巴西专利BR112020011164A2 concave cover plate

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专利摘要:
The present invention comprises a removable cover plate assembly, which can be quickly attached, detached and adjusted to the outside of a concave grid of a combined harvester, in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave separation grid assemblies. The cover plate assembly improves the shear capacity of the file bar type shear cylinder while simultaneously capturing the additional sheared grain. Furthermore, the cover plate assembly of the present invention allows a single set of concave grid assemblies to better harvest a wider variety of plantation types.
公开号:BR112020011164A2
申请号:R112020011164-3
申请日:2018-11-20
公开日:2020-11-17
发明作者:Brian Robertson
申请人:Brian Robertson；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[001] [001] The present invention relates to agricultural harvesting machines of the type using rotary processing devices, and in particular to a shear mechanism in which a rotating shear cylinder cooperates with concave shear and separation grids having openings, and , more particularly, with a means to close, at least partially, the concave gratings by fixing one or more cover plates, in order to provide maximum harvesting versatility. Description of the Related Art
[002] [002] An agricultural harvester, more commonly known as a combined harvester, is a vehicle used to harvest agricultural crops. Combined harvesters of the prior art are typically comprised of various systems for collecting, shearing, separating, cleaning and retaining the grains from the plantation, in particular, being harvested. For example, in a type of combined harvester shear system, the plantation runs, axially, in parallel, in the direction of, and helically, around the geometric axis of rotation of one or more rotating processing devices, commonly referred to like rotors. In other prior-art combined harvester shear systems, for at least part of their path through the system, the plantation travels in a transversal or tangential direction with respect to the geometric axis of rotation of a rotary processing device, commonly referred to as a shear cylinder. In each of the prior art shear systems, the planting material is processed between file-type elements attached to the periphery of a rotating device and arched grids, usually porous, stationary and separation concave shear grids, which involve, at least partially , the rotor. The typical concave shear grid used with a file bar type shear cylinder consists essentially of an arched grid, approximately concentric with the shear cylinder. The planting material travels around the rotating cylinder and is "coined" between the rotating cylinder and the concave shear gratings, causing the grain to be removed from the stem.
[003] [003] For example, Regier (U.S. Patent No. 9,215,845) describes a prior art combined harvester. As shown in Figure 1, the combined harvester 10 shown has a unique axial flow rotary processing system 12 that generally extends in parallel to the machine path. However, as will be noted, the principles of the present invention are not limited to combination harvesters that feature only a single axial flow rotary processing system. For the sake of simplicity in explaining the principles of the present invention, that specification will proceed using a combined harvester featuring a unique axial flow processing system as the primary example.
[004] [004] The combined harvester of the previous illustrative technique 10, presented in the illustrated modality, includes a harvest head (not shown) in front of the machine that collects or cuts the harvested crop and distributes the material from the collected crop to the front end of a feeder housing 14. A conveyor 16 moves the planting material back into the feeder housing 14 until it reaches processing system 12. Referring now to figure 2, the illustrated embodiment of the prior art processing system 12 has a rotor 20 having an input feed auger 22 at the front end thereof. The auger 22 and the rotor 20 advance the planting material axially through the processing system 12 for shearing and separation purposes. The rotor 20 typically includes a plurality of file elements 55 configured around the peripheral surface of the rotor. The rotor is partially enclosed by a series of concave shear grid assemblies 24 and separation grid assemblies 26. As the plantation material moves around and between file elements 55 and the concave grid assemblies of shear 24, the plantation is sheared. Any loose grain, which has been sheared, falls through the openings in the concave grid assemblies 24, 26 and is retained by the combined harvester. In other types of processing systems, a conveyor 16 can distribute the planting material directly to a shear cylinder.
[005] [005] In general terms, the planting material that enters the processing system 12 moves axially and helically through the system during shearing and separation. During such a path, the planting material is sheared and separated by the rotor 20 which operates in cooperation with the concave porous separator 23, preferably comprising at least one concave shear grid assembly 24 and a concave separation grid assembly 26, with the grain escaping laterally through the shear concave grid assemblies 24 and the separation concave grid assemblies 26 into a cleaning mechanism 28 (figure 1). Bulky stem and leaf material is retained by the concave shear grid assemblies 24 and separation grid assemblies 26 and ejected out of the processing system 12 at the rear of the combine harvester 10. The cleaning mechanism 28 can additionally include a blower (not shown), which provides an air current directed throughout the cleaning region below the processing system 12 and exiting the rear of the combine 10, in order to carry lighter straw particles away from the grains as downwardly migrate towards the bottom of the machine to a clean grain auger 30. Auger 30 distributes the clean beans to an elevator (not shown) that transfers the beans to a storage compartment 34 on top of the machine, where they come from, for example. finally, discharged through a discharge nozzle 36.
[006] [006] A plurality of concave shear grid assemblies 24 and separation concave grid assemblies 26 are arranged, side by side, axially along the processing system 12 to form a part of what can be considered a tubular housing 38 that concentrically receives rotor 20 and serves as part of the processing system 12. In the illustrated embodiment, three concave shear grid assemblies 24 and three concave separation grid assemblies 26 form part of the tubular housing 38. However, it is understood that more or less concave shear grid assemblies 24 and concave separation grid assemblies 26 can be used in tubular housing 38. As is known in the art, tubular housing 38 includes a convex top wall (not shown) that extends over the entire length of the housing 38 and efficiently encloses the upper part of the housing from front to back. Shear concave grid assemblies 24 and separation concave grid assemblies 26 are moved in an adjustable direction towards and away from rotor 20 in order to adjust the travel space between rotor 20 and concave grid assemblies and separation 24, 26 and to change the shape of the shear and separation regions, as is known in the art and need not be discussed further here.
[007] [007] As best shown in figure 3A, each concave shear grid assembly 24 typically includes a first arcuate grid 40 and a second arcuate grid 42 hingedly mounted on processing system 12. A suitable driver (not shown) ) is located close to the processing system 12 and mounted on the frame structure parts of the combine harvester. Preferably, the driver is operated remotely, such as from a combine harvester 10. Grids 40 and 42 of each concave shear grid assembly 24 desirably have a substantially similar structure, but with mirrored images, so that only grid 40 will be described in detail here. In addition, the invention is described here with reference to a grid of the concave shear grid assembly 24, but those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can also be used with a separation concave grid assembly 26 without departing from the scope of the invention .
[008] [008] As illustrated in figure 3B, a conventional shear concave grid 40 of the prior art typically includes a pair of laterally spaced, arched and elongated side rails 44, generally oriented transversely to the geometric axis of the rotor 20. One end of each side rail 44 has a hook-like element 46 used to mount the concave shear grid assembly 24 to an axial bar (not shown), used to move the concave shear grid 24 towards or away from the rotor 20 (figure 2). A plurality of axial bars 48, spaced at predetermined intervals, encompass side rails 44. End plates 49 are preferably affixed between the ends of side rails 44. Axial bars 48 typically have external projection projections 50 in their opposite ends that overlap the upper edges of the side rails 44 and are operated to support against them when the grid 40 is installed. Preferably, the projections 50 are received in notches 52 on the top edges of the side rails 44 and welded to the side rails 44. The projections 50 also provide a substantially continuous surface when multiple harrow assemblies 26 are installed side by side in the combine 10. One or more intermediate supports 51 are typically positioned between and parallel to the side rails 44 and support the axial bars 48.
[009] [009] Each concave shear grid 40 is customized for a particular type of plantation by varying the size, number, shape and spacing of the axial bars 48. The various concave shear gratings 40 are typically deactivated depending on the crop being harvested. While the plurality of axial bars 48, illustrated in the figures, is presented as having a generally round cross section, with a partially flat top or inner surface, it is understood that the cross section of the axial bars can alternatively be completely round, notched, oval, square or polygonal.
[0010] [0010] Conventional combine harvesters are used to harvest a wide variety of different crops. Farmers often harvest several crops each year, and crop rotation is standard agricultural practice. However, some plantations are easier to shear (that is, separate the grains or seeds from the straw) than others. Concave shear gratings are typically customized for the type of crop being harvested. For example, sunflower seeds can be harvested with a simple shake of the plant's stem, while some varieties of wheat must be vigorously rubbed for many seconds for the seeds to separate from the straw. For some plantations and operations, it is desirable that the lateral spacing between the adjacent axial bars 48 of a concave shear grid 40 is very narrow in order to modify the shear and separation action. Concave shear gratings 40 for grains that are more difficult to shear typically have axial shanks 48 that are sparsely spaced and restrict the flow of air through the concave grating, so that the material remains in the shear section for longer and therefore shape, be more completely sheared when it reaches the concave separation grid, whose purpose is to capture the sheared grain. However, the concave shear gratings 40 are heavy and installation is time-consuming and expensive during the harvest season. Thus, it is often desirable to adjust the flow of planting material through the concave shear gratings and separation gratings to provide the rotor with greater opportunity to shear and separate the planting material.
[0011] [0011] While the basic design of the conventional file-type bar cylinder and the concave shear grid is a long-standing practice, numerous patents address the means of modifying the characteristics of the concave shear grids, including devices and methods for closing or closing partially the openings in the concave grid continue to appear. However, the prior art solutions for closing or partially closing the concave shear gratings have often been laborious in terms of application and inefficient in terms of flexibility of use. For example, Lindgren (U.S. Patent No. 2,159,664) describes the use of multiple filler plates configured between adjacent grid bars to adjust the flow characteristics of a shearing machine. However, the Lindgren invention requires the modification of concave grid side bars (adding pins to help retain the filler strip) and is based on a fastening means that requires access from both the inner and outer sides of the concave grid. However, deactivating or even adjusting the concave shear gratings in the field is a laborious task and often requires two or more people for several hours to remove or adjust due to their size, weight and tight compartment restrictions.
[0012] [0012] Young (U.S. Patent No. 2,686,523), Morgan (U.S. Patent No. 3,092,115), Baumeister et al. (U.S. Patent No. 3,191,607) and Davidow et al (U.S. Patent No. 3,439,684) all describe multiple filler strips attached to the inside of the concave shear grilles between the axial bars that cross the side rails. Although these systems are efficient, they are difficult to fix and adjust to a concave shear grid and are susceptible, in some operational conditions, to the resulting detachment in the filling strip or components of it being sucked into the downstream material flow. , possibly with some damage to the components of the set. In addition, again, the concave grid assembly must be removed to access the inner part of the concave shear grid to fix the filling plate, which is simply impractical, especially during the time sensitive harvest season.
[0013] [0013] Yarbrough (U.S. Patent No. 4,495,954) describes a filling strip assembly system fixed to the inside of the concave shear grille with mechanical screw type fasteners. However, the filler strip assembly covers the shear elements of the concave shear grid, eliminating any shearing action by the concave shear grid. In addition, the filler strips described are solid and have no openings, so that any resulting grain cannot readily escape and be captured.
[0014] [0014] There is therefore a need to create an improved and more complete mechanism to promptly close, or partially close, the opening in a concave or separation grid assembly in order to modify its shearing and separation action. In addition, there is a need to create an improved and more complete mechanism to close, or partially close, the opening in a concave or separation grid assembly that can be readily installed and adjusted in the field. Summary of the Invention
[0015] [0015] The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of changing the flow characteristics of the combined harvester and separation harvester assemblies of the prior art by providing a removable cover plate assembly, which can be quickly fixed, detached and adjusted to the outside of a concave shear grid in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave or separation grid assemblies. While the invention is described here with respect to a grid of the concave shear grid assembly, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can also be used for the assembly of the separation grid without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0016] [0016] The cover plate assembly of the present invention improves the shear capacity of the file bar type shear cylinder, while simultaneously capturing the additional sheared grain. In addition, the cover plate assembly of the present invention allows for a single set of concave shear grid assemblies to better harvest a wide variety of plantation types.
[0017] [0017] The cover plate assembly comprises an elongated plate body dimensioned to be positioned between the two parallel arched rails of a shear concave grid assembly. For example, a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly of the present invention includes an elongated plate body sized to be positioned between an arcuate side rail and an intermediate support rail of a shear concave grid assembly. The cover plate assembly is designed to be configured in a supine position against the plurality of axial bars or rods outside the shear concave grid assembly. The opposite ends of the cover plate assembly are attached to the axial rods or rods by means of hook-type fasteners formed at the opposite ends of the cover plate. The hook-type fastening elements have a dimensional shape that is complementary to the transverse shape of the axial bars or rods, so that they can be quickly and easily fixed and slidably locked in place by a simple pull along the longitudinal geometric axis of the plate coverage.
[0018] [0018] The cover plate assembly additionally includes a clamping mechanism that maintains the lateral position of the cover plate so that the hook-type fastening elements remain locked around their respective axial bars. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the clamping mechanism comprises a rotary buckle tensioning device configured between an anchoring device attached to an end plate of the concave shear grid assembly and an anchoring bracket fixed to the side facing the cover plate. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a tension retraction lock assembly. In fact, those skilled in the art will understand that a wide variety of locking mechanisms can be used to apply a tensioning force between the anchoring bracket, attached to the elongated body of the cover plate,
[0019] [0019] The cover plate can also include one or more accessory supports fixed to the side facing the outside of the cover plate to assist the user in proper positioning and initially fixing the cover plate to a concave shear grid assembly
[0020] [0020] When properly installed, the elongated body of the cover plate assembly is pulled tightly against the rear of the outer side of the concave shear grid assembly, significantly altering the airflow characteristics through the concave openings and, consequently, creating an air cushion between the concave grid and the combine harvester cylinder. This air mattress regulates the rate at which the planting material moves through the concave section. By restricting the air flow through a concave shear grid assembly, the time in which the planting is in the shear section of the concave grid is prolonged, which facilitates more frictional contact between the materials, thus improving much, the shear and the separation of the grain of the straw for types and varieties of plantation of difficult shear.
[0021] [0021] The elongated body of the cover plate assembly is preferably constructed of a single plate of highly resistant material, such as metal, high-strength plastic or composite fabric material. While a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly is constructed of steel plates that are permanently folded into an arcuate shape, which matches the external arcuate shape of a concave shear grid assembly, it is understood that the elongated body of the cover assembly cover plate can be constructed from flexible and highly resistant materials, such as stainless steel, or woven composite materials. Alternatively, the elongated body can also be cast into a predetermined arcuate shape. Additionally, while a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly has an elongated body having a unitary construction, where the hook-type fastening elements at opposite ends of the assembly are simply formed at the ends of the elongated body, it is understood that the elongated body , and the two hook-type fasteners, may comprise individual parts of a composite construction, where the elongated body and two hook-type fasteners are constructed from different materials. For example, the elongated body can be constructed from a woven plastic material, while the hook-type fastening elements can be constructed of metal that are attached to the elongated body.
[0022] [0022] Furthermore, the material used to build the elongated body of the cover plate assembly can also have a wide range of porosity and permeability. This can be accomplished by a variety of techniques. While a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly is constructed from solid plate material, other embodiments include a plurality of openings or holes formed in the elongated body. The holes can be located or formed at random in a geometric pattern. The holes increase the air flow by assembling a concave shear grid and provide an exit route for the shear grain to be discharged and captured, so that the separation grid is not overloaded. In addition, the plurality of openings or holes may additionally include means for adjusting the shape or size of the opening.
[0023] [0023] For example, in one embodiment, such adjustment means may simply comprise a plug device to obstruct the opening. Alternatively, the adjustment means may comprise a sliding panel mechanism, incorporated into the elongated body that characterizes the movable panel sections that can be positioned to close or partially close a hole or opening.
[0024] [0024] The material that the elongated body is constructed of and can also have a natural porosity and permeability. For example, the elongated body of the cover plate can be constructed from metallic interlacing or composite material having organic porosity and permeability characteristics.
[0025] [0025] The longitudinal length of the elongated body of the cover plate assembly can also vary to change the characteristics of the concave shear grid. While a preferred embodiment of the invention is adequately sized to cover substantially the entire lateral circumference of a concave shear grid assembly, other embodiments may include elongated bodies having shorter longitudinal lengths, so as to cover only part of the lateral circumference of an assembly. concave shear grid.
[0026] [0026] Finally, a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly of the present invention includes an elongated body having an adjustable width. The elongated body consists of two elongated plates fixed in a slidingly adjustable configuration to adjust the lateral dimension or width of the cover plate assembly. In one embodiment, the two elongated plates are fixed by means of a plurality of pegs attached to one plate and captured in the partitions formed on a second plate. Brief Description of Drawings
[0027] [0027] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, where:
[0028] [0028] Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a prior art combined harvester having a processing system using axial flow, parts of the harvester being removed to reveal internal construction details;
[0029] [0029] Figure 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the prior art processing system within the prior art harvester of figure 1;
[0030] [0030] Figure 3A is an enlarged isometric view of a part of the processing system of the prior art of figure 2, illustrating the concave shear grid assemblies;
[0031] [0031] Figure 3B is a partially cropped view of one of the concave shear grid assemblies of figure 3A;
[0032] [0032] Figure 4 is an isometric view of multiple concave shear grids incorporating the cover plate assembly modalities of the present invention;
[0033] [0033] Figure 5A is a partially cut-away view of a concave shear grid incorporating principles of the cover plate assembly of the present invention;
[0034] [0034] Figure 5B is an exploded view of the cover plate assembly of the present invention illustrated in figure 5A;
[0035] [0035] Figure 6A is a top plan view from the inside of the cover plate assembly of the present invention illustrated in figure 5A;
[0036] [0036] Figure 6B is a top plan view from the outside of the cover plate assembly of the present invention illustrated in figure 5A;
[0037] [0037] Figure 7A is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of the first or front end of the cover plate assembly of the present invention;
[0038] [0038] Figure 7B is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of the second or rear end of the cover plate assembly of the present invention;
[0039] [0039] Figure 8 is a concave shear grid incorporating an alternative embodiment of the cover plate assembly of the present invention.
[0040] [0040] Where used in the various figures in the drawings, the same numerical references designate equal or similar parts. Additionally, when the terms "top", "bottom", "first", "second", "top", "bottom", "height", "width", "length", "end", "side", " horizontal "," vertical "and similar terms are used here, it should be understood that these terms refer only to the structure illustrated in the drawings and are used only to facilitate the description of the invention.
[0041] [0041] All figures are designed to facilitate the explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to the number, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or are within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. In addition, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to the strength, weight, resistance and similar specific requirements will likewise be contained in the art after the teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Detailed Description of the Invention
[0042] [0042] Turning now to the figures, and in particular to figure 4, multiple modalities of the cover plate assembly of the present invention are illustrated attached to the conventional concave shear grids 140. While the invention is described here with respect to a grid of the assembly of concave shear grid, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can also be used for the assembly of separation grid without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0043] [0043] Each of the conventional presented shear concave grids 140 includes a pair of arched, elongated and laterally spaced side rails 144, generally oriented transversely to the rotor 20 geometric axis (figure 2). One end of each side rail 144 has a hook-like element 146 used to mount the concave shear grid 140 on an axial bar (not shown) used to move the concave shear grid 140 towards or away from rotor 20 (figure two). A plurality of axial bars 148 encompass side rails 144. End plates 149 are preferably affixed between the ends of side rails 144. An intermediate support rail 151 is typically positioned between and parallel to side rails 144 and supports the axial bars 148.
[0044] [0044] The axial bars 148 typically have projections of external projection at their opposite ends that hang over the upper edges of the side rails 144 and operate to support against them when the grid 140 is installed. Preferably, the projections are received in notches 152 (figure 5B), at the top edges of the side rails 144 and welded to the side rails 144. The projections also provide a substantially continuous surface when multiple grid assemblies 24, 26 (figure 1) are installed , side by side, on the combine 10 (figure 1). While the axial bars 148, shown in Figure 4, are presented as having a round or partially round cross section, it is understood that the axial bars 148 can also have a completely round, notched, oval, rectangular or polygonal cross section.
[0045] [0045] A first embodiment of the cover plate assembly 100 is shown in figure 4. The cover plate assembly 100 comprises an elongated plate body 102 dimensioned to be positioned between two parallel arcuate rails (for example, arcuate side rail 144 and intermediate support rail 151) of a concave shear grid 140. The cover plate assembly 100 is designed to be configured in a curved supine position against the plurality of axial bars 148 on the outside of the concave shear grid 140.
[0046] [0046] The opposite ends of the elongated plate body 102 of the cover plate assembly 100 are fixed to the axial bars by means of fasteners 104, 106, formed at the opposite ends of the cover plate assembly 100. The fastening elements 104, 106 have a dimensional shape that is complementary to the transverse shape of the axial bars 148, so that they can be readily and quickly fixed from the outside of the concave shear grid 140 and slidably locked in place by a simple pull on the along the longitudinal geometric axis of the cover plate assembly 100. Both fasteners 104, 106 extend from or are configured on the inward facing surface 102a of the elongate body 102.
[0047] [0047] For example, as illustrated in figure 5B and figure 7A, the cover plate assembly 100 includes a U-shaped fastener 104, formed at the first or front end of the elongated plate body 102. The shape complementary to the U-shaped fastener 104 allows it to be inserted from the outside of the concave shear grid 140 and firmly hooks and grips the inner or upper surface of an axial bar 148a when mounting the cover plate 100 is moved or rotated in the direction of an anchoring device (i.e., to the left, as shown in figure 5B), installed on the inner surface of the end plate 149 of the concave shear grid 140.
[0048] [0048] Similarly, as illustrated in figure 5B and figure 7B, the cover plate assembly 100 additionally includes an inverted L-shaped fastener 106, formed at the second or rear end of the elongated plate body 102 The shape of the inverted L-shaped fastener 106 allows it to also be inserted from the outside of the concave shear grid 140, so that a base or surface 107 engages the upper surface of another axial bar 148a ' when the cover plate assembly 100 is moved or rotated in the direction of an anchoring device (i.e., to the left, as shown in figure 5B) installed on the inner surface of the end plate 149 of the concave shear grid 140.
[0049] [0049] Preferably, the cover plate assembly 100 is configured so that the fixing elements 104, 106 simultaneously engage their respective axial bars 148 when the cover plate assembly 100 is rotated or moved, in its first embodiment. cover plate assembly, in the lock position shown. The cover plate assembly 100 may also include one or more accessory brackets 112 attached to the facing side 102b of the cover plate body 102 to assist the user in proper positioning and to initially secure the cover plate assembly 100 to a concave shear grid 140.
[0050] [0050] The cover plate assembly 100 additionally includes a locking mechanism 115 that maintains the lateral position of the cover plate assembly 100 so that the fasteners 104, 106 remain locked in position around their bars respective axial axles 148. For example, as shown in figures 4 and 5A, in a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 115 comprises a rotary buckle tensioning device configured between an anchoring device 132, attached to an end plate 149 of the grid concave shear 140 and an anchoring bracket 110, fixed to the outwardly facing side 102b of the cover plate body 102. In an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism 115 comprises a conventional tension retraction lock assembly. In fact, those skilled in the art will understand that a wide variety of locking mechanisms can be used to apply a tensioning force between the anchoring bracket 110, attached to the elongated body 102 and the anchoring device 132 attached to an end plate 149 of the concave shear grid 144.
[0051] [0051] When properly installed and fixed in a locked position, the elongated body 102 of the cover plate assembly 100 is pulled tightly against the rear of the outer side of the concave shear grid 140, significantly altering the air flow characteristics through the openings in the concave shear grid 140 and, consequently, creating an air cushion between the concave shear grid 140 and the rotor / cylinder of the combine harvester. This air mattress regulates the rate at which the planting material moves through the concave section. By restricting the air flow through a concave shear grid, the time during which the planting is in the shear section of the concave grid is prolonged, which facilitates greater frictional contact between the materials, thus improving much , the shear and the separation of the straw grain for types and varieties of plantation more difficult to shear.
[0052] [0052] The cover plate 100 assembly method, illustrated in the figure, is preferably constructed from a single plate of highly resistant material, such as metal, high-strength plastic material or composite fabric material. While a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly 100 is constructed of steel plates, which are permanently folded into an arcuate shape that matches the outer arcuate shape of a concave shear grid 140, as illustrated in figure 5B, it is understood that the elongated body of the cover plate assembly can be constructed from flexible and highly resistant materials, such as stainless steel or woven composite materials. Alternatively, the elongated body can also be cast into a predetermined arcuate shape that matches the external arcuate shape of a concave shear grid 140. Additionally, while a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly features an elongate body 102, which has a unitary construction, where the fasteners 104, 106, at opposite ends of the assembly 100, are simply formed at the ends of the elongate body 102, it is understood that the elongate body 102, and the two fasteners 104, 106 can comprise individual parts of a composite construction, where the elongated body and the fixing elements are constructed from different materials. For example, the elongated body 102 can be constructed of a high strength woven plastic material, while the fasteners 104, 106 can be constructed of metal which are attached to the opposite ends of the elongated body.
[0053] [0053] Additionally, the material used to build the elongated body of the cover plate assembly can also present a wide range of porosity and permeability. This can be accomplished by a variety of techniques. While a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly is constructed of solid laminated material, other embodiments include a plurality of openings or holes formed in the elongated body. For example, as illustrated in figures 4 and 6, a second embodiment of the cover plate assembly 100A additionally includes a plurality of openings or holes 116 formed in the rectangular body 102 of the cover plate assembly 100A. Holes 116 can be configured randomly or in a geometric pattern, as illustrated in figures 6A, B. In addition to increasing airflow through the cover plate assembly 100A, holes 116 provide additional outlet passages for the sheared grain is discharged from the rotor / cylinder and captured, so that the separation grid is not overloaded. The plurality of openings or holes 116 may additionally include means for adjusting the size or shape of the opening
[0054] [0054] The material from which the elongated body 102 is constructed can also have natural porosity and permeability. For example, the elongated cover plate body can be constructed from an interlacing of metal or composite material having organic porosity and permeability characteristics.
[0055] [0055] The longitudinal length of the elongated body 102 of the cover plate assembly 100 can also vary to alter the characteristics of the concave shear grid. While a preferred embodiment of the invention includes an elongated body 102 having a longitudinal length suitably sized to cover substantially the entire lateral circumference of a concave shear grid, other embodiments may include elongated bodies having shorter longitudinal lengths, so as to cover only part of the lateral circumference of a concave shear grid. For example, with reference to figure 5B, while a preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly 100 of the present invention is dimensioned to cover substantially the entire lateral circumference of a concave shear grid (i.e., from the axial bar 148a (A ) for the axial bar 148a '(A), other embodiments of the cover plate assembly of the present invention may include elongated bodies having shorter longitudinal lengths, so as to cover only part of the lateral circumference of a concave shear grid (i.e. , from the axial bar 148a (A) to the axial bar 148a '(C)).
[0056] [0056] Referring now to Figure 8, another preferred embodiment of the cover plate assembly 100B of the present invention is illustrated. The cover plate assembly 100B features an elongated body having an adjustable width. The cover plate assembly 100B is sized to fit within a section of a concave shear grid 140, configured between two parallel arcuate rails (for example, arcuate side rail 144 and intermediate support rail 151). The elongated body of the cover plate assembly 100B consists of two elongated plates 102a, 102b which are fixed in a slidably adjustable configuration, to adjust the lateral dimension or width of the cover plate assembly 100B. In a preferred embodiment, the two elongated plates 102a, 102b are attached to each other by means of a plurality of pegs 108 attached to a first plate or main plate 102a and captured in partitions 109 formed on a second plate or accessory plate 102b. The main plate 102a features panel sections 103 configured at each of the opposite ends, covering the entire section width of the concave shear grid 140, while the width of the intermediate section 103a of the main plate 102a is less than the total section width. of the concave shear grid 140. The second plate or accessory plate 102b is positioned in a sliding configuration with the first plate or main plate 102a, so that the opening in the intermediate section 103a of the main plate 102a can be adjusted as desired. As with the previous embodiments, the elongated plates 102a, 102b of the cover plate assembly 100b can include holes or openings 116 to further adjust the flow characteristics of the adjustable cover plate assembly 100B.
[0057] [0057] The cover plate assembly of the present invention improves the shear capacity of the file bar type shear cylinder, while simultaneously allowing the capture of the additional shear grade. Furthermore, the methods for using the cover plate assembly of the present invention allow for a single set of concave shear grid assemblies to better harvest a greater variety of plantation types.
[0058] [0058] The cover plate assembly of the present invention eliminates the need to change the concave shear gratings when harvesting crops that are more difficult to shear and allows the operator to simply attach the cover plate assemblies to the back side ( that is, outside) of the concave shear grids. A plurality of cover plate assemblies of the present invention can be readily added to or removed from a combined harvester, depending on how difficult it is to shear the crop. In general, the planting material that is more difficult to shear requires more cover plate assemblies, so that the planting material is kept in the shear section for longer. By adding cover plate assemblies of the present invention to a combined harvester, the operator can adjust the rate at which the planting material moves through the concave shear gratings, facilitating greater friction of planting material with planting material, and , thereby providing superior shear capacity with less damage to the grains. In addition, the holes or openings strategically located and worked 116 in the cover plate assembly allow the grain to be captured as it is sheared and retained by the combined harvester. Furthermore, it prevents the separation grid assemblies, whose purpose is to unload the sheared grain, from becoming overloaded, causing the grain to be lost behind the combined harvester.
[0059] [0059] Methods using the cover plate assembly of the present invention also improve the harvest efficiency of the combined harvesters when harvesting crops with high moisture content. For example, corn grains with a high moisture content are more difficult to separate from the cob, which requires the planting material to remain in the shear section for longer. The cover plate assembly can be used to adjust the flow rate of the concave shear grid, keeping the planting material (that is, corn in this particular case) in the shear section for a longer period of time, allowing, thus, that the shear section better separates the grain from the straw.
[0060] [0060] Methods using cover plate assembly also improve the harvesting efficiency of combined combines when harvesting delicate, dry or easy to split and / or break crops. For example, edible beans are delicate and are known to create cracks or break easily. The addition of the cover plate assembly to a concave shear grid creates an air cushion that provides smoother entanglement through more friction between the planting material. By installing the cover plate assembly on the concave shear grids, the rotor speed can be reduced, preventing unnecessary damage to the plantation. The air cushion created by the cover plate assembly allows more shear from material to material. This space or distance between the concave grid and the rotor can also be increased, reducing the compression of the plantation against the concave grid and thus reducing mechanical damage to the plantation. Additionally, increasing the space / distance between the concave grid and the rotor also increases the volume of planting material that can be processed, thus allowing the operator to increase the soil speed of the agricultural shear. By increasing the volume of the planting material being processed, the rotor is filled with more planting material, consequently resulting in more material shearing and less damage to the grains (for example, cracks or partitions).
[0061] [0061] Methods using the cover plate assembly of the present invention also improve the harvest efficiency of the combined combines when the plantations have a lot of foreign material and small leaves around the seed. The material, like this, often ends up mixed with the harvested seeds. The material, in addition to the grain (MOG), results in a drop / discount in the unit price that the farmer receives when selling his harvest. For example, when harvesting sunflower seeds, the seeds shear easily, but there is a lot of leaf, petal and other foreign material surrounding the seeds. When sunflowers are harvested, much of this MOG falls through the concave shear bars and often ends up in the grain tank with sunflower seeds. The cover plate assembly of the present invention can be used as a crude filter to reduce or close larger spaces in the concave shear grids that filter a significant part of the MOG. However, the openings in the cover plate assemblies will allow small sunflower seeds to still fall and end up in the tank.
[0062] [0062] The present invention solves and overcomes the limitations mentioned above of the prior art by providing a cover plate assembly that restricts the rate of speed at which the plantation moves through the concave shear section, so that the plantation is in the concave shear section, which improves the separation of grain and straw. This proves to be especially beneficial for plantations that are difficult to shear, delicate or with a high moisture content and allows a set of concave grids to be more versatile in all plantations. From one plantation to the next, the cover plate assembly can be easily and quickly added or removed, depending on how difficult the plantation shear is. The air cushion that is created by mounting the cover plate allows more material to be processed through a rotor, facilitating more friction between the material, and thus providing a cleaner grain sample with less mechanical damage.
[0063] [0063] It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that an improved method and apparatus have been described here to readily adjust the flow characteristics of the concave shear grids in the file bar type shear cylinder system. Although the invention has been described by means of a preferred modality, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the same. The terms and expressions used here were used as terms of description and not of limitation; and, thus, there is no intention to exclude equivalences, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover any and all equivalences that can be used without distancing itself from the spirit and scope of the invention.

权利要求:
Claims (20)
[1]
1. Method for adjusting the flow characteristics of a concave grid in a file bar type shear cylinder system, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises: Fixing a cover plate assembly to the external surface of the concave grid, the assembly cover plate comprising: An elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arched rails on the outside of the concave grid; said elongated body having two opposite ends, each end having a fastening member formed thereon to grasp separate axial bars that span the parallel arcuate rails and lock said body in a supinated position against the outside of said concave grid; and A locking mechanism for maintaining the position of said elongated body with respect to said concave grid, so that each of said fixing elements keeps its grip on its respective axial bar, where said locking mechanism comprises an anchoring support attached to an outwardly facing side of said elongated body, an anchoring device attached to an end plate of said concave grid, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchoring support and the anchoring device.
[2]
2. Method, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said concave grid is a shear grid.
[3]
3. Method, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the so-called concave grave is a separation grid.
[4]
4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated body is constructed from material permeable to air.
[5]
5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated body comprises a solid plate of highly resistant material.
[6]
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said highly resistant material is selected from the group consisting of metal, highly resistant plastic or composite fabric material.
[7]
7. Method, according to claim 5, characterized in that said elongated body is bent in an arcuate shape that coincides with the external arcuate shape of said concave grid.
[8]
8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said elongated body is flexible.
[9]
9. Method to improve the harvesting efficiency of a combined harvester having a file bar type shear cylinder system, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises: Adjusting the flow characteristics of the planting material through a shear section, by attaching a cover plate assembly to an external surface of a concave shear grid, the cover plate assembly comprising: An elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arched rails on the outside of the concave grid; said elongated body having two opposite ends, each end having a fastening member formed thereon to grasp separate axial bars that span the parallel arched rails and lock said body in a supinated position against the outside of said concave grid; and A locking mechanism for maintaining the position of said elongated body with respect to said concave grid, so that each of said fixing elements keeps its grip on its respective axial bar, where said locking mechanism comprises an anchoring support attached to an outwardly facing side of said elongated body, an anchoring device attached to an end plate of said concave grid, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchoring support and the anchoring device.
[10]
10. Method, according to claim 9, characterized in that said adjustment step comprises decreasing the flow rate of said planting material through the shear section, allowing the shear section to more efficiently separate the grain straw.
[11]
11. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that said adjustment step further comprises reducing the rotor speed of the shear cylinder system and using an air cushion created by the cover plate assembly to allow more shear from material to material.
[12]
12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises increasing the distance between a rotor of the shear cylinder system and the concave grid in order to reduce the compression of the planting material.
[13]
13. Method to improve the harvest efficiency of a combined harvester, having a file bar type shear cylinder system, when the harvested plantations present MOG around the seed, the method being characterized by the fact: Fixing a plate assembly cover to the outer surface of a concave grid to act as a crude filter that filters out a significant part of the MOG during harvest, the cover plate assembly comprising:
An elongated body dimensioned to fit between two parallel arched rails on the outside of the concave grid; said elongated body comprising a plurality of holes formed in said elongated body and having two opposite ends, each end having a fastening member formed thereon to grasp separate axial bars covering the parallel arcuate rails, and lock said body in a position supinated against the outside of the said concave grid; and A locking mechanism for maintaining the position of said elongated body with respect to said concave grid, so that each of said fixing elements keeps its grip on its respective axial bar, where said locking mechanism comprises an anchoring support attached to an outwardly facing side of said elongated body, an anchoring device attached to an end plate of said concave grid, and a mechanism for inducing a tension force between the anchoring support and the anchoring device.
[14]
14. Method, according to claim 13, characterized in that said elongated body is cast in an arcuate shape that coincides with the external arcuate shape of said concave grid.
[15]
15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises adjusting the filtering capacity of the cover plate assembly by obstructing one or more of said plurality of holes.
[16]
16. Method, according to claim 15, characterized in that said adjustment step comprises obstructing one or more of said plurality of holes with a screw or plug.
[17]
17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said adjustment step comprises obstructing one or more of said plurality of holes with a flap-like cover positioned over one or more of said plurality of holes.
[18]
18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said adjustment step comprises obstructing one or more of said plurality of holes with a movable panel positioned over one or more of said plurality of holes.
[19]
19. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the width of said elongated body is adjustable.
[20]
20. Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that said elongated body comprises a main plate having a section dimensioned to be less than the distance between said two parallel arched rails and an accessory plate positioned in a sliding configuration with the said main board, in order to adjust the width of said dimensioned section of said main board.

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法律状态:
2021-12-07| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

US15/832,142|US10045487B1|2017-12-05|2017-12-05|Concave cover plate|

US15/832,142|2017-12-05|

PCT/US2018/061994|WO2019112792A1|2017-12-05|2018-11-20|Concave cover plate|

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