CA3107167A1 - Adjustable grating for a combine harvester and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable concave and method of operating a combine harvester with an adjustable concave is provided, the adjustable concave comprising a concave frame, a primary grating fixed to the concave frame, and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the concave frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating. A method of operating a combine with an adjustable concave comprises moving the secondary grating into a first position, inserting crop material into a threshing drum, rotating a rotor of the combine, and moving the secondary grating into a second position.

Description

ADJUSTABLE GRATING FOR A COMBINE HARVESTER AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Adjustable gratings as may be used in rotary combine harvesters and conventional combine harvesters, and particularly adjustable concaves.
BACKGROUND

[0002] In a conventional combine harvester a header cuts crops and feeds the cut crop up a grain conveyor into a threshing cylinder. In the threshing cylinder a set of rasp bars or rub bars press the crop against one or more concave sections. Each concave section has at least a grating with holes for the seed or grain head to fall through. The grating typically has holes sized to prevent the chaff from falling through the grating. The chaff progresses across the concave to be ejected, for example into a straw walker that empties the chaff back into the field.

[0003] The grating of a concave section may be selected for the crop being harvested. A concave section may have a grating with different sized holes. A
combine may have multiple adjacent concave sections with similar or different gratings.
When a combine is used to harvest a different crop, the concave sections may need to be switched out for concave sections with different grating sizes.

[0004] A rotary combine harvester, sometimes referred to as a rotary combine, is another type of combine harvester which, in many of its versions, eliminates the straw walker and processes the crop primarily in modified threshing cylinders.

[0005] In a rotary combine, there may be 5-7 rotations of the rotor before grain passes through the grating and chaff is ejected. The first few rotations may thresh the grain out of the head or pod, while the subsequent rotations separate the grain from material other than grain (MOG). Some tough threshing crops might require additional threshing rotations.
To provide this, a concave grating may be closed or blocked, such as by filler plates attached to the concave. However, attaching or removing filler plates may require stopping the rotary combine, which slows down the process.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0006] In some rotary combines, two different styles of concaves may be used depending on the crop. The concaves may be either large wire or small wire concaves. In systems with removable concaves, switching between the large wire and small wire concaves can take significant time and effort for operators. Some attempts to overcome these issues include concaves having small holes in the front and large holes in the back to try and trash out the grains but these systems have the drawback of losing separating area.
SUMMARY

[0007] An adjustable grating is provided, the adjustable grating comprising a frame, a primary grating fixed to the frame and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating.

[0008] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: the adjustable grating is an adjustable concave; each of the primary grating and the secondary grating comprising a grid of circumferential and axial bars;
wherein circumferential bars of each grid are spaced apart a distance equal to or greater than their respective width; the secondary grating moves between a maximally closed position and a minimally closed position, and in which the circumferential bars of the primary and secondary grating define a maximum closed position surface area when in the maximally closed position and a minimum closed position surface area when in the minimally closed position and in which the maximum closed surface area is twice as large as the minimum closed position surface area; the maximally closed position is a closed position and in which the maximally closed position surface area is equal to a surface area of the primary grating;
the minimally closed position is an open position, and in the open position circumferential bars of the secondary grating are aligned with and wholly overlap with the circumferential bars of the primary grating; the secondary grating is continuously adjustable between the maximally closed position and the minimally closed position; movement of the secondary grating comprises axial translation, and circumferential bars of the secondary grating are equal to or greater in size to gaps in the primary grating, whereby the secondary grating blocks the gaps when in the closed position.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0009] In yet further embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: the adjustable grating comprises one or more threaded bars and the secondary grating comprising a shuttle threaded onto the threaded bars, the secondary grating movable by relative rotation of threading of the shuttle and threading of the threaded bars; the secondary grating is movable by an actuator; the actuator comprises a motor attached to the frame; the motor rotates the threaded bar relative to the frame by rotating a chain about a sprocket fixed to the threaded rod; the primary grating is radially interior to the secondary grating; the secondary grating is movable between an open position and a fully closed position; the secondary grating is continuously adjustable between the open position and fully closed position; bars of the secondary grating are equal to or greater in size to gaps in the primary grating, whereby the secondary grating closes the gaps when in the closed position; the adjustable grating being an upper cage; the adjustable grating being a straw chopper grating.

[0010] A method of operating a combine with adjustable concaves is provided, the method comprising: providing one or more concaves in a sequence in the combine, at least one of the concaves comprising an adjustable concave; moving the adjustable concave into a closed position; inserting crop material into the threshing drum; rotating a rotor for one or more rotations; and moving the adjustable concave into an at least partially open position.

[0011] In various embodiments of a method of operating a combine with adjustable concaves, there may be included any one or more of the following features: one or more of the concaves comprises a plurality of adjustable concaves; each adjustable concave comprising a concave frame; a primary grating fixed to the concave frame; and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the concave frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating.

[0012] In a further embodiment, a method of operating a combine with adjustable concaves is provided, the method comprising providing a plurality of concaves in a sequence in the combine, the one or more concaves comprising at least one adjustable concave, the adjustable concave comprising a concave frame, a primary grating fixed to the concave frame, and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 primary grating and movably connected to the concave frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating; moving the secondary grating into a first position; inserting crop material into a threshing drum; rotating a rotor of the combine; and moving the secondary grating into a second position.

[0013] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 is perspective view of an adjustable concave according to an embodiment placed in a sequence between two conventional concaves.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave with the primary grating and adjustable grating omitted.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of an adjustable concave in a partially open position.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of an adjustable concave in an open position.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a simplified plan view of a secondary grating and primary grating according to an embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 6A is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary open position.

[0021] Fig. 6B is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary partially open position.

[0022] Fig. 6C is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary partially open position.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0023] Fig. 7A is an expanded view of part of the exemplary open position of Fig.
6A, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0024] Fig. 7B is an expanded view of part of the exemplary partially open position of Fig. 6B, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0025] Fig. 7C is an expanded view of part of the exemplary partially open position of Fig. 6C, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0026] Fig. 8A is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary partially open position.

[0027] Fig. 8B is an expanded view of part of the exemplary partially open position of Fig. 8A, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0028] Fig. 9A is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary open position.

[0029] Fig. 9B is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary partially open position.

[0030] Fig. 9C is a simplified plan view showing only the adjustable grating and primary grating of an adjustable concave, the gratings positioned in an exemplary closed position.

[0031] Fig. 10A is an expanded view of part of the exemplary open position of Fig.
9A, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0032] Fig. 10B is an expanded view of part of the exemplary partially open position of Fig. 9B, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0033] Fig. 10C is an expanded view of part of the exemplary closed position of Fig.
9C, showing only the circumferential bars of the primary and adjustable gratings.

[0034] Fig. 11A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the first of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting barley and oats.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0035] Fig. 11B is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the second of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting barley and oats.

[0036] Fig. 11C is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the third of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting barley and oats.

[0037] Fig. 11D is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the fourth of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting barley and oats.

[0038] Fig. 11E is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
11A.

[0039] Fig. 11F is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
11B.

[0040] Fig. 11G is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
11C.

[0041] Fig. 11H is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
11D.

[0042] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the first of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting canola.

[0043] Fig. 12B is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the second of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting canola.

[0044] Fig. 12C is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the third of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting canola.

[0045] Fig. 12D is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the fourth of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting canola.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0046] Fig. 12E is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
12A.

[0047] Fig. 12F is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
12B.

[0048] Fig. 12G is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
12C.

[0049] Fig. 12H is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
12D.

[0050] Fig. 13A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the first of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting peas.

[0051] Fig. 13B is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the second of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting peas.

[0052] Fig. 13C is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the third of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting peas.

[0053] Fig. 13D is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable concave as the fourth of a series of adjustable concaves in a combine harvester in an exemplary configuration for harvesting peas.

[0054] Fig. 13E is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
13A.

[0055] Fig. 13F is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
13B.

[0056] Fig. 13G is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
13C.

[0057] Fig. 13H is a cross-section view taken along the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and radial direction of the adjustable concave of Fig.
13D.

[0058] Fig. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a combine comprising at least a first adjustable concave.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0059] Fig. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a combine comprising a first adjustable concave and one or more secondary adjustable concaves.

[0060] Fig. 16 is a side view of a simplified schematic of a rotary combine.

[0061] Fig. 17A is a perspective view of the rotor cage of the rotary combine of Fig.
16.

[0062] Fig. 17B is a bottom view of the straw chopper grate of the rotary combine of Fig. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.

[0064] A system for adjustable gratings is described that may be equipped for application with both rotary combines and conventional combines. This system for adjustable gratings may be applied any of several grating structures found within rotary combines and conventional combines, but in the preponderance of this description, will be described with reference to an adjustable concave. Structures of an adjustable grating system described with respect to an adjustable concave may be adjusted for application to other grating systems in a combine, such as the upper cage or the straw chopper grating.

[0065] Generally, in this document the use of an adjustable concave is described with reference to the operation of a rotary combine. However, references to an adjustable concave used in a 'combine' should be considered to include application to a conventional combine harvester with appropriate modifications.

[0066] As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, an adjustable concave may comprise one or more adjustable concave sections 10, each adjustable concave section 10 comprises a frame 12 and a primary grating 14 with a grid of axial bars 14A (Fig. 3) and circumferential bars 14B (Fig. 3). The bars 14A, 14B of each adjustable concave section 10 are fixed to the frame 12. One or more of the axial bars 14A and circumferential bars 14B may be provided as larger structural segments 16 (Fig. 2). Regularly spaced structural segments 16 may increase the strength and rigidity of the overall concave.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0067] Each adjustable concave section further comprises a secondary grating 20 (Fig. 3). The secondary grating 20 comprises a grating structure with a grid of axial bars 20A
and circumferential bars 20B. The secondary grating 20 is suspended by a structure of the frame 12 to ride over the primary grating 14. While riding over the primary grating 14, the secondary grating 20 overlies, equivalently overlaps, at least a portion of the primary grating.
Consequently, the primary grating 14 and secondary grating 20 can be considered to be adjacent to each other or stacked. The position of the primary grating 14 relative to the secondary grating 20 thereby affects the alignment of gaps in the primary grating 14 and gaps in the secondary grating 20. This alignment controls the effective size of the overall gaps in the adjustable concave section 10.

[0068] Relative to the central axis of the threshing drum, the mobile secondary grating 20 may be positioned radially exterior to the fixed primary grating 14, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Positioning the mobile secondary grating 20 exterior to the primary grating 14 may prevent the mobile secondary grating 20 from taking the brunt of the threshing force.

[0069] The connection of the secondary grating 20 to the concave frame permits translation of the secondary grating 20 relative to the concave frame 12, and thereby permits translation of the secondary grating 20 relative to the primary grating 14.
Axial translation of the secondary grating 20 relative to the primary grating 14 changes the alignment of the circumferential bars 14B, 20B of each of the gratings and provides linear adjustment of the gaps in the secondary grating 20 with respect to the gaps in the primary grating 14.

[0070] The secondary grating 20 may be movable between open and closed positions and may be continuously adjustable between the open and closed positions. In some embodiments, axial translation of the secondary grating 20 may be provided by mounting the secondary grating 20 onto the frame 12 on one or more threaded bars 22. The secondary grating may comprise one or more shuttles 24 threaded onto the threaded bars 22. Relative rotation of threading of either or both of the shuttle 24 and the threaded bar 22 turns the other of the shuttle 24 and threaded bar 22, thereby linearly actuating the secondary grating 20.

[0071] Other structures may be provided for mounting the secondary grating 20 to the concave frame 12 to be movable relative to the primary grating 14. Such structures could comprise rails, telescoping segments and other mechanisms permitting extension or Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 movement. For example, the secondary grating 20 could be mounted to rails (not shown) and its position relative to the primary grating 14 could be controlled by a hydraulic actuator.

[0072] In general, the secondary grating 20 may be axially movable relative to the primary grating 14 by an actuator. While linear actuation by relative rotation of a threaded rod and a shuttle is described, other possible means of linear actuation might include common mechanical, hydraulic, and electro-mechanical actuators. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the relative rotation of the threaded rod and shuttle is provided by a motor 26 attached to the concave frame. The motor 26 rotates the threaded bar 22 relative to the concave frame 12 by moving a chain 28 looped over a sprocket 29 which may be attached to, affixed to or monolithic with threaded bar 22. In some embodiments, two adjusting shafts may be used to stop the secondary grating 20 from binding when adjusting it. The two shafts may be connected with the chain 28 and has one adjusting sprocket that can be adjusted manually or with an actuator, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The motor 26 may have its own electrical system installed. In other embodiments, the motor 26 could be electrically connected into the combine. In further embodiments, a manual adjustor may be used, for example, which could be adjusted with a wrench.

[0073] The bars of the secondary grating 20 and primary grating 14 may have different or equal sizes and may be sized to provide advantageous gap sizes between the open and closed positions.

[0074] In some embodiments the circumferential bars 20B of the secondary grating 20 may be smaller than the gaps in the primary grating 14, as illustrated in Figs. 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A and 8B. In such embodiments, the secondary grating 20 cannot fully block the gaps in the primary grating 14. Such embodiments may have an open position in which the circumferential bars 20B and circumferential bars 14B are overlapping and aligned, as illustrated in Figs. 6A and 7A, and a 'closed position' in which the circumferential bars 20B
are centered in the gaps in the primary grating 14, thereby presenting the smallest overall gap spacing in the combined gratings with a small gap on each side of each circumferential bars 20B, as illustrated in Figs. 8A and 8B. An 'open position' may equivalently be referred to as a 'minimally closed position' or a 'maximally open position', and a 'closed position' may be equivalently referred to as a 'maximally closed position' or a 'minimally open position'.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0075] Such a grating arrangement may also have a plurality or continuum of 'partially open positions'. Two exemplary partially open positions are illustrated in Figs. 6B-6C and 7B-7C. In Figs. 6B and 7B, the secondary grating 20 partly overlaps the primary grating 14 and partly occludes the gaps. In Figs. 6C and 7C, an edge of the circumferential bars 20B of the secondary grating 20 is aligned with an edge of the circumferential bars 20B
of the primary grating 14. In this position, a single gap is provided adjacent to each circumferential bar 20B.

[0076] In some embodiments, the circumferential bars 20B of the secondary grating 20 may be equal to or greater in size to the axial gaps (gaps between circumferential bars 14B) in the primary grating, whereby the secondary grating 20 fully blocks or occludes the gaps when in a closed position by covering the gaps, as illustrated in Figs.
9C and 10C.

[0077] Closing the gaps prevents the movement of grain and material other than grain through the grating and increases the threshing time, which may be desirable in some circumstances, such as with certain types of grains which require greater threshing periods or in the first concave in a series of concaves. The secondary grating 20 may then be moved into an open or partially open position to permit grain to pass through openings in the gratings 14, 20, as illustrated in Figs. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B.

[0078] Having high variation between the fully open and partially open or fully closed positions may provide increased flexibility for the combine depending on the circumstances. For example, having a fully closed position may be useful to operate the combine with the least amount of grain loss and highest productivity where grains require additional threshing to separate grain from the MOG. Having the capacity for a fully open position where the circumferential bars 20B of the secondary grating 20 overlap the circumferential bars 14B of the primary grating 14B may increase the versatility of the concave by allowing the same concave to be used for more crops having both small and large grains.

[0079] For each concave, the sizing of the circumferential bars 14B of the primary grating and the circumferential bars 20B of the secondary grating and the spacing of the bars may be selected to optimize the sizing of gaps for particular crops and optimize the scope of gap sizes in the continuum between the fully open and closed positions.
Additionally, a Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 sequence of concaves may be selected with slightly different grating sizes within the sequence. For the purposes of the description that follows, the term "spacing"
is used to indicate the distance between each subsequent circumferential bar 14B or 20B
in a grating.
For example, a grating with 3/4" bars with a 1" spacing implies there is a 3/4" bar and a 3/4"
inch gap between each pair of bars. In general, it is assumed that the spacing on the primary grating and the spacing on the adjustable grating is equal, though this need not always be the case.

[0080] An exemplary grating sequence suitable for barley and oats is illustrated in Figs. 11A-11H. The sequence may include a first adjustable concave 10 having wider circumferential bars 14B and 20B than subsequent adjustable concaves in the sequence. In the example illustrated, the circumferential bars 14B and 20B may each be 1/2"
wide and have a 1" spacing, i.e., each pair of bars on a grating has a 1/2" gap. For barley and oats, a suitable configuration for the first adjustable concave 10 may comprise a 'half open position' in which the circumferential bars 20B cover half of the 1/2" gaps of the primary grating, providing effective 3/4" openings, as illustrated in Figs. 11A and 11E.

[0081] In this exemplary sequence for barley and oats, the second, third, and fourth adjustable concaves 10 may each have 3/4" thick circumferential bars with a 1"
spacing. The second adjustable concave 10 in the sequence may have a 'mostly closed configuration' providing two 3/4" openings per 1" spacing as illustrated in Figs. 11B and 11F. The third adjustable concave 10 may have a partially open configuration providing one 1/2" opening per 1" spacings, as illustrated in Figs. 11C and 11G. A fourth adjustable concave 10 may have a 'fully open' configuration with one 3/4" opening per 1" spacing, as illustrated in Figs. 11D
and 11G.

[0082] An exemplary grating sequence suitable for canola is illustrated in Figs. 12A-12H. The sequence may include a first adjustable concave 10 having wider circumferential bars 14B and 20B than subsequent adjustable concaves in the sequence. In the example illustrated, the circumferential bars 14B and 20B may each be 1/2" wide and have a 1"
spacing. For canola, a suitable configuration for the first adjustable concave 10 may comprise a 'half open' position in which the circumferential bars 20B cover half of the 1/2"

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 gaps of the primary grating, providing effective 3/4" openings, as illustrated in Figs. 12A and 12E.

[0083] The second, third and fourth adjustable concaves 10 may comprise 3/4" thick circumferential bars with a 1" spacing. For canola, the second, third and fourth adjustable concaves 10 in the sequence may all have a 'mostly closed configuration' providing two 3/4"
openings per 1" spacing as illustrated in Figs. 12B-12D and 12F-12H.

[0084] An exemplary grating sequence suitable for peas is illustrated in Figs. 13A-13H. The sequence may include a first adjustable concave 10 having wider circumferential bars 14B and 20B than subsequent adjustable concaves in the sequence. In the example illustrated, the circumferential bars 14B and 20B may each be 1/2" wide and have a 1"
spacing. For peas, a suitable configuration for the first adjustable concave 10 may comprise a 'fully open position' in which the circumferential bars 20B overlap entirely with the circumferential bars 14B of primary grating 14, to providing 1/2" openings, as illustrated in Figs. 13A and 13E.

[0085] The second, third and fourth adjustable concaves 10 may comprise 3/4" thick circumferential bars with a 1" spacing. For peas, the second, third and fourth adjustable concaves 10 in the sequence may all have a 'fully open configuration' providing one 3/4"
opening per 1" spacing as illustrated in Figs. 13B-13D and 13F-13H.

[0086] In the embodiments presented, translation of the secondary grating 20 has been described in the context of axial translation. However, it is possible that in some embodiments, translation of the secondary grating 20 could be provided as circumferential translation, i.e., rotation of the secondary grating 20 about the central axis of the threshing drum. In one such embodiment, the secondary grating 20 could be mounted to the frame on circumferential rails and actuated by a motor or other actuator moving the secondary grating on the rails. For example, a hydraulic actuator and a bearing such as a ball and socket joint could convert linear motion of a piston into circumferential motion of the secondary grating 20. In an embodiment in which the secondary grating 20 is circumferentially translated, it is the alignment of axial bars 20A of the secondary grating 20 that governs the size of effective gaps in the overlap between the primary grating 14 and secondary grating 20.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0087] An adjustable concave provides many modes of use when installed in a combine harvester. Multiple adjustable concaves could be installed in series, or an adjustable concave could be installed in a set of concaves including non-adjustable concaves. One overarching use of an adjustable concave may include being able to modify the gap sizing in one or more adjustable concaves in a series during the harvesting of a single crop. Another overarching use of an adjustable concave may include being able to modify gap sizing when moving between crops without needing to swap out the concave for a concave with different gap sizing.

[0088] Adjusting gap sizing during harvesting may allow for rapid adjustments accounting for the toughness of the crop being harvested. With tougher crops, the crop may require additional threshing before it should pass through the concave. Being able to close and open the concave gaps, and control the size of the opening, may improve the efficiency of the threshing, increase productivity, and reduce rotor losses.

[0089] The principles and components of an adjustable concave may be applied to other grating structures within the combine harvester. Examples of such applicable gratings include the upper cage and the straw chopper grate. As illustrated in Fig. 16, the exterior of a combine 200 comprises a feeder 202, a cab 204, and wheels 206. Within the bulk of the combine, the threshing drum 208 includes a rotor (not shown), concaves 10 and an upper rotor cage 210. In some embodiments, an upper cage 210 may be provided with an adjustable upper cage grating 212, as illustrated in Fig. 17A. After threshing and separating, straw exits out of the back of the threshing drum at the straw chopper 214 or discharge beater (not shown in this embodiment). A straw chopper grate 216 may be provided with an adjustable straw chopper grating 218, as illustrated in Fig. 17B. The adjustable upper cage grating 212 and adjustable straw chopper grating 218 may each operate on similar principles as the adjustable concave 10 as described herein. The ability to adjust the upper cage grating size may permit the operator to control the amount of material ejected through the grating of the upper cage to allow some grain to allow some grain to exit out of that portion of the threshing cylinder. Being able to adjust the grating size of the adjustable straw chopper grating 218 may enable the operator to open up the grating in tougher conditions to adjust the shoe load.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

[0090] With respect to the flowchart in Fig. 14, a method of operating a combine with a primary adjustable concave is described. In step 100 one or more concaves are provided in a sequence in the combine, at least one of the concaves comprising a first adjustable concave. In step 102, the first adjustable concave is moved into a closed position.
In step 104, new crop material is introduced into a rotary drum. In step 106, a rotor is rotated for one or more rotations. The rotor may continue to rotate throughout the remainder of the method. By rotating the rotor while an adjustable concave is in the closed position, a tough threshing crop may receive additional rotations of the rotor separating the grain from the MOG. In step 108, the first adjustable concave is moved into an at least partially open position. In an at least partially open position, grain may slip through the grating gaps to move onwards through the combine harvester. MOG may be moved by rotation of the rotor out an end of the threshing drum and be ejected from the harvester or otherwise disposed of From step 108, the operator may loop back to step 102 as more crop is brought into the threshing drum and requires threshing.

[0091] In some embodiments, a method of operating a combine with multiple adjustable concaves is described. In step 110 two or more concaves are provided in a sequence in the combine, at least one of the concaves comprising a first adjustable concave and at least one of the concaves comprising a secondary adjustable concave. In step 112, the first adjustable concave and secondary adjustable concaves are moved into a closed position.
In step 114, new crop material is introduced into a rotary drum. In step 116, a rotor is rotated for one or more rotations. The rotor may continue to rotate throughout the remainder of the method. By rotating the rotor while an adjustable concave is in the closed position, a tough threshing crop may receive additional rotations of the rotor separating the grain from the MOG. In step 118, the first adjustable concave is moved into an at least partially open position. In an at least partially open position, grain may slip through the grating gaps to move onwards through the combine harvester. MOG may be moved by rotation of the rotor out an end of the threshing drum and be ejected from the harvester or otherwise disposed of In step 120 one or more secondary adjustable concaves may be moved into a fully open or partially open position. From step 120, the operator may loop back to step 112 as more crop is brought into the threshing drum and requires threshing. The sizing of the gaps in the one Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 or more secondary adjustable concaves may be chosen based on one or more of historical data, estimates of the properties of the crop, visual factors, or measurements made by sensors. Different gap sizing - i.e., different partially open and partially open sizing ¨ may be selected for different concaves at the same time. For example, each concave in a succession of adjustable concaves may each have a partially open position with successively larger gap sizing. Guides may be provided with the adjustable concaves, such as markings on the adjustable concaves themselves, to indicate preferred opening positions for different crops.

[0092] In various embodiments of the methods, the timing of each step may be controlled according to estimates of how much additional threshing a given crop may require or may be controlled in response to visual factors or measurements made by sensors, among other possible factors. These steps may be controllable by the driver or pilot of the combine harvester or may be automated in whole or in part by a processor. This processor may be integrated into a control system of the combine harvester.

[0093] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

Claims (19)

TRE EMBODIMENTS OF TRE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An adjustable grating for a combine harvester comprising:
a frame;
a primary grating fixed to the frame; and a secondary grating, the secondary grating adjacent to and overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating.

2. The adjustable grating of claim 1 wherein the adjustable grating is an adjustable concave.

3. The adjustable grating according to claim 1 wherein the adjustable grating is an adjustable upper cage.

4. The adjustable grating according to claim 1 wherein the adjustable grating is an adjustable straw chopper grating.

5. The adjustable grating according to any one of claims 1-4, each of the primary grating and the secondary grating comprising a grid of circumferential and axial bars.

6. The adjustable grating according to claim 5 wherein circumferential bars of each grid are spaced apart a distance equal to or greater than their respective width.

7. The adjustable grating according to any one of claims 5 or 6 in which the secondary grating moves between a maximally closed position and a minimally closed position, and in which the circumferential bars of the primary and secondary grating define a maximum closed position surface area when in the maximally closed position and a minimum closed Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 position surface area when in the minimally closed position, and in which the maximum closed surface area is twice as large as the minimum closed position surface area.

8. The adjustable grating of claim 7 in which the maximally closed position is a fully closed position.

9. The adjustable grating according to any one of claims 7 or 8 in which the minimally closed position is an open position, and in the open position circumferential bars of the secondary grating are aligned with and wholly overlap with the circumferential bars of the primary grating.

10. The adjustable gratingof any one of claims 7-9 wherein the secondary grating is continuously adjustable between the maximally closed position and the minimally closed position.

11. The adjustable grating of any one of claims 7-10 wherein movement of the secondary grating comprises axial translation, and circumferential bars of the secondary grating are equal to or greater in size to gaps in the primary grating, whereby the secondary grating blocks the gaps when in the closed position.

12. The adjustable grating of any one of claims 1-11 comprising one or more threaded bars and the secondary grating comprising a shuttle threaded onto the threaded bars, the secondary grating movable by relative rotation of threading of the shuttle and threading of the threaded bars.

13. The adjustable grating of any one of claims 1-12 wherein the secondary grating is movable by an actuator.

14. The adjustable grating of claim 13 wherein the actuator comprises a motor attached to the frame.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26

15. The adjustable grating of claim 14 as depending from claim 12 wherein the motor rotates the threaded bar relative to the frame by rotating a chain about a sprocket fixed to the threaded rod.

16. The adjustable grating according to any one of claims 1-15 wherein the primary grating is radially interior to the secondary grating.

17. A method of operating a combine with adjustable concaves comprising:
providing one or more concaves in a sequence in the combine, at least one of the concaves comprising an adjustable concave;
moving the adjustable concave into a closed position;
inserting crop material into the threshing drum;
rotating a rotor for one or more rotations; and moving the adjustable concave into an at least partially open position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each adjustable concave comprises:
a concave frame;
a primary grating fixed to the concave frame; and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the concave frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating.

19. A method of operating a combine with adjustable concaves comprising:
providing a plurality of concaves in a sequence in the combine, the one or more concaves comprising at least one adjustable concave, the adjustable concave comprising:
a concave frame;
a primary grating fixed to the concave frame; and a secondary grating, the secondary grating overlapping at least a portion of the primary grating and movably connected to the concave frame for relative motion with respect to the primary grating;

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26 moving the secondary grating into a first position;
inserting crop material into a threshing drum;
rotating a rotor of the combine; and moving the secondary grating into a second position.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-26