Grain Cart Air Curtain and Vacuum Blower for Chaff Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combines fail to sufficiently separate bees' wings from corn kernels, leading to clogging and ventilation issues during transport and storage, and potential vomitoxin contamination due to residual bees' wings.
Innovation Solution
An air blower system with an air curtain component and vacuum component, featuring an air curtain pipe with angled apertures and a vacuum line, is used to remove chaff, including bees' wings, from grain carts during unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional combines use a fan for winnowing, then the harvesting process can proceed, but bees' wings are not sufficiently separated from kernels
Solution Approach 1:
The air blower system divides the air delivery into multiple streams through a manifold with multiple outlets, directing air at different locations and angles along the grain cart opening to improve chaff separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to the winnowing process by introducing air curtains that extend laterally from the grain cart opening, creating a three-dimensional air flow pattern that enhances separation of bees' wings from kernels
2Device complexity
If bees' wings are not removed, then the harvesting process is simpler, but clogging and ventilation problems occur during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The air blower system performs preliminary removal of bees' wings at the grain cart loading point, preventing chaff from entering the transport and storage system in the first place, thereby avoiding future clogging and ventilation issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts harmful bees' wings from the grain stream at the point of loading, separating them using air curtains before they can cause problems during transport and storage
3Productivity
If bees' wings remain in corn, then no additional processing is needed, but vomitoxin contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The air blower system extracts bees' wings containing vomitoxin from the grain stream at the loading point, removing the source of contamination before the corn enters storage where vomitoxin issues would develop
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
Effectively reduces chaff content and vomitoxin levels in corn by separating bees' wings and other lighter materials, preventing clogging and improving storage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the air curtain pipe includes a plurality of apertures, and wherein the one or more of the plurality of apertures are defined at an angle to direct air received from the blower away from a grain cart interior
Implementation Method 2
vacuum component including a vacuum line in fluid connection with one of the one or more blowers and an interior of a grain cart auger, such that the blower is configured to create a suction force in the vacuum line to pull air from the grain cart auger interior
Data Source
AI summary
Air blower systems are disclosed including a blower, a vacuum component, and an air curtain component. The blower can be connected to the vacuum component to exert a suction force over a vacuum line in fluid communication with a grain cart auger to facilitate removal of chaff as grain is unloaded from the grain cart. The blower can also be connected to the air curtain component having a curtain pipe defining apertures through which forced air can facilitate removal of chaff as grain is being loaded into the grain cart.