AXIAL FLOW ROTARY SEPARATOR

摘要

AXIAL FLOW ROTARY SEPARATOR In a combine harvester axial flow rotary separator, crop material is propelled in a generally spiral path as a relatively thin mat, maintained in contact with the inner wall of a cylindrical separator housing due to centrifugal force from the motion imparted to the mat by a rotor. The rotor, in each of several embodiments disclosed, carries finger-like elements which intermittently penetrate and positively propel portions of the mat without compressing it, the finger action and motion providing the desired axial displacement as well as circumferential movement of portions of the mat without relying on additional axial indexing aids such as guide vanes in the housing. In one embodiment, positively driven finger wheels mounted obliquely and eccentrically in a housing are so inclined that their net effect, when in greatest engagement with the crop material mat, is to index the portion of the mat engaged axially downstream. Adjusting means are provided for controlling the rate of throughput. In another embodiment, an axially reciprocating rotor slat carries a plurality of finger elements so hinged that, as the slat reciprocates axially, the fingers engage the crop material mat only intermittently and propel it with a ratchet-like action. In a further embodiment, crop-engaging finger elements of a rotor are mounted on bars, parallel to the separator housing axis, in a mechanical arrangement similar to a parallel bar-type side delivery rake, revolving bodily within the housing. In a further embodiment, the rotor consists of an obliquely journaled finger wheel arrangement co-axial with the housing, combined with a drum or core eccentric to the housing axis and carrying functional elements such as threshing or separating bars which pass close to a grate as the rotor rotates. Due to the eccentricity of drum and finger wheel, the fingers alternately effectively withdraw into and emerge from the drum and the inclination of the finger wheel, relative to the housing axis, is such as to ensure positive axial displacement of crop material in the desired direction while the fingers are extended from the housing.