Corn cob conveying and cleaning system using induction and air flow from a harvester for separating and spreading light crop residue

#This invention relates generally to a cob conveying system for use with a corn harvester, which more particularly incorporates air induction in cooperation with air flow from the harvester for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue from the cobs, such that the clean cobs can be collected or otherwise utilized, and the inducted lighter residue spread on the field or otherwise disposed of. The invention also relates to residue separation apparatus configurable in multiple modes, including several modes for inductively separating and cleaning lighter crop residue from cobs, and a more traditional crop residue spreading mode.

#U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/277,758, filed Sep. 29, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

#Presently, there is an increased demand for corn cobs as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol, as well as other uses. As a result, there is heightened interest in collecting corn cobs during corn harvest. There is also concern by some that cob collection may reduce soil nutrient content. In this regard, crop residue or stover, e.g., corn stalks, leaves, husks and cobs, are traditionally left on the field after harvest, and break down over time to replenish soil nutrients. If a component of the stover, e.g., cobs is instead collected, nutrient levels could be lowered as a result. To mitigate this concern, some consider it desirable when collecting cobs, to collect mostly just the cobs, that is, with substantially all loose or detached residual elements of the residue, which are lighter than the cobs, mainly, husks and leaves and fragments thereof, returned to the field. Thus, it is sought to have a cob conveying system adapted for operation in connection with a corn harvester, and optionally a cob collection device, which incorporates an ability to separate or remove other lighter crop residue or stover from the cobs, and return the other lighter residue to the field or direct it to another location.

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a representative agricultural harvester, including a cob conveying and cleaning system according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the harvester and cob conveying and cleaning system of the invention, with a residue separating apparatus of the system shown in one operative position;

#FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the harvester and cob conveying and cleaning system;

#Referring now the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2, a representative agricultural harvesting machine 20 is shown, which is a combine constructed and operable in the well known manner for harvesting whole ears of corn from corn plants as the combine travels over a field. Combine 20 includes well known apparatus that gathers and conveys the ears of corn into a threshing system 22 within the combine which removes most of the husk surrounding the ears, and the corn kernels from cobs of the ears, and directs a flow of the corn, some of the cobs and fragments thereof, and other residue or stover lighter than the corn and cobs, such as fragments of husks, leaves, dust, and the like, all as generally denoted by arrows A, within a rear chamber of combine 20 to a cleaning system 24 of the combine. At the same time, cleaning system 24 has a fan that generates an upward and rearward flow of air, denoted by arrows B, utilized to separate and carry away in an airborne manner the lighter elements of other residue from the kernels, and continue to carry these lighter elements rearwardly through the internal space above system 24 to a rear discharge outlet 26. Also at the same time, larger residue other than corn kernels, such as loose husks, leaves and the like, which are typically of a paper like consistency and are relatively light, dust, and a large amount of cobs and cob fragments, are propelled from threshing system 22 rearwardly within the end of machine 20, as a flow denoted by arrows C, and is deflected downwardly toward discharge outlet 26 on the rear end of machine 20, so as to mix with flow B in the rear confines of machine 20.

#Cleaning system 24 of combine 20 is operable in the conventional manner to separate the cobs and other larger elements of the corn residue or stover from the smaller kernels of corn and smaller elements of residue, and the corn is collected and conveyed into a clean grain tank 28 on combine 20, or other receiver. At the same time, lighter elements of the residue mixed with the kernels, cobs and cob fragments will be released, so as to be carried rearwardly by air flow B, and such that the heavier cobs and cob fragments will travel rearwardly along the upper surfaces of the cleanings system toward outlet 26, as denoted by arrows D. The clean corn is then periodically unloaded from tank 28 using an unloader conveyor 30 in the conventional manner, by swinging conveyor 30 to a sidewardly extending position (not shown—conveyor 30 being illustrated in a stowed or travel position here).

#Referring also to FIG. 3, machine 20 is shown including a cob conveying and cleaning system 32, constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention, for receiving the flows of husks, leaves, cobs and other elements of corn residue or stover denoted variously by arrows B, C and D, separating the lighter other elements of residue from the cobs, discharging the lighter residue, and conveying the clean cobs away. Here, system 32 utilizes a trailer 34 suitably supported on wheels 36, or tracks (not shown) and configured for towing by machine 20, for carrying aspects of system 32, including a conveyor system 38.