and a determined speed of the conveyor.

7. The agricultural combine of claim 1 further comprising a control in connection with the air pressure sensor, and a device for determining a speed of the fan, the control being operable for determining existence of a plugging condition as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and a determined speed of the fan.

8. The agricultural combine of claim 1, wherein the air pressure sensor is disposed adjacent to or in the air flow channel and is operable for sensing an air pressure condition therein indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition in the rear end of the space.

9. An agricultural combine comprising:

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

a rotary beater 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 toward a rear end of the space;

a cleaning system disposed in 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; and

an air pressure sensor disposed adjacent to or in the air flow channel and operable for sensing an air pressure condition therein indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition in the rear end of the space.

10. The agricultural combine of claim 9, wherein the air pressure sensor is mounted in a side wall of the body adjacent to the air flow channel.

11. The agricultural combine of claim 10, further comprising a concave disposed in the space beneath the beater and above the air flow channel, for guiding the crop residue flow propelled by the beater, the air pressure sensor being disposed below the concave.

12. The agricultural combine of claim 11, wherein the cleaning system further comprises a generally flat, horizontal sieve disposed below the air flow channel, the air pressure sensor being disposed above the sieve.

13. The agricultural combine of claim 9, further comprising 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 beater and conveying the received flow into the chopper, the air pressure sensor being operable for sensing an air pressure condition indicative of plugging of the conveyor mechanism.

14. The agricultural combine of claim 13 further comprising a control in connection with the air pressure sensor, and a device for determining a speed of the conveyor mechanism, the control being operable for determining existence of a plugging condition as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and determined speed of the conveyor.

15. The agricultural combine of claim 9, further comprising a control in connection with the air pressure sensor, a device for determining a speed of rotation of the fan, and the control being operable for adjusting a speed as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and a determined speed.

16. A method of operation of an agricultural combine comprising 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 toward a rear end of the space;

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 through the space between the cleaning system and the propeller;

providing an air pressure sensor disposed in the space; and

sensing an air pressure condition in the space indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition toward the rear end of the space and outputting a signal representative thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising steps of:

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

operating the air pressure sensor for sensing an air pressure condition indicative of plugging of the conveyor mechanism, and adjusting at least one speed responsive thereto.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising steps of:

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

operating the control for determining existence of a plugging condition as a function at least in part of a sensed air pressure and determined speed of the conveyor mechanism.

19. A system for detecting a condition indicative of onset of plugging or plugging of a discharge of an agricultural combine, comprising:

a pressure sensor disposed in a flow channel within the combine at a location spaced from the discharge and operable for sensing an air pressure condition in the channel indicative of a reduced crop residue flow condition toward or in the discharge.