AU2003100632A4 - Mobile seed cleaning apparatus and associated drive and transmission system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: KASIA NOMINEES PTY LTD 131 Clayton Street Bellevue, Western Australia 6056, Australia Kevin John PRATER Griffith Hack, Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, 6th Floor, 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: MOBILE SEED CLEANING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Details of Parent Application for Divisional Applications: Australian Patent Application No. 2002231462 15 February 2002 The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- MOBILE SEED CLEANING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a seed cleaning apparatus of the kind used by farmers for separating grain of a preferred size from a feed material comprising grain and trash.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method of separating a preferred size fraction from a particulate feed material, and a mobile seed cleaning apparatus and associate drive and transmission system.

Background of the Invention [0003] Modem combine harvesters typically include a drum that consists of a rotating barrel with appropriate sized holes for separating the harvested grain from the chaff.

The separation achieved by the harvester is generally very coarse and designed to recover as much of the harvested grain as possible. As such, the harvester is unable to distinguish between different grains or sizes of grain and/or seeds from other plants and weeds. There is therefore a need to be able to separate the desired grade of grain from smaller size grain and/or other seed and trash or weeds.

[0004] For any particular grain being harvested, there exists an optimum size fraction of that grain which attracts a premium price at market. Grain or seed that is less than this particular size fraction is typically undersize due to poor growth or has become shrivelled and is thus not attractive to buyers. Particulate material of a size greater than the preferred size fraction is also unattractive, particularly if such material contains trash such as unwanted grains of other varieties, weeds, insects including caterpillars etc.

[0005] Growers who wish to obtain top price for their grain and/or seed need to be able to separate the desired grade of grain of a particular size fraction from other sized grain and/or other seed and trash or weeds.

[0006] Screens are employed in many industries for separating material by selection of the size and/or shape of the apertures or holes of the screen. A feed material is introduced on top of the screen. The fraction of that material that is able to pass through the screen is called the undersize fraction. The remaining material retained on top of passes over the screen is called the oversize fraction.

[0007] It is also known in various arts to use multiple screens to separate various size fractions, for example when a particular intermediate size fraction is preferred.

Typically, however, multiple screens are employed in series or parallel in a side by side or end to end arrangement hauled by a tractor. Moreover the screens are driven by several motors independent of the tractor, or alternately are driven by separate hydraulic motors which are connected to the hydraulic circuit of the tractor. This has necessitated the use of either multiple-drive motors or larger hydraulic capacity tractors.

[0008] Throughout this specification, the terms "grain" and "seed" are used interchangeably and the use of either term is not to be taken to imply that the other is intentionally excluded. The term "trash" is intended to cover material other than grain or seed, including sand, dirt, insects, weed etc.

[0009] The present invention was developed with a view to providing a seed cleaning apparatus and method capable of separating a particulate material into at least two size fractions with a minimal number of drive motors and avoiding the need to draw power from a hauling tractor. It is however to be clearly understood that any one of the size fractions separated from the feed material using the device and method of the present invention can equally be chosen as the preferred product of the seed cleaning apparatus.

[0010] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is -4used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Summary of the Invention [0011] According to the present invention there is provided A mobile seed cleaning apparatus for separating a particulate feed material into at least two size fractions, comprising: at least one cylindrical cleaning screen for receiving said particulate material, said cleaning screen having a first end and a second opposite axial end, said cleaning screen inclined so that said second end is below said first end wherein each of said cleaning screens is supported on a plurality of rollers, said rollers fixed along respective drive shafts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said at least one cleaning screen, said drive shafts spaced apart at a sufficient distance whereby each cleaning screen is held on said rollers by gravity; a first bin into which a cleaner under-size fraction of said feed material falls as said feed material travels from said first end to said second end; a second bin disposed below said second end of said cleaning screen and into which a cleaner over-size fraction of said feed material falling from said second end of said cleaning screen collects; first, second and third transfer devices, said first transfer device extending along said first bin for transferring said cleaner under-size fraction to said second transfer device for subsequently transferring said cleaner under-size fraction from said apparatus; said third transfer device arranged for transferring said cleaner over-size fraction from said second bin; a single drive motor; a transmission system coupling said motor to said rollers and said transfer devices, said transmission system including a first transmission means for imparting torque from said drive motor to said first transfer device, a first right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said second transfer device and a second right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said third transfer device; and, a wheeled chassis supporting said cleaning screen, drive shafts, bins, motor and first and second transfer devices.

[0012] Preferably said apparatus further comprises a second transmission means for imparting torque from said drive motor to said rollers to cause rotation of at least one cleaning screen.

[0013] Preferably said apparatus wherein said second and third transfer devices are disposed on said wheel chassis at the same end of said first transfer device.

[0014] Preferably said apparatus wherein said second and third transfer devices lie in a substantially vertical plane and said first transfer device lies in a substantially horizontal plane.

[0015] According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method for driving the first, second and third transfer devices of a mobile seed cleaning apparatus said apparatus having at least one inclined cleaning screen for separating a particulate feed material into a cleaner undersize fraction and a cleaner oversize fraction, a first bin into which said cleaner undersize fraction falls, a second bin into which cleaner oversize fraction falls and a plurality of spaced apart rollers on which respective cleaning screens are supported, said first transfer device extending along said first bin for transferring said cleaner undersize fraction to said second transfer device for subsequently transferring said cleaner undersize fraction from said apparatus, said third transfer device arranged for transferring said cleaner oversize fraction from said second bin; said method comprising the steps of: providing a single drive motor; driving said first transfer device via a first transmission means coupled to said motor; -6driving said second transfer device via a first right angle gearbox coupled between said drive motor and said second transfer device; and, driving said third transfer device by a second right angle gearbox coupled between said motor and said third transfer device.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature of the invention, a preferred embodiment of the seed cleaning apparatus will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a seed cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a close-up perspective view of one of the rotating cleaning screens in the seed cleaning apparatus of Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a rear view of the seed cleaning apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0017] A preferred embodiment of the seed cleaning apparatus 10 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and comprises at least one (in this case three) elongate cylindrical cleaning screen 18. The cleaning screens have a first end 20 and a second end 22 inclined such that the second end 22 of the cleaning screen 18 is below the first end 20 of the cleaning screen 18. The screens 18 divide a particulate material into two size fractions; a cleaner undersize fraction and a cleaner oversize fraction. If required the particulate material can be divided into three size fractions by placing a scalping screen 12 co-axially inside each cleaning screen forming a screening pair and feeding the particulate material initially into the scalping screens 12. The screens 12 have a first -7end 14 and a second end 16 inclined such that the second end 16 is below the first end 14.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, three of such screening pairs are rotatably mounted side by side in a substantially parallel arrangement above a grain hopper 24 which is mounted on a wheeled chassis 26 of the apparatus 10. It is, however, to be clearly understood that more or less pairs may be used.

[0019] Each of the scalping and cleaning screens is provided with an array of apertures in the form of slots or holes adapted to pass undersize material therethrough.

The undersize fraction from each of the cleaning screens 18 falls into a grain hopper 24 where it collects prior to transfer from the apparatus 10 via a first transfer device typically in the form of an auger which extends along the bottom of the hopper 24.

[0020] Particulate feed material is fed into the first end 14 of one or more of the scalping screens 12. The material is then separated into a scalper undersize fraction and a scalper oversize fraction. The scalper undersize fraction passes through the scalping screens 12 into the corresponding cleaning screen 18 of each screening pair. The scalper oversize fraction passes along the length of the scalping screen and falls out the second end 16 of the scalping screens 12 into a scalper oversize collector 28. The scalper oversize fraction in the scalper oversize collector 28 flows down a chute provided at a lower end 27 of the scalper oversize collector 28. The chute 25 is provided with a diverter (not shown) which can be moved to a first position in which the contents of the scalper oversize collector 28 are directed onto the ground, or to a second position in which the contents of the scalper oversize collector 28 are directed to a first end 29 of the scalper oversize transfer auger 31.

[0021] The scalper undersize fraction is further screened by cleaning screens 18. The cleaning screens 18 further separate the scalper undersize fraction into a cleaner undersize fraction and a cleaner oversize fraction.

[0022] The cleaner undersize fraction passes through the cleaning screens 18 and into the grain hopper 24 for collection prior to transfer from the apparatus 10. The cleaner oversize fraction passes along the length of the cleaning screens 18 and falls out the second end 22 of the cleaning screens 18 into a cleaner oversize collector [0023] The cleaner oversize fraction collected in the cleaner oversize collector 30 and is transferred from the apparatus 10 to a field bin, truck or silo (not shown) by cleaner oversize transfer auger 32.

[0024] Whilst in the preferred embodiment of the present invention augers are the preferred transfer devices used, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention for other suitable transfer devices such as flowveyers to be used in place of or in combination with augers to transfer any of the size fractions collected following separation of the particulate material in the seed cleaning apparatus from the apparatus.

[0025] The apertures formed in the scalping screens 12 are typically of a larger size and/or shape to those of the cleaning screens. It is intended that the particulate feed material that is introduced to the first end 14 of the scalping screens 12 is subjected to two screening steps as it travels through the apparatus 10. The particulate material that is able to pass through the apertures of the scalping screen 12, is further screened by the cleaning screens 18.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scalper oversize fraction comprises the grain which is of the premium size fraction and is preferred for market. Therefore in use, size and/or shape of the apertures of the scalping screens is chosen to set the upper limit of the preferred size fraction and the aperture size and/or shape of the cleaning screens is chosen to determine the lower limit of the preferred size fraction of material.

[0027] Each of the cleaning screens 18 is rotatably mounted on a plurality of rollers 48 fixed along two elongate drive shafts 50. The drive shafts 50 extend substantially -9parallel to each of the cleaning screens 18 and are spaced apart at a sufficient distance from the cleaning screens 18, whereby the cleaning screens 18 are held on the rollers 48 by gravity as illustrated in Figure 3. An outer surface 52 of each cleaning screen 18 sits in rolling contact with the rollers 48 as illustrated in Figure 2, so that when the drive shafts 50 are driven in one direction (say clockwise), the cleaning screens 18 are caused to rotate in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise).

[0028] As can be clearly seen in Figure 3, by way of example, in the event that a plurality of cleaning screens/scalping screens are used in combination in a single seed cleaning apparatus 10, each of the cleaning screens 18 share at least one drive shaft in common with an adjacent cleaning screen 18, so that the rollers 48 on each drive shaft 50, except the outermost drive shafts (on the left and right hand sides of the apparatus 10 respectively as illustrated in Figure are in rolling contact with two of the cleaning screens 18. Because each of the cleaning screens 18 simply sit on top of the rollers 48, it is a relatively simply procedure to replace each of the cleaning screens 18 with another cleaning screen 18 having a different sized aperture depending not the particular crop that is being cleaned.

[0029] Advantageously, the seed cleaning apparatus 10 also includes a drive mechanism for driving the cleaning screens 18 and the device(s) used to transfer each size fraction from the apparatus using a single drive, in this example engine 54. In the illustrated embodiment, engine 54 is a small 20 horse power petrol engine that supplies all of the power for the apparatus 10. A pair of v-belts 56 are used to couple a double pulley 58 on drive shaft 60 of the engine 54 to a large double pulley 62 mounted at a first end 66 of the first auger (not visible) for discharging the contents of the grain hopper 24.

[0030] Whilst in the illustrated embodiment, v-belts and pullies are used for power transmission, it is to be clearly understood to be within the scope of the present invention for other power transmission devices such as chains, synchronous belts or timing belts and sprockets to be used to drive the cleaning screens and/or transfer devices using the single source of power.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first auger in bin 24 is driven by the engine 54 by means of the double pulley 62 which is fixed to a drive shaft of the first auger. Also connected at the first end of the first auger is a sprocket wheel (not visible) that is coupled to a pair of sprockets provided on the two inner most drive shafts respectively via a chain 70 in this example. Again it is to be clearly understood that while a chain and sprocket assembly are the preferred power transmission means in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, other transmission means such as belting, synchronous belting and v-belting may be used interchangeably with the chain and sprocket assembly and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, an idler sprocket 72 is provided for adjusting the tension on chain 70. In this way, the innermost drive shafts 50 are driven by the engine 54 via chain 70. Two smaller chains 74 couple the two innermost drive shafts to the two outermost drive shafts 50 in order to indirectly drive the two outermost drive shafts 50 via engine 54 as well. In this way all four drive shafts 50 are driven in the same direction by the engine 54.

[0033] Advantageously, each of the devices for transferring various size fractions of the feed material separated by way of the scalping and/or cleaning screens from the apparatus 10 are also driven by the engine 54 by the clever use of right angle gearboxes respectively fitted to the drive shafts of each transfer means, in this example each auger, at the first or lower end of the respective augers. Thus, for example, as shown in Figure 1 the auger 32 is fitted with a right angle gearbox 76 at the drive shaft located at the first end 34 of auger 32. The right angle gearbox 76 is mechanically coupled to the first end of the third auger via another set of double pullies 78 and v-belt 80. Again it is to be clearly understood that while pullies and v-belts have been described in the illustrated embodiment, other power transmission means such as chains and sprocket assemblies could be interchanged therewith and still fall within the scope of the present invention. The scalper oversize transfer auger 31 is likewise driven by means of a right angle gearbox that is mechanically coupled to the shaft of the first end of the first auger by means of a similar arrangement of v-belts and pullies or other suitable power transmission devices.

-11- [0034] It is worth noting that double pulley 78 has two v-belts associated therewith, one of which is used to drive cleaner oversize transfer auger 32 and the other used to drive the scalper oversize transfer auger 42.

[0035] A fourth auger 82 is provided at the back end of the apparatus 10 for lifting the feed material into the first end 14 of the scalping screens 12 as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. A small feed hopper 84 is provided at the back end of the apparatus from which feed pipes 86 corresponding in number to the number of screening pairs transfer the particulate feed material into the first end 14 of the scalping screens 12.

The fourth auger 82 is also fitted with a right angle gearbox 88 that is mechanically coupled via a series of pullies 90, v-belts 92 and drive shaft 94 to another right angle gearbox 96. Gearbox 96 is mechanically coupled to one of the outermost drive shafts by way of a chain drive or other suitable power transmission means. In this way, the fourth auger 82 is also driven by the engine 54.

[0036] An application of the seed cleaning apparatus will now be briefly described, by way of example, with reference to cleaning of canola seeds. First grade canola seeds are typically of a size fraction whereby the seeds are less than approximately 2.1 to 2.3 mm in diameter, but greater than 1.0 to 1.3 mm in diameter. If the crop has been damaged in some way, or the quality of the crop has been compromised due to, say, poor weather conditions, some of the canola seeds may have become shrivelled and will typically be less than 1.3 mm in diameter. During harvesting, both first grade and lower grade canola seeds, as well as unwanted larger grains such as lupin or radish seeds, weed and trash, including caterpillars, insects and pods are mixed up together to form a particulate feed material. This feed material can be fed through the seed cleaning apparatus 10 in order to separate the smaller low quality seed from the first grade seed while also separating larger grain and trash as well. To do this, the cleaning screens 18 are selected with 1.3 mm size apertures, whilst each inner scalping screen 12 is selected with 2.1 mm size apertures.

[0037] As the mixture travels along the length of the scalping screens 12, canola seeds less than 2.1 mm in diameter pass through the scalping screens onto the corresponding -12cleaning screens 18, whereas unwanted larger grain, caterpillars, insects, pods and other trash continue down the length of the scalping screen 12 and fall out the front end into the scalper oversize collector 28. Meanwhile, the canola seeds that have passed through the scalping screen 12 as the scalper undersize fraction undergo a second screening step by means of the corresponding cleaning screens 18. The smaller unwanted material, including seeds, rye grass weed and shrivelled canola seeds report to the cleaning screen undersize fraction collected in the grain hopper 24. The first grade seed reports to the cleaner oversize fraction and travels along the length of the cleaning screens 18 until it falls out the second end 22 into the cleaner oversize fraction collector 30, from where it can be transferred to a truck or silo via the cleaner oversize transfer auger 32.

The unwanted larger grain and trash reports to the oversize fraction of the scalping screens and can be dumped directly onto the ground, or can be transferred via the scalper oversize transfer auger 31 to another bin to be used, for example, as animal feed. This is achieved by the first auger in bin 24 transferring the cleaner undersize fraction from bin 24 to the auger 31.

[0038] Different sizes and combinations of cleaning and scalping screens can be used for other types of seed.

[0039] Now that a preferred embodiment of the seed cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention has been described in detail, it will be apparent that it provides a number of significant advantages, including the following: The use of scalping screens fitted co-axially within the cleaning screens allows a two step cleaning process for separating good seed from unwanted grain and/or trash; (ii) By having a plurality of cleaning screens operating in parallel it provides a large surface area for rapid and efficient seed cleaning; (iii) It employs a single motor to provide all the power for the unit; -13- (iv) The clever use of right angle gear boxes enables each of the augers to be driven by the same engine; and, It is simple to operate, robust in design and well suited to use in the field.

[0040] Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the agricultural machinery arts, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, whilst three cleaning screens arranged in a single plane are employed in the preferred embodiment, the number and arrangement of the cleaning screens may be varied depending upon the application. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description and the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A mobile seed cleaning apparatus for separating a particulate feed material into at least two size fractions, comprising: at least one cylindrical cleaning screen for receiving said particulate material, said cleaning screen having a first end and a second opposite axial end, said cleaning screen inclined so that said second end is below said first end wherein each of said cleaning screens is supported on a plurality of rollers, said rollers fixed along respective drive shafts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said at least one cleaning screen, said drive shafts spaced apart at a sufficient distance whereby each cleaning screen is held on said rollers by gravity; a first bin into which a cleaner under-size fraction of said feed material falls as said feed material travels from said first end to said second end; a second bin disposed below said second end of said cleaning screen and into which a cleaner over-size fraction of said feed material falling from said second end of said cleaning screen collects; first, second and third transfer devices, said first transfer device extending along said first bin for transferring said cleaner under-size fraction to said second transfer device for subsequently transferring said cleaner under-size fraction from said apparatus; said third transfer device arranged for transferring said cleaner over-size fraction from said second bin; a single drive motor; a transmission system coupling said motor to said rollers and said transfer devices, said transmission system including a first transmission means for imparting torque from said drive motor to said first transfer device, a first right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said second transfer device and a second right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said third transfer device; and, a wheeled chassis supporting said cleaning screen, drive shafts, bins, motor and transfer devices.

2. A drive arrangement for a mobile seed cleaning apparatus said apparatus having at least one inclined cleaning screen for separating a particulate feed material into a cleaner undersize fraction and a cleaner oversize fraction, a first bin into which said cleaner undersize fraction falls, a second bin into which said cleaner oversize fraction falls, a plurality of spaced apart rollers along which respective cleaning screens are supported, and first, second and third transfer devices, said first transfer device extending along said first bin for transferring said cleaner undersize fraction to said second transfer device for subsequently transferring said cleaner undersize fraction from said apparatus, said third transfer device arranged for transferring said cleaner oversize fraction from said second bin; said drive arrangement comprising: a single drive motor; a transmission system coupling said motor to said rollers and said transfer devices, said transmission system comprising a first transmission means for imparting toruqe from said drive motor to said first transfer device, a first right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said second transfer device and a second right angle gear box for imparting torque from said drive motor to said third transfer device; and, a wheeled chassis supporting said cleaning screen, drive shafts, bins, motor and transfer devices.

3. The apparatus or arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 respectively, further comprising a second transmission means for imparting torque from said drive motor to said rollers to cause rotation of said screens.

4. A method for driving the first, second and third transfer devices of a mobile seed cleaning apparatus said apparatus having at least one inclined cleaning screen for separating a particulate feed material into a cleaner undersize fraction and a cleaner oversize fraction, a first bin into which said cleaner undersize fraction falls, a second bin into which cleaner oversize fraction falls and a plurality of spaced apart rollers on which respective cleaning screens are supported, said first transfer device extending along said first bin for transferring said cleaner undersize fraction to said second -16- transfer device for subsequently transferring said cleaner undersize fraction from said apparatus, said third transfer device arranged for transferring said cleaner oversize fraction from said second bin; said method comprising the steps of: providing a single drive motor; driving said first transfer device via a first transmission means coupled to said motor; driving said second transfer device via a first right angle gearbox coupled between said drive motor and said second transfer device; and, driving said third transfer device by a second right angle gearbox coupled between said motor and said third transfer device. The method according to claim 4 further comprising: coupling a second transmission means between said drive motor and said rollers for driving said rollers and subsequent rotating said at least one cleaner screen. DATED this 1 t day of August 2003 KASIA NOMINEES PTY LTD by its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia.