Abstract:
In an agricultural working vehicle, such as a combine, an air filter for an internal combustion engine includes a generally tubular rotating filter element, an inlet, an outlet, and an aspiration port. The inlet is positioned outside the tubular filter element near a top of the air filter. An aspiration port is positioned outside the tubular filter element near a bottom of the air filter. The aspiration port leads to an ambient environment. The outlet is in communication with an inside of the tubular filter element.
Abstract:
An engine combustion air pre-cleaner includes a body shaped for effecting cyclonic air flow between an inlet and an outlet of the body. Located along a longitudinal axis of the body is a conical throttling member which is coupled to a control device which operates in response to increasing engine load, as represented by increasing boost pressure, torque and/or speed, to shift the throttling member so as to cause an increasing air flow with increasing engine load.
Abstract:
An engine speed detector detects an engine speed of an engine having a baseline torque versus engine speed curve. A torque sensor detects an engine torque of the engine. A data processor determines if the detected engine speed is within a first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within a first torque range. A motor controller activates an electric motor to rotate substantially synchronously with a corresponding engine speed associated with the detected engine torque in an electric propulsion mode in accordance with a supplemental torque versus engine speed curve if the detected engine speed is within the first speed range and if the detected engine torque is within the first torque range. The supplemental torque versus engine speed curve intercepts the baseline torque versus engine speed curve at a lower speed point and a higher speed point.
Abstract:
An engine compartment arrangement for an agricultural harvester comprises an engine (10), a diesel particulate filter (12) coupled to the engine (10) to receive and filter hot exhaust gases therefrom, a fan (14), a radiator (16) disposed in a cooling airflow path in front of the fan (14) and coupled to the engine (10) to cool said engine (10), a cleaning air duct (18) having a first end (20) disposed immediately behind the fan (14) to receive a portion of the air ejected from the fan (14), and having a second end (22) disposed adjacent to the top of the diesel particulate filter (12) to exhaust a jet of the ejected air at a sufficient speed and in sufficient volume across the top surface (24) of the diesel particular filter (12) to prevent an accumulation of agricultural debris on top of the diesel particulate filter (12).
Abstract:
An air precleaner arrangement for an internal combustion engine comprises a screen, a shroud, a fan, a first cyclone filter and a second cyclone filter. The screen has air permeable openings sized to retain debris. A fan is cooperating with the screen to provide an air stream from an upstream surface through the openings of the screen to a downstream surface. The shroud encloses the fan and the screen. The first cyclone filter has an air inlet receiving air on the downstream surface of the screen, an air outlet and a scavenge port in communication with interior of the screen and thus with the air stream of the fan. The second cyclone filter has an air inlet connected to the air outlet of the first cyclone filter, an air outlet connected to the air inlet of the internal combustion engine and a scavenge port connected to an exhaust venturi in the exhaust stream of the engine.
Abstract:
A function management system includes a programmable control unit that can automatically coordinate combine traction functions and/or implement functions. In a learn mode, the operator performs a sequence of manual manipulations of the operator controlled traction and implement devices, and the control unit records and then stores information pertaining to the sequence of device operations. In an execute mode, the control unit automatically performs the sequence of device operations so that the sequence of operations occurs at the same intervals at which they were learned. As one example of a sequence, when the combine approaches the end of a field, at the touch of one button, the header is raised, the unloading auger is pivoted to an inboard position for safe turning, the ground speed is increased for rapid travel, the four wheel drive used during harvesting in the field is disengaged, the crop-processing implement speed, such as a rotor speed for a rotary crop-processing unit, is decreased, and steering of the combine is controlled to position the combine to the point of reentering the field. The sequence of device operations can be pre-programmed or input by the operator in the learn mode.
Abstract:
An engine control unit, and method of use, uses a power curve or algorithm to pro-actively adjust fuel flow rate to an engine, optionally in combination with a reactive power curve or algorithm, thereby to adjust engine power, in anticipation of changes in loads being imposed on the engine, as well as to respond to engine speed changes. The ECU has a power curve or algorithm stored in memory which responds to certain predetermined operating conditions other than sensed engine speed, by providing a sequence of pro-active change inputs, at predetermined rates of change, in rate of delivery of fuel to the engine combustion chambers, independent of engine speed change, thereby to produce pro-active incremental changes in power output of the engine. Such pro-active incremental power changes are effected in anticipation of changes in load demand on the engine, and correspond generally with expected incrementally progressive changes in load demand on the engine. In preferred embodiments, the power curve or algorithm includes a first upwardly sloping line representing small increment increases in engine power, a second step change increase in engine power, a third downwardly sloping line representing small incremental decreases in engine power, and a fourth relatively greater magnitude step change decrease in engine power. The pro-active change input signals can be combined with reactive change input signals to make respective combination change input signals which take into consideration a variety of operating parameters, including engine speed changes.
Abstract:
A passive fan blade for a cooling package for use in an agricultural combine comprises a generally rectangular member having an axis, a central mounting area and two opposed legs, each leg having a middle region, a leading region and a trailing region, the leading and trailing regions being angled toward the downstream direction of intended air flow. The trailing regions increase in width in proportion to distance from the axis, while the leading regions decrease in width in proportion to distance from the axis, whereby the member is impelled to rotate in the direction of the leading edges when air flows past the member. In an assembly, the passive fan blade is mounted via a bearing assembly and mounting hardware onto a hub connected to a bracket. In a cooling package, the passive fan blade assembly is mounted on a frame in close proximity to a face of a radiator or a charge air cooler to provide turbulence thereby minimizing accumulation of chaff, dust and debris in order to maintain cooling efficiency.
Abstract:
An agricultural vehicle including plurality of engines, a plurality of mechanical loads, a plurality of electrical generators, a plurality of electrical loads, at least one load sensor, and a controller. The plurality of engines includes a first engine and a second engine. The plurality of mechanical loads includes a first mechanical load and a second mechanical load. The first mechanical load is coupled to the first engine and a second mechanical load is coupled to the second engine. The plurality of electrical generators includes a first generator and a second generator. The first generator is coupled to the first engine and the second generator is coupled to the second engine. The plurality of electrical loads can be separately coupled to the first generator or the second generator. The at least one load sensor is configured to produce a signal representative of the first mechanical load on the first engine, the second mechanical load on the second engine, a sum of electrical loads on the first generator, and/or a sum of electrical loads on the second generator. The controller is configured to shift at least one of the plurality of electrical loads between the first generator and the second generator dependent upon the signal.
Abstract:
An agricultural harvester includes a first power unit and a second power unit. The first power unit is couplable with a first primary load, including a threshing system load. A first temperature sensor associated with the first power unit provides a first output signal. A second temperature sensor associated with the second power unit provides a second output signal. A first motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the first power unit, and a second motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the second power unit. The second motor/generator and the first motor/generator are electrically coupled together. At least one electrical processing circuit is Occupied with the first temperature sensor, second temperature sensor, first motor/generator and second motor/generator. The at least one electrical processing circuit is configured for selective bidirectional transfer of electrical power between the first motor/generator and the second motor/generator, dependent on the first output signal and the second output signal.