Combine harvester and associated method for gathering grain
US9011222B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01F12/46
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.