Low energy sickle mower and system using controlled gap thin blade shear process and torque management
US6886317B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D34/13
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Low energy non-interference unbiased shear process employing a thin dull blade laterally moving between upper and lower stators. Blades and stators are not biased or pressed together while cutting, as is done with a pair of scissors. Instead, the dull cutting blade is guidingly supported by said upper and lower stators, and the upper and lower stators are sized and formed such that a thickness of a cutting zone (M) formed therebetween exceeds the thickness of a blade zone (VZ) formed by the dull cutting blade, by a total controlled gap (Z) of preferably between 1 and 5 mils (0.0254-0.127 mm). The cutting blade is preferably thin in relation to grass cross section, preferably 10 to 50 mils (0.254 mm-1.27 mm). This arrangement provides two true shearing sites for grass at upper and lower leading edges of the blade. Adequate blade swipe frequency is provided, with gentle C-shape blade profiles yielding self-cleaning blades with lower running friction. Tensile failure of the grass is avoided. A torque management system performs motor load monitoring and modulation of blade position. To reject obstructions and clean the blade, the blade can be made to reverse direction, jitter, or recip…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.