BR9901041A - Compaction processes for harvested and densified fibrous material and cotton compactor - Google Patents

Abstract

"COMPACTING PROCESSES FOR HARVED FIBER MATERIAL AND DENSIFICATION, AND, COTTON COMPACTOR". A method and apparatus for densifying fibrous material such as harvested cotton, preferably by continuously moving the cotton through a compaction zone on the harvester. In one aspect of the invention, the fibers are locked by differential translation of portions of the mass of compacted material to prevent a layer of material from bouncing back after compression. A continuous blanket of compressed material with braided fibers is formed into a uniform high density bale, or modulus, on the harvester. A cotton harvester compaction system includes an air duct system that feeds harvested cotton into an accumulation area and into the harvester compaction zone. Cotton is compressed and fed through a shear zone, which differentially translates cotton and locks the cotton fibers into a compact uniform blanket. In one embodiment, the compacted cotton blanket is fed to a round bale shaper on the harvester to form a dense round bale or module. In another embodiment, the blanket is layered on a rectangular bale, or modulus, over the harvester. An inline horizontal compaction zone allows any voids in the feed in section, or voids resulting from compaction or shear, to be closed. A brake zone may be provided after the shear zone to provide adjustable back pressure for improved locking in compression and screen handling integrity. The brake is adjustable to fine-tune the system for various types of cotton and for different moisture and debris conditions. The accumulation area allows continued harvesting operation during brief compaction interruptions, such as during module unloading.