Sieve Or Grate Patents (Class 460/101)
  • Patent number: 11064656
    Abstract: A cleaning system for an agricultural combine includes a cleaning shoe including a chaffer having an upstream extremity and a downstream extremity, a cleaning fan for establishing a flow of air upwardly through the chaffer, and a transverse chaffer dam mounted proximate to the downstream extremity transversely obstructing a crop layer flow path extending over the chaffer from the upstream extremity to the downstream extremity while permitting air and threshed crop material to flow thereover and thereunder through a transverse opening between the chaffer dam and the downstream extremity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Patent number: 10905045
    Abstract: A combine (10) having a feeder housing (20) for receiving harvesting crop, a separating system (24) for threshing the harvested crop to produce grain and residue, at least one of a yield monitor or a loss monitor, a crop cleaning system (26) for separating the grain from the residue, a residue chopper (114) for chopping the separated residue, an automated chopper pan (116) positioned h below the residue chopper (114), the automated chopper pan (114) having adjustable perforations, and a controller coupled to the at least one of the yield monitor or the loss monitor. The controller is configured to determine at least one of throughput from the yield monitor or loss from the loss monitor, compare the at least one of throughput or loss to respective throughput thresholds or loss thresholds, and control the automated chopper pan (116) to adjust the perforations based on the threshold comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Garrett
  • Patent number: 10820520
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a sieve for capturing grain, and a magnetic propulsion system configured to move the sieve in a reciprocating motion with respect to a stationary housing of the combine harvester. The magnetic propulsion system includes a magnet that moves as the sieve moves and a plurality of electromagnets arranged along a path of movement of the magnet during a throw stroke and a return stroke of the sieve. During the throw stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be one of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. During the return stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be another of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. The magnet may move along an arc, and the plurality of magnet may be arranged along an arc adjacent to the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Frederick Hillen, Daniel Thomas Turner
  • Patent number: 10757863
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester having an adjustable throwing angle is provided. The cleaning system includes a shoe for holding a sieve of the cleaning system, a mounting surface disposed on the shoe, and a rocker arm either movably or removably connected to the mounting surface. The rocker arm is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface at at least two different locations on the mounting surface. Each location resulting in a different throwing angle of the shoe of the cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Kevin Scotese, Todd Cannegieter, Karl Linde, Daniel Thomas Turner
  • Patent number: 10721865
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes one or more threshing rotors (5) mounted in the harvester, a grain pan (7) and a set of sieves (8), and a drive mechanism configured to drive a longitudinal reciprocating motion of the grain pan (7) and superimpose a lateral reciprocating motion component on the longitudinal reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Frank R. G. Duquesne, Curtis Hillen, Paul E. M. Snauwaert
  • Patent number: 10542678
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, a threshing and separating system for separating grain from MOG, and a grain cleaning system for further separating grain from residual MOG. The grain cleaning system has a main grain pan beneath the threshing and separating system with the grain pan having openings in its forward and to selectively receive grain from the forward portion of the threshing and separating system. A component beneath the main grain pan directs flow in parallel to the cleaning system either to a pre-sieve within the cleaning system or to an upper sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Clay Reinecke
  • Patent number: 10179511
    Abstract: A harvester may include a reciprocating member to engage a crop, an electrical generator to convert reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member into electrical energy and an electrical storage unit storing the electrical energy. The harvester may include a first movable member to engage a crop, an electrical generator at least partially carried by the first movable member to generate electrical energy from movement of the first movable member, a second movable member carried by the first movable member and an actuator to drive movement of the second movable member using the electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jacob G. Schoeny
  • Patent number: 9883631
    Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing unit arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and are arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey such a rearward direction. The front of a return pan, disposed below the separating apparatus, overlaps the rear of a stratification pan, disposed below the threshing unit. The stratification pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the primary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit. The return pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a secondary grain/chaff stream forwardly to a front edge from where the secondary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity to combine with the primary grain/chaff stream on the stratification pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO A/S
    Inventor: Morten Leth Bilde
  • Patent number: 9802473
    Abstract: A grill assembly is disclosed. The grill assembly includes an air inlet screen. The air inlet screen is configured to allow passage of air therethrough. The grill assembly also includes a base frame. The base frame is attached to the air inlet screen. The grill assembly further includes a plurality of trusses. The plurality of trusses is connected to the base frame. The grill assembly includes a motor affixed to the trusses. The motor is configured to mechanically vibrate the trusses. Further, the trusses are arranged in a manner such that the air inlet screen is configured to vibrate during an operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andras-Ede Vincze, Sven Voss
  • Patent number: 9504205
    Abstract: A cleaning section of an agricultural harvester including a sieve and at least one variable stroke sieve drive wherein the sieve is positioned in the harvester to receive crop material from a threshing section and the at least one variable stroke sieve drive is coupled to the sieve wherein the variable stroke sieve drive has a first shaft and a second shaft concentric with the first shaft and the relative angular position between the first shaft and the second shaft establishes an amount of eccentricity of the variable stroke sieve drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Bart Moutton
  • Patent number: 8951105
    Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system that includes a sieve for separating crop material from other material, located in a plane having an X dimension and a Y dimension and configured to move in a fore-aft direction in the X dimension, in a side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and in an up-down direction in a Z dimension. The system also includes a side-shaking assembly configured to move the sieve in the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension. The fixed arm is attached to the sieve and configured to move with the sieve in (i) the fore-aft direction in the X dimension, (ii) the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and (iii) the up-down direction in the Z dimension. The side-shaking coupling portion comprises a moving portion configured to move in a diagonal direction having a fore-aft component in the X dimension and an up-down component in the Z dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Tyler L. Nelson, Venugopal Chiratanagandla
  • Patent number: 8939829
    Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system includes a sieve for separating crop material from other materials and configured to move in a fore-aft direction. At least one side-shaking assembly includes a mounting device attached to a combine chassis, a lower plate configured to rotate about a lower plate axis and an upper plate configured to (i) have an upper plate rotational motion and rotate responsive to the rotation of the lower plate and (ii) have an upper plate substantially linear motion in a substantially linear direction. A fixed arm is rotatably coupled to the upper plate and attached to the sieve. An actuation device is configured to rotate the lower plate about the lower plate axis. Responsive to the rotation of the upper plate, the sieve is controlled to move diagonal to the fore-aft direction in the substantially linear direction of the upper plate substantially linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Tyler L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8880299
    Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Orlin W. Johnson, Dale W. Panoushek, Tyler L. Nelson, Kevin S. Schwinn, Bin Lou
  • Publication number: 20140200057
    Abstract: A clean grain evacuation device for a grain harvester having a threshing system configured to separate grain harvested by the harvester from crop residue and direct a flow of the grain to a cleaning system disposed within the harvester including at least two sieves disposed and configured to sequentially clean the grain. The evacuation device is disposed for receiving a portion of the flow of the clean grain from a first of the sieves, and is configured to evacuate the received clean grain away from the cleaning system. The evacuation device can include a conveyor disposed for directing the evacuated grain directly to a desired location such as a clean grain receiving system on the harvester. The evacuation device can also be located in an air flow path to the sieves for improving operation and MOG removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Curtis F. Hillen, Frank R.G. Duquesne, Thierry Devriese
  • Patent number: 8777706
    Abstract: A cleaning system for use in a combine harvester including an auger bed mounted within a frame such that when the combine harvester is laterally inclined from the horizontal, the cleaning system, including the auger bed and a sieve, may be leveled or substantially leveled to a generally horizontal position. The auger bed can include a plurality of augers located side by side with their axes positioned generally longitudinally in the combine harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Herb M. Farley, Curtis F. Hillen
  • Publication number: 20140179382
    Abstract: A method comprising rotating a rotor to expel, radially, a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from the rotor and past a rotor cage encircling the rotor; causing an air flow in a substantially arcuate channel defined by the rotor cage, a first cover assembly covering a substantial portion of the rotor cage, and a passive sieve, to entrain a first portion of the MOG; capturing a first portion of the grain with the first cover assembly and plural vanes located along the length and on the interior surface of the first cover assembly, the captured grain sliding by gravity along the vanes to the passive sieve, the captured grain comprising threshed and unthreshed portions; enabling the passage of the captured grain through the passive sieve and into a second channel within which a grain conveying assembly is disposed; conveying with the grain conveying assembly the passed, unthreshed portion rearwardly; and conveying with the grain conveying assembly the passed, threshed portion forwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard D. Regier
  • Publication number: 20140179381
    Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system that includes a sieve for separating crop material from other material, located in a plane having an X dimension and a Y dimension and configured to move in a fore-aft direction in the X dimension, in a side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and in an up-down direction in a Z dimension. The system also includes a side-shaking assembly configured to move the sieve in the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension. The fixed arm is attached to the sieve and configured to move with the sieve in (i) the fore-aft direction in the X dimension, (ii) the side-to-side direction in the Y dimension and (iii) the up-down direction in the Z dimension. The side-shaking coupling portion comprises a moving portion configured to move in a diagonal direction having a fore-aft component in the X dimension and an up-down component in the Z dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Tyler L. Nelson, Venugopal Chiratanagandla
  • Publication number: 20140171163
    Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system includes a sieve for separating crop material from other materials and configured to move in a fore-aft direction. At least one side-shaking assembly includes a mounting device attached to a combine chassis, a lower plate configured to rotate about a lower plate axis and an upper plate configured to (i) have an upper plate rotational motion and rotate responsive to the rotation of the lower plate and (ii) have an upper plate substantially linear motion in a substantially linear direction. A fixed arm is rotatably coupled to the upper plate and attached to the sieve. An actuation device is configured to rotate the lower plate about the lower plate axis. Responsive to the rotation of the upper plate, the sieve is controlled to move diagonal to the fore-aft direction in the substantially linear direction of the upper plate substantially linear motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. MURRAY, Tyler L. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140128133
    Abstract: An adjustable chaffer assembly is operable to be mounted in a chaffer housing of a harvester. The adjustable chaffer assembly includes forward and aft chaffer sections. The forward chaffer section includes a forward frame assembly and adjustable forward louvers shiftably mounted on the forward frame assembly. The aft chaffer section includes an aft frame assembly and adjustable aft louvers shiftably mounted on the aft frame assembly. The aft chaffer section is shiftably mounted relative to the forward chaffer section and is shiftable between a parallel condition where the frame assemblies are substantially parallel with each other and an oblique condition where the frame assemblies define an oblique angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan S. Claerhout
  • Patent number: 8676453
    Abstract: A method for controlling a crop separating process of a combine harvester with a separation device that transfers crop a cleaning device having at least one sieve with adjustable opening widths driven in an oscillating manner and a fan providing air flow upon the sieves to loosen the crop located thereon, assures that substantially three different loosening phases (F, S, W) occur during the loosening of the crop. The method determines current separation curves of the crop across a width of the cleaning device at points separated from each other in a conveyance direction (FR), evaluates the separation curves, detects the loosening phase (F, S, W) present in a conveyance direction (FR) by comparing the separation curves and initiates action depending on a detected loosening phase (F, S, W) that results in optimization of the loosening on at least one section of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Markus Brune
  • Publication number: 20140073380
    Abstract: A combine harvester that employs a sieve assembly having a frame structure with movement that facilitates pressurizing an air supply connected thereto. Various aspects of the subject disclosure provide for sieve elements having internal air passages that are supported in the frame structure. A plurality of pressurized air ports are disposed along the frame structure or sieve elements and are oriented at an angle so as to direct pressurized air upwardly through the sieve elements. The pressurized air supply is in communication with the air ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, Herbert M. Farley, Martin J. Roberge
  • Patent number: 8651927
    Abstract: A combine harvester that employs a sieve assembly having a frame structure with movement that facilitates pressurizing an air supply connected thereto. Various aspects of the subject disclosure provide for sieve elements having internal air passages that are supported in the frame structure. A plurality of pressurized air ports are disposed along the frame structure or sieve elements and are oriented at an angle so as to direct pressurized air upwardly through the sieve elements. The pressurized air supply is in communication with the air ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 8622791
    Abstract: A cleaning shoe (102) for an agricultural combine comprises a cleaning shoe frame (200); a first plurality of hangers (104) supporting the cleaning shoe frame (200) on the body; a sieve (212) disposed within the cleaning shoe frame (200); two rods (216, 218) supported on the cleaning shoe frame (200), wherein each rod is constrained to pivot about a fore-and-aft axis with respect to the cleaning shoe frame (200); and a second plurality of hangers (214) supported on the rods and coupled to the sieve (212) to support the sieve (212) and constrain the sieve (212) to reciprocate in a lateral direction with respect to the cleaning shoe frame (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jared A Puvak, Wesley Brands
  • Patent number: 8622792
    Abstract: A sieve adjustment mechanism including a rack gear, a pivot handle, and an actuator, to mitigate lost motion/play in pivot link sieve assembly. The rack gear is movable between a first and a second position and connectable to a first sieve segment for moving the first sieve segment between a first sieve position and a second sieve position. The pivot handle includes a pinion gear at a first end of the pivot handle for operatively engaging the rack gear for moving the rack gear between the first and second positions and a second end opposite the first end. The pinion gear is rotatable about a first axis. The actuator is connected to the second end of the pivot handle for pivoting the pivot handle about the first axis to move the rack gear between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Craig Elwyn Murray
  • Patent number: 8572863
    Abstract: A drying method is provided through a particular arrangement of air intake- and air exhaust roofs, wherein the particular material flows are not only impacted by intake air in an alternating manner from the left and from the right, but also an accumulation of air intake roofs and air exhaust roofs is avoided, which otherwise typically occurs at the separation plane between two chute modules, rotated relative to one another by 180°, which is performed for changing the side of the air impact. This method is advantageous in particular for drying parboiled rice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schmidt-Seeger GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Wiesmeier, Andreas Ehrhardt
  • Publication number: 20130210505
    Abstract: A sieve (166) for a combine harvester (100) cleaning device (146) comprises a frame (10), in which a plurality of similar transversely extending plates (12) are mounted for angular adjustment about respective transverse axes defined by axles (20) that are equally spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction. The plates (12) are angled upwards and rearwards, with adjacent ones of the plates having forward sections of one overlapping rearward sections of the other. The axles (20) include cranks 14 that define adjusting elements, which are received for interacting with slots (16) provided in a longitudinally extending adjusting rod (18) that can be adjusted in its position in the longitudinal direction of the sieve (166), relative to the frame (10), so as to be able to adjust the angles of the plates (12) around their axles (20). The slots (16) are shaped and arranged on the adjusting rod (16) in such a way that at least one plate (12) has an angle different from another plate (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Lutz Bischoff
    Inventor: LUTZ BISCHOFF
  • Patent number: 8434624
    Abstract: A cart is towed behind a combine harvester for collecting corn cobs and includes a conveyer belt feeding into a system for separating cobs from residue to be discharged and a tank for receiving and transporting the cobs. An unload auger is provided from the tank to one side of the cart while the cart moves forward. Power for driving the cart is obtained from a chopper drive of the combine harvester. The separating arrangement includes a series of sequential blower fans for blowing air through the discharged material as it is discharged from a conveyor and into a spreading guide disperses the residue. The cobs are conveyed using a series of augers where the auger to flight distance is at least 2 inches and particularly a pair of augers feed the cobs through a front wall of the tank so as to push cobs upwardly into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Redekop Enterprises Inc
    Inventors: Leo Redekop, Dean Mayerle
  • Publication number: 20130109450
    Abstract: A cleaning shoe (102) for an agricultural combine comprises a cleaning shoe frame (200); a first plurality of hangers (104) supporting the cleaning shoe frame (200) on the body; a sieve (212) disposed within the cleaning shoe frame (200); two rods (216, 218) supported on the cleaning shoe frame (200), wherein each rod is constrained to pivot about a fore-and-aft axis with respect to the cleaning shoe frame (200); and a second plurality of hangers (214) supported on the rods and coupled to the sieve (212) to support the sieve (212) and constrain the sieve (212) to reciprocate in a lateral direction with respect to the cleaning shoe frame (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Jared A. Puvak, Wesley Brands
  • Publication number: 20130029734
    Abstract: A method for controlling a crop separating process of a combine harvester with a separation device that transfers crop a cleaning device having at least one sieve with adjustable opening widths driven in an oscillating manner and a fan providing air flow upon the sieves to loosen the crop located thereon, assures that substantially three different loosening phases (F, S, W) occur during the loosening of the crop. The method determines current separation curves of the crop across a width of the cleaning device at points separated from each other in a conveyance direction (FR), evaluates the separation curves, detects the loosening phase (F, S, W) present in a conveyance direction (FR) by comparing the separation curves and initiates action depending on a detected loosening phase (F, S, W) that results in optimization of the loosening on at least one section of the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Markus Brune
  • Patent number: 8051988
    Abstract: A grain conveying apparatus and system for conveying and separating elements of a grain mixture of a first minimum size, such as cob pieces, and a second maximum size smaller than the first minimum size, such as grain or corn, including an upper passage having at least one aperture generally smaller than the cob pieces and larger than the grain or corn. As the grain mixture is conveyed through the upper passage, the cob pieces will pass across the apertures, and the grain or corn will pass through the apertures to the lower passage thereby separating the elements of the grain mixture as it is conveyed from a source bin to separate receiving bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 7997967
    Abstract: A sieve for a grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine, including a system providing enhanced adjustability of spacing, including capacities for quickly and easily varying a number of rows of sieve fingers, spacing between the rows, and angular orientation of the fingers, such that better sieve performance, and cleaning action above the sieve, can be achieved for a particular grain or seed size and other conditions, particularly very large sizes and very small sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Curtis F. Hillen, Denver R. Yoder
  • Publication number: 20110130180
    Abstract: A sieve tray underlies an exit path of chaff from a harvesting combine, wherein grain is retained in the sieve tray by air pressure provided by a blower. A sieve tray support frame is provided for supporting the sieve tray. The sieve tray support frame has one pivotally mounted frame member movable between a tray supporting and a tray releasing position. A solenoid is provided for remotely moving the pivotally mounted frame member from the tray supporting to the tray releasing position wherein the sieve tray drops onto the field for inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Norman VAN BRABANT, Gary VAN BRABANT
  • Patent number: 7946908
    Abstract: A cleaning element for a combine harvester having a plurality of cleaning element frames pivotable about parallel longitudinal axes. Each of the cleaning elements has a plurality of pivotal louvers connected to a longitudinal actuating element extending coaxially through the longitudinal pivoting axis of the cleaning frame. A ball joint connects the actuating element with an actuator so that pivoting of the louvers is accomplished independent of the pivoting of the cleaning element frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Lobdell, Jeffrey A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7927199
    Abstract: A harvesting machine including a chassis and a cleaning shoe. The cleaning shoe is supported by the chassis. The cleaning shoe includes a frame and at least one grain cleaning element. The frame is moveable in a first plane relative to the chassis. The at least one grain cleaning element is supported by the frame. The at least one grain cleaning element is movable in a second plane different from the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James K. Adamson, Wesley Brands, Francisco Mezzomo
  • Patent number: 7909171
    Abstract: A single vane slat design for use in a sieve or chaffer of a harvester combine. The single vane slat has a weld pocket, preferably on its bottom surface, for receiving a wire on a frame. The single vane slat may be formed of a 26 gage material, and may be attached to the wire using two small welds. The weld material is configured to flow into the weld pocket upon being welded, and achieve direct and incidental contact between the wire and the slat. The weld pocket of the slat is configured such that the slat is self-fixturing to the wire, which lends to the ability to weld the slats to the wires while fixed in the frame. This facilitates accommodating a large number of frame types and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: HCC, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Mammen, Brandon J. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 7896731
    Abstract: A cleaning system for an agriculture work vehicle including a combination of a grain cleaning sieve having a limited region containing larger apertures providing increased grain throughput and also increased air throughput relative to the other regions of the sieve, utilized with a fan system that provides a substantially higher air flow rate through the region relative to the other regions of the sieve, such that a downward airborne flow of crop material above and flowing toward the limited region is subject to an air flow having a substantially higher flow rate compared to the other regions above the sieve, which operates to aggressively separate material other than grain from the grain above the limited region, and such that substantially only grain will fall onto and pass through the limited region of the grain cleaning sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin S. Schwinn
  • Patent number: 7841931
    Abstract: A combine harvester having a frame and a crop harvesting header supported by the frame to gather crop material. A threshing and separating mechanism connected to the frame that receives the crop material from the header to thresh and separate the grain. A shoe assembly positioned beneath the threshing and separating mechanism to receive the threshed grain connected to a drive that affects fore-and-aft reciprocating movement of the shoe assembly which conveys grain rearward. A flexible seal attached to the underside of the shoe assembly across the width of the shoe to obstruct air from flowing under the shoe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20100291981
    Abstract: A cleaning system for corn cobs incorporating a conveyor system providing a capability for positively removing or cleaning other crop residue from the cobs, which is adapted to be towed by a harvester; to be incorporated with a cob collecting device; and which can be adjustable for varying corn varieties, conditions and the like. The conveyor system includes at least one enclosed inclined conveyor for carrying a flow of the crop residue upwardly and propelling the flow into a space, while a flow of air is directed downwardly along the conveyor to remove other residue material from the cobs. Another flow of air is optionally directed downwardly through the space for removing additional material other than cobs, and at least one aspect of the system can be adjusted for relatively varying the air flows to adapt the system for a variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf
  • Patent number: 7717778
    Abstract: A combine harvester for corn is adjusted so that the threshing system maintains the grain and cobs together and there is provided a first sieve to separate the grain and cobs from residue material which is discharged from a rear of the first sieve and a second sieve to separate the grain which passes through the second sieve from the cobs which are discharged from a rear end of the second sieve. The grain is transferred to a clean grain tank and the cobs are conveyed to a tank on a towed cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Redekop Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Redekop, Dean Mayerle
  • Publication number: 20100113113
    Abstract: A sieve for a grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine, including a system providing enhanced adjustability of spacing, including capacities for quickly and easily varying a number of rows of sieve fingers, spacing between the rows, and angular orientation of the fingers, such that better sieve performance, and cleaning action above the sieve, can be achieved for a particular grain or seed size and other conditions, particularly very large sizes and very small sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan E. RICKETTS, Curtis F. HILLEN, Denver R. YODER
  • Publication number: 20100016044
    Abstract: A harvesting machine including a chassis and a cleaning shoe. The cleaning shoe is supported by the chassis. The cleaning shoe includes a frame and at least one grain cleaning element. The frame is moveable in a first plane relative to the chassis. The at least one grain cleaning element is supported by the frame. The at least one grain cleaning element is movable in a second plane different from the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: James K. Adamson, Wesley Brands, Francisco Mezzomo
  • Publication number: 20100009732
    Abstract: A cleaning element for a combine harvester having a plurality of cleaning element frames pivotable about parallel longitudinal axes. Each of the cleaning elements has a plurality of pivotal louvers connected to a longitudinal actuating element extending coaxially through the longitudinal pivoting axis of the cleaning frame. A ball joint connects the actuating element with an actuator so that pivoting of the louvers is accomplished independent of the pivoting of the cleaning element frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Brian M. Lobdell, Jeffrey A. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090280877
    Abstract: A combine harvester has at least one cleaning device which includes at least one sieve and one cleaning fan, at least one conveyor device for conveying at least a portion of the crop material that exits the cleaning device into a higher region of the combine harvester and including at least one elevator having a lower intake region and an upper transfer region, the crop material being conveyed in the elevator via conveyor plates which are situated on a circulating chain, and the elevator includes, in its lower region, at least two interspaced deflection axles for the circulating chain, which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension of the combine harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Holtmann, Stefan Teroerde, Winfried Wesselmann, Ingo Boenig, Christopher Vieregge, Daniel Brueggemann, Hubert Korte, Ulrich Claes, Waldemar Schulz
  • Publication number: 20090264169
    Abstract: A dual action corn cob separation and attendant corn cob separator, having a plurality of generally vertical or generally longitudinally elongated slots, and having disposed therebetween at least two of said slots, at least one generally vertical or longitudinal in-line row of smaller slots or openings, whereby whole corn cobs can be more effectively harvested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 7572180
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling distribution of crop material to a cleaning sieve of an agricultural combine, for reducing grain loss, including while the combine is tilted sidewardly relative to horizontal, involving controlling the angular orientation of a distributor disposed between a threshing system of the combine and the sieve, for distributing a mat of the crop material onto the sieve evenly across an extent thereof. The angular orientation of the distributor can be set in advance of tilting of the combine, to adjust for a variety of conditions, including uneven outputting of the crop material from the threshing system, and the set orientation can be automatically maintained or actively adjusted to control a desired operating parameter such as grain loss, even as the combine is variously tilted and the angular orientation of the sieve relative to the combine is independently adjusted to maintain the sieve horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Bradley J. Wagner, Todd Cannegieter
  • Patent number: 7566266
    Abstract: A dual action corn cob cleaning separation system having a whole corn cob sieve with elongated and rounded finger extensions for reorienting corn cobs traveling widthwise to instead travel lengthwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Denver R. Yoder
  • Patent number: 7553226
    Abstract: A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester, comprises a frame supporting a grain pan and a sieve. The grain pan receives grain and chaff separated from the crop by a threshing mechanism and is reciprocable relative to the frame in order to separate the grain from the chaff and to propel the grain and chaff towards the sieve. The sieve is reciprocable relative to the frame and is connected to the frame by front and rear support arms and that are pivotably secured to the frame and to the sieve. In the invention, the front support arms have different geometries from the rear support arms such that when the sieve is reciprocated relative to the frame, the vertical component of oscillation is greater at the front end than at the rear end of the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: André G. J. Dhont, Johnny Bossuyt, Frank R. G. Duquesne, Tom N. N. Somers
  • Publication number: 20090111545
    Abstract: A rethreshing system and method for a combine having a cleaning system that includes at least one sieve or like material separating mechanism. The rethreshing system includes a tailings collection pan for collecting tailings that do not pass through the sieve and a tailings rethreshing mechanism receiving the tailings from the collection pan and rethreshing the tailings. A distribution auger is arranged across a return pan of the cleaning system and is operable to substantially evenly distribute rethreshed tailings on the return pan of the cleaning system. The distribution auger includes a tubular auger housing having an entrance for receiving material to be conveyed, a closed end opposite the entrance, and a longitudinally elongated and tapered slot formation through a sidewall of the tubular auger housing, the slot formation having a small width near the entrance to the tubular housing and a wide width near the closed end of the tubular housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Glenn Pope, Aaron Bruns
  • Publication number: 20090061968
    Abstract: A sieve retainer for an agricultural combine which is more accessible, particularly from the rear of the combine, which provides improved access to, and removal and replacement of the sieve and prevents loss of sieve retaining hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Bryan S. Claerhout, Robert A. Matousek
  • Patent number: 7497775
    Abstract: A sieve retainer for an agricultural combine which is more accessible, particularly from the rear of the combine, which provides improved access to, and removal and replacement of the sieve and prevents loss of sieve retaining hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Bryan S. Claerhout, Robert A. Matousek