Sugarcane Harvester Cleaning Nozzles for Billet-Residue Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sugarcane harvesters struggle to efficiently separate sugarcane billets from crop residue, including leaves, dirt, and other trash, leading to inefficiencies in the harvesting process.
Innovation Solution
A sugarcane harvester equipped with a cleaning system that utilizes a primary separator and a supplemental air attachment featuring converging-diverging nozzles to generate supersonic airflow, which is controlled independently to enhance the separation of extraneous plant matter from crop billets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a primary separator with fan is used to separate billets from crop residue, then separation is achieved, but separation efficiency is insufficient and losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air delivered through converging-diverging nozzles to create supersonic airflow. This high-velocity air stream impacts the crop billet mat, utilizing pneumatic force to separate extraneous plant matter from billets more effectively than the fan alone, thereby improving separation efficiency and reducing billet losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of air velocity by using converging-diverging nozzles to accelerate compressed air to supersonic speeds. This parameter change from normal airflow to supersonic airflow enhances the separating capability, allowing for more effective separation of light crop residue from heavier billets while minimizing material losses.
2Productivity
If conventional air flow is used for separation, then the system is simple, but separation effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air delivery system into multiple independent converging-diverging nozzles that can be selectively activated. Each nozzle is independently controllable, allowing the system to divide the air delivery function into discrete units. This segmentation enables effective separation while managing system complexity through modular, independently controllable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control by making each nozzle independently controllable between on and off states. This dynamic capability allows the system to adjust and optimize separation effectiveness by activating only the necessary nozzles, balancing performance improvement with manageable system complexity through flexible, adaptive operation.
3Productivity
If supersonic airflow is delivered through converging-diverging nozzles, then separation of light residues from heavy billets is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by delivering supersonic airflow only at specific locations and times where it is most needed for separation. The independently controllable nozzles allow the system to apply excessive air velocity locally at the crop billet mat interface, rather than throughout the entire system, optimizing separation performance while managing energy consumption by limiting supersonic flow to where it provides maximum benefit.
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
The system effectively separates sugarcane billets from leaves and other debris, reducing losses and improving the efficiency of the harvesting process by optimizing airflow and momentum to enhance the separation of lighter residues from heavier billets.
Implementation Method 1
The supplemental air attachment includes one or more converging-diverging nozzles, each of which discharges the accelerated air flow. The accelerated air flow is a supersonic airflow delivered at an outlet of the one or more converging-diverging nozzles.
Implementation Method 2
The accelerated air flow is a supersonic airflow delivered at an outlet of the one or more converging-diverging nozzles.
Implementation Method 3
a fan positioned in the housing to induce a primary flow of air to separate extraneous plant matter from the crop billets
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning arrangement for separating a billet material from extraneous plant matter in a sugarcane harvester includes a cleaning chamber defining an inlet for the billet material and the extraneous plant matter, a first outlet for the extraneous plant matter, and a second outlet defined in a basket for the billet material. A fan is positioned within the cleaning chamber and configured to generate an airflow to direct the extraneous plant matter toward the first outlet. A supplemental air attachment is positioned to direct an accelerated airflow of air toward the louver to separate the extraneous plant matter from the crop billets.