Abstract: A direct-fired, propane powered steam generator is provided with a carburetor, which receives vaporized propane from a converter arrangement which converts liquid propane to vapor, receives pressurized air and feeds a mixture of vaporized propane and air into the combustion chamber of the steam generator. The amount of air delivered to the carburetor is variable, with the amount of vaporized propane entering the carburetor being determined by the position of a metering valve which varies in accordance with the amount of air passing through the carburetor. The converter arrangement receives liquid propane and is coupled to process water heated in the water jackets of the combustion chamber and adjacent structure, the converter arrangement being designed so that heat from the water is transferred for effecting vaporization of the liquid propane.

Abstract: A laser sensor for detecting the volume of particulate material being conveyed by a paddle conveyor. The sensor comprises two opposed units, a master unit and a slave unit. Each unit is provided with a single laser emitting diode and four photo detectors. The master unit is provided with a microprocessor for providing a square wave laser firing signal to the lasers. The slave unit is provided with an inverter for inverting the laser firing signal from the microprocessor. The lasers are fired sequentially when they receive a high pulse from the square wave emitted from the microprocessor. The photo detectors transmit their laser light detection signal when they receive a low pulse from the microprocessor which indicates the opposed laser has fired.

Abstract: The crop engaging element of the present invention is a hollow structure having a smooth curved convex top portion which terminates in a concave trough before extending into a radially extending lip. The hollow structure is provided with sidewalls and a rear wall. The sidewalls extend upwardly to enclose the sides of the trough. The element is provided with leading and trailing mounting flanges for mounting the element to the exterior surface of a combine rotor.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having an internal combustion engine for driving the various assemblies on the combine. An electronic engine controller is used to monitor and control the operation of the engine. Sensors provide inputs to the electronic engine controller. In response to the inputs from these sensors the electronic engine controller controls the output of the engine. The straw chopper, the propulsion assembly, the separating assembly and the harvesting assembly are provided with on/off switches that are in communication with the electronic engine controller. These on/off switches located in the operator's cab of the combine which are used to activate these crop processing assemblies. In response to an off signal by one or more of these switches the maximum power level is decreased accordingly.

Abstract: An axial agricultural combine having a single element rotor defining a rotor axis. The rotor is housed in a rotor housing having an infeed section, a threshing section and a separating section. The infeed section of the rotor housing defines a infeed axis, the threshing section of the rotor housing defines a threshing axis and the separating section of the rotor housing defines a separating axis. The infeed axis is parallel to and in line with the rotor axis. The threshing axis is parallel to and offset from the rotor axis. The threshing axis is offset above and downstream from the rotor axis. The separating axis is parallel to and offset from the rotor axis. The separating axis is offset above and downstream from the rotor axis. The separating axis is more offset from the rotor axis than the threshing axis is offset from the rotor axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beater for a combine having a hollow drum having a triangular cross section with first, second and third apexes that define the first, second and third wings of the beater. Identical first, second and third members are mounted to the triangular drum at the apexes. Each of the members have upturned ends that are joined together to form fourth, fifth and sixth apexes which define the fourth, fifth and sixth wings of the beater.