Crop flow nozzle

Abstract

A selectively removable nozzle for inclusion in a grain conveyor is disclosed. The nozzle may include a ramp and a sidewall coupled to the ramp. The ramp may conform to an inner surface of a conveyor housing and create a contraction within the housing. The sidewall may also conform to an inner surface of the conveyor housing. The ramp may also include a depression extending along the sidewall. The depression may receive an axis of the conveyor. One nozzle may be replaced with another nozzle to accommodate different harvesting conditions. The ramp compresses grain passing through the conveyor to provide a continuous flow of grain. The continuous flow of grain provides for accurate measurement of grain characteristics by sensors adjacent to the grain flow.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 031,960, filed May 29, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to aligning grain during grain sensing. Background Art

[0004] During harvest, the produced grain can be sensed to detect various characteristics of the produced grain. For example, during harvest, the produced grain can be sensed to determine compositional properties such as moisture, dry matter, protein, starch, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), or acid detergent fiber (ADF). Sensor results are provided in real time and allow producers to obtain more frequent and representative samples, rather than relying on periodic, non-representative samples measured, for example, via wet chemical analysis. Producers can view compositional measurements while harvesting and quickly make adjustments without stopping the machine to optimize feed quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a nozzle that can be received into an interior chamber of a conveyor to modify the cross-sectional dimensions of the interior chamber of the conveyor. The nozzle can include: a ramped surface including a first edge configured to conform to the interior surface of the conveyor; a sidewall coupled to the ramped surface, the sidewall including a side edge configured to conform to the interior surface of the conveyor; an angle θ defined between the ramped surface and the sidewall; and a recess formed in the sidewall and extending longitudinally therein, the recess configured to receive a shaft of the conveyor.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a conveyor for transporting grain. The conveyor may include a housing defining a chamber having a cross-sectional dimension. The housing may include an inner surface and a longitudinal axis extending along the chamber. The conveyor may also include a spiral flight disposed in the chamber and rotatable therein. The spiral flight may include a shaft, a first portion attached to the shaft, and a second portion attached to the shaft. The second portion may be separated from the first portion by a gap. The conveyor may also include a nozzle disposed in the chamber and attached to the housing. The nozzle may extend at least partially along the gap and may include an inclined surface, a sidewall extending along the chamber, and an angle θ defined between the inclined surface and the sidewall, the nozzle defining a restriction that reduces the cross-sectional dimension of the chamber.

[0007] Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a conveyor system according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example nozzle according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Longitudinal cross-section of the nozzle.

[0012] Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a housing of a conveyor including an example nozzle according to some implementations of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In order to promote understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations shown in the accompanying drawings, and specific language will be used to describe them. However, it will be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would normally occur to those skilled in the art in which the present disclosure is concerned, it is entirely conceivable that any changes and further modifications to the described apparatus, instrument, method, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure would occur. Specifically, it is entirely conceivable that the features, components, and / or steps described for one implementation may be combined with the features, components, and / or steps described for other implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to grain sensing, and more particularly to forming a flow path to generate a grain flow that is sensed to provide characteristics of the grain. Figure 1 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a conveyor system 100. In the example shown, the conveyor system 100 forms part of a combine harvester for harvesting grain. In other implementations, the conveyor system 100 may be separate and unrelated to the combine harvester or other vehicle. For example, in some cases, the conveyor system 100 may form part of a larger grain conveying system.

[0015] The conveyor system 100 includes a first conveyor 102 for conveying produced grain 104 during harvesting. The first conveyor 102 may include a belt or other device with spiral flights for lifting the produced grain 104. The first conveyor 102 is in communication with a second conveyor 106, and the produced grain 104 is released from the first conveyor 102 into the second conveyor 106. The second conveyor 106 is a screw conveyor including a rotatable, helical flight 108, which includes a gap 110 formed between a first portion 112 of the flight 108 and a second portion 114 of the flight 108. The flight 108 includes a shaft 116. The flight 108 is disposed in a housing 118 and can be rotated therein by a motor 120 (e.g., an electric motor). The second conveyor 106 defines a longitudinal axis 119 extending along the centerline of the shaft 116 of the flight 108.

[0016] The removable nozzle 122 is disposed in the chamber 117 formed by the housing 118 and extends along the gap 110 formed between the first portion 112 and the second portion 114 of the spiral flight 108. Figure 1 As shown, the end 115 of the first portion 112 of the flight 180 is tapered. The tapered end 115 provides clearance for the inclined surface of the nozzle 122 (described in more detail below). Even when the flight 108 is rotated by the engine 120, the nozzle 122 is maintained in a fixed position within the housing 118. The nozzle 122 can be maintained in a fixed position within the housing 118 by one or more pins extending through the housing 118 and the nozzle 122. In other implementations, the nozzle 122 can engage with an annular flange or lip formed on or coupled to the housing 118. The lip can be keyed to define the orientation of the nozzle 122 within the housing 118, thereby preventing rotation and translation of the nozzle 122 within the housing 118. In other implementations, the nozzle 122 can be removably attached to the housing 118 in other ways.

[0017] A third conveyor 124 is in communication with the second conveyor 106, and produced grain is released from the second conveyor 106 onto the third conveyor 124. The third conveyor 124 may include a flighted belt and may, for example, transport the produced grain 104 by lifting it to a collection tank formed in a combine harvester. Arrows 121, 123, and 125 respectively represent the flow of produced grain 104 through the example conveyor system 100 along the first conveyor 102, the second conveyor 106, and the third conveyor 124. Arrow 121 indicates that the first conveyor 106 lifts the produced grain 104. After lifting, the produced grain falls onto the second conveyor 106. The produced grain 104 travels along the second conveyor 106 in the direction of arrow 123 and is deposited on the third conveyor 124. The third conveyor 124 causes the produced grain 104 to fall in the direction of arrow 125. The flow of produced grain 104 provided by the conveyor system 100 is merely an example. In other implementations, the conveyor system may have more or fewer conveyors, and the direction of transport of produced grain within one or more conveyors may differ from those depicted in the illustrated examples.

[0018] Returning to the second conveyor 106, the produced grain 104 is transported along the second conveyor 106 as the spiral flight 108 rotates. When the produced grain 104 reaches the gap 100, the produced grain 104 encounters the inclined surface 126 of the nozzle 122. Sidewalls 127 extend from the inclined surface 126. The nozzle 122 forms a constriction within the housing 118, and the inclined surface 126 funnels the produced grain 104 into the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the housing 118 formed by the inclined surface 126 and the sidewalls 127. As a result of the constriction, the produced grain 104 is compacted, thereby removing air from the produced grain 104 and accelerating the produced grain 104 past the sensor 128. Therefore, because the conveyor 106 in which the nozzle 122 is located controls the flow rate of the produced grain 104 within the conveyor 106, for example, by the rotational speed of the screw 108, the flow rate of the produced grain 104 increases along the constricted cross-sectional area formed by the nozzle 122 within the conveyor 106 compared to other areas of the second conveyor 106 away from the nozzle 122. As a result, when the produced grain 104 passes in front of the sensor 128, the nozzle 122 operates to increase the flow density of the produced grain 104. In this way, the produced grain 104 behaves like a fluid and is accelerated by the restriction.

[0019] In some implementations, the sensor 128 can be an imaging system. For example, the sensor 128 can be an infrared sensor that uses infrared radiation to sense characteristics of the produced grain 104. Air entrained in the produced grain 104 can produce erroneous measurements. Therefore, the compaction provided by the nozzle 122 reduces air entrained in the grain, thereby providing accurate and continuous sensing of the produced grain 104. In some implementations, the sensor 128 is a HarvestLab manufactured by Deere & Company (One John Deere Plaza, Moline, IL 61265). TM 3000. In other implementations, sensor 128 may be other sensors that detect properties of the grain in other ways (eg, using radiation outside the infrared or near infrared range).

[0020] Figure 2 is with Figure 1 10. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example nozzle 200 similar to the nozzle 122 in FIG. The nozzle 200 includes a ramp 202, a sidewall 204 extending from the ramp 202, a recess 206 extending through the ramp 202 and the sidewall 204, and a longitudinal rib 205 extending longitudinally along the nozzle 122. The recess 206 receives the axis of a flight of a screw conveyor (e.g., the axis 116 of the flight 108). The recess 206 is defined by an inner surface 208 and a central axis 210. The central axis 210 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor in which the nozzle 200 is located (e.g., the longitudinal axis 119 of the second conveyor 106). In some implementations, the sidewall 204 extends parallel to the central axis 210. In other implementations, the sidewall 204 is angled relative to the central axis 210. In the example shown, the inner surface 208 is a cylindrical surface and defines a circular cross-section. In other implementations, the inner surface 208 can be a cylindrical surface defining a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In other implementations, the inner surface 208 may not be non-cylindrical. For example, in some cases, the inner surface 208 may be conical. In some implementations, the shaft of the screw conveyor flight may contact the inner surface 208. Thus, the inner surface 208 may serve as a bearing surface for the shaft of the screw flight. In other implementations, the shaft of the screw conveyor flight may not contact the inner surface 208.

[0021] Figure 3is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle 200 taken along a plane containing the central axis 210 and symmetrically dividing the nozzle 200. As shown, the nozzle 200 also includes transverse ribs 212 and 214. The transverse ribs 212 and 214 are perpendicular to the central axis 210, and the transverse ribs 212 and 214 intersect with the longitudinal ribs 205. The transverse ribs 212 and 214 have a circular transverse cross-sectional shape that conforms to the inner surface of the housing of the conveyor (e.g., the housing 118 of the second conveyor 106). The transverse rib 214 is formed at an end 216 of the nozzle 200 opposite to the inclined surface 206. In other implementations, for example, where the conveyor has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, the shape of the transverse ribs 212 and 214 can be formed to have a shape corresponding to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of these conveyors.

[0022] An angle θ is formed between the inclined surface 206 and the side wall 204. In the example shown, the angle θ is an obtuse angle. An angle θ is defined between the inclined surface 206 and a line 218 parallel to the central axis 210. For implementations where the sidewalls 204 extend parallel to the central axis 210, the angles θ and are supplementary angles that add up to 180°. In some implementations, the angle θ can be in the range of 135° and 165°. It can be in the range of 15° and 45°. In other implementations, the supplementary angles θ and It can be larger or smaller than the corresponding indicated range.

[0023] In the example shown, the nozzle 200 also includes a hole 220 configured to receive a pin to secure the nozzle 200 within the conveyor. In the example shown, one of the holes 220 extends along and through the transverse rib 212 and the longitudinal rib 205. Another hole 220 is formed along the inner surface of the ramp 206 and extends through the longitudinal rib 205. In other implementations, the holes may be positioned at other locations along the nozzle 200. The pin may extend through a corresponding opening in the conveyor housing to secure the nozzle 200 within the conveyor housing in both translational and rotational directions. As previously explained, nozzles within the scope of the present disclosure may be secured within the conveyor housing in other ways.

[0024] Refer again Figure 2 , the bevel 206 defines a curved edge 222. The curved edge 222 conforms to the inner surface of the conveyor housing (e.g., the inner surface of the housing 118 of the second conveyor 106 described earlier). In the example shown, the nozzle 200 is formed to be received in a conveyor housing having a circular cross-section. Therefore, the shape of the curved edge 222 is an ellipse. The ellipse shape is formed by the angle of the nozzle 200 relative to the central axis 210. The inclined plane is defined by the intersection of the cylinder corresponding to the inner surface of the conveyor housing into which the nozzle 200 is to be received. As a result, both the inclined surface 206 and the cross ribs 212 and 214 conform to the inner housing of a conveyor (e.g., a screw conveyor similar to the second conveyor 106 described earlier). As a result, the nozzle 206 (and other nozzles within the scope of the present disclosure) reduces the cross-sectional size of the chamber of the conveyor, wherein the inclined surface 206 provides a transition between the reduced cross-sectional size and the unrestricted cross-sectional size for the conveyor. In addition, the nozzle 206 conforms to the inner surface of the conveyor. In particular, the elliptical shape of the curved edge 222 of the inclined surface 206 and the edges of the cross ribs 212 and 214 conform to the inner surface of the conveyor housing.

[0025] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the inclined surface 206 is a plane. However, in other implementations, the inclined surface 206 may define a curve. For example, in some implementations, a longitudinal cross-section of the inclined surface 206 may define a nonlinear curve, such as an S-curve or another nonlinear curve. In some implementations, the inclined surface 206 may include two or more inclined surface portions, wherein each inclined surface portion defines a different angle relative to the line 218. Thus, in some implementations, the nozzle 200 may include multiple ramped portions to transition the produced grain from the full cross-sectional size of the conveyor to the reduced cross-sectional size defined by the nozzle 200 .

[0026] Furthermore, in some implementations, the sidewall 204 is planar and extends parallel to the central axis 210. In some implementations, all or a portion of the sidewall 204 can be curved. For example, in some implementations, the sidewall 204 can define a longitudinally extending cylindrical shape having a curved transverse cross-sectional shape.

[0027] Figure 44 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the housing 400 of the conveyor 402. The conveyor 402 can be a screw conveyor similar to the second conveyor 106 described earlier. An example nozzle 404 is disposed within a chamber 406 of the housing 400 of the conveyor 402. The nozzle 404 includes a ramp 406 and a sidewall 408 extending along a portion of the length of the conveyor 402. The shaft 410 of the conveyor 402 is received in a recess 412 formed in the nozzle 404. The shaft 410 can be the shaft of a screw conveyor flight (which can be similar to the flight 108 described earlier). As shown, the nozzle 404 conforms to an inner surface 414 of the housing 400 of the conveyor 402. The longitudinal axis 416 of the conveyor 402 extends longitudinally along the length of the conveyor 402, and the central axis 418 of the nozzle 404 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 416. In the example shown, the longitudinal axis 416 corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 410. The sloped surface 406 includes a curved edge 407 that conforms to the inner surface 414 of the housing 400 , and the sidewall 408 includes a side edge 409 that extends longitudinally along the conveyor 402 and conforms to the inner surface 414 of the housing 400 .

[0028] As shown, nozzle 404 forms a restriction that reduces the cross-sectional size of chamber 406 into a reduced portion 420. The size of reduced portion 420 can be selected to compact the produced grain to a level that provides accurate sensor measurements by sensor 422 (which can be similar to the sensor described earlier). In some implementations, the cross-sectional area reduction provided by nozzle 400 can be in the range of up to 55%. In some implementations, the reduction can be greater than 55%. The cross-sectional area reduction provided by the nozzle can be selected based on, for example, crop type, grain size, or harvesting speed. The amount of constriction can be selected to increase the density of the produced grain so as to provide a continuous flow of the produced grain as the grain flows past sensor 412. Continuous flow avoids voids or air gaps within the grain that can cause erroneous sensor measurements.

[0029] Nozzles within the scope of the present disclosure may be formed from, for example, metal, plastic, composite materials, or a combination of different materials.

[0030] A user can replace a nozzle that produces a first restricted amount within the conveyor with another nozzle that produces a second restricted amount within the conveyor that is different from the first reduced amount in order to respond to changing harvesting conditions. Changing harvesting conditions may include crop type, grain size, or harvesting speed. Thus, nozzles can be selectively removed from the conveyor, for example, in response to changing harvesting conditions.

[0031] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example implementations disclosed herein is to provide a nozzle that can be replaced in response to changing harvesting conditions to provide a continuous flow of grain past the sensor to provide accurate sensor measurements of the grain.

[0032] Although example implementations of the present disclosure have been described above, these descriptions should not be construed in a limiting sense. Rather, other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle (122, 200) received in an interior chamber (117) of a conveyor (106) to reduce the cross-sectional size of the interior chamber of the conveyor, the nozzle comprising: a ramp (126, 202) comprising a first edge (222) configured to conform to an interior surface of a conveyor; a side wall (127, 204) coupled to the ramp, the side wall including a side edge configured to conform to an inner surface of the conveyor; An angle θ defined between the inclined surface and the side wall, wherein the angle θ is an obtuse angle; as well as A recess (206) is formed in the side wall and extends longitudinally therein, the recess being configured to receive a shaft of the conveyor.

2. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first edge (222) is elliptical.

3. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The recess (206) defines a central axis (210) extending therethrough, and the first edge (222) comprises a shape defined by the intersection of a plane inclined at an angle formed between the inclined plane and the central axis and a cylinder having its centerline aligned with the central axis.

4. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 3, characterized in that The cylinder includes a circular cross-sectional shape.

5. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The recess (206) includes a circular cross-sectional shape.

6. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The nozzle also includes a laterally extending aperture (220).

7. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The nozzle also includes at least one laterally extending rib (212, 214) formed along the side wall (127, 204).

8. The nozzle (122, 200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The angle θ is within the range of 135° and 165°.

9. A conveyor (106) for transporting grain, the conveyor comprising: A housing (118) defining a chamber (117) having a cross-sectional dimension, the housing comprising: Internal surface; and a longitudinal axis (119) extending along the chamber; A spiral flight (108) disposed in the chamber and rotatable therein, the spiral flight comprising: Axis(116); a first portion (112) attached to the shaft; and a second portion (114) attached to the shaft, the second portion being separated from the first portion by a gap (110); and A nozzle (122, 200), the nozzle comprising: a bevel (126, 202) comprising a first edge (222) configured to conform to an inner surface of the housing; a side wall (127, 204) coupled to the ramp, the side wall including a side edge configured to conform to an inner surface of the housing; an angle θ defined between the inclined surface and the side wall, wherein the angle θ is an obtuse angle; and a recess (206) formed in the side wall and extending longitudinally therein, the recess being configured to receive the shaft, wherein the sidewalls (127, 204) extend along a chamber, and wherein the nozzle creates a restriction that reduces a cross-sectional dimension of the chamber.

10. The conveyor (106) according to claim 9, characterized in that The nozzle (122, 200) includes an inner surface (208) defining a recess (206), and wherein the shaft (116) contacts the inner surface.

11. The conveyor (106) according to claim 9, characterized in that The first edge (222) comprises a shape defined by the intersection of a plane inclined at an angle formed between the chamfer (126, 202) and the longitudinal axis and an inner surface of the housing (118).

12. The conveyor (106) according to claim 11, characterized in that The angle θ is within the range of 135° and 165°.

13. The conveyor (106) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that The reduction in cross-sectional dimensions of the chamber (117) caused by the nozzle (122, 200) is at most 55%.

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