Automated, dynamic concave cover plate system and methods
OwnerBrian Robertsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention comprises multiple embodiments of an automated, dynamic cover plate system, which may be quickly attached, detached and adjusted to the exterior of a concave grate of a combine harvester in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave or separator grate assemblies. The automated, dynamic cover plate system improves the threshing capability of the rasp bar threshing cylinder while simultaneously capturing additional threshed grain. The automated, dynamic cover plate system of the present invention is designed to be controlled, either manually or automatically, by the operator of the combine harvester or by a computerized or automated intelligence system.
Claims24
A dynamic cover plate system, comprising:
- a pivotally hinged cover plate mechanism having a cover plate shutter configured in a parallel alignment with a first axial bar extending between two parallel rails of a concave grate, said cover plate shutter having at least one pivot point connected to one of said two parallel rails;
- an actuator device connected to the cover plate shutter and the concave grate;
- and
- a controlling device for activating said actuator device;
- wherein the controlling device is connected to the actuator device by electrical connection, radio connection, pneumatic connection or mechanical connection;
- wherein the controlling device is controlled by a computerized or automated intelligence system;
- wherein the computerized or automated intelligence system further includes global positioning system (GPS) information;
- wherein, said actuator device causes the cover plate shutter to rotate about its pivot point, when activated by said controlling device, and modify the flow characteristics of said concave grate.
A method for modifying the flow characteristics of a concave grate, comprising:
- attaching at least one pivotally hinged cover plate mechanism to a concave grate, said cover plate mechanism having a cover plate shutter configured in a parallel alignment with a first axial bar extending between two parallel rails of said concave grate, said cover plate shutter having at least one pivot point connected to one of said two parallel rails;
- an actuator device connected to the cover plate shutter and the concave grate;
- and a controlling device for activating said actuator device, wherein the controlling device activates the actuator device remotely;
- engaging the controlling device to activate said actuator causing the cover plate shutter to rotate about its pivot point and modify the flow characteristics of said concave grate;
- evaluating global positioning system (GPS) information with a computerized or automated intelligence system to determine and control how and when to activate the actuator device to modify the flow characteristics of said concave grate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.