Method for measuring air efficiency and efficacy in a combine harvester

#1. Field of Invention

#This invention relates to threshing and cleaning systems for combine harvesters, and more particularly, to method for managing the airflow of a blower mechanism through the threshing and cleaning systems of the combine harvester.

#2. Description of Related Art

#The above mentioned and other features of this invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a combine harvester with parts broken away to reveal internal details of the feeding, threshing, separating and cleaning portions of the machine;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method of measuring and adjusting air flow through the combine harvester of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention; and

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the views of the drawings.

#The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. While the drawings illustrate and the specification describes certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent to limit the principles of the present invention to the particular disclosed embodiments. References hereinafter made to certain directions, such as, for example, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right”, are made as viewed from the side of the combine.

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one type of combine harvester 10 to which the present invention relates. Although the harvester 10 chosen for purposes of illustration is a so-called axial rotary combine in which the threshing mechanism comprises a rotor disposed axially of the machine with respect to its fore-and-aft axis, many other types of threshing and separating mechanisms are currently in commercial use and it is not intended that the principles of the present invention be limited to any one particular type of threshing and separating mechanism.