阅读说明：本技术 直驱式抽吸系统 (Direct-drive suction system ) 是由 詹姆斯·T·努南 肖恩·J·米勒 德维恩·B·瓦特 塞西尔·H·小怀斯 于 2019-11-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文公开了一种用于收割机的系统、用于收割机的传动装置以及用于操作收割机的系统的方法。所述系统可以包括驱动单元,清洁器单元,抽吸器和传动装置。驱动单元可以被构造成在使用系统时产生旋转动力。清洁器单元可以流体地联接到驱动单元,并且被构造成在使用系统时从空气中分离碎屑,使得空气变为清洁的空气并且将清洁的空气提供给驱动单元。抽吸器可以流体地联接至清洁器单元,并且构造成在使用系统时从清洁器单元吸走碎屑并排出碎屑。传动装置可以联接至驱动单元和抽吸器。(A system for a harvester, a transmission for a harvester, and a method for operating a system of a harvester are disclosed herein. The system may include a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit may be configured to generate rotational power when the system is in use. The cleaner unit may be fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air when the system is in use, such that the air becomes clean air and provides the clean air to the drive unit. The aspirator can be fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to aspirate and discharge debris from the cleaner unit when the system is in use. The transmission may be coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator.)

1. A system for a harvester, the system comprising:

a drive unit configured to generate rotational power when the system is in use;

a cleaner unit fluidly coupled to the drive unit, wherein the cleaner unit is configured to separate debris from air when the system is in use, such that the air is clean air and the clean air is provided to the drive unit;

an aspirator fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit, wherein the aspirator is configured to draw debris away from the cleaner unit and expel the debris when the system is in use; and

a transmission coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator to receive rotational power generated by the drive unit and to provide the rotational power to the aspirator, wherein the transmission comprises an aspirator drive configured to drive operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio when the system is in use.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator includes a shaft extending along a central axis and a rotor supported on the shaft and configured to rotate about the central axis to aspirate debris from the cleaner unit, and wherein the aspirator drive includes an aspirator gear coupled to the shaft to drive the rotor to rotate about the central axis when the system is in use.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmission includes an input shaft coupled to the drive unit to receive rotational power generated by the drive unit; a first gear supported on the input shaft; and a second gear disposed between the first gear and the aspirator gear.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the aspirator gear is intermeshed with the second gear.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second gear intermeshes with the first gear.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is operable in a first mode of operation in which rotation of the first gear drives rotation of the aspirator gear through the second gear to rotate the rotor about the central axis.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the system is operable in a second mode of operation in which the aspirator gears do not drive rotation of the rotor about the central axis.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising a main housing containing the transmission, wherein the aspirator comprises a housing and an exhaust tube integrally formed with the housing, and wherein the housing is directly attached to the main housing to facilitate the removal of debris from the main housing through the exhaust tube when the system is in use.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the housing is directly attached to the main housing to minimize physical interference between the aspirator and one or more auxiliary components that can be driven by the drive unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the aspirator drive is strapless.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the aspirator driver is configured to drive operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio when the system is used without one or more auxiliary pads.

12. A transmission for a harvester, the transmission comprising:

an input shaft configured to receive rotational power generated by a drive unit, wherein the input shaft is configured to rotate about an input axis when a transmission is in use;

an output shaft configured to transmit rotational power received by the input shaft to the aspirator to drive rotation thereof, wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about an output axis when the transmission is in use, and wherein the output axis is spaced from the input axis;

a first gear supported on the input shaft and configured to rotate about the input axis when the transmission is in use;

a second gear configured to rotate about a second axis when the transmission is in use, wherein the second axis is spaced from the input and output axes; and

a third gear supported on the output shaft and configured to rotate about the output axis to drive rotation of the aspirator when the transmission is in use.

13. The transmission of claim 12, wherein the second gear and the third gear are intermeshed.

14. The transmission of claim 13, wherein the first and second gears intermesh.

15. The transmission of claim 14, wherein the transmission is operable in a first mode of operation in which rotation of the first gear about the input axis drives rotation of the third gear about the output axis through the second gear to drive rotation of the aspirator.

16. The transmission of claim 15, wherein the transmission is operable in a second mode of operation in which the third gear does not drive rotation of the aspirator.

17. The transmission of claim 16, wherein the first mode of operation is a run-time mode of operation of the transmission, and the second mode of operation is a start-up mode of operation of the transmission.

18. A method for operating a system of a harvester, the system comprising:

a driving unit configured to generate a rotational power;

a cleaner unit fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air, make the air a clean air, and provide the clean air to the drive unit;

a suction fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to suck debris away from the cleaner unit and discharge the debris; and

a transmission coupled to the driving unit and the aspirator to receive the rotational power generated by the driving unit and to provide the rotational power to the aspirator,

the method comprises the following steps:

operating the system in a start-up mode; and

after operating the system in the start-up mode, operating the system in a run-time mode, wherein operating the system in the run-time mode includes driving operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio through the aspirator gear of the transmission.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmission comprises: a first gear supported on the input shaft; the aspirator gear supported on an output shaft spaced from the input shaft; and a second gear disposed between the first gear and the aspirator gear,

wherein operating the system in the run-time mode includes operating the system such that the first gear drives rotation of the aspirator gear through the second gear to drive operation of the aspirator.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein operating the system in the activated mode includes operating the system such that the aspirator gears do not drive operation of the aspirator.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to drive systems and, more particularly, to drive systems incorporating aspirators.

Background

In some cases, the suction device may be used to draw material away from one or more components included in or coupled to the drive system. Some suction devices include sensing systems that may be associated with undesirable pressure and/or heat transfer characteristics. Other suction devices may incur excessive costs, require space that may be occupied or confined by other devices, require specific design for a particular engine configuration, and/or require undesirable maintenance and service. It remains an area of interest to provide suction devices and mechanisms for driving the operation of such devices that avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure may include one or more of the following features and combinations thereof.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for a harvester may include a drive unit, a cleaner unit, an aspirator, and a transmission. The drive unit may be configured to generate rotational power when the system is in use. The cleaner unit may be fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air when the system is in use, such that the air becomes clean air and provides the clean air to the drive unit. The aspirator can be fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to aspirate and discharge debris from the cleaner unit when the system is in use. The transmission may be coupled to the drive unit and the aspirator to receive the rotational power generated by the drive unit and to provide the rotational power to the aspirator. The transmission may include an aspirator drive configured to drive operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio when the system is in use.

In some embodiments, the extractor may include a shaft extending along a central axis and a rotor supported on the shaft and configured to rotate about the central axis to extract debris from the cleaner unit, and wherein the extractor drive includes an extractor gear coupled to the shaft to drive the rotor to rotate about the central axis when the system is in use. The transmission may include: an input shaft coupled to the drive unit to receive rotational power generated by the drive unit; a first gear supported on the input shaft; and a second gear disposed between the first gear and the aspirator gear. The aspirator gear may be intermeshed with the second gear. The second gear may intermesh with the first gear. The system may be operated in a first mode of operation in which rotation of the first gear drives rotation of the aspirator gear via the second gear to rotate the rotor about the central axis. The system may be operated in a second mode of operation in which the aspirator gears do not drive rotation of the rotor about the central axis.

In some embodiments, the system may include a main housing containing the transmission, the aspirator may include an outer housing and an exhaust tube integrally formed with the outer housing, and the outer housing may be directly attached to the main housing to facilitate the removal of debris from the main housing through the exhaust tube when the system is in use. The housing may be directly attached to the main housing to minimize physical interference between the aspirator and one or more auxiliary components that may be driven by the drive unit.

In some embodiments, the aspirator drive can be strapless. The aspirator drivers may be configured to drive the operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio when the system is used without one or more auxiliary pads.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a transmission for a harvester can include an input shaft, an output shaft, a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear. The input shaft may be configured to receive rotational power generated by the drive unit, and the input shaft may be configured to rotate about an input axis when the transmission is in use. The output shaft may be configured to transmit rotational power received by the input shaft to the aspirator to drive rotation thereof, the output shaft may be configured to rotate about an output axis when the transmission is in use, and the output axis may be spaced from the input axis. The first gear may be supported on the input shaft and configured to rotate about the input axis when the transmission is in use. The second gear may be configured to rotate about a second axis when the transmission is in use, and the second axis may be spaced from the input and output axes. The third gear may be supported on the output shaft and configured to rotate about the output axis to drive rotation of the aspirator when the transmission is in use.

In some embodiments, the second gear and the third gear may be intermeshed. The first and second gears may be intermeshed. The transmission may be operable in a first mode of operation in which rotation of the first gear about the input axis drives rotation of the third gear about the output axis through the second gear to drive rotation of the aspirator. The transmission may be operable in a second mode of operation in which the third gear does not drive rotation of the aspirator. The first operating mode may be a run-time operating mode of the transmission and the second operating mode may be a start-up operating mode of the transmission.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a system of a harvester, the system comprising: a driving unit configured to generate a rotational power; a cleaner unit fluidly coupled to the drive unit and configured to separate debris from air, make the air a clean air, and provide the clean air to the drive unit; a suction fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit and configured to suck debris away from the cleaner unit and discharge the debris; and a transmission coupled to the driving unit and the aspirator to receive the rotational power generated by the driving unit and to provide the rotational power to the aspirator. The method may include operating the system in a boot mode and operating the system in a runtime mode after operating the system in the boot mode. Operating the system in the run-time mode may include driving operation of the aspirator at a fixed speed ratio through an aspirator gear of the transmission.

In some embodiments, the transmission may comprise: a first gear supported on the input shaft; an aspirator gear supported on the output shaft spaced from the input shaft; and a second gear disposed between the first gear and the aspirator gear. The step of operating the system in a runtime mode may comprise: the system is operated such that the first gear drives rotation of the aspirator gear through the second gear to drive operation of the aspirator. Operating the system in the start mode may include operating the system such that the aspirator gears do not drive operation of the aspirator.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of illustrative embodiments.

Drawings

The disclosure described herein is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drive system including a drive unit, a cleaner unit fluidly coupled to the drive unit, an extractor fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit, and a transmission coupled to the drive unit and the extractor to drive operation of the extractor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main housing and the housing, with the main housing containing the transmission schematically shown in FIG. 1, and the housing attached to the main housing and containing the aspirator schematically shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the components contained in the main housing and contained in the housing;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of at least some of the components shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing the transmission components housed in the main housing and the aspirator components housed in the housing, with the main housing omitted for simplicity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 2 with a hose attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 2 having an exhaust tube integrally formed therewith and mounted on a stationary member;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a control system that may be used to control the operation of the drive system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a method of operating the drive system that may be performed by the control system of FIG. 8.

Detailed Description

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an illustrative embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, it should be understood that items included in the list in the form of "at least one of A, B and C" can refer to (A); (B) (ii) a (C) (ii) a (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B and C). Similarly, an item listed in the form of "at least one of A, B or C" can refer to (a); (B) (ii) a (C) (ii) a (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B and C).

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the invention implemented in a computer system may include one or more bus-based interconnects or links between components and/or one or more point-to-point interconnects between components. Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as instructions carried or stored by a transitory or non-transitory machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may be embodied as any device, mechanism, or physical structure for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may be embodied as Read Only Memory (ROM); random Access Memory (RAM); a magnetic disk storage medium; an optical storage medium; a flash memory device; small or micro SD cards, memory sticks, electrical signals, etc.

In the drawings, some structural or methodical features, such as those representing devices, modules, instruction blocks, and data elements, may be shown in a particular arrangement and/or order for ease of description. However, it is to be understood that such specific arrangement and/or ordering may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a manner and/or order different from that shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or methodical feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments, and in some embodiments, such feature may not be included or may be combined with other features.

In general, the illustrative elements used to represent instruction blocks may be implemented using any suitable form of machine-readable instructions, such as software or firmware applications, programs, functions, modules, routines, procedures, routines, plug-ins, applets (applets), widgets (widgets), code segments, and/or other machine-readable instructions, and each such instruction may be implemented using any suitable programming language, library, Application Programming Interface (API), and/or other software development tools. For example, some embodiments may be implemented using Java, C + +, and/or other programming languages. Similarly, the illustrative elements used to represent data or information may be implemented using any suitable electronic arrangement or structure, such as registers, data stores, tables, records, arrays, indices, hashes, mappings, trees, lists, graphs, files (of any file type), folders, directories, databases, and/or other electronic arrangements or structures.

Further, in the drawings, where a connecting element such as a solid or dashed line or arrow is used to indicate a connection, relationship, or association between or among two or more other exemplary elements, the absence of any such connecting element is not meant to imply the absence of any connection, relationship, or association. In other words, some connections, relationships, or associations between elements may not be shown in the drawings so as not to obscure the disclosure. In addition, for ease of illustration, a single connection element may be used to represent multiple connections, relationships, or associations between elements. For example, where a connection element represents a communication of signals, data, or instructions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such element may represent one or more signal paths (e.g., buses) for effecting the communication, as may be desired.

Referring now to fig. 1, an illustrative drive system 100 is included in, or adapted for use with, a harvester. Drive system 100 embodies or includes a set of devices cooperatively configured to drive the operation of one or more components of the harvester. In the illustrative embodiment, the drive system 100 includes a drive unit 110, a cleaner unit 120 fluidly coupled to the drive unit 110, an extractor or fan 130 fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit 120, and a transmission 140 coupled to the drive unit 110 and the extractor 130.

The illustrative driver unit 110 is configured to generate rotational power when the drive system 100 is in use. The illustrative cleaner unit 120 is configured to separate debris from air, make the air a Clean Air (CA) and provide the Clean Air (CA) to the drive unit 110 when the drive system 100 is in use. The illustrative aspirator 130 is configured to draw Accumulated Debris (AD) from the cleaner unit 120 and to discharge the accumulated debris (accumulated cleaned AD) when the drive system 100 is in use. An illustrative transmission 140 is coupled to the drive unit 110 and the aspirator 130 to receive rotational power generated by the drive unit 110 and provide the rotational power to the aspirator 130, the illustrative transmission 140 including an aspirator driver 142, the aspirator driver 142 configured to drive operation of the aspirator 130 at a fixed speed ratio when the drive system 100 is in use. As described in greater detail below, the aspirator driver 142 includes an aspirator gear 442 (see fig. 4), the aspirator gear 442 being configured to drive rotation of at least one rotor 132 of the aspirator 130 at a fixed speed ratio when the drive system 100 is in use.

As will be apparent from the following discussion, the transmission 140 may be configured to drive operation of the aspirator 130 at a fixed speed ratio when the illustrative drive system 100 is used without belts, chains, or accessory pads (auxiary pads). Thus, the illustrative transmission 140 may avoid the tension and maintenance complexity associated with configurations that include one or more belts and/or chains, as well as the cost associated with configurations that include one or more auxiliary pads having acceleration mechanisms. Because the illustrative transmission 140 may be configured to drive operation of the aspirator 130 without an auxiliary pad, one or more auxiliary pads may be dedicated to other applications, such as driving one or more pumps, compressors, etc.

Additionally, the illustrative transmission 140 (or at least the aspirator driver 142) is capable of driving operation of the aspirator 130 at a fixed speed ratio regardless of the size and/or discharge rating of the drive unit 110. The transmission 140 may thus be adapted for use on a wide range of engine platforms. As a result, the illustrative transmission 140 may provide or be associated with a greater degree of ease during manufacturing and/or assembly operations as compared to other configurations.

In using the illustrative drive system 100, the relatively lower power and higher speed requirements of the aspirator 130 may be achieved in a cost-effective manner due to the increase in the speed ratio that may be achieved by the transmission 140 or may be associated with the transmission 140. In at least some instances, the increase in the speed ratio achieved by the transmission 140 or associated with the transmission 140 may be sufficient to operate the rotor 132 of the aspirator 130 at speeds in excess of 6000 rpm. In such a case, other transmission configurations (e.g., configurations that include one or more belts, chains, and/or auxiliary pads instead of the illustrative drive 142) may not achieve the increase in speed ratio required to operate the aspirator 130. Even with relatively low rotational speed rotational power output by the drive unit 110, the increase in the speed ratio achieved by or associated with the transmission 140 may be sufficient to operate the extractor 130 to achieve acceptable removal of Accumulated Debris (AD) from the cleaner unit 120.

In the illustrative embodiment, drive system 100 is incorporated into, or adapted for use with, a cotton harvester, such as a CP690 cotton harvester or CS690 cotton harvester manufactured by John Deere. Of course, it should be understood that the illustrative drive system 100 is not limited to agricultural applications and may be used in, for example, lawn and garden, construction, landscaping and ground care, golf and sports lawns, forestry, engines and drive trains, and government and military applications. Thus, in some embodiments, the drive system 100 of the present disclosure may be included in or adapted for use with: tractors, front end loaders, shovel systems, cutters and shredders, hay and feed equipment, cultivation equipment, seeding equipment, sprayers and applicators, farming equipment, utility vehicles, mowers, dump trucks, backhoes, track loaders, track tractors, dozers, excavators, motor graders, skid steer loaders, tractor loaders, wheel loaders, rakes (rakes), inflators, skidders, balers, freight forwarders (forwarders), harvesters, swing machines, knuckle boom loaders (knuckleboards), diesel engines, shafts, planetary gear drives, pump drives, transmissions, generators, and marine engines, and other suitable devices.

The illustrative drive unit 110 is embodied as or includes any device or collection of devices capable of generating rotational power in use. In some embodiments, drive unit 110 may embody or include a 13.5 liter diesel engine that meets class 4 emission standards. In any case, the drive unit 110 includes, among other things, an air inlet 112, an air outlet 114, and a drive unit output shaft 116. The air inlet 112 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit 120 and is configured to receive Clean Air (CA) therefrom. The exhaust port 114 is fluidly coupled to the intake port 112 and is configured to exhaust products (exhaust products ep) from the drive unit 110. The drive unit output shaft 116 outputs rotational power generated by the drive unit 110 during each operating cycle. Of course, it should be understood that each operating cycle of the drive unit 110 may include a number of different operating phases, such as intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust.

The illustrative cleaner unit 120 is embodied as or includes any device or collection of devices capable of separating debris from air supplied thereto to render the air Clean Air (CA) when the drive unit 110 is in use, and providing the Clean Air (CA) to the air inlet 112 of the drive unit 110. Air is illustratively supplied to the cleaner unit 120 by the air source 102. In some embodiments, the air source 102 may embody or include an ambient air source capable of supplying ambient air to the cleaner unit 120. In any case, the cleaner unit 120 includes a blade arrangement 122 (e.g., a collection of rotatable blades), the blade arrangement 122 being operable to remove debris, particles, and/or contaminants from the air supplied by the air source 102 by a cyclonic or cyclonic separation manner such that the debris, particles, and/or contaminants may be discharged from the cleaner unit 120 as an effluent (expelled matter EM). That is, it should be understood that debris that is not discharged from the cleaner unit 120 may accumulate therein as collected debris (AD) during operation of the cleaner unit 120.

The exemplary aspirator 130 is embodied as or includes any device or collection of devices capable of drawing, in use, collected debris (AD) away from the cleaner unit 120 and expelling the collected debris (AD). In the illustrative embodiment, the aspirator 130 is embodied as or includes a centrifugal fan or blower. However, in other embodiments, the aspirator 130 may be embodied as or include another suitable device. In any case, the aspirator 130 includes one or more rotors or impellers 132, an exhaust 134 fluidly coupled to the one or more rotors 132, and an aspirator input shaft 136, the aspirator input shaft 136 coupled to a transmission 140 and supporting the one or more rotors 132. As discussed further below, the one or more rotors 132 are configured to rotate to draw Accumulated Debris (AD) to the exhaust port 134 for exhaust.

In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which the one or more rotors 132 comprise a plurality of rotors supported on the aspirator input shaft 136, for example, the plurality of rotors may be spaced apart from each other and arranged in separate chambers (not shown) of the aspirator 130. In such embodiments, baffles, partitions, separators, and the like may cooperate with each other and/or with the housing of the aspirator 130 to define a plurality of separate chambers. Additionally, in such embodiments, the exhaust port 134 may include a manifold, a distribution chamber, a plenum, a collection of conduits, or the like, fluidly coupled to the chamber and configured to exhaust Accumulated Debris (AD) drawn into the chamber by the rotor 132.

The illustrative transmission 140 is embodied as or includes any device or collection of devices capable of transmitting rotational power generated by the drive unit 110 to the aspirator 130 to drive its operation. In the illustrative embodiment, the transmission 140 includes one or more aspirator drives 142, a transmission input shaft 146, one or more clutches 148, a gear train 150, and a transmission output shaft 152, among other things described in more detail below. The transmission input shaft 146 is coupled to the drive unit output shaft 116 to receive the rotational power output by the drive unit output shaft 116. The one or more clutches 148 may be selectively engaged and disengaged to rotationally couple or decouple the transmission input shaft 146 with one or more components of the gear train 150 (the decoupling of the rotational coupling or rotational coupling between the aspirator driver 142, the one or more clutches 148, and the gear train 150 is depicted in phantom in FIG. 1). One or more aspirator drivers 142 are coupled to the aspirator input shaft 136 to provide rotational power thereto to drive operation of the aspirator 130, as discussed further below.

In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which one or more of the rotors 132 comprises a plurality of rotors supported on the aspirator input shaft 136, the aspirator drive 142 can comprise a plurality of aspirator drives. In such embodiments, each aspirator driver 142 may be configured to drive operation of a corresponding one of the rotors 132 at a fixed speed ratio. Additionally, in such embodiments, the aspirator drivers 142 may be configured to drive operation of the respective rotors 132 independently of one another at fixed speed ratios that are different from one another.

In the illustrative embodiment, transmission 140 is configured to transmit rotational power generated by drive unit 110 to one or more blowers 162 connected thereto to drive operation of one or more blowers 162 when drive system 100 is in use. To this end, the transmission 140 is coupled to one or more blowers 162 via an output shaft 262 (see FIG. 2). The one or more blowers 162 are illustratively embodied as or include a fan included in a cotton harvester, such as a cotton harvester or a cotton thresher. Of course, in other embodiments, it should be understood that one or more blowers 162 may be embodied as or include another suitable device or set of devices.

In some embodiments, one or more auxiliary devices 160 may be coupled to the drive unit output shaft 116 and driven by the drive unit 110. The one or more auxiliary devices 160 may each be embodied as or include any device separate from the transmission 140 and the aspirator 130, and the transmission 140 and the aspirator 130 may be driven by the drive unit 110. For example, the one or more auxiliary devices 160 may be embodied as or include one or more pumps, Power Take Off (PTO) gears, drives or systems, accessory drives, implement drives, cranks, shafts, belts, pulleys, and the like. In any case, it should be understood that in some embodiments, one or more auxiliary devices 160 may be omitted (as indicated by the coupling between the shaft 116 and the device(s) 160 depicted in phantom lines or the release of the coupling).

Referring now to fig. 2, the illustrative drive system 100 includes a main housing 242, the main housing 242 housing various components included in the transmission 140. The illustrative aspirator 130 includes a housing 232 and an exhaust duct 234, the housing 232 housing various components included in the aspirator 130, the exhaust duct 234 being integrally formed with the housing 232, the housing 232 being shaped to pass collected debris (AD) through the housing 232 for discharge when the aspirator 130 is in use. The exhaust port 134 is illustratively embodied as or includes an exhaust pipe 234. In the illustrative embodiment, the housing 232 is directly attached to the planar outer surface 244 of the main housing 242 such that the exhaust pipe 234 extends away from the main housing 242 to facilitate draining collected debris (AD) away from the main housing 242 through the exhaust pipe 234 when the drive system 100 is in use.

In the illustrative embodiment, the aspirator housing 232 is attached to the transmission main housing 242 such that the aspirator 130 is spaced apart from the output shaft 262 and the interface 250, which interface 250 corresponds to or is associated with: one or more auxiliary devices 160, the air inlet 112, and the air outlet 114 (note that the drive unit 110 is located in front of the main housing 242 such that the air inlet 112 and the air outlet 114 are covered by the main housing 242). In this way, the aspirator 130 does not physically interfere with the output shaft 262, the interface 250, the intake port 112, or the exhaust port 114. In other words, the housing 232 is directly attached to the main housing 242 to minimize physical interference between the aspirator 130, the one or more blowers 162, the one or more auxiliary devices 160, the air inlet 112, and the air outlet 114.

In the illustrative embodiment, attaching the aspirator housing 232 to the transmission main housing 242 facilitates lubricating the various components of the aspirator 130 with lubricant stored and circulated in the main housing 242. The main housing 242 may be used to supply lubricant to the components of the aspirator 130 as needed during operation of the drive system 100.

Referring now to fig. 3, a portion of the main housing 242 and the outer housing 232 are made transparent to show the components housed therein. The gear train 150 of the transmission 140 is illustratively housed by the main housing 242. The one or more rotors 132 of the aspirator 130 are illustratively housed by a housing 232. In the illustrative embodiment, the one or more rotors 132 include only one rotor 332. Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, the one or more aspirator drivers 142 include only one aspirator driver 342, the aspirator driver 342 configured to drive rotation of one rotor 332 when the drive system 100 is in use.

Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, illustrative gear train 150 includes a sun or input gear 452, a gear 458 meshing with sun gear 452 and aspirator gear 442 included in one aspirator drive 342, a gear 464 meshing with sun gear 452 and gear 470, a gear 476, a gear 482 meshing with gear 476, and a gear 488 meshing with gear 482. In the illustrative embodiment, each gear 452, 458, 442, 464, 470, 476, 482, 488 is embodied as or includes a spur or spur gear. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, each of the gears 452, 458, 442, 464, 470, 476, 482, 488 may be embodied as or include another suitable gear.

Sun gear 452 is illustratively supported on transmission input shaft 146. Similar to the transmission input shaft 146, the sun gear 452 is configured to rotate about an input axis 546A. In some embodiments, the sun gear 452 may be configured to rotate together with the transmission input shaft 146 about the input axis 546A. However, in other embodiments, the sun gear 452 may be bearing supported for rotation relative to the transmission input shaft 146 about the input axis 546A.

Gear 458 is illustratively supported on a shaft 460. Like the shaft 460, the gear 458 is configured to rotate about an axis 560A spaced from the input axis 546A. Gear 458 is supported for rotation about axis 560A relative to shaft 460 by bearings 462. However, in other embodiments, the gear 458 may be configured to co-rotate with the shaft 460 about the axis 560A. In any event, gear 458 is disposed between sun gear 452 and aspirator gear 442.

An aspirator gear 442 is illustratively supported on the aspirator input shaft 136. Like aspirator input shaft 136, aspirator gear 442 is configured to rotate about an axis 536A spaced from axis 560A and input axis 546A. Aspirator gear 442 is supported for rotation about axis 536A by bearings 446. However, in other embodiments, aspirator gears 442 may be configured to rotate together with aspirator input shaft 136 about axis 536A. In any event, rotation of the aspirator gear 442 drives rotation of the aspirator input shaft 136 when the transmission 140 is in use. Because the rotor 132 is supported on the extractor input shaft 136 for rotation therewith, rotation of the input shaft 136, when the drive system 100 is in use, drives the rotor 132 in rotation about the axis 536A to extract collected debris (AD) from the cleaner unit 120.

Gear 464 is illustratively supported on shaft 466. Like shaft 466, gear 464 is configured to rotate about an axis 566A spaced from input axis 546A, axis 560A, and axis 536A. Gear 464 is supported for rotation about axis 566A relative to shaft 466 by bearing 468. However, in other embodiments, the gear 464 may be configured to rotate together with the shaft 466 about the axis 566A. In any case, gear 464 is disposed between sun gear 452 and gear 470.

Gear 470 is illustratively supported on shaft 472. Like shaft 472, gear 470 is configured to rotate about an axis 572A that is spaced from input axis 546A, axis 560A, axis 536A, and axis 566A. The gear 470 is supported for rotation about the axis 572A relative to the shaft 472 by a bearing assembly 474. However, in other embodiments, the gear 470 may be configured to rotate together with the shaft 472 about the axis 572A.

Gear 476 is illustratively supported on transmission input shaft 146 and is configured to rotate about an input axis 546A. Gear 476 is spaced from sun gear 452 along input axis 546A. In some embodiments, gear 476 may be configured to rotate together with transmission input shaft 146 about input axis 546A. However, in other embodiments, the gear 476 may be supported by bearings for rotation about the input axis 546A relative to the transmission input shaft 146.

Gear 482 is illustratively supported on shaft 484. Like shaft 484, gear 482 is configured to rotate about an axis 584A that is spaced from input axis 546A, axis 560A, axis 536A, axis 566A, and axis 572A. Gear 482 is supported for rotation about axis 584A relative to shaft 484 by bearing assembly 486. However, in other embodiments, the gear 482 may be configured to rotate together with the shaft 484 about the axis 584A. In any event, gear 482 is disposed between gear 476 and gear 488.

Gear 488 is illustratively supported on shaft 490. Like shaft 490, gear 488 is configured to rotate about an axis 590A spaced from input axis 546A, axis 560A, axis 536A, axis 566A, axis 572A, and axis 584A. Gear 488 is supported for rotation about axis 590A relative to shaft 490 by bearings 492. However, in other embodiments, the gear 488 may be configured to rotate together with the shaft 490 about the axis 590A.

In the illustrative embodiment, the one or more clutches 148 include a clutch assembly 548 that extends about the input axis 546A. When drive system 100 and transmission 140 are in one mode of operation, clutch assembly 548 is engageable (i.e., in an engaged state) such that rotation of sun gear 452 about input axis 546A drives aspirator gear 442 via gear 458 for rotation about axis 536A, thereby rotating rotor 132 about axis 536A. As explained further below with reference to fig. 9, one mode of operation may correspond to or be associated with a runtime mode of the illustrative drive system 100. When the drive system 100 and transmission 140 are in another mode of operation, the clutch assembly 548 is disengageable (i.e., in a disengaged state) such that the aspirator gears 442 do not drive rotation of the rotor 132 about the axis 536A. As explained further below with reference to fig. 9, another mode of operation may correspond to or be associated with a startup mode of the illustrative drive system 100.

Referring now to fig. 6, a supply port 632 formed in the housing 232 of the extractor 130 is fluidly coupled to the cleaner unit 120 (not shown in fig. 6) by a hose 640. In use of the drive system 100, rotation of the rotor 132 draws Accumulated Debris (AD) away from the cleaner unit 120 and into the extractor 130 via the hose 640. The Accumulated Debris (AD) drawn into the aspirator 130 is exhausted through an exhaust duct 234, as described below with reference to fig. 7. It should be understood that the hose 640 may be embodied as or include one or more tubes, pipes, conduits, distribution chambers, manifolds, plenums, and the like. Further, it should be appreciated that, instead of the hose 640, another suitable device may be used to fluidly couple the cleaning squealer unit 120 to the extractor 130.

Referring now to fig. 7, the exhaust pipe 234 of the aspirator 130 illustratively includes a mount 734, the mount 734 being received by and secured to a securing member 740 positioned external to the drive system 100. As follows, when the drive system 100 is in use, Accumulated Debris (AD) drawn into the aspirator 130 in response to rotation of the rotor 132 is expelled outside the drive system 100 through the exhaust ports 736, 738 of the exhaust duct 234. It should be appreciated that in use of the drive system 100, the air exhausted via the exhaust pipe 234 may be used for a variety of purposes, such as cleaning or purging surfaces of equipment external to the drive system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an illustrative control system 800 is configured to control the operation of drive system 100. As described below, the control system 800 includes controllers 810, 820, 840 configured to control the operation of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140, respectively. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the control system 800 may include a single controller that controls the operation of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140. In the illustrative embodiment, the control system 800 does not include a controller for the aspirator 130. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the control system 800 may include a controller that is dedicated to the aspirator 130.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control system 800 includes a controller 810, the controller 810 configured to control operation of the drive unit 110. The illustrative controller 810 is communicatively coupled to each of the controllers 820, 840. The controller 810 includes a memory 812 or one or more processors 814 coupled to the memory 812.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control system 800 includes a controller 820 configured to control the operation of the cleaner unit 120. The illustrative controller 820 is communicatively coupled to each of the controllers 810, 840. The controller 820 includes a memory 822 or one or more processors 824 coupled to the memory 822.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control system 800 includes a controller 840, the controller 840 configured to control operation of the transmission 140. The illustrative controller 840 is communicatively coupled to each of the controllers 810, 820. The controller 840 includes a memory 842 or one or more processors 844 coupled to the memory 842.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of memories 812, 822, 842 includes one or more storage devices. Each storage device 812, 822, 842 may be embodied as any type of volatile memory (e.g., Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), etc.) or non-volatile memory capable of storing data therein. Volatile memory may be embodied as a storage medium that requires power to maintain the state of data stored by the medium. Non-limiting examples of volatile memory may include various types of Random Access Memory (RAM), such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) or Static Random Access Memory (SRAM). In some embodiments, each storage device 812, 822, 842 can be embodied as a block addressable memory, such as a memory based on NAND or NOR technology. Each storage device 812, 822, 842 may also include next generation non-volatile devices or other byte addressable write-in-place non-volatile storage devices. Additionally, in some embodiments, each storage device 812, 822, 842 may be embodied as or otherwise include: memory devices using chalcogenide glass, multi-threshold level NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, single or multi-level Phase Change Memory (PCM), resistive memory, nanowire memory, ferroelectric transistor random access memory (FeTRAM), antiferroelectric memory, Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) using memristor technology, resistive memory including metal oxide based, oxygen vacancy based, and conductive bridge random access memory (CB-RAM)), or devices based on spin transfer torque (STT-MRAM), spintronic magnetic junction memory, devices based on Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJs), devices based on DW (domain wall) and SOT (spin-orbit transfer), thyristor-based memory devices, or a combination of any of the above, or other memory. Each memory device 812, 822, 842 may refer to the chip itself and/or to the packaged memory product. In other embodiments, the 3D cross-point memory may include a transistor-less stackable cross-point architecture, where memory cells are located at intersections of word lines and bit lines and are individually addressable, and where bit storage is based on changes in bulk resistance. In still other embodiments, all or a portion of each storage device 812, 822, 842 may be integrated into the processor 814, 824, 844. Regardless, each storage device 812, 822, 842 may store various software and data used during operation, such as task request data, kernel map data, telemetry data, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers.

In an illustrative embodiment, the processors 814, 824, 844 may include one or more processors. Each processor 814, 824, 844 may be embodied as any type of processor or other computing circuitry capable of performing various tasks (such as computing functions) and/or controlling respective functions of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140, depending on, for example, the type or intended function of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140. In some embodiments, each processor 814, 824, 844 may be embodied as a single-core or multi-core processor, microcontroller, or other processing/control circuitry. Additionally, in some embodiments, each processor 814, 824, 844 may be embodied as, include or be coupled to an FPGA, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), reconfigurable hardware or hardware circuitry, or other dedicated hardware to facilitate performing the functions described herein. In other embodiments, each processor 814, 824, 844 may be embodied as a high power processor, an accelerator co-processor, an FPGA, or a memory controller.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in an illustrative embodiment, a control system 800 may be configured to perform a method 900 for operating the drive system 100. In doing so, the controllers 810, 820, 840 may cooperate with each other to perform various tasks of the drive system 100 and/or to control various functions of the drive system 100. It is to be appreciated that the block diagrams of the method 900 described below may be embodied as or contained in instructions that are stored in one or more of the memories 812, 822, 842 and executed by one or more of the processors 814, 824, 844. Further, while the method 900 is described below with reference to illustrative FIG. 9 in which the block diagrams of the method 900 are shown in an illustrative format and order, it should be understood that the method 900 is not limited to the particular order of the block diagrams shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, it should be understood that in other embodiments, some blocks of method 900 may be performed in parallel or concurrently with other blocks, and/or in an alternative order. Finally, it should be understood that method 900 may also include other blocks in addition to those shown in FIG. 9.

The illustrative method 900 begins at block 902. In block 902, the control system 800 operates the drive system 100 in a start-up mode. The startup mode may be embodied as or include an operating mode in which one or more components of the drive system 100 are powered or activated after a period of power loss or deactivation. Additionally, the startup mode may be associated with or characterized by one or more operating parameters of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140, such as one or more speed ratios, output torque values, rotational speed values, mass flow rates, volume flow rates, amount of Accumulated Debris (AD), operating time periods, and the like. In any case, to perform block 902, the control system 800 performs block 904. In block 904, the control system 800 operates the one or more clutches 148 (i.e., clutch assembly 548) in the disengaged state such that the aspirator gears 442 do not drive the rotor 132 to rotate about the axis 536A as indicated above. Thus, at least in some embodiments, when the drive system 100 is in the start-up mode in block 902, the drive unit 110 does not drive operation of the aspirator 130 through the transmission 140, which may reduce parasitic start-up loads experienced by the drive unit 110 as compared to other configurations. From block 904, the method 900 then proceeds to block 906.

In block 906 of the illustrative method 900, the control system 800 determines whether the drive system 100 is ready to operate in a runtime mode. The runtime mode may be embodied as or include an operating mode after a start-up mode in which one or more components of the drive system 100 have been activated for a reference time. Additionally, the run-time mode may be associated with or characterized by one or more reference thresholds for the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140, such as reference thresholds for one or more speed ratios, output torque values, rotational speed values, mass flow rates, volume flow rates, amount of Accumulated Debris (AD), operating time periods, and the like. Accordingly, to determine whether the drive system 100 is ready to operate in the run-time mode in block 906, the control system 800 may compare one or more measured operating parameters of the drive unit 110, the cleaner unit 120, and the transmission 140 to one or more reference thresholds corresponding to or associated with the run-time operating mode. In any case, if control system 800 determines that drive system 100 is ready to operate in the runtime mode, method 900 then proceeds to block 908.

In block 908 of the illustrative method 900, the system 100 is operated in a runtime mode by the control system 800. To do so, the control system 800 performs block 910. In block 910, the control system 800 operates one or more clutches 148 (i.e., clutch assemblies 548) in the engaged state such that rotation of the sun gear 452 about the input axis 546A drives rotation of the aspirator gear 442 about the axis 536A via gear 458, thereby causing rotation of the rotor 132 about the axis 536A, as described above. Thus, when the drive system 100 is in the run mode in block 908, the drive unit 110 drives the operation of the aspirator 130 through the transmission 140. In some embodiments, the performance of block 908 corresponds to or is associated with the performance of one iteration of the illustrative method 900.

Returning to block 906 of the illustrative method 900, if the control system 800 determines that the drive system 100 is not ready to operate in the runtime mode, the method 900 proceeds to block 902.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.