Sugarcane Secondary Extractor Cover for Fan Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sugarcane harvesters face challenges in effectively removing crop residue from sugarcane billets due to reduced airflow in the secondary extractor, which leads to inefficient separation and potential clogging.
Innovation Solution
A sugarcane harvester system featuring a secondary extractor with a fan assembly and a tapered nozzle, supported by a lateral arm, and a cover assembly to direct crop debris away from the fan, enhancing airflow and preventing residue accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a secondary extractor with fan assembly is used to remove crop residue from sugarcane billets, then crop residue separation capability is improved, but crop residue accumulates at the fan assembly reducing airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic element (crop residue accumulation) by introducing a deflector that actively redirects crop residue away from the fan assembly. This prevents the residue from blocking the airflow path, thereby maintaining the fan's effectiveness while preserving the crop residue separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector acts as an intermediary element between the crop residue and the fan assembly. It intercepts the crop residue and redirects it away from the fan, preventing direct contact and accumulation. This mediator maintains airflow while allowing the fan to continue its separation function.
2Reliability
If crop residue is not cleared from the fan assembly, then air flow generated by the fan assembly is reduced, but clearing mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector enables a self-service mechanism where the airflow generated by the fan itself carries the crop residue away from the assembly. The system uses its own operational output (airflow) to prevent its own degradation (clogging), eliminating the need for separate clearing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of actively clearing residue after accumulation, the patent inverts the approach by preventing accumulation in the first place. The deflector redirects crop residue away from the fan assembly before it can block airflow, transforming a reactive clearing problem into a proactive prevention solution.
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 improves airflow velocity and efficiency in removing crop residue, reducing clogging and maintaining optimal fan performance, thereby ensuring effective separation and extended equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The fan assembly includes a fan blade and a rotary actuator to drive the fan blade... providing an air flow of increased velocity from the nozzle and through the fan housing with a fan to remove the crop residue from the sugarcane mat
Implementation Method 2
A cover is fixedly connected to the support arm and subtends the rotary actuator, wherein the cover directs crop debris away from the rotary actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A sugarcane harvester for harvesting sugarcane including a cutter configured to cut sugarcane into a sugarcane mat and a primary extractor disposed adjacent to the sugarcane mat configured to remove crop residue from the sugarcane mat. An elevator includes a conveyor to move the sugarcane mat to an end of the conveyor and an extractor is operatively connected to the elevator. The extractor includes a fan housing having an arm extending laterally from a sidewall of the fan housing and toward a center of the fan housing. A fan assembly is supported by the arm and is configured to remove crop residue from the sugarcane mat at the end of the conveyor. A cover assembly is fixedly connected to the support arm and subtends a fan of the fan assembly and a portion of the support arm, wherein the cover assembly directs crop debris away from the fan and the support arm.