Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CROP HARVESTING HEADER WITH ROTARY DISKS AND IMPELLERS FOR
TRANSFERRING THE CROP INWARDLY TO A DISCHARGE OPENING
This invention relates to a crop harvestirxg header which has a cutter
bar across the width of the header which carries and drives a plurality of
transversely
spaced rotary disks and paracularly to an improved impeller for transferring
the cut
crop inwardly from outer disks to a discharge opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Crop harvesting headers which use rotary cutters in replacement for
the more conventional sickle knife systems have been available for many years.
It is
well known that such rotary cutters include a cutter bar or gear train which
provides
the main structural and drive communication components of the cutter. The
cutter
bar provides a series of longitudinally spaced vertical drive members each of
which
drives a respective one of a plurality of cutting disks at spaced positions
along the
cutter bar. The disks are mounted for rotation about a vertical axis standing
upwardly from the cutter bar. The disks; carry at a point on their outer edge
a
plurality, generally two, of flail type blades which rotate with the disk
around the
vertical axis in a cutting action.
The construction of the cutter bar itself including the suitable gear train
is well known and a number of different designs are available which can be
used by
a person skilled in this art.
Examples of such rotary type cutters are shown in the following
documents.
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US 5,272,859 (Pruitt) issued December 28th 1993 discloses a
mowerlconditioner including a cutter bar and rotating disks feeding to a rear
discharge opening containing a pair of conditioning rollers. The outermost
disk
carries a generally cylindricai impeller in the form of an upright cylindrical
cage. In
front of the discharge opening is a series of disks arranged in counter-
rotating pairs.
US published Patent Application 2005/0126142 (Rosenbalm) assigned
to Deere which discloses a cage type impeller where the bottom disk of the
impeller
is formed as a frusto-conical member converging upwardly and inwardly to the
cage
bars.
US patent 5,463,852 (O'Halloran) issued November 7t" 1995 and US
5,433,064 issued July 18'h 1995 (Schmitt) assigned to Hay and Forage
Industries of
Hesston both show a construction of such a rotary cutter system in which there
is a
series of the cutter disks at spaced positions across the cutter bar with, at
each end,
two of the cutter disks extend beyond a central area in front of a discharge
opening.
In this arrangement the two end disks are driven by a mechanical drive system.
The
two end disks each carry a rotary transfer element in the form of a series of
posts
arranged at the periphery of a cylinder surrounding a vertical axis standing
upwardly
from the disk. The transfer elements act to carry the crop material which is
cut by
the disks inwardly toward the discharge opening. A conventional crop
conditioner in
the form of a pair of counter-rotating rollers is mounted across the crop
discharge
opening.
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U.S. 6,158,201 (Pruitt) issued December 12th 2000 also assigned to
Hay and Forage Industries discloses a modification to thip above 852 and 064
patents of HFI where a crop transport roller is added in the crop discharge
opening
and is arranged to carry crop up to the nip of the conditioner rollers.
US patent 5,768,865 (Rosenbalm) issued June 23'd 1998 assigned to
Deere and Company discloses a rotary cutter system which has two end disks
outboard of the central discharge opening with a conditioner arranged at the
discharge opening for receiving the cut crop and providing a conditioning
action.
The conditioner can be either of a flail type or of a fluted roller type.
US patent 4,809,488 (Neuerburg) issued March 7th 1989 assigned to
Kuhn discloses a rotary cutter system which has a frusto-conical cage as the
impeller on an end disk where a drive shaft extends into the top of the cage.
EP 358,045 (Ungruh) assigned to Niemeyer Sohne GmbH published
November 3' 1993 discloses a mower which has at least four cutting disks
arranged
in two pairs rotating in the same direction and feeding to the center. Above
each
disk carries a cylindrical impeller which has a surface running inwardly to
carry the
crop towards the center. In the region between each of the disks of each pair
is a
further cylindrical impeller which assists in transporting the crops to the
center.
German 32 24 170 (Mortl) published December 29"' 1983 discloses a
header having a discharge opening behind the outermost cutters of a group
which
includes four cutters. The group is arranged in two pairs with each pair
rotating in
opposite directions. Thus the outer cutter of the group rotates inwardly.
Outboard of
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this cutter is provided a further cutter which also rotates inwardly as shown
by the
arrows. This reference also includes a pair of impellers, each mounted on a
respective one of the two outer cutters which act as a conveying device for
carrying
the crop inwardly. The impeller is generally an upwardly tapered element of
triangular cross section.
EP 0 016 661 (Maier) published November 12"' 1986 and assigned to
Deutz Fahr discloses a cutter bar formed by a series of cutting disks where
the end
two disks at one end each carry a respective cyiindrical impeller for carrying
the cut
crop to a discharge opening where there is located a conditioner.
German 35 01 133 (Schulze-SeRing) published July 17th 1986 also
assigned to Deutz Fahr discloses a cutter bar formed by a series of cutting
disks
where the end disk at one end carries a respective cylindrical impeller for
carrying
the cut crop to an opening and there is provided an intermediate suspended
impeller
over the next disk where the suspended impeller is frusto-con'ical.
US 4,330,982 (Vissers) issued May 2e 1982 and assigned to
Multinorm discloses a series of rotary cutters with a pair of conditioning
rollers which
extend transversely or laterally across the mower narrower than the cutting
zone and
located in a discharge opening. A roiier defines a portion or surface that
moves
upwardly and rearwardly from the cutting plane to the nip to convey the crop
cut by
the cutting disks toward the nip.
US 2,906,077 (Hale) issued September 29th 1959 discloses conditioner
rollers in front of which Is mounted a rotating roller which rotates to feed
crop
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upwardly and rearwardly into the nip. Forwardly of the roller is located a
sickle blade
type cutter.
US 3,014,324 (McCarty) issued December 26th 1961 discloses a pair
of conditioner rollers feeding into a nip therebetween. A roller is located in
front of
and below the nip of the conditioner roller and rotates in a direction to feed
crop into
the nip.
Canadian 2,166,671 (Savoie) published April 6th 1997 discloses a disc
cutter and a conveyor roller which feeds irito the nip between a pair of
conditioning
rolls located in a discharge opening behind and narrower than the cutter.
From the above prior art patents, it will be noted that it is welt known
and widely used that each of two outermost disks carries a respective impeller
body
carried an the disk and driven by the disk about a common generally upright
axis.
These impeller bodies or members act to carry the crop as it is cut inwardly
toward
the discharge opening so that the crop cari better enter the discharge opening
with
less chance of blocking or co(lecting in the area in front of the disks or
within the
discharge opening.
In many cases the discharge opening contains a conditioner for
engaging and breaking or fracturing the crop to improve drying action as the
swath is
left in the field. Such conditioners can be of a number of different types but
one
common type uses a pair of fluted rollers wtiich form a nip so that the crop
is bent as
if passes between the flutes.
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Where a crop conditioner is used, a transfer roller is commonly used to
lift the crop from the cutting zone to the nip of the conditioner rollers.
The different types of impeJlers used commonly at the outer cutting
disks include drums which are of ciosed outer wall and cages which are formed
of
bars at angularly spaced positions around the axis. In most cases the
impellers are
cylindricaf so that the cross section of the impeller is constant along the
height of the
impeller. In other cases the impeller is tapered so that its diameter
decreases as the
height increases so that it Is erther fnasto-conical if circular in cross
section or frusto-
pyramidical if of square or triangular cross section.
In many cases the impellers are carried on and driven by the disks but
in addition intermediate impellers, which are located at a position which is
not
aligned with one of the disks, can be supported and driven from above as a
suspended or hanging impeller. These hanging impellers have the same shapes
and construction, that is cylindrical or tapered, as the standing impellers at
the disks.
SUMMARY OF THE tNVENTION
ft is one object of the invention to provide a crop harvesting header of
the type having a series of rotary cutting disks on a cutter bar and
particularly to
provide an improved impeller arrangement for assisting in transferring crop
inwardly
from one or more outer disks toward the discharge opening.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a crop
harvesting header comprising:
a header frame arranged to be transported across ground on which
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there is a standing crop for harvesting;
a cutter bar mounted on the header frame across a width of the header
for movement across the ground for harvesting the standing crop;
a piurality of generally horizontal cutter disks mounted on the cutter bar
at positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks being mounted on
the
cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes spaced
along
the cutter bar;
each disk having mounted thereon at a position spaced outwardly from
the respective axis thereof at least one cutter blade such that rotation of
the disk
about its axis causes a standing crop to be cut by the blade as it rotates
around the
axis on the disk;
the header frame defining a discharge opening through which the cut
crop is discharged for forming a swath behind the header;
at least one of the disks being mounted outwardly of the discharge
opening such that crop cut thereby must be carried inwardly to the discharge
opening;
at least one first impeller mounted at a position at or adjacent the at
least one disk for contacting the cut crop;
and at least one second impeller separate from the disks with the axis
of the second impeller being spaced from the axis of each of the disks;
each of the first and second impellers being mounted for rotation about
a generally upstanding axis;
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each of the first and seconci impellers having a bottom adjacent the
cutter bar and a top spaced from the cutter bar;
each of the first and second impellers having components thereof at
positions thereon extending from the top to the bottom with the components
being
located around the axis and with the components arranged for engaging the
crop,
such that rotation of the impeller causes the components in front of the axis
to move
inwardly of the header such that the engagement of the components with the
crop
tends to carry the crop inwardly toward the discharge opening;
the components of each of the first and second impellers being shaped
such that a spacing of the components from the axis at the top and bottom of
the
impeller is larger than a spacing of the components from the axis at an
intermediate
position on the impeller spaced downwardly from the top and spaced upwardly
from
the bottom.
The components may be separated each from the next angularly of the
impeller as in a cage type impeller or may form part of a continuous surface
surrounding the axis as in a drum type impeller. Drum type impellers may have
additional elements attached to the surface so as to assist in engaging and
moving
the crop.
Each component of the impeller which engages the crop at the surface
of the impeller may be continuous from the top to the bottom of the impeller
or it may
be formed from separate pieces at different heights on the impeller. This is
merely a
choice in manufacture and in the most preferable case each component is in the
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form of a bar along the impeller from top to bottom. However it will
appreciate that
this mode of manufacture is not essential and the components which engage the
crop have different parts at different heights of the impeller. The concept
herein is
that the components which engage the crop at the position, generally at or
adjacent
the mid height have a diameter or spacing from the axis which is smaller that
at the
top and bottom to form in effect an impeller of "hour glass" configuration.
Thus the impellers having the "hour glass" shape defining a "waist" at
the mid point are not cylindrical or "generally cylindrical" because their
cross section
varies along the length of the impeller.
The use of this "hour glass" concept has shown improvement In crop
collection, possibly due to the tendency of the crop to be "centered" on the
height of
the impeller at the "waist" of the impeller.
Preferably the components are shaped such that they are inclined from
the top of the impeller to the central position on the impeller and from the
bottom of
the impeller to the central position sucti that the spacing gradually
increases.
However it is not essential that the inclination be constant or straight and
curved
shapes may be suitable in some circumstances, provided the narrower "waist" is
formed.
Preferably the position is approximately at the mid height of the
impe{ler. However this again is not essential and the "waist" may be closer to
the
top or the bottom.
Preferably the spacing of the components from the axis, that is the
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diameter, is the same at the top and the bottom, alfihough one or the other
may be
larger provide each is larger than the "waist".
Preferably there is provided at least one impeller which is co-axial with
a corresponding one of the disks and preferably that impeller is located at
the
5 corresponding one of the disks and is driven thereby.
Preferably also there is provided at least one impeller which is
separate from the disks and the axis of the impeller is spaced from the axis
of each
of the disks.
In one particularly preferred arrangement, there are two disks outside
10 the discharge opening and three impellers, where two of the impellers are
arranged
such that each is co-axial with a corresponding one of the disks and where one
of
the impellers is separate from the disks and the axis of the impeller is
spaced from
the axis of each of the disks.
However in an altemative arrangement where there are two disks
outside the discharge opening, there may be at least two impellers. In this
arrangement one of the impellers is arranged such that it is co-axial with a
corresponding one of the disks and the other one of the impellers is separate
from
the disks and the axis of the impeller is spaced from the axis of each of the
disks.
However it will be appreciated that the impellers can be mounted either at the
disks
or separately from the disks provided the impellers are located relative to
the disks
to carry out the movement function relative to the crop. The arrangement for
mounting and driving the disks is a matter of mechanical mounting and drive
which
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is a matter of simple engineering choice based upon selection and cost of
bearings
and other components and does not affect the function of the impellers.
According to a second preferred aspect of the invention there is
provided a crop harvesting header comprising:
a header frame arranged to be transported across ground on which
there is a standing crop for harvesting;
a cutter bar mounted on the header frame across a width of the header
for movement across the ground for harvesting the standing crop;
a plurality of generally horizontal cutter disks mounted on the cutter bar
at positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks being mounted on
the
cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes spaced
along
the cutter bar;
each disk having mounted thereon at a posifion spaced outwardly from
the respective axis thereof at least one cutter blade such that rotation of
the disk
about its axis causes a standing crop to be cut by the biade as it rotates
around the
axis on the disk;
the header frame defining a discharge opening through which the cut
crop is discharged for forming a swath behind the header;
at least one of the disks being mounted outwardly of the discharge
opening such that crop cut thereby must be carried inwardly to the discharge
opening;
and at least one impeller mounted at a posi#ion at or adjacent the at
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least one disk for contacting the cut crop;
the impeller being mounted for rotation about a generally upstanding
axis;
the impeller having a bottom adjacent the cutter bar and a top spaced
from the cutter bar;
the impeller having at least four bar members thereon at spaced
positions around the axis and arranged for engaging the crop, such that
rotation of
the impeller causes the bar members in front of the axis to move inwardly of
the
header such that the engagement of the bar members with the crop tends to
carry
the crop inwardly toward the discharge opening;
the impeller being open between the bar members such that a
peripheral surface of the impeller for engaging the crop consists solely of
the bar
members;
the bar members of the impeller being shaped such that a spacing of
the bar members from the axis at the top and bottom of the impeller is larger
than a
spacing of the bar members from the axis at an intermediate position on the
impeller
spaced downwardly from the top and spaced upwardly from the bottom.
Preferably the bar members are shaped such that they are inclined
from the top of the impeller to the central position on the impeller and from
the
iaottom of the impeller to the central position such that the spacing
gradually
increases. However it is not essenfiai that the inclination be constant or
straight and
curved shapes may be suitable in some circumstances, provided the narrower
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"waist" is formed.
Preferably the position is approximately at the mid height of the
impeller. However this again is not essential and the "waist" may be closer to
the
top or the bottom.
Preferably the spacing of the bar members from the axis, that is the
diameter, is the same at the top and the bottom, although one or the other may
be
larger provide each is larger than the "waist".
Preferably the bar members are supported on a first end disk member
at the top of the impeller and are supported on a second end disk member at
the
bottom of the impeller and are unsupported therebetween. The disk member may
be of any shape such as a planar disk or tnay be formed with spokes from a
central
hub at the axis to the separate bar members.
Preferably the bar members are inclined and straight from the top to
the position on the impeller and inclined and straight from the bottom to the
position
on the impeller and are bent at the position.
Preferably the bar members are circular in cross section. However
other shapes may be selected to provide different effects on the crop material
as the
members rotate and move relative to the crop.
Preferably the bar members are constant in cross section since this
allows them to be formed from simple elongate material bent to the required
"waist"
shape. However other constructions can be used.
In one preferred arrangement where there are two disks outside the
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discharge opening and two impellers are provided where each is co-axial with a
corresponding one of the disks, the impeller at an outer one of the two disks
is larger
in diameter and has more bar members than the impeller at an inner one of the
two
disks.
According to a third preferred aspect of the invention there is provided
a crop harvesting header oomprising:
a header frame arranged to be transported across ground on which
there is a standing crop for harvesting;
a cutter bar mounted on the header frame across a width of the header
for movement across the ground for harvesting the standing crop;
a plurality of generally horizontal cutter disks mounted on the cutter bar
at positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks being mounted on
the
cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes spaced
along
the cutter bar;
each disk having mounted thereon at a position spaced outwardly from
the respective axis thereof at least one cutter blade such that rotation of
the disk
about its axis causes a standing crop to be cut by the blade as it rotates
around the
axis on the disk;
the header frame defning a discharge opening through which the cut
crop is discharged for forming a swath behind the header;
at least one of the disks being mounted outwardly of the discharge
opening such that crop cut thereby must be carried inwardly to the discharge
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opening;
and at least one impeller mounted at a position at or adjacent the at
least one disk for contacting the cut crop;
the impeller being mounted for rotation about a generally upstanding
5 axis;
the impeller having a bottom adjacent the cutter bar and a top spaced
from the cutter bar;
the impeller having a plurality of bar members thereon at spaced
posifions around the axis and arranged for engaging the crop, such that
rotation of
10 the impeller causes the bar members in front of the axis to move inwardly
of the
header such that the engagement of the bar members with the crop tends to
carry
the crop inwardly toward the discharge opening;
the bar members of the impeller being shaped such that a spacing of
the bar members from the axis at the top and bottom of the impeller is larger
than a
15 spacing of the bar members from the axis at an intermediate position on the
impeller
spaced downwardly from the top and spaced upwardly from the bottom;
wherein there are two disks outside the discharge opening and two
impellers arranged such that each is co-axial with a corresponding one of the
disks
and where the impeller at an outer one of the two disks is larger in diameter
and has
more bar members than the impeller at an inner one of the two disks.
According to a fourth preferred aspect of the invention there is
provided a crop harvesting header comprising:
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a header frame arranged to be transported across ground on which
there is a standing crop for harvesting;
a cutter bar mounted on the header frame across a width of the header
for movement across the ground for harvesting the standing crop;
a plurality of generally horizontal cutter disks mounted on the cutter bar
at positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks being mounted on
the
cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes spaced
along
the cutter bar;
each disk having mounted thereon at a position spaced outwardly from
the respective axis thereof at least one cutter blade such that rotation of
the disk
about its axis causes a standing crop to be cut by the blade as it rotates
around the
axis on the disk;
the header frame defining a discharge opening through which the cut
crop is discharged for forming a swath behind the header;
at least two of the disks at one end of the discharge opening being
mounted outwardiy of the discharge opening such that crop cut thereby must be
carried inwardly to said one end of the discttarge opening;
at least two impellers mounted adjacent said one end of the discharge
opening for engaging the crop with an outer one of the impellers mounted
outwardly
of an inner one cf the impellers so as to carry the crop inwardly to said one
end of
the discharge opening;
each of the impellers being mounted for rotation about a generally
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upstanding axis both in a common direcfion such that an outer periphery of the
impellers in front of the impellers moves inwardly tending to carry crop
inwardly
across the front of the impellers toward said one end of the discharge opening
with
the crop being discharged from the inner one of the impellers inwardly into
the
discharge opening;
each of the impellers having a bottom adjacent the cutter bar and a top
spaced from the cutter bar;
each of the impellers having components thereof at positions thereon
extending from the top to the bottom with the components being located around
the
axis and with the components arranged for engaging the crop, such that
rotation of
the impeller causes the components in front of the axis to move inwardly of
the
header such that the engagement of the components with the crop tends to carry
the
crop inwardly toward the discharge opening;
the components of each of the impellers being shaped such that a
spacing of the components from the axis at the top and bottom of the impeller
is
larger than a spacing of the components fr+cm the axis at an intermediate
position on
the impeller spaced downwardly from the top and spaced upwardly from the
bottom_
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an isometric view showing generally a header of the type
with which the present invention is preferably concerned.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the header of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the header of Figure 1 on an
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enlarged scale showing one end only of the header, the other end being
symmetrical.
Figure 3A is view similar to that of Figure 3 showing more detail of the
drive components shown only schematically in Figure 3.
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the impeller 40 of Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 4A is an isometric view of the impeller 41 of Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the discharge opening and
conditioning system taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a similar cross sectional view to that of Figure 5 on an
enlarged scale showing the inter-relation between the parts and showing a
modified
arrangement of the transfer roller.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Attention is directed to co-pending application Serial No. 11/087,774
filed March 24, 2005 for BLADE FOR A CROP HARVESTING HEADER WITH
ROTARY DISKS to show further details of the cutter disks and blades described
hereinafter.
Attention is directed to co-pending application Serial No. 11/193,631
filed August 1, 2005 for CROP CONDiTIC)N1NG ROLLER FLUTE SHAPE to show
further details of the conditioning rolls described hereinafter.
In Figure 1 is shown schematically a header for attachment to
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19 .
conventional swather tractor of the well known type having driven ground
wheels
and rear castor wheels. A front support assembly of the tractor carries the
header
14 including left and right lift arms which carry the header in a floating
action across
the ground along skid plates (not shown) of the header. The header includes
side
walls 15 and 16 forming part of a frame 17 attached to the conventional
transport
system of the tractor. The frame carries top covers 18 which support a front
skirt 19
in front of the cutter bar so as to provide protection for persons in the
vicinity of the
header which could be impacted by objects accelerated by the high speed rotary
cutting assembly described hereinafter.
The frame 17 includes a main transverse beam which is attached to
the tractor. The main beam carries the side walls 15 and 16. The side walls
each
comprises a vertical wall extending forwardly to a front edge 23 in front of
the cutter
bar which is generally indicated at 24. The side wall is vertical and provides
the front
edge 23 lying in a vertical plane of the side wall so as to confine crop
material to the
interior of the header between the side walls for cutting action effected by
the cutter
bar 24.
Within the cutter bar 24 is provided a gear train (not shown) of meshing
gears carried on suitable bearings so as to provide communication of drive of
a
number of vertical shafts carried on the cutter bar each for rotating a
generally
horizontal disk 26 about a vertical axis of the shaft. The disks are
substantially
identical. The disks are generally elliptical in shape so that a length
between two
ends 26A and 26B is significantly greater than a distance between the side
edges in
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2o
a direction at right angles to the length. At each of the ends 26A and 26B is
mounted a respective one of a pair of flails 27 each for pivotal movement
about a
flail mounting pin 27A. The mounting pins are arranged at the ends and thus at
the
maximum extent of the disk so that the flails project outwardly beyond the
edges of
the disk for rotation in a common horizontal plane generally parallel to the
plane of
the cutter bar in a cutting action.
The disks are intermeshed so as to driven synchronously and they are
arranged at 90 phase difference so that adjacent pairs of the disks are at 90
offset
as they rotate to avoid interference between the disks and the blades 27
carried
thereby.
The cutter bar is wider than a discharge opening 30 with a conditioning
system 31 mounted in the discharge opening 30. Thus the crop material passes
over the disks when cut and also must be converged from the full cut width
into the
discharge opening 30.
The cutter bar of this general construction is of a conventional nature
and many examples of a commercial arrangement of this type are available in
the
market place. Thus the details of the cutter bar and its mounting are well
known to
one skilled in the art and further details can be obtained from such
commercial
devices.
The discharge opening 30 has two side walls 32 and 33 which confine
the crop material to pass through the discharge opening over a width less than
the
width of the header so that the side walls 32 and 33 are spaced inwardly from
the
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respective end walls 15 and 16 of the header. The crop conditioning system 31
is
arranged to span the width of the crop discharge opening so that the width of
the
conditioning system is equal to the width of the discharge opening. The
conditioning
system comprises a top roller 34 and a bottom roller 35 which have flutes 36
arranged in a meshing arrangement as described in more detail hereinafter so
that
the crop material passing through the discharge opening passes through a nip
37
between the conditioning rolls and is discharged from the rear of the
conditioning
system as a swath of material to be discharged onto the ground or to be
collected as
required.
The discs 26 mounted on the cutter bar 24 include a series of discs
which are located in front of the discharge opening 30. Outward of these discs
and
either side is provided a pair of outer discs indicated at 26A and 26B with
the disc
26B outermost. These discs are arranged to rotate inwardly so that the front
extremity and the blade carried thereby rotates in the direction indicated at
the
arrows D as shown in Figure 1 to carry the crop material which is cut by those
discs
inwardly toward the discharge opening.
Each of the discs 26A and 26B carries a respective one of a plurality of
impellers. Thus the disc 26A carries an impeller 40 and the disc 26B carries
an
impeller 41. In between these two impellers is mounted a third impeller 42.
Thus in the embodiment shown there are three impellers arranged to
engage the crop material during or slightiy after the cutting action so as to
carry the
crop material inwardly toward the end wall of the discharge opening. The
number of
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impellers can be increased or decreased clepending upon particular
requirements or
particular designs. Thus there may be only two impellers or there maybe more
impellers. The impellers 40 and 41 are mounted on the respective disc so as to
be
carried thereby and driven thereby. The impeller 42 is can-ied on the frame 17
at a
position above the cutter bar 24 so as to be a hanging impeller supported from
a
mounting system 44 above the impeller wherein there is provided a suitable
bearing
and also a suitable drive system within a frame member of the frame 17.
While the impellers 40 and 41 are mounted on the respective discs to
be driven thereby, in an alternative arrangement, the impellers may be hanging
impellers in the style of arrangement shown at impeller 42.
The impellers 40 and 41 are directly co-axial with the respective disc,
26A and 26B. Hanging impellers to replace these impellers may be also co-
axially
arranged with the corresponding disc or the axes of the impellers may be
offset from
the axes of the discs. It will be appreciated that the discs and the impellers
co-
operate to assist in carrying the crop material inwardly toward the discharge
opening
and to resist the crop material from moving rearwardly over the discs 26A and
26B
to a rear bulkhead panel which could cause collection of the crop material and
eventual blockage of the system.
As shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 3A, the frame 17 includes a
frame member 45 within which is mounted a drive shaft and drive system
generally
indicated at 46 and shown in more detail in Figure 3A. This drive system 46
provides drive through a gear box 46A to a drive shaft 46B and drive link 47
to the
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
23
end disc 26B to provide drfve into an end gear of the cutter bar 24. The drive
45
also provides a drive communication by a pulley 46C and beit 46D to a drive
coupling 48 which is connected to a drive shaft 49 of the hanging impeller 42.
The
mounting 44 of the hanging impeller 42 includes a base plate 50 attached to
the
frame member or plate 45 together with a bearing arrangement 51 through which
the
shaft 49 passes.
The hanging impeller comprises a top plate 52 and a bottom plate 53
defining top and bottom ends of the impeller 42 respectively. Between these
end
plates 52 and 53 is provided a series of bars 54 at spaced positions around an
axis
55 of the impeller 42.
The impeller 40 shown In Figure 4 similariy comprises a bottom plate
56 and a top plate 57. In this arrangement the bottom plate 52 is bolted
directiy onto
the top of the respective disc 26A. The top plate 57 is thus supported at a
spaced
position from the bottom plate 56 by the upstanding bars 58 which connect the
top
and bottom plates. The bars 54 are substantially identical to the bars 58
providing
impeiiers 42 and 40 which are substantially identical in height and diameter.
However this relationship is not essential and these impellers maybe of
different
dimensions and constructions.
The impeller 41 shown in Figure 4A is similar to the impeller 40 in that
it includes a base plate 60 bolted to the top of the end disc 26B. The
impeller further
includes a top plate 61 and a series of bars 62. The height of the impeller,
41 that is
the distance between the top and bottom plate, is equal to the height of the
other
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
24
impellers. In this way the top and bottom plates of the impeller 40 and 41 are
aligned in height across the width of the header.
However the impeller 41 is oval in that it is larger in dimension in a
direction Dl than the diameter of the impeller 40 relative to its axis 63 and
is equal in
dimension, in a direction D2 at right angles to the first direction D1, to the
diameter
of the impeller 40. The bars 58 on the impeller 40 58 are angularly spaced
around
the respective axis 64 with the distance between the bars being substantially
equal.
The bars 62 on the impeller 41 are located at a greater diameter from the axis
63
than the bars 58 on the impeller 40 and there are a larger number of the bars
62
than bars 58. Thus the impeller 40 as shown in more detail in figure 4 has
only four
bars at 90 spacing whereas the impeller 41 has six bars at 45 spacing at a
larger
diameter. As the impeller 41 is oval in plan, the bars 62 are not
equidistanfly spaced
around the full periphery but are arranged in groups of three at the ends of
the larger
dimension with a larger spacing along the sides at the smaller dimension.
As best shown in figures 4 and 4A, each of the bars 58 and 62 of the
impellers 40 and 41 has a top end 66 at the top plate 57 and a bottom end 67
at the
bottom plate 56. The top and bottom ends are suitably fastened to the top and
bottom discs and in the embodiment shown this is effected by providing a hole
in the
respective disc within which the respective end is located. In the embodiment
shown each of the bars 58 is formed by a tubular member of circular cross
section.
Each of the bars is bent at a central iocation 68 so as to form two inclined
porfions
69 and 70 which extend from the bent center section 68 upwardly to the top end
and
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
downwardly to the bottom end respectively. The bend is located so that the
center
of the bar is spaced inwardly toward the axis relative to the corresponding
top and
bottom ends. Each of the bars lies in an axial plane of the impeller. This
forms for
the impeller in effect a waist at the mid height between the top and bottom
ends.
5 The waist thus forms in effect a circle surrounding the impeller which is
narrower
than the bars at the top and bottom extremity. In this way the impeller is
"hour-
glass" shape with the waist formed at the mid height.
As the top and bottom plates of the impellers 40 and 41 are at the
same height, the waist at the center is simiMarly located at the same height.
10 The impeller 42 is identical in size and construction to the impeller 40
but is located in a hanging arrangement from the upper rail 45 with the top
and
bottom plates raised slightly relative to the top and bottom plates of the
impellers 40
and 41. Thus the central waist of the impeller 42 is at a raised height
relative to the
waists of the impellers 40 and 41.
15 In one example of the impeller 40 the amount of bending of the bars is
such that a circle surrounding the bars at the waist is of the order of 15.5
cm in
diameter as opposed to a circle surrounding the bars at the top and bottom
ends
which is 19 cm in diameter.
The bars are not necessarily circular in cross section and can be of
20 different shapes to provide a more aggressive engagement with the crop. The
circular cross section bars provide an action on the crop which is relatively
non-
aggressive so that it reduces the tendency of the impeller to grasp and hold
portions
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
26
of the crop which provides a tendency for wrapping of the crop around the
impeller
as it rotates. The smooth surfaces provided by the bars allow the crop to
sweep
over those surfaces as it moves inwardly away from each of the impellers
toward the
discharge opening. There are no sharp edges on the impeller bars which could
act
to cut into the crop and cause an engagement point tending to hold the crop
against
its required movement away from the impeller.
As the crop moves inwardly toward the discharge opening, the crop
tends to lie with the stalks across the front of the header. The shaping of
the
impeller with the narrower waist thus tends to cause the crop to be cupped
within the
outer surface of the impeller so that less tendency for the crop materials to
climb
above the impellers. The crop material thus is cradled by the bars of the
impellers
as the crop material moves inwardly with the crop material tending to center
at the
central waist of the impellers. This arrangement has therefore provided an
improved
crop flow across the front of the impellers as the impellers rotate inwardly
across
their front surfaces toward the discharge opening.
Turning now to Figure 5, there is shown in cross section the
components within the discharge opening 30 which are located behind the discs
26
and the cutting blades 27. Thus there is provided the top conditioning roMler
34
which is located above the bottom conditioning roller 35. These define between
them the nip 37 through which the crop material is controlled to pass. In
order to
assist the crop material from the cutting discs to flow to the nfp 37, there
is provided
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
27
a crop transfer roller 75 which is located in the area between the rear of the
discs
and the nip of the conditioning roller system.
Thus the horizontal cutter disks 26 are mounted on the cutter bar 24 at
positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks 26 being mounted on
the
cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes 26X
spaced
along the cutter bar. The cutter blades 27 are arranged substantially in a
common
cutting plane 27P generally parallel to thie ground. The disks 26A and 26B are
mounted outwardly of the discharge opening 30 such that the width of the
cutter bar
is greater than the width of the discharge opening and such that crop cut must
be
camed thereby inwardly to the discharge opening.
The top conditioning roil 34 and the bottom conditioning roii 35 are
parallel and arranged such that the crop passes through the nip 37 between the
top
and bottom conditioning rolls. The top and bottom conditioning rolls are
arranged
such that the nip 37 is raised above the common cutting plane 27P and is
located
behind the disks 26. The transfer roller 75 is mounted behind the disks and in
front
of the nip for transferring the crop upwardly and rearwardly from the disks to
the nip.
The top and bottom conditioning rolls 34, 35 each comprising a cylindrical
body 77,
mounted for rotation about an axis 78, 79 thereof. in one example, on the
cylindrical
body 77 is mounted a series of iongitudinally extending, angulariy spaced
flutes 36
arranged such that the flutes 36 of the top roll 34 mesh with the flutes of
the botfom
roll 35 in the conditioning action, as is well known.
However the present invention is also applicable to conditioning roils of
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
28
the type which have no flutes or ribs so that the conditioning action is
effected by a
high crushing force between two plane roliers. The rollers can be smooth or
may
include grooves or indentations which are not intended to mesh in the crushing
action. Crushing conditioner rolls of this type are well known to persons
skilled in
this art and different designs may be seiected and used as will be known to
such
persons.
The transfer roller 75 also comprises a cylindrical body 80 having a
cyiindrical outer surface mounted for rotation about an axis 81 thereof. On
the body
80 is mounted a series of longitudinally extending, angularly spaced ribs 82.
The cylindrical body 80 of the transfer rolier 75 has a diameter which is
at least equal to the diameter of the cylindrical bodies 77 and 78 of the top
and
bottom conditioning rolls. As shown the diameters are equal. The roller is not
smaller than the rolls. It may be slightly larger but only by a small
difference. In one
example all the bodies 77 and 80 are of the same size and are 16.8 cms in
diameter.
Diameters in the range plus or minus 20% of this value would generally be
suitable.
The ro8s 34 and 35 and the roller 75 are driven by a drive system
schematically indicated at 84 so that the transfer roller 75 is rotated at a
rotation rate
in rpm which is less than a rotafion rate in rpm of the top and bottom
conditioning
rolls 34 and 35. This rate of rotation is selected so as to provide the best
transfer of
the crop material and is preferably in the range 50% to 90% of the rate of the
conditioner rolls which is generally of the order of 1000 rpm. In one example
a rate
of rotation of the transfer roller which is E16% of the rate of the
conditioner rolls or of
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
29
the order of 666 rpm has been found to be suitable.
Each rib 82 comprises an elongate metal bar which is rectangular in
cross section to define an inner surface 83 welded to the cylindrical body 80
of the
roller 75 so as to extend along the full length of the body. The bar may lie
in an axial
plane or may be slightly helical along the cylindrical body. The bar defines
an outer
surface 84 spaced from the cylindrical surface and a leading side surface 86
and a
trailing side surface 85. A height of the outer surface 84 from the
cylindrical surface
is greater than a width of the bar between the side surfaces 85, 86. The
height of
the outer edge 84 from the cylindrical surface is desirably greater than 1.5
cms and
preferably in the range 1.9 cros to 3.8 cms and more preferably of the order
of 2.5
cms. This defines a rib 82 which is aggressive in its action in engaging the
crop to
provide a vigorous forwarding action. The number of ribs as shown is four at
90
degree spacing although this may be changed if a greater or less aggressive
action
is required.
The transfer roller 75 is located such that the axis of the transfer roller
is above the cutting plane 27P. That is the axis is not aligned with the
cutting plane
27P nor is it generally aligned but it is significantly higher than the
cutfing plane.
This positioning of the axis of the roller allows a larger roller to be used
with bars of
larger height. The axis 81 of the transfer roller 75 is above the oommon
cutting
plane 27 of the biades by a distance of at least 4 cms and preferably in the
range 4.5
to 7.5 cros. A height of preferably of the order of 5.0 cms above the cutting
plane
has been found to be effective.
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
A lowermost tangent 80T of the cylindrical body 80 of the transfer roller
75 is however below the cutting plane 27P. An uppermost tangent 82T to a path
82P of travel of the outermost surface of the ribs 82 of the transfer roller
75 is at or
above the axis 79 of the boftom conditioning roll 35 and below the nip 37.
5 An uppermost tangent 80S of the cylindrical body 80 of the transfer
roller 75 is below the axis 79 of the bottom conditioning roll 35.
In Figure 5 the ribs 82 are arranged such that the side surfaces 85, 86
of each extend generally at right angles to the cylindrical body. That is the
rib
projects directly outwardly from the body generally in an axial plane of the
body. As
10 an alternative and preferable arrangement shown in Figure 6, the ribs are
arranged
such that the side surfaces 88 and 89 are inclined relative to an axial plane
of the
roller through the inner surface and such that the outer surface 90 is
angularly
advanced relative to the inner surface 91. This arrangement yet further
increases
the aggressive action of the bars on the crop material so as to drive the crop
more
15 vigorously from the cutting plane upwardly and rearwardly toward the nip.
The waist or narrowest intermediate location on the impellers 40 and
41 Is located at a height so that it is above the horizontal plane containing
the axis of
the transfer roller and below the horizontal plane containing the axis of the
top roller.
In this way it locates or tends to locate the crop generally in this zone for
better
20 feeding between the transfer roller and the top conditioner roll so as to
better enter
the nip.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
CA 02559353 2008-01-11
31
above described, and many apparently wideiy different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be Interpreted as iAustrative only and not iri a limlting sense.
