Belt drive system

Abstract

A belt drive system (10) is described for commonly supported first and second machines (12, 14) where the first and second machine are capable of being moved relative to each other. The belt drive system (10) has a plurality of pulleys and a drive belt (24). The plurality of pulleys includes a first pulley (18) on the first machine (12), a second pulley (20) on the second machine (14), and a tensioner pulley (22) commonly supported with the first and second machines. The drive belt (24) engages each of the pulleys (18, 20, 22). The tensioner pulley (22) operates to maintain a degree of tension in the drive belt (24) sufficient to hold the drive belt (24) in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys (18, 20, 22) when the first machine (12) is moved relative to the second machine (14).

Description

[0001] BELT DRIVE SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a belt drive system that is arranged to enable commonly supported machines coupled by a belt of the belt drive system to be moved relative to each other without disengaging the belt. In particular, but not exclusively, the belt drive system may be incorporated in a combine harvester to transfer drive between a straw chopper and a weed seed devitalizing system while allowing relative movement without disengaging or otherwise removing the belt.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] A combine harvester (hereinafter “combine”) includes many sub systems and machines that work together to harvest a target crop. For example, a combine may include a grain separation system, a straw chopper, straw spreader, straw tail board and a weed seed devitalisation (WSD) system. The grain separation system may comprise a thresher and a sieve. The thresher acts to separate a target grain from a harvested crop leaving crop residue that includes straw and chaff which may include weed seeds. The straw may be windrowed or directed to the straw chopper and / or straw spreader and / or straw tail board. The grain, chaff and seeds fall onto a sieve which allows passage of the target grain to a sump from where it is transferred to a grain bin. The remaining chaff and weed seeds travel on top of and toward an edge of the sieve. Often a grain loss monitor is provided near the end of the sieve to measure a percentage of loss of the target grain which remains entrained in the chaff. The grain loss grain may be returned to the chaff and weed seeds and subsequently constitute volunteer seeds. The chaff and seeds (weed and volunteer) may be directed along one of several alternate paths from the sieve, one being to the WSD system. Usually, the WSD system and chopper are mounted adjacent each. This allows control of the flow path of the chaff and seeds from the sieve to either the WSD system or the chopper, and control of the discharge from the WSD system to the chopper or to bypass the chopper.

[0006] The sub systems and machines are driven directly or indirectly by a power source of the combine. The type of power source is of no relevance to the present disclosure but may for example be in the form of an internal combustion engine. The chopper is often driven by the combine power take off (PTO) via a series of belts, pulleys and gearboxes. When the WSD system is a mechanical system that relies on rotating components to impact and devitalise weed seed, drive for the rotating components may be provided by a belt drive system acting between the WSD system and the chopper. The belt drive system at a minimum includes a drive pulley on the chopper, a driven pulley on the WSD system, and a belt that engages all of the pulleys.

[0007] From time to time, it is necessary to move the chopper to access the WSD system, the sieve or other regions of the combine. This requires the disengagement of the belt, and subsequent re-engagement once the actions which required the access have been completed. This is a time consuming and potentially physically demanding exercise.

[0008] The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the disclosed belt drive system to any particular form or particular machine or industry. For example, the disclosed belt drive system may be incorporated in other types of machinery including for example earth moving vehicles or stationary materials processing machines.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0010] In one aspect there is disclosed a belt drive system for commonly supported first and second machines where the first and second machine are capable of being moved relative to each other, the belt drive system comprising: a plurality of pulleys and a drive belt; the plurality of pulleys including: a first pulley on the first machine, a second pulley on the second machine, and a tensioner pulley commonly supported with the first and second machines; wherein the drive belt engages each of the plurality of pulleys; and wherein the tensioner pulley operates to maintain a degree of tension in the drive belt sufficient to hold the drive belt in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys when the first machine is moved relative to the second machine.

[0011] In one embodiment the plurality of pulleys includes a first idler pulley attached to and carried by the first machine wherein the drive belt engages the first idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the tensioner pulley and the first pulley.

[0012] In one embodiment the tensioner pulley is pivotally supported to pivot about a pivot axis under the influence of a spring urging the tensioner pulley to tension the drive belt.

[0013] In one embodiment the plurality of pulleys are juxtaposed so that as the first machine is move relative to the second machine a distance between respective axes of rotation of the first and second pulleys increases and a distance between respective axes of rotation of the first idler pulley and the tensioner pulley decreases.

[0014] In one embodiment the plurality of pulleys includes a second idler pulley commonly supported with the first and second machines and wherein the drive belt engages the second idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the second pulley and the tensioner pulley.

[0015] In one embodiment the first machine is a straw chopper and the second machine is a weed seed devitalisation system.

[0016] In a second aspect there is disclosed combine harvester comprising: a straw chopper having a first pulley; a weed seed devitalisation system having a second pulley; the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system being mounted on the combine harvester in a manner to enable relative movement therebetween; and a belt drive system operable to impart drive from one of straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system to another of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system; the belt drive system including a plurality of pulleys and a drive belt; the plurality of pulleys including: the first pulley, the second pulley, and a first tensioner pulley; wherein the drive belt engages each of the plurality of pulleys; and wherein the tensioner pulley operates to maintain a degree of tension in the drive belt sufficient to hold the drive belt in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys when straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system are moved relative to each other.

[0017] In one embodiment the plurality of pulleys includes a first idler pulley attached to the chopper wherein the drive belt engages the first idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the tensioner pulley and the first pulley.

[0018] In one embodiment the tensioner pulley is pivotally supported on the combine harvester about a pivot axis and under the influence of a spring urging the tensioner pulley to tension the drive belt. In one embodiment the plurality of pulleys includes a second idler pulley supported on the combine harvester at a location such that the drive belt engages the second idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the second pulley and the tensioner pulley.

[0019] In one embodiment the combine harvester comprises a power source arrange to provide drive to one of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system and wherein the belt drive system is operable to impart drive from the one of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system to another of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system.

[0020] In one embodiment the weed seed devitalisation system includes: at least one rotor arranged to impact and impart energy to the weed seeds to facilitate devitalisation of the weed seeds, each rotor having an associate rotor pulley which when rotated about a corresponding pulley axis causes rotation of the corresponding rotor; and a rotor drive system, the rotor drive system including a driving pulley, a rotor idler pulley, a rotor belt that runs about the driving pulley, each rotor pulley and the rotor idler pulley, and an actuator operable to move the rotor idler pulley between a first position where the rotor belt is tensioned and capable of transferring drive from the driving pulley to the at least one rotor pulley and second position where tension in the rotor belt is reduced to an extent whereby frictional coupling with the at least one rotor pulley is insufficient for the driving pulley to rotate the at least one rotor pulley.

[0021] In one embodiment the combine harvester includes a transmission system for transmitting drive from the second pulley to the driving pulley, wherein power imparted to the first pulley is imparted to the second pulley and in turn is transmitted to the driving pulley by the transmission.

[0022] In one embodiment when the actuator is in the second position the rotor belt is inoperable to transfer torque to the at least one rotor of the weed seed devitalisation system wherein the weed seed devitalisation system consumes no power from the combine power source.

[0023] In one embodiment the combine harvester has: a sieve for receiving removing a target grain from chaff including weed seeds; and, a grain loss measuring unit for sampling unremoved target grain prior to reaching an edge of the sieve, the grain loss measuring unit including a grain loss outlet for the sampled target grain, and a baffle movable to a full bypass position where the chaff and weed seeds, and the grain loss from the grain loss outlet are directed by the baffle to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system.

[0024] In one embodiment the actuator and the baffle are operatively associated so that the when the actuator in in the second position the baffle is in the full bypass position.

[0025] In one embodiment the combine is arranged to receive data from one or more sources where the data includes information regarding one or any combination of two or more of the presence, density, location and type of weeds in a crop being harvested and the actuator is arranged to move to: (a) the first position thereby turning the weed seed devitalisation system ON when the data indicates that the crop being harvested at any particular time includes weeds; and (b) the second position thereby turning the weed seed devitalisation system OFF when the data indicates that the crop being harvested is substantially free of weeds.

[0026] In one embodiment the combine harvester has a sieve for removing a target grain from chaff including weed seeds travelling along the sieve toward a discharge end of the sieve; a grain loss measuring unit arranged to sample for target grain in the chaff near the discharge end, the grain loss measuring unit including an outlet for the sampled target grain: and a baffle movable to a position where the chaff and weed seeds falling from the discharge end are directed above the baffle to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system and the sampled grain loss discharged from the outlet is directed below the baffle to flow into the weed seed devitalisation system.

[0027] In a third aspect there is disclosed a weed seed devitalisation system comprising: at least one rotor arranged to impact, and impart energy to, the weed seeds to facilitate devitalisation of the weed seeds, each rotor having an associated rotor pulley which when rotated about a corresponding pulley axis causes rotation of the corresponding rotor; and a rotor drive system, the rotor drive system including a driving pulley, a rotor idler pulley, a rotor belt that runs about the driving pulley, each rotor pulley and the rotor idler pulley, and an actuator operable to move the rotor idler pulley between a first position where the rotor belt is tensioned and capable of transferring drive from the driving pulley to the at least one rotor pulley and second position where tension in the rotor belt is reduced to an extent whereby frictional coupling with the at least one rotor pulley is insufficient for the driving pulley to rotate the at least one rotor pulley. In a fourth aspect there is disclosed a weed seed devitalisation system comprising: a processing region having at least one rotor and at least one stator; the at least one stator cooperating with the at least one rotor such that rotation of the at least one rotor is operable to impact material entering the weed seed devilatisation system and accelerate the material onto the at least one stator; an inlet selectively reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein when in the first configuration the inlet is configured to direct material into the processing region where the material can be impacted by the at least one rotor; and when in the second configuration the inlet is located to avoid direct material into the processing region.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the Belt Drive System as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to becoming drawings in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a representation of an embodiment of the disclosed belt drive system operating between a straw chopper and a weed seed devitalisation system commonly mounted on a combine. In this Figure the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system are in a working position located adjacent each other.

[0031] Figure 2 is a representation of the disclosed belt drive system when the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system are located an intermediate distance apart.

[0032] Figure 3 is a representation of the disclosed belt drive system when the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system are most distant apart.

[0033] Figure 4 is a representation of a weed seed devitalisation system that may be used with an embodiment of the disclosed belt drive system.

[0034] Figure 5 is a section view from the side of a rotor drive system that may be used in conjunction with or separate to the disclosed belt drive system for imparting drive to one or more rotors of the weed seed devitalisation system. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the weed seed devitalisation system with the rotor drive system of Figure 5 in a state where drive is imparted to rotors of the weed seed devitalisation system.

[0035] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the weed seed devitalisation system with the rotor drive system of Figure 5 in a state where no drive is imparted to rotors of the weed seed devitalisation system.

[0036] Figures 8, 9 and 10 are schematic representations of a baffle that may be incorporated in a combine for selectively directing chaff including weed seeds and grain loss along various paths including: a first path where the chaff including weed seeds and the grain loss are directed into the weed seed devitalisation system (Fig 8); a second path where the baffle directs the chaff including weed seeds to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system while directing the grain loss to flow into the weed seed devitalisation system (Fig 9); and third path where the baffle directs both the chaff including weed seeds and the grain loss to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system (Fig 10).

[0037] Figures 11 , 12 and 13 are schematic representations of a form of weed seed devitalisation system having a reconfigurable inlet, where the inlet is in a configuration that substantially avoids the entry of material into a processing region of the weed seed devitalisation system, and with the baffle of Figures 8, 9 and 10 incorporated.

[0038] Figure 14 is a schematic representation of an alternative drive belt configuration enabling drive of the chopper and a weed seed devitalisation system using a single drive belt.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Specific embodiments of the disclosed Belt Drive System will now be described by way of example only. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed Belt Drive System. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to pertaining belt drive systems. In the drawings, it should be understood that like reference numbers refer to like parts.

[0041] Figures 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the disclosed belt drive system 10 operatively associated with a first machine in the form of a straw chopper 12 and a second machine in the form of a weed seed devitalisation (WSD) system 14. The chopper 12 and WSD 14 are supported or otherwise mounted on a common structure, which in this embodiment is a combine harvester (hereinafter “combine”) 16. The straw chopper 12 and the WSD 14 are movable relative to each other. This is clearly seen by a comparison of the relative positions between the straw chopper 12 and the WSD system14 shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3. The straw chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 are shown at: their operational, and, mutually closest, position in Fig 1 , their greatest distance apart in Figure 3, and at an intermediate juxtaposition in Fig 2.

[0042] Although not significance to embodiments of the disclosed belt drive system 10, to provide some background detail and context, the chopper 12 may be slidably mounted on rails fixed to the combine 16. Linear actuators can be operated from a cabin of the combine to move the chopper 12 along the rails toward or away from the WSD system 14.

[0043] The belt drive system 10 has a plurality of pulleys including a pulley 18 on the chopper 12, a pulley 20 on the WSD system 14, and a tensioner pulley 22. The tensioner pulley 22 is commonly supported on the combine 16 together with the chopper 12 and WSD system 14. The belt drive system 10 also includes a drive belt 24. The pulleys 18, 20 and 22 rotate about respective axes of rotation 18a, 20a and 22a.

[0044] The tensioner pulley 22 is connected to one end of an arm 26 to rotate about the axis 22a. The arm 26 is connected about a pivot pin 30 to a bracket 32. The bracket 32 is attached to the combine 16. An end of the arm 26 distant the pulley 22 (not visible in Figs 1-3) is acted upon by a bias mechanism in the form of a spring 34. The spring 34 biases the arm 26 in an anticlockwise direction about the pivot pin 30. This in turn applies tension via the tensioner pulley 22 to the drive belt 24.

[0045] The tensioner pulley 22 applies tension to the drive belt 24 irrespective of the relative positions of the chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 thereby holding the drive belt 24 in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys when the chopper 12 is moved relative to the WSD system 14.

[0046] In addition to the pulleys 18, 20 and 22, the plurality of pulleys in the drive belt system 10 also includes a first idler pulley 36. The first idler pulley 36 is able to rotate about an axis 36a. The pulley 36 is attached to, and carried by, the chopper 12. The first idler pulley 36 is located between the pulleys 18 and 20. Further, the drive belt 24 engages the first idler pulley 36 at a location between where it engages the tensioner pulley 22 and the chopper pulley 18. The plurality of pulleys in this, but not every, embodiment of the drive belt system 10 is completed by a second idler pulley 38 which rotates about an axis 38a. The idler pulley 38 is commonly supported with the chopper 12 and WSD system 14. The common support being provided by the combine 16. The idler pulley 38 is supported at a location such that it is engaged by the drive belt 24 at a location between where the drive belt 24 engages the pulley 20 and the tensioner pulley 22. Further, in this embodiment the idler pulley 38 and its axis of rotation 38a are attached to the bracket 32, which in turn is attached to the combine 16. The second idler pulley 38 is optional being dependent on the physical location of the WSD system 14 which in turn is dictated by the combine on which it is mounted.

[0047] The plurality of pulleys is juxtaposed so that as the chopper 12 is move relative to the WSD system 14, the distance D1 between respective axes of rotation 18a and 20a of the pulleys 18 and 20 increases and the distance D2 between respective axes of rotation 22a and 36a of the tensioner pulley 22 first idler pulley 36 decreases. Further, the sum of the distances D1 and D2 remains substantially constant irrespective of the relative juxtaposition of the chopper 12 and WSD system 14. There may be a slight change in the rotational position of the tensioner pulley 22 between the extreme locations where the chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 are closest together and most distant apart.

[0048] The operation of the drive belt system 10 will now be described. Commencing at an arbitrary starting position shown in Figure 1 the chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 are at their closest relative juxtaposition. This is the working position of the chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 when the combine 16 is in operation harvesting a crop. In one scenario during the harvesting, a stream of straw is directed to the chopper 12 and a stream of chaff, which may include weed seeds, is directed by a sieve of the combine into the WSD system 14. The chopper 12 is driven via a power take off of a combine 12. This drive may be imparted by a belt 40 which engages a further pulley 42 that is coaxially mounted with the pulley 18. By virtue of this arrangement the pulley 18 may be termed as a drive pulley because it drives the WSD system 14 pulley 20 via the belt 24. Similarly, the pulley 20 may be considered to be a driven pulley.

[0049] For maintenance and / or repair purposes it may be necessary to access regions of the combine 16 that cannot be reached when the chopper 12 and the WSD system 14 are in the above-described working position. Embodiments of the disclosed drive belt system 10 enable the chopper 12 to be moved, in this example by way of a sliding motion, away from the WSD system 14, without the need to disengage the belt 24. As the chopper 12 is moved away from the WSD system 14, the distance D1 increases while the distance D2 decreases, and the tensioner pulley 22 acts to hold the belt 24 in engagement with the pulleys of the drive belt system 10. The increase of D1 is substantially matched by the decrease in the distance D2, meaning that there is no overall substantive change in the run length of the belt 24 about all the pulleys. As a consequence, an operator does not need to remove the belt 24 prior to moving the chopper 12 away from the WSD system 14. Any minor variation in the sum of the distances D1 and D2 may be taken up by a slight pivotal movement of the arm 26 and consequently the tensioner pulley 22 about the pivot pin 30.

[0050] One example of a WSD system 14 that may be used with the belt drive system 10 may comprise at least one rotor-stator arrangement (RSA) 48 having a rotor and stator that cooperate to mechanically devitalise agricultural seeds. Examples of a rotor-stator arrangement 48 include, but are not limited to, those described in Applicant’s international publication nos. WO2018 / 053600, W02021 / 077180, or W02023 / 023809 the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by way of reference. In each of these RSAs 48 a rotor impacts agricultural seeds and accelerates them to further impact of a stator. The impacts act to devitalise the seeds thereby preventing germination when to deposited on the ground.

[0051] The WSD system 14 shown in the embodiment of the belt drive system 10 in Figures 1-3 (and visible in Figs 2 and 3) has two side by side RSAs 48. Each RSA 48 in this example is of a form as described in WO2018 / 053600 and is briefly described herein with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0052] The RSA 48 has a rotor 50 and a stator 52. The rotor 50 has a centrally located impact mechanism 54 rotatable about a central axis 56. The impact mechanism 54 comprises a plurality of radially extending flails 58. Each flail 58 is able to pivot about a respective axis that is parallel to and radially spaced from the central axis 56. The pivot axis of each flail 58 is formed by a respective pivot connection 60 to a central hub 62. The hub 62 is centred on the central axis 56.

[0053] The rotor 50 may include a first circular array 64a of impact members 66a disposed about the central axis 56. The impact members 66a are radially spaced from the flails 58. The rotor 50 may include also include second circular array 64b of impact members 66b is disposed about and radially spaced from the first circular array 64a. The impact mechanism 54, including the flails 58 and hub 62, as well as the circular arrays 64a, 64b (hereinafter referred to in general as “circular arrays 64”) are fixed to a base plate 68. This combination of parts forms the rotor 50.

[0054] The stator 52 includes at least one surface 70, but in this particular example, a plurality of surfaces 70a, 70b, 70c, (hereinafter referred to in general as “surfaces 70”), against which agricultural seeds in the chaff are impacted by the action of the rotor 50. These impacts by themselves may be sufficient to devitalise seeds in the chaff thereby preventing their germination. In addition, or alternately, the impacts by the rotor 50 accelerate the seeds onto the surfaces 70 of the stator 52. This also results in damage such as fragmentation, grinding, shearing, or milling of the seeds such that they are unable to germinate.

[0055] Openings 72 are provided in the surfaces 70. The openings 72 allow impacted seeds and the chaff and parts or fragments thereof to travel in a radial outward direction with reference to the axis 56, to a discharge outlet (not shown). In this embodiment the surfaces 70 are in the form of respective circular screens. In addition to the openings 72 each of the surfaces 70 is also formed with larger gaps 74 to allow for the passage of hard foreign material that may be entrained in the chaff.

[0056] Each surface 70 of the stator 52 is fixed to a common top plate 76. A central opening 78 is formed in the top plate 76. The central opening 78 is axially aligned with the central axis 56 and forms an inlet for chaff and entrained seeds.

[0057] The surface 70a is disposed between the flails 58 and the first circular array 64a. The second surface 70b is disposed between the first circular array 64a and the second circular array 64b. The surface 70c is disposed about the second circular array 64b.

[0058] Figure 5 shows a section view of the WSD 14 with two RSAs 48. Both RSAs 48 are provided with power to rotate their respective rotors 50 via the drive belt 24 and pulley 20. This power is transferred though a transmission 80 to a rotor drive system 82. The rotor drive system 82 can also be seen in plan view in Figures 6 and 7 which depict the WSD 14 from the bottom. The rotor drive system 82 can be switched between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the rotor drive system 82 is in the engaged state it operates to impart torque to the rotors 50 thereby effectively turning the WSD 14 ON. Stated another way, in the engaged state the rotor drive system 82 enables power transmission from the pulley 20 to the rotors 50. This is shown in Figure 6. When the rotor drive system 82 is in the disengaged state it is unable to provide any torque to the rotors 50 thereby effectively turning the WSD 14 OFF. In the disengaged state the rotor drive system 82 decouples power transmission from the pulley 20 to the rotors 50. This is shown in Figure 7.

[0059] The rotor drive system 82 comprises a rotor belt 84, which may be in the form of a clutch belt, pulleys 86 connected to the rotors 50 of each RSA 48, a driving pulley 88, an idler pulley 90 and an actuator 92. The driving pulley 88 is coupled to the transmission 80. Therefore, when the pulley 20 of the drive belt system 10 is being rotated by the belt 24, the transmission 80 rotates the driving pulley 88. The driving pulley 88 remains rotating while the pulley 20 is rotating irrespective of the state of the rotor drive system 82.

[0060] The idler pulley 90 is rotatably coupled to a lever arm 94. The lever arm 94 is connected about a pivot axis 96 to the WSD 14. The actuator 92 is also coupled to the lever arm 94. The pivot axis 96 is at location on the lever arm 94 between the idler pulley 90 and the connection to the actuator 92. A belt guide pin 98 is connected to the lever arm 94.

[0061] The rotor drive system 82 operates with a clutching action by virtue of the idler pulley 90 and actuator 92. The rotor drive system 82 is placed in the engaged state by operating the actuator 92 to pivot the lever arm 94 in anticlockwise direction about the axis 96 thereby tensioning the rotor belt 84. When the rotor belt 84 is tensioned in this way, the belt 84 is sufficiently engaged with the driving pulley 88 and rotor pulleys 86, so that torque from the driving pulley 88 is transferred to the rotor pulleys 86, causing rotation of the corresponding rotors 50 thereby turning the WSD 14 ON. In this particular embodiment the rotors 50 are rotated in the same direction.

[0062] The rotor drive system 82 is switched to the disengaged state by operating the actuator system 92 to pivot the lever arm 94 in a clockwise direction about the pivot axis 96 releasing tension in the belt 84. The release of the tension in the belt 84 is only needed to reduce frictional contact or engagement with belt 84 to the extent so that continued rotation of the driving pulley 88 does not cause the belt 84 to run. During this clockwise pivoting of the lever arm 94, the belt 84 is retained between the belt guide pin 98 and the idler pulley 90. In addition, and provided the reduction in tension allows, due to its natural resilience the belt 84 may laterally move away from surface of the driving pulley 88. A curved retaining plate 102 may be fixed to the underside of the WSD 14 for seating or otherwise abutting the spaced portion of the belt 84 extending about the driving pulley 88. The pin 98 may be replaced with an alternate belt retention structure that follows the curvature of the pulley 90. The belt retention structure is arranged to assist in preventing the belt from falling off the pulley 90 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the pulley. The belt retention structure may be in the form of a curved plate or a plurality of spaced pins. The structure may extend for up to 45°, or up to 90°, or at least 10° about the pulley 90. The structure may include a flange of fingers that project toward the pulley 90 in a plane of an exposed face of the pulley 90 to leave a gap of a width too small to allow the belt to pass therebetween. Indeed, the retaining plate 102 may be in the form of the above-described belt retention structure. Additional belt retention structures may also be provided for all the pulleys contacted by the belt 84.

[0063] The rotor drive system 82 can be operated from the cabin of a combine to which the WSD 14 is attached. For example, the driver of the combine may have a lever or switch in the cabin that can be moved between different positions to cause operation of the actuator system 92 to selectively engage and disengage drive to the rotor pulley 86 of each rotor 50. This is equivalent to turning the WSD 14 ON or OFF. This is independent of the operation of the drive belt system 10.

[0064] The rotor drive system 82 may alternately be operated on the basis of data provided to the combine from one or more sources where the data includes information regarding one or more of the presence, density, location and type of weeds in a crop being harvested. The data may be derived from for example (a) sensors including cameras located on the combine, (b) survey maps generated prior to the harvesting of a crop, (c) airborne drones that provide weed data ahead of the path of the combine, and GPS or other positional data related to the real time location of the combine and weeds in the crop. In this way the rotor drive system 82 may be operated to turn the WSD 14: ON when the data indicates that the crop being harvested at any particular time or in any particular location or area includes weeds; and, OFF when the data indicates to the crop being harvested is substantially free of weeds. Turning the WSD 14 OFF reduces the power load on the combine engine and conserves fuel. However as explained later this operation may be modified by also taking into consideration the percentage of grain loss.

[0065] Figures 8-10 illustrate, respective operative configurations of a flow control system 108 for handling the straw, chaff with weed seeds, and grain loss. These Figures provide a section view though a portion of a combine including a sieve 110, grain loss sampling openings 112 near an end of the sieve 110, grain loss measuring system 114, grain loss outlet opening 116, WSD inlet chute 118, WDS 14 and straw guide surface 120. The straw guide surface 120 guides straw from the separation unit of the combine to a straw chopper 12 which may be the same as or similar to the straw chopper 12 shown in Figs 1 -3.

[0066] Also shown in Figures 8-10 is a straw stream 122, a chaff stream 124 which includes entrained weed seeds, and a grain loss stream 126. Typically, the grain loss stream would constitute a small percentage (for example, but not limited to, between 3% to 0.5%) of the target grain, together with any weed seeds that also fall through the openings 112.

[0067] The flow control system 108 includes a baffle 128 that is moved between different positions or locations. In all configurations of the flow control system 108 the straw stream 122 is always directed into the straw chopper 12, independent of the position of the baffle 128. In position A shown in Fig 8 the baffle 128 directs the chaff stream 124 and the grain loss 126 into the WSD 14 via the WSD inlet chute 118. This is a maximum power draw state of the WSD 14 and results in devitalisation of weed seeds and the grain loss which would otherwise constitute volunteer seeds. This may be considered to be a full agricultural seed kill position.

[0068] When in position B shown in Fig 9 the baffle 128 (a) blocks the chaff stream 124 from flowing into the WSD 14 and directs it to flow to the chopper 12, while (b) directing the grain loss 126 into the WSD 14 via the inlet chute 118. This may be considered to be a chaff bypass position. The power draw of the WSD 14 is reduced. This position may be selected when there is very little or substantially no weed seeds in the chaff. This may be determined by the data provided to the combine from one or more sources of data mentioned above which includes information regarding the presence, density and location of weeds in a crop being harvested.

[0069] When in position C shown in Fig 10, the baffle 128 blocks the chaff stream 124 and grain loss 126 from flowing into the WSD 14 and directs both streams to flow to the chopper 12. This may be considered to be a full bypass position. When in this position there is no need for the WSD 14 to consume any power and it may therefore be turned OFF. To do this the rotor drive system 82 may be operated to disengage the rotor / clutch belt 84 from the driving pulley 88 as shown in, and described hereinabove with reference to, Fig 7. So, although the driven pulley 20 and thus the driving pulley 88 are rotating by virtue of their coupling with the chopper pulley 18, the belt 84 remains stationary. Consequently, the rotors 50 also remain stationary (i.e., rotationally stationery relative to their axes 56). In this scenario the actuator 92 and the baffle may be operatively associated so that the when the actuator 92 in the second position the baffle 128 is in the full bypass position. The flow control system 108 includes a baffle actuator (not shown) for moving the baffle 128 between the three different positions A, B and C shown in Figs 8, 9 and 10 respectively. The baffle actuator can be controlled by a combine driver / operator from the cab of the combine. In that event, the baffle 128 may be mounted on a movable pivot axis such that movement between positions A and B is performed with the pivot axis at the same location, but for position C the pivot axis location is moved.

[0070] Instead of being controlled by a combine operator, each of the positions A, B, C of the actuator for the baffle 128 may be determined automatically using algorithms that process the data provided to the combine from one or more sources of data mentioned above which includes information regarding the presence, density and location of weeds in a crop being harvested; either by itself or in conjunction with the percentage of grain loss measured by the grain loss measuring system 114. These positions can be linked to the ON I OFF status of the WSD 14. So, for example that when:

[0071] • the WSD 14 is OFF the baffle 128 is moved by its actuator to position C (Fig 10) irrespective of the % loss of grain measured by the grain loss measuring system 114; or

[0072] • when the data indicates that there are no weeds being harvested and % loss of grain measured by the grain loss measuring system 114 is greater than a threshold level, then the WSD is turned ON and the actuator for the baffle 128 is operated to move the baffle 128 to position B shown in Fig 9 so that volunteer seeds are devitalised;

[0073] • when the data indicates that weeds are being harvested and % loss of grain measured by the grain loss measuring system 114 is greater than a threshold level, then the WSD is turned ON and the actuator for the baffle 128 is operated to move the baffle 128 to position A shown in Fig 8 so that volunteer seeds are devitalised.

[0074] A manual override control may be provided allow an operator of the combine to either manually control the actuator, and thus the position, of the baffle 128; or, allow autonomous control of the baffle 128 position in conjunction with the operation of the WSD 14 based on the data relating to one or any combination of two or more of the: presence, density, location and type of weeds in a crop being harvested, and the % loss of grain.

[0075] As a further variation on the flow control system 108, the baffle may be moved (a) between positions A and B by an actuator, either controlled by a combine driver / operator or automatically based on the data provided to the combine from the one or more sources previously mentioned; and (b) to position C by the combine driver / operator stopping the combine and physically either moving the baffle 128 to position C, or removing baffle 128 and installing a different baffle to block the chaff stream 124 and grain loss 126 from flowing into the WSD 14 and direct both streams to flow to the chopper 12.

[0076] In a further variation shown in Figures 11-13 the inlet 118 may be constructed so that it can be reconfigured so that no, or only a minimal volume of, material from the chaff stream 124 and the grain loss stream 126 can enter the WSD 14. Additionally, the inlet 118 when reconfigured may act as a guide for the chaff stream 124 and / or the grain loss stream 126 to feed into an air flow 130 generated by the rotors of the WSD 14. The airflow 130 with entrained chaff stream 124 and / or the grain loss stream 126 may then be further spread and directed in multiple different paths as explained later.

[0077] The inlet 118 can be constructed to be reconfigurable by forming the inlet 118 from a plurality of panels 119 that are hinged and / or pinned together and movably coupled to a housing 132 of the WSD 14. One or more actuators may be coupled with the inlet 118 and controlled by a combine driver using an in-cab switch. Operating the switch activates the actuators to reconfigure the inlet 118 from a first configuration shown in Figures 8 and 9 where the chaff and / or grain loss streams 124, 126, dependent on the position of the baffle 128, can flow into the WSD 14; and a second configuration shown in Figures 11-13 wherein neither the chaff stream 124 or the grain loss stream 126 can flow into the inlet 118 and therefore cannot be processed by the WSD 14. In effect this provides a mechanism by which the chaff / weed seed stream 124, and the grain loss stream 126 can bypass being processed by the WSD 14 while the WSD is ON and therefore generating the airflow.

[0078] In an alternate embodiment, to achieve the same effect, the inlet chute 118 may be in the form a funnel of fixed shape that is attached by a flexible coupling such as a rubber collar or concertina to the housing 132. One or more actuators may be coupled to the inlet chute 118 and arranged to, for example, pull and / or push the chute 118 causing it to tilt by action of the flexible collar so that its opening is moved away from the path of falling chaff / grain loss. Moreover, the inlet chute may be moved to a location where an exterior surface thereof acts as a slide directing the chaff / grain loss toward the air flow 130. The actuators effecting the movement of the inlet chute 118 may also be operable from the cab of the combine.

[0079] Figure 11 shows the inlet 118 in the second configuration; and, the baffle 128 in position A, as in Figure 8. Here the streams 124 and 126 both bypass entering the inlet 118 and are directed by the reconfigured inlet 118 into the airflow 130 generated by the WSD 14. The material in the streams 124 and 126 is subsequently carried in the airflow 130 and spread by a tailboard. This of course requires that the actuator 92 is operated so that the WSD 14 is ON, as shown in Figure 6.

[0080] Figure 12 shows the inlet 118 in the second configuration; and, the baffle 128 in position B, as in Figure 9. Now:

[0081] • the chaff / weed seed stream 124 and the straw stream 122 are processed together. For example, both may pass into a chopper;

[0082] • the grain loss 126 bypasses the inlet 118 and is directed to and entrained in the airflow 130. This may be subsequently spread rearwardly and / or laterally by a chaff tail board (not shown) that may be mounted on the WSD 14. In this case the chaff tail board may comprise a plate with a plurality of flow directing fins on an under surface, with the airflow being directed to flow across the under surface.

[0083] • Optionally a portion of the grain loss 126 may be captured for example by: a swing open pocket or baffle in the grain loss measuring system 114 that overflows to maintain the flow of grain loss 126 to the airflow 130; or a trapdoor in the WSD 14 that opens and can be flooded and then overflows to maintain the flow of grain loss 126 to the airflow and 30.

[0084] Figure 13 shows the inlet 118 in the second configuration; and, the baffle 128 in position C as shown in Figure 10. Now the chaff stream 124 and the grain loss stream 126 are mingled with the straw stream 122 and processed together. This may include for example wall being directed into a chopper, or all being windrowed. In Figure 13 the WSD 14 is ON and generating an airflow 130 that can be directed into the chopper or a tailboard. However, it is also possible in this configuration for the WST 14 to be turned OFF to save power, for example by appropriate operation of the actuator 92. In that event, there will of course be no airflow from the WSD 14. Also, irrespective of the operational state of the WSD, due to the configuration of the inlet 118 no material, or at least only minimal volumes of material (for example dust) can enter the inlet 118 and subsequently the WSD 14. This has the beneficial effect of substantially preventing the buildup of material in a static WSD 14, which may otherwise be problematic when the WSD is switched from OFF to ON.

[0085] The airstream 130 of the WSD 14 may be used in a variety of ways including to spread processed chaff / weeds seeds and / or grain loss; and / or to convey unprocessed or processed chaff / weeds seeds and / or grain loss along various paths to different components or systems of the combine including: 1) the chopper 14

[0086] 2) a straw spreader

[0087] 3) a straw tail board

[0088] 4) a chaff tail board mounted to the WSD 14

[0089] 5) a chaff tail board 150 (shown in Fig 14) mounted to and movable with the chopper 14. The chaff tail board 150 incudes a plate 152 orientated in a generally horizontal plane mounted to the chopper and having a plurality of fins 154 fixed to an underside the plate 152. The fins

[0090] 154 maybe the angled or curved to promote a spread of air and entrained material away from a longitudinal centre line of the combine.

[0091] Having the chaff tail board 150 mounted to the chopper 14 has a practical advantage over one mounted to the WSD 14 as it enables easier access to parts of the combine including the sieve when the chopper 14 is moved away from the WSD 14.

[0092] While several exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. For example, the weed seed devitalisation system is depicted as comprising one or more rotors which rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the chopper pulley. However, each of the disclosed drive belt system, rotor drive system, and baffle system equally operable when the weed seed devitalisation system comprises a rotor rotates about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the chopper pulley state such as, but not limited to, those descried in Applicant’s international publication nos. W02021 / 077180 or W02023 / 023809.

[0093] It may also be recognised by those skilled in the art that the structure, operation, and functionality of each of the: rotor drive system 82; baffle 128; and reconfigurable inlet 118 is independent of the provision of the belt drive system 10. Thus, in some aspects there may not be a need for a belt drive system 10 as described above and shown in Figures 1-3. Indeed, some combines, for example the John Deere™ X9 combine, are configured such that they may incorporate a WSD 14 and only require replacement of the OEM chopper drive belt with a longer belt to drive both the WSD 14 and the chopper 12 while maintaining the ability to slide the chopper 12 long rails away from the WSD 14. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 14.

[0094] Figure 14 shows the belt drive arrangement on the John Deere™ X9 for driving the chopper 12. In particular this shows the following pulleys all of which are OEM parts and in their ordinary positions: • PTO pulley 140

[0095] • idler pulley 142

[0096] • chopper pulley 18

[0097] • idler pulley 144

[0098] • sprung idlers 146a, 146b

[0099] When a WSD 14 is attached in the same location as shown in Figures 1-3, to a John Deere™ X9 combine, the original drive belt of the John Deere™ X9 combine is removed and replaced with new belt 24 that now engages the WSD pulley 20. Figure 14 shows the chopper 14 in both an operational and an intermediate position and how the belt 24 is able to accommodate this movement without the need for disengagement from the pulley 20. In the intermediate position the chopper 12 is spaced from the WSD 14 with the chopper pulley 18 at the location 18y and the belt 24 follows the path 24y shown by the continuous solid line. Here, the belt 24 engages a sector of about 40°-50° the idler pulley 142.

[0100] When the chopper 12 is moved to the operational position, it’s drive pulley is shown location 18x and the drive belt 24 follows the path 24x where the deviation from the path 24y is represented by the dashed lines. Here, the belt 24 is spaced from the idler pulley 142 and follows a straight line path from the PTO pulley 140 to the chopper pulley 18x. Irrespective of the location of the chopper 12 relative to the WSD 14, the belt 24 maintains engagement with the WSD pulley 20.

[0101] It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the belt drive system are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed tie down device.

[0102] In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the system and method as disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A belt drive system for commonly supported first and second machines where the first and second machine are capable of being moved relative to each other, the belt drive system comprising: a plurality of pulleys and a drive belt; the plurality of pulleys including: a first pulley on the first machine, a second pulley on the second machine, and a tensioner pulley commonly supported with the first and second machines; wherein the drive belt engages each of the plurality of pulleys; and wherein the tensioner pulley operates to maintain a degree of tension in the drive belt sufficient to hold the drive belt in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys when the first machine is moved relative to the second machine.

2. The belt drive system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the plurality of pulleys includes a first idler pulley attached to and carried by the first machine wherein the drive belt engages the first idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the tensioner pulley and the first pulley.

3. The belt drive system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the tensioner pulley is pivotally supported to pivot about a pivot axis under the influence of a spring urging the tensioner pulley to tension the drive belt.

4. The belt drive system according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the plurality of pulleys are juxtaposed so that as the first machine is move relative to the second machine a distance between respective axes of rotation of the first and second pulleys increases and a distance between respective axes of rotation of the first idler pulley and the tensioner pulley decreases.

5. The belt drive system according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the plurality of pulleys includes a second idler pulley commonly supported with the first and second machines and wherein the drive belt engages the second idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the second pulley and the tensioner pulley.

6. The belt drive system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first machine is a straw chopper and the second machine is a weed seed devitalisation system.

7. A combine harvester comprising: a straw chopper having a first pulley; a weed seed devitalisation system having a second pulley; the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system being mounted on the combine harvester in a manner to enable relative movement therebetween; and a belt drive system operable to impart drive from one of straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system to another of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system; the belt drive system including a plurality of pulleys and a drive belt; the plurality of pulleys including: the first pulley, the second pulley, and a first tensioner pulley; wherein the drive belt engages each of the plurality of pulleys; and wherein the tensioner pulley operates to maintain a degree of tension in the drive belt sufficient to hold the drive belt in engagement with each of the plurality of pulleys when straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system are moved relative to each other.

8. The combine harvester according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of pulleys includes a first idler pulley attached to the chopper wherein the drive belt engages the first idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the tensioner pulley and the first pulley.

9. The combine harvester according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the tensioner pulley is pivotally supported on the combine harvester about a pivot axis and under the influence of a spring urging the tensioner pulley to tension the drive belt.

10. The combine harvester according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the plurality of pulleys includes a second idler pulley supported on the combine harvester at a location such that the drive belt engages the second idler pulley at a location between where the drive belt engages the second pulley and the tensioner pulley.

11. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 7 to 10 comprising a power source arrange to provide drive to one of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system and wherein the belt drive system is operable to impart drive from the one of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system to another of the straw chopper and the weed seed devitalisation system.

12. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the weed seed devitalisation system includes:at least one rotor arranged to impact and impart energy to the weed seeds to facilitate devitalisation of the weed seeds, each rotor having an associate rotor pulley which when rotated about a corresponding pulley axis causes rotation of the corresponding rotor; and a rotor drive system, the rotor drive system including a driving pulley, a rotor idler pulley, a rotor belt that runs about the driving pulley, each rotor pulley and the rotor idler pulley, and an actuator operable to move the rotor idler pulley between a first position where the rotor belt is tensioned and capable of transferring drive from the driving pulley to the at least one rotor pulley and second position where tension in the rotor belt is reduced to an extent whereby frictional coupling with the at least one rotor pulley is insufficient for the driving pulley to rotate the at least one rotor pulley.

13. The combine harvester according to claim 12 including a transmission system for transmitting drive from the second pulley to the driving pulley, wherein power imparted to the first pulley is imparted to the second pulley and in turn is transmitted to the driving pulley by the transmission.

14. The combine harvester according to claim 13 wherein when the actuator is in the second position the rotor belt is inoperable to transfer torque to the at least one rotor of the weed seed devitalisation system wherein the weed seed devitalisation system consumes no power from the combine power source.

15. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 12 to 14 having: a sieve for receiving removing a target grain from chaff including weed seeds; and, a grain loss measuring unit for sampling unremoved target grain prior to reaching an edge of the sieve, the grain loss measuring unit including a grain loss outlet for the sampled target grain, and a baffle movable to a full bypass position where the chaff and weed seeds, and the grain loss from the grain loss outlet are directed by the baffle to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system.

16. The combine harvester according to claim 15 wherein the actuator and the baffle are operatively associated so that the when the actuator in in the second position the baffle is in the full bypass position.

17. The combine harvester according to claim 15 wherein the combine is arranged to receive data from one or more sources where the data includes information regarding one or any combination of two or more of the presence, density, location and type of weeds in acrop being harvested and the actuator is arranged to move to: (a) the first position thereby turning the weed seed devitalisation system ON when the data indicates that the crop being harvested at any particular time includes weeds; and (b) the second position thereby turning the weed seed devitalisation system OFF when the data indicates that the crop being harvested is substantially free of weeds.

18. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 12 to 14 having: a sieve for removing a target grain from chaff including weed seeds travelling along the sieve toward a discharge end of the sieve; a grain loss measuring unit arranged to sample for target grain in the chaff near the discharge end, the grain loss measuring unit including an outlet for the sampled target grain: and a baffle movable to a position where the chaff and weed seeds falling from the discharge end are directed above the baffle to bypass the weed seed devitalisation system and the sampled grain loss discharged from the outlet is directed below the baffle to flow into the weed seed devitalisation system.

19. A weed seed devitalisation system comprising: at least one rotor arranged to impact, and impart energy to, the weed seeds to facilitate devitalisation of the weed seeds, each rotor having an associated rotor pulley which when rotated about a corresponding pulley axis causes rotation of the corresponding rotor; and a rotor drive system, the rotor drive system including a driving pulley, a rotor idler pulley, a rotor belt that runs about the driving pulley, each rotor pulley and the rotor idler pulley, and an actuator operable to move the rotor idler pulley between a first position where the rotor belt is tensioned and capable of transferring drive from the driving pulley to the at least one rotor pulley and second position where tension in the rotor belt is reduced to an extent whereby frictional coupling with the at least one rotor pulley is insufficient for the driving pulley to rotate the at least one rotor pulley.

20. A weed seed devitalisation system comprising: a processing region having at least one rotor and at least one stator; the at least one stator cooperating with the at least one rotor such that rotation of the at least one rotor is operable to impact material entering the weed seed devilatisation system and accelerate the material onto the at least one stator; an inlet selectively reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration;wherein when in the first configuration the inlet is configured to direct material into the processing region where the material can be impacted by the at least one rotor; and when in the second configuration the inlet is located to avoid direct material into the processing region.

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