Chopper Blower Arrangement for Corn Stover Windrowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corn stover harvesting systems, such as the 'Cornrower', are ineffective under high moisture conditions, tend to plug, and require significant power, reducing the efficiency of combine harvesters and not compatible with folding corn heads.

Innovation Solution

A chopper/blower arrangement with adjustable deflectors and short discharge chutes allows for direct deposition of stover into a windrow, independent adjustment of deflectors based on precision farming data, and compatibility with folding corn heads by eliminating the conveyor system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate chopper assembly with conveyor system is used to chop and windrow stover, then stover can be effectively chopped and windrowed under normal conditions, but the system tends to plug under high moisture conditions and requires significant power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover chopping effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the conveyor system from the chopper assembly, extracting only the essential chopping and blowing functions. This eliminates the power-consuming conveyor while maintaining stover windrowing capability through the chopper/blower units with adjustable deflectors that directly deposit stover into windrows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the header into multiple independent chopper/blower units, each serving a specific row. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently with optimized airflow paths, reducing overall power requirements while maintaining effective stover handling across the entire header width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a conveyor system is used to form windrows, then stover can be effectively collected, but the system is not compatible with folding corn heads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover windrowing capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with folding corn heads

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the conveyor system entirely, extracting only the essential stover deposition function. The chopper/blower units with adjustable deflectors can directly deposit stover into windrows without requiring a conveyor system, enabling compatibility with folding corn heads while maintaining windrowing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a conventional chopper assembly with long discharge chutes is used, then stover can be transported to the windrow, but flow resistance increases and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover transport capabilityVSAvoidpower for stover transport

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides stover transport into multiple short segments, with each chopper/blower unit handling its own row's stover independently. This eliminates the need for long discharge chutes that create high flow resistance, as each unit has a short discharge path to its designated windrow location, significantly reducing power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If a fixed chopper assembly is used, then stover can be chopped and windrowed, but the system cannot adapt to different field conditions and precision farming requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestover windrowing functionVSAvoidadaptability to field conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable deflectors on each chopper/blower unit that can be dynamically positioned to direct stover to different locations. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different field conditions, precision farming requirements, and varying windrow positions while maintaining reliable stover windrowing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective chopping and windrowing of corn stover under high moisture conditions without power reduction, allows operation with folding corn heads, and reduces power consumption by minimizing flow resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of rotating chopper blades within the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational cutting:

Implementation Method 2

At least some of the chopper blades have a wing for blowing chopped crop material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic force:

Data Source

PatentUS10039230B2Chopper/blower arrangement for a header used on an agricultural harvester

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A header assembly for an agricultural combine harvester includes a plurality of row units, and a plurality of chopper/blower units. Each chopper/blower unit is positioned below a respective row unit and has a discharge outlet. At least two of the chopper/blower units have a discharge chute connected with the discharge outlet, and a deflector positioned at a discharge end of the discharge chute. Each deflector is independently adjustable to direct crop material toward a windrow formed under the combine harvester.