阅读说明：本技术 发动机空气预清洁系统 (Engine air pre-cleaning system ) 是由 艾伦·D·施德勒 加利克·W·赫布斯特 托德·E·范哈尔 于 2020-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于作业机械的空气管理组件,该空气管理组件具有冷却孔口,该冷却孔口被限定在板中；冷却风扇,该冷却风扇产生通过冷却孔口至冷却装置的冷却气流；至少一个固定滤网,所述至少一个固定滤网沿着进气孔口定位；以及第一挡板,该第一挡板至少部分地定位在冷却孔口与进气孔口之间；其中,第一挡板引导冷却气流部分地越过固定滤网以清除固定滤网上的碎屑。(An air management assembly for a work machine, the air management assembly having a cooling aperture defined in a plate; a cooling fan that generates a cooling airflow to the cooling device through the cooling aperture; at least one stationary screen positioned along the intake aperture; and a first baffle positioned at least partially between the cooling aperture and the intake aperture; wherein the first baffle directs the cooling air flow partially across the stationary screen to remove debris from the stationary screen.)

1. An air management assembly for a work machine, comprising:

a cooling aperture defined in a plate;

a cooling fan that generates a cooling airflow through the cooling aperture to a cooling device;

at least one stationary screen positioned along the intake aperture; and

a first baffle positioned at least partially between the cooling aperture and the intake aperture;

Wherein the first baffle directs the cooling airflow partially across the stationary screen to remove debris from the stationary screen.

2. The air management assembly of claim 1, further wherein said first baffle defines a first inlet and a first outlet, said first inlet being oriented in a substantially vertical direction.

3. The air management system of claim 2, further wherein said first outlet directs air toward said cooling aperture.

4. The air management system of claim 2, further wherein said stationary screen is positioned at least partially between said first inlet and said first outlet.

5. The air management system of claim 1, further comprising a rotating screen substantially covering said cooling apertures and an air scoop partially directing said cooling airflow into said cooling apertures.

6. The air management system of claim 5, further wherein said scoop has a cutout portion and at least a portion of said rotating screen is unobstructed from the ambient environment by said scoop in a horizontal direction.

7. The air management system of claim 5, further comprising a shutter assembly connected to said scoop.

8. The air management system of claim 7, further wherein said shutter assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis.

9. The air management system of claim 2, further comprising a second baffle, wherein said second baffle defines a second inlet and a second outlet, said second inlet being oriented in a substantially vertical direction.

10. An air management assembly for a work machine, comprising:

a cooling assembly having a cooling device and defining a cooling aperture, the cooling assembly configured to direct air from an ambient environment through the cooling aperture to cool the cooling device;

an air scoop assembly that directs air from the ambient environment through the cooling aperture;

a first baffle defined in the scoop assembly to direct air from the ambient environment into the cooling aperture along a first path; and

an air intake aperture defined in the scoop assembly at least partially along the first baffle;

Wherein air from the ambient environment enters the cooling apertures along the first path through the first baffle and via a second path that does not pass through the first baffle.

11. The air management assembly of claim 10 further comprising a screen over said intake aperture, wherein said first path is directed at least partially across said screen to remove debris from said screen as air flows along said first path toward said cooling aperture.

12. The air management system of claim 10, further wherein said scoop assembly further defines a second baffle that provides airflow from said ambient to said cooling aperture along a third path.

13. The air management system of claim 12, further comprising a second orifice having a second screen, wherein the second orifice and screen are positioned at least partially along the third path.

14. The air management system of claim 12, further wherein said first baffle has a first inlet and said second baffle has a second inlet, wherein said first inlet and said second inlet face in a substantially vertical direction.

15. The air management system of claim 14, further wherein said first baffle has a first outlet and said second baffle has a second outlet, said first outlet and said second outlet being defined in a pocket portion of said scoop assembly.

16. The air management system of claim 10, further wherein said scoop assembly has a louver assembly connected to said scoop assembly, wherein said louver assembly partially defines said second path.

17. The air management system of claim 16, further wherein the shutter assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first orientation and a second orientation.

18. A work machine comprising:

a body;

at least one ground engaging mechanism;

an engine selectively powering the ground engaging mechanism, the engine fluidly connected to an engine intake aperture to provide air to the engine to assist combustion of fuel;

a radiator fluidly connected to at least one fluid system of the work machine to cool fluid used by the fluid system;

A cooling fan that draws air from the ambient environment through a cooling aperture and past the heat sink;

an air guide shroud assembly positioned at least partially around the cooling aperture and directing air from the ambient environment through the cooling aperture; and

a first baffle defined in the scoop assembly to direct air from the ambient environment into the cooling aperture along a first path;

wherein the engine intake aperture is defined in the scoop assembly at least partially along a first baffle plate;

further wherein the cooling fan draws air from the ambient environment through the scoop assembly along the first path through the first baffle and via a second path not through the first baffle.

19. The work machine of claim 18, further wherein the scoop assembly further defines a second baffle that provides airflow from the ambient to the cooling aperture along a third path,

further wherein the first baffle has a first inlet and the second baffle has a second inlet, wherein the first inlet and the second inlet face in a substantially vertical direction.

20. The work machine of claim 19, further wherein the scoop assembly has a louver assembly connected to the scoop assembly and positioned between the first and second baffles, wherein the louver assembly partially defines the second path;

further wherein the shutter assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first orientation and a second orientation.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an air management assembly and, more particularly, to an air management assembly having a baffle.

Background

Agricultural and construction vehicles are often powered by internal combustion engines. Typically, these vehicles are used in environments that are dirty and the air contains dust and other particulate matter or debris. For example, agricultural vehicles operate in environments where crop residue, as well as dust and particulate matter, are in the air. During operation, air is drawn into the engine compartment for cooling the engine and for efficient combustion in the internal combustion engine. In order to achieve complete combustion and reduce unnecessary wear on the engine, the air supply must be substantially free of particulate matter.

In a harvesting or construction environment, this typically requires an air filtration or cleaning system to make the air used by the vehicle for combustion or cooling completely free of debris. Even with conventional cleaning systems, particulate matter, dust and crop residue can clog or partially clog the air intake system. As a result, the system often needs to be cleaned at frequent intervals.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment is an air management assembly for a work machine, the air management assembly having a cooling aperture defined in a plate; a cooling fan that generates a cooling airflow to the cooling device through the cooling aperture; at least one stationary screen positioned along the intake aperture; and a first baffle positioned at least partially between the cooling aperture and the intake aperture; wherein the first baffle directs the cooling air flow partially across the stationary screen to remove debris from the stationary screen.

In one example of this embodiment, the first baffle defines a first inlet and a first outlet, the first inlet being oriented in a substantially vertical direction. In one aspect of this example, the first outlet directs air toward the cooling aperture. In another aspect of this example, the stationary screen is positioned at least partially between the first inlet and the first outlet.

Another example has a rotating screen substantially covering the cooling apertures and an air scoop that directs a flow of cooling air partially into the cooling apertures. In one aspect of this example, the scoop has a cutout portion, and at least a portion of the rotating screen is unobstructed from the ambient environment by the scoop in a horizontal direction. Another aspect of this example has a shutter assembly coupled to the scoop. Further, the shutter assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis.

Yet another example has a second baffle, wherein the second baffle defines a second inlet and a second outlet, the second inlet oriented in a substantially vertical direction.

Another embodiment is an air management assembly for a work machine having a cooling assembly having a cooling device and defining a cooling aperture, the cooling assembly configured to direct air from an ambient environment through the cooling aperture to cool the cooling device; an air scoop assembly that directs air from a surrounding environment through the cooling aperture; a first baffle defined in the scoop assembly to direct air from the ambient environment along a first path into the cooling aperture; and an air intake aperture defined in the scoop assembly at least partially along the first baffle; wherein air from the ambient environment enters the cooling apertures along a first path through the first baffle and via a second path that does not pass through the first baffle.

One example of this embodiment has a screen over the intake apertures, wherein the first path is directed at least partially across the screen to remove debris from the screen as the air flows along the first path toward the cooling apertures. In another example, the scoop assembly further defines a second baffle that provides airflow from the ambient to the cooling apertures along a third path. One aspect of this example has a second aperture having a second screen, wherein the second aperture and the screen are positioned at least partially along a third path. In another aspect of this example, the first baffle has a first inlet and the second baffle has a second inlet, wherein the first inlet and the second inlet face in a substantially vertical direction. In portions of this aspect, the first baffle has a first outlet and the second baffle has a second outlet, the first outlet and the second outlet being defined in the pocket portion of the scoop assembly.

In another example, the scoop assembly has a louver assembly coupled to the scoop assembly, wherein the louver assembly partially defines the second path. In one aspect of this example, the shutter assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first orientation and a second orientation.

Another embodiment is a work machine having a body; at least one ground engaging mechanism; an engine selectively powering the ground engaging mechanism, the engine fluidly connected to the engine intake aperture to provide air to the engine to assist combustion of the fuel; a radiator fluidly connected to at least one fluid system of the work machine to cool a fluid used by the fluid system; a cooling fan that draws air from the ambient environment through the cooling apertures and over the heat sink; an air guide hood assembly positioned at least partially around the cooling aperture and directing air from an ambient environment through the cooling aperture; and a first baffle defined in the scoop assembly to direct air from the ambient environment along a first path into the cooling aperture; wherein the engine intake aperture is defined in the scoop assembly at least partially along the first baffle plate; further wherein the cooling fan draws air from the ambient environment through the scoop assembly along a first path through the first baffle and via a second path that does not pass through the first baffle.

In one example of this embodiment, the scoop assembly further defines a second baffle that provides airflow from the ambient to the cooling apertures along a third path. Wherein the first baffle has a first inlet and the second baffle has a second inlet, the first inlet and the second inlet facing substantially in a vertical direction. In one aspect of this example, the scoop assembly has a louver assembly coupled to the scoop assembly and positioned between the first baffle and the second baffle wherein the louver assembly partially defines the second path, and the louver assembly is pivotable about a pivot axis between the first orientation and the second orientation.

Drawings

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a side view of an agricultural combine with an air scoop.

FIG. 2a is an elevated perspective view of an exploded scoop assembly.

Fig. 2b is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of an scoop assembly separate from a combine harvester.

FIG. 3 is an elevated side view of the scoop assembly of FIG. 2b with the outer plate removed.

FIG. 4a is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of an scoop assembly.

FIG. 4b is an elevated perspective view of the scoop assembly of FIG. 4a with the shutter assembly in a reduced configuration;

FIG. 5a is a front view of the scoop assembly of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5b is a front view of a different embodiment of the scoop assembly with the outer plate removed.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and methods, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to fig. 1, a work vehicle in the form of an agricultural harvesting machine, such as an agricultural combine 10, is shown. The work vehicle may also be in the form of a different type of vehicle for use in dirty or debris-laden operating environments, such as an agricultural tractor, construction equipment, forestry equipment, and the like. The combine harvester 10 may include a support structure or body 12 having a ground engaging mechanism 14 extending from the body 12. Although the combine 10 is shown with wheels 14, it may also have ground engaging tracks, either full tracks or half tracks. The combine harvester 10 also has an intake housing 16 through which harvested crop material is fed into the combine harvester 10 for processing. Once processed, the harvested crop material is stored in a grain bin 18 in the combine harvester 10 and unloaded from the combine harvester 10 by an unloading auger 20. The operation of the combine harvester 10 is controlled by an operator cab 22.

Mechanical power for the combine harvester 10 is provided by an internal combustion engine housed in an engine compartment 24 in the rear of the combine harvester 12. A radiator in the engine compartment 24 is used to circulate cooling fluid through the internal combustion engine. The combine 10 has a plurality of body panels surrounding the sides and rear of the combine, including but not limited to a rear panel 30 adjacent the area of the engine compartment 24 where the radiator is located, a left side panel, a right side panel 32, and a radiator door panel 34, the radiator door panel 34 having an air scoop 40.

Referring now to fig. 2a and 2b, two embodiments of scoop assemblies 200 (fig. 2a), 201 (fig. 2b) are shown separate from combine harvester 10. Further, scoop assembly 200 is shown in exploded form with several components spaced apart from one another. Although the scoop assemblies 200, 201 are described herein with reference to the combine harvester 10, the present disclosure contemplates the use of the embodiments discussed herein with any type of work machine. More specifically, the embodiments discussed herein may also be applied to work machines in construction and forestry, to give a few non-exclusive examples of additional applications. Further, while the scoop assemblies 200, 201 may have some structural differences, common components will be referred to using the same reference numerals.

Either embodiment 200, 201 may have a first plate 202 positioned along the work machine side of the respective scoop assembly 200, 201. The first panel 202 may be one or more panels of the combine harvester 10 discussed herein, or may be a separate panel connected to the right side panel 32 or the radiator door panel 34. Further, first plate 202 may be any structure defining an aperture that fluidly connects components of combine harvester 10 to ambient environment 204. The ambient environment 204 may be air and debris surrounding the combine harvester 10.

Scoop assembly 201 may also have first and second side plates 206, 208 and a floor 212 extending from first plate 202 away from combine 10. Further, the outer panel 210 may be connected to the side panels 206, 208 and the bottom panel 212 to generally form a pocket therebetween. In other words, panels 202, 206, 208, 210, 212 may be connected to one another to control the area of scoop assembly 201 that allows air and other debris from ambient environment 204 to enter engine and engine compartment 24 and other spaces.

Although the scoop assembly 201 is described as being formed from plates 202, 206, 208, 210, 212, other embodiments contemplated herein, such as the scoop assembly 200, may utilize a molding material to construct the scoop assembly 200. In one non-exclusive example, some or all of the scoop assembly 200 may be formed from plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc., and from curved solid cross pieces (interconges), rather than from plates defined at substantially right angles relative to each other as shown for the scoop assembly 201 of fig. 2 b.

The scoop assembly 200, 201 may be positioned along a cooling aperture 224 defined in the first plate 202. The cooling apertures 224 may be through holes in the first plate 202 that allow air to enter the engine compartment 24 and other spaces to allow the combine harvester 10 to function as intended. More specifically, air may be drawn through the scoop assembly and the cooling apertures 224 using a cooling fan 226 or the like. Cooling fan 226 may draw air through scoop assembly 200 and cooling apertures 224 and across cooling device 228, and the like. The cooling fan 226 may be positioned in front of or behind the cooling device 228. Further, the cooling device 228 may have one or more heat sinks positioned therein to cool the fluid utilized by the combine harvester 10. In one non-exclusive example, the cooling device 228 may have multiple radiators to facilitate cooling engine oil, hydraulic fluid, engine charge air, engine coolant, and the like.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the scoop assembly 200, 201 has a first baffle 214 defined therein to define a first path 302 (see fig. 3) for air to enter the scoop assembly 200, 201 from the ambient environment 204. More specifically, the first baffle 214 may be defined by a first baffle wall 216 extending from the first plate 202 to the outer plate 210. The first baffle 214 may define a first inlet 218 at an uppermost portion of the first baffle 214 and be oriented with the opening facing in a vertical direction 220. The first inlet 218 may be generally oriented in a vertical direction 220 such that air entering the first baffle 214 from the ambient environment 204 is drawn from an upper portion of the scoop assembly 200, 201. In the exploded view of scoop assembly 200 of fig. 2a, baffle wall 216 is shown spaced apart from outer plate 210. However, in the assembled configuration, the baffle wall 216 extends to the outer plate 210 to define the first path 302 discussed herein.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the scoop assembly 201 can have a second baffle 230 defined therein to define a third path 304 (see fig. 3) for air to enter the scoop assembly 201 from the ambient environment 204. More specifically, the second baffle 230 may be defined by a second baffle wall 232 extending from the first plate 202 to the outer plate 210. The second baffle 230 may define a second inlet 234 at an uppermost portion of the second baffle 230 and be oriented toward the vertical direction 220. The second inlet 234 may be generally oriented in the vertical direction 220 such that air entering the second baffle 230 from the ambient environment 204 is drawn from an upper portion of the scoop assembly 201.

Although both the first baffle 214 and the second baffle 230 are shown in fig. 2b, the present disclosure also contemplates utilizing only one of the first baffle 214 or the second baffle 230. For example, the scoop assembly 200 may not have the second baffle 230 at all. Alternatively, in the embodiment of fig. 2b, the first baffle 214 may not be present at all, and the scoop assembly 201 may only have the second baffle 230. Moreover, other embodiments contemplated herein have more than two baffles. Thus, the present disclosure contemplates varying baffle positions and numbers.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view 300 of scoop assembly 201 is shown with outer plate 210 removed. More specifically, the air paths 302, 304, 306 of the scoop assembly 201 are shown in FIG. 3. Air paths 302, 304, 306 are generally intended to illustrate the basic flow path of fluid from ambient environment 204 into cooling apertures 224 as cooling fan 226 draws air therethrough. More specifically, the first path 302 may flow through the first inlet 218 and into the passage of the first baffle 214. The first path 302 may flow downward toward the bottom plate 212 until it reaches a first outlet 308 defined in part by the space between the baffle wall 216 and the bottom plate 212. The first path 302 may then flow through the rotating screen 244 and into the cooling apertures 224.

Air and surrounding debris may also enter the scoop assembly 201 from the second path 306. The second path 306 may allow air to enter the scoop assembly 201 through a second inlet 246 defined between the outer plate 210, the first baffle wall 216, and the second baffle wall 232 (or, when the second baffle 230 is not present, the side plate 206). The second path 306 may provide a flow path with a maximum flow rate into the cooling aperture 224. In other words, the second inlet 246 may be the maximum inlet of the scoop assembly 201 and thereby provide the maximum flow rate into the cooling apertures 224.

The size of the second inlet 246 may vary according to different embodiments contemplated herein. More specifically, fig. 2b shows a cut-out portion 222 that provides an arcuate cut-out of the outer plate 210. The cutout portion 222 may allow for greater fluid flow from the ambient environment 204 through the second inlet 246 into the cooling aperture 224. Alternatively, fig. 4a and 4b illustrate another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the shutter assembly 402 may be connected to the outer panel 210 or other component of the respective scoop assembly 400. In the embodiment of fig. 4a and 4b, the second inlet 246 may be directed partially through the shutter assembly 402. In addition, the shutter assembly 402 may be pivoted about the axis 404 to further vary the size of the second inlet 246.

Although the second inlet 246 is shown here between the first baffle 214 and the second baffle 230, other embodiments may not have the second baffle 230 at all. In these embodiments, the second inlet 246 may be defined by the first baffle wall 216, the outer panel 210, the first panel 202, and the first side panel 206. In this embodiment, the second inlet 246 may be larger than embodiments having a second baffle 230 in a similarly sized scoop assembly. Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates utilizing only the first baffle 214, wherein air enters the aperture 224 through either the first inlet 218 or the second inlet 246.

Referring now to fig. 5a and 5b, a stationary screen 502 is shown positioned at least partially along the first path 302. The stationary screen 502 may be a filter covering air intake apertures 504 defined in the first plate 202. The intake aperture 504 may be fluidly connected to an intake of an internal combustion engine for the engine compartment 24. As is well known in the art, internal combustion engines mix fuel with ambient air to initiate controlled combustion of the mixture. In one aspect of the present disclosure, air required by the internal combustion engine may be obtained through the intake aperture 504.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, first path 302 may be directed at least partially across stationary screen 502 to remove debris from the stationary screen to ensure that sufficient air is available through stationary screen 502 to reach the engine. As described herein, the cooling fan 226 may draw air through the aperture 224 along the first path 302. As the air moves along the first path 302, the air may pass through the fixed screen 502 and remove at least a portion of the debris located on the fixed screen. The air may then travel along the first path 302 and through the aperture 224. The rotating screen 244 may capture debris removed from the stationary screen 502 for further cleaning and evacuation (vacuumed) thereof.

While a portion of the air moving along the first path 302 may be drawn into the engine through the intake apertures 504, the flow rate requirements of the cooling fan 226 may provide a substantially turbulent flow of fluid across the stationary screen 504 to dislodge debris from the stationary screen. In other words, while the engine does require air to flow through the intake aperture 504, more air passes through the intake aperture 504 and is drawn through the aperture 224 by the cooling fan 226.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first inlet 218 and the second inlet 234 are positioned to face substantially in the vertical direction 220. That is, first inlet 218 and second inlet 234 draw air from the ambient environment at the uppermost portion of the respective scoop assembly. Typically, dust and debris laden air that is stirred up by the equipment during operation will rise several feet above ground level. By positioning the first inlet 218 and the second inlet 234 along the uppermost portion of the scoop assembly, air drawn into the first baffle 214 and the second baffle 230 is substantially cleaner relative to air positioned closer to the underlying floor. This in turn reduces the amount of extraneous debris that must be screened and filtered from the air entering through the stationary screen 502 or the rotating screen 244.

Referring now to fig. 4a and 4b, another embodiment of an scoop assembly 400 is shown. In this embodiment of the scoop assembly 400, the louver assembly 402 may be pivotally connected to the scoop assembly 400 between the first baffle wall 216 and the second baffle wall 232. More specifically, the shutter assembly 402 may have a plurality of shutters 406 pivotally connected between a first member 408 and a second member 410. Each shutter of the plurality of shutters 406 may be individually pivoted relative to the first member 408 and the second member 410 to thereby redirect air entering the scoop assembly 400 along the second inlet 246. Further, each of the first member 408 and the second member 410 may be pivotally connected to the scoop assembly 400 at one end along the axis 404. Accordingly, first member 408 and second member 410 may be pivoted outward about axis 404 to reposition the plurality of shutters 406 in the increased orientation as shown in fig. 4 a. Alternatively, first member 408 and second member 410 may be pivoted inward about axis 404 to reposition the plurality of shutters 406 in the reduced orientation 401 as shown in fig. 4 b.

Referring now to FIG. 5b, yet another embodiment of an scoop assembly 500 is shown with the outer plate removed. In the embodiment of fig. 5b, the second baffle wall 506 may be at least partially curved, as compared to the baffle wall 232 of fig. 5 a. Such a configuration may provide a relatively large inlet 508 while allowing the dam wall 506 to bypass the support structure used to rotate the screen 244. Further, a neck 510 may be formed between baffle wall 506 and first side plate 206. In one aspect of this embodiment, the neck 510 can induce a flow velocity that accelerates along the second baffle as air is drawn along the third path 304.

Further, in one non-exclusive embodiment shown in fig. 5b, a second screen 512 may be defined along the third path 304. The second screen 512 may cover second apertures 514 defined in the first plate 202. Further, the second aperture 514 may be fluidly connected to the engine or engine compartment 24. In the embodiment of fig. 5b, the neck 510 may provide an increased air flow velocity across the second screen 512, thereby further removing any debris located on the second screen. In other words, the increased airflow caused by the neck 510 may remove debris and clean the second screen 512 in a similar manner as discussed herein with reference to the stationary screen 502. Further, in one aspect of the present disclosure, both the intake aperture 504 and the second aperture 514 may be fluidly connected to the intake of the engine. In such a configuration, if one of the orifices 504, 514 is substantially blocked by debris, the other of the orifices 504, 514 may provide sufficient airflow to the engine to allow complete combustion of the fuel.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, by utilizing baffles to define a first flow path across a stationary screen in combination with a larger second inlet, the cooling device may have sufficient airflow to cool the work machine while still providing sufficient turbulence across the stationary screen to clean debris from the screen. In other words, the cooling device requirements can be met by opening the air cowl assembly to the ambient environment. However, doing so reduces airflow across any stationary screens positioned therein. By implementing the use of baffles as explained in this disclosure, the cooling device may obtain sufficient air flow rate while the stationary screen is positioned along the baffles to ensure that there is sufficient air flow rate to remove debris formed therein.

Although the invention is shown as one type of combine, it can be used in other combine types, including conventional straw walker combines and hybrid combines with transverse threshing cylinders and rotating separators, as well as other types of work machines.

Although illustrative embodiments incorporating the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.