Fluid circuit for bale ejection

A system for operation of an ejection mechanism on an agricultural harvester comprising:

• an outlet and a panel, the panel movable between a closed and one or more open positions and obstructing the outlet in its closed position;
• at least one actuator mechanically linked to the panel, the at least one actuator capable of moving the panel between the closed and one or more open positions and having at least a first fluid opening on one end of the actuator, wherein the at least one fluid opening feeds and returns pressurized fluid into a hydraulic circuit;
• the hydraulic circuit comprising:
• a source of pressurized fluid in fluid communication with the first fluid opening for supplying fluid to and returning fluid from the at least one actuator in the hydraulic circuit;
• a fluid stop valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and the at least one actuator;
• and
• a fluid controller that controls a flow and/or direction of pressurized fluid through the fluid stop valve from the source of pressurized fluid or from the at least one actuator;
• wherein the panel moves from one or more open positions to a closed position in a first and a second hydraulic state;
• whereby, in the first hydraulic state, the fluid stop valve is open, allowing pressurized fluid from at least one actuator through at least the first fluid opening to flow to the source of pressurized fluid;
• whereby, in the second hydraulic state, the pressurized fluid returns from the at least one actuator through the at least first fluid opening and through a restrictive opening;
• wherein the restrictive opening allows minimal flow of volume in the hydraulic circuit thereby slowing and/or stopping the movement of the panel as it moves to the closed position.

A method for operating an ejection mechanism on an agricultural harvester, the method comprising:

• providing a system comprising:
• an outlet and a panel, the panel movable between a closed and one or more open positions and obstructing the outlet in its closed position;
• an actuator mechanically linked to the panel, the actuator capable of moving the panel between the closed and one or more open positions and the actuator having:
• a fluid opening on one end of the actuator, wherein the fluid opening feeds pressurized fluid into a hydraulic circuit;
• the hydraulic circuit comprising:
• a source of pressurized fluid in fluid communication with the fluid opening for supplying fluid to and returning fluid from the actuator in the hydraulic circuit;
• a fluid stop valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and the actuator;
• and
• a fluid controller that controls a flow of pressurized fluid through the fluid stop valve from the source of pressurized fluid or from the actuator;
• a first hydraulic state in which pressurized fluid from the source of the pressurized fluid flows to the fluid opening of the actuator without contacting the fluid stop valve;
• and
• a second hydraulic state, whereupon the fluid stop valve is open, pressurized fluid from the source of the pressurized fluid flows through the open stop valve and returns to the source of the pressurized fluid thereby diverting a volume of pressurized fluid from entering the fluid opening of the actuator and reducing and/or stopping movement of the actuator,
• wherein the method further comprising:
• directing a flow of pressurized fluid into a first hydraulic path and then subsequently into a second hydraulic path if to extend the actuator;
• and/or
• directing a flow of pressurized fluid into a third hydraulic path and then subsequently into a fourth hydraulic path if to contract the actuator.