Abstract
A rotating suction wand for a cooler box screen including a hollow body for attaching to a suction hose. A first slot and at least a second slot are formed in the hollow body in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen. The construction and arrangement of the slots redistributes suction force along the length of the wand in such a way as to compensate for differences in angular rotational speed of the wand at varying radial distances from the center of the wand as well as to overcome suction force reduction which normally occurs from the center to the ends of the wand. Consequently, debris is more effectively removed from the screen from the central regions of the wand to radially distal regions thereof.
Claims
1. A suction wand for a cooler box comprising: an elongated hollow body for attaching to a suction hose; and a first slot opening, a second slot opening, and a third slot opening each in fluid communication with an interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging a screen of the cooler box.
2. The suction wand of claim 1, further comprising a hub about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to the suction hose.
3. The suction wand of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third slot openings are tapered.
4. The suction wand of claim 1, further comprising a throat region between the second slot opening and the third slot opening.
5. The suction wand of claim 1, wherein the first slot opening is spaced from the third slot opening such that upon rotation of the suction wand the first slot opening defines a circular path that overlaps with a circular path defined by the third slot opening.
6. The suction wand of claim 1, wherein the second slot opening is spaced from the third slot opening such that upon rotation of the suction wand, the third slot opening defines a circular path that underlaps a circular path defined by the second slot opening.
7. The suction wand of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow body is asymmetric.
8. The suction wand of claim 7, wherein the elongated hollow body has a first end having a first width and a second end opposite the first end having a second width larger than the first width to bias air flow towards the second end.
9. The suction wand of claim 8, wherein the first slot opening is positioned about the first end and the second and third slot openings are positioned about the second end.
10. The suction wand of claim 1, further comprising a fourth slot opening, a fifth slot opening, and sixth slot opening each in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body for facingly engaging the screen of the cooler box.
11. The suction wand of claim 10, wherein the elongated hollow body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first slot opening is positioned about the first end and the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth slot openings are each positioned about the second end.
12. The suction wand of claim 10, wherein the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth slot openings are sized to be progressively smaller.
13. The suction wand of claim 1, further comprising a wall portion extending inwardly of the elongated hollow body and partially circumscribing a circumference of the second slot opening.
14. The suction wand of claim 13, wherein the wall portion circumscribes a most proximal end of the second slot opening and extends along a first lateral side of the second slot opening further distally than along a second lateral side of the second slot opening opposite the first lateral side.
15. The suction wand of claim 13, further comprising a flow retarder extending inwardly of the elongated hollow body from a posterior wall surface adjacent the wall portion.
16. The suction wand of claim 15, wherein the flow retarder is an inwardly extending C-shaped wall segment.
17. The suction wand of claim 15, further comprising a hub about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to the suction hose, and wherein the flow retarder is between the hub and the wall portion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of several aspects of the subject application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subject application there are shown in the drawings several aspects, but it should be understood that the subject application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0013] In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an agricultural harvester combine illustrating a cooler box at an upper rear region thereof in accordance with an aspect of the subject application;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an agricultural combine cooler box equipped with a screen about which a suction wand in accordance with the subject application rotates to remove debris from the screen;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with a first aspect of the subject application;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 3A;
[0018] FIG. 3C is a rear plan view of the suction wand of FIG. 3A;
[0019] FIG. 3D is a coronal cross-sectional front anterior perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 3A;
[0020] FIG. 3E is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 3A;
[0021] FIG. 3F is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 3A;
[0022] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application;
[0023] FIG. 4B is front plan view of the suction wand of FIG. 4A;
[0024] FIG. 4C is a rear plan view of the suction wand of FIG. 4A;
[0025] FIG. 4D is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 4A;
[0026] FIG. 4E is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 4A;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application;
[0028] FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 5A;
[0029] FIG. 5C is a coronal front cross-sectional perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 5A;
[0030] FIG. 5D is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 5A;
[0031] FIG. 6A is a rear plan view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application;
[0032] FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 6A;
[0033] FIG. 6C is a front anterior perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 6A;
[0034] FIG. 6D is a coronal front cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 6A;
[0035] FIG. 7A is a front anterior perspective view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application;
[0036] FIG. 7B is a rear plan view of the suction wand of FIG. 7A;
[0037] FIG. 7C is a sagittal cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 7A;
[0038] FIG. 8A is a sagittal cross-sectional view of a suction wand in accordance with another aspect of the subject application;
[0039] FIG. 8B is an enlarged partial view of the suction wand of FIG. 8A;
[0040] FIG. 8C is a rear perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 8A;
[0041] FIG. 8D is a front perspective view of the suction wand of FIG. 8A; and
[0042] FIG. 8E is a transverse cross-sectional view of the suction wand of FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to the various aspects of the subject application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term a, as used in the specification, means at least one. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an agricultural harvester 10 such as a combine or the like applicable to the subject application. Located at the upper rear of the combine is an engine which is hidden from view by a cooler box 12. As shown in FIG. 2, cooler box 12 includes a cooler box door 14 which substantially encases a circular screen 16 in which a flow of air passes through for communication with the internals of the cooler box. The cooler box 12 houses among other things a radiator of the combine.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a suction wand 100 having a longitudinal rear face facingly engaging the circular screen 16. The suction wand is mounted adjacent the circular screen so as to rotate about an axis such that rotation of the tips of the suction wand forms a circle substantially matching the size of the circular screen 16 or slightly overlaying the circular screen. Extending from the suction wand 100 is a suction hose 18 operatively connected to a fan housing 20 and thereafter a discharge 22. The structure, function and operation of the cooler box, circular screen, suction hose and fan housing are known in the art and a detailed description of such components is not necessary for a complete understanding of the present aspects of the subject application. However, a typical cooler box and related components applicable to the subject application are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,197,567 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
[0046] In accordance with a first aspect, the subject application provides a suction wand 100 as shown and configured in FIGS. 3A-3F. The suction wand 100 is an elongated wand having a hollow body 102 forming an elongated interior chamber 104 (FIG. 3E) that is in fluid communication with the suction hose 18 for generating a negative pressure within the hollow body. The suction wand 100 also includes a hub 106 for attaching to a rotary device such that the suction wand rotates about the hub or with the rotary device. The hub is located about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to the suction hose 18.
[0047] In other words, the suction wand includes a pair of arms extending from the hub, i.e., a first arm or first end 108a and a second arm or second end 108b (FIG. 3A). However, the suction wand can alternatively be configured to be symmetric, asymmetric, or with more than two arms such as multiple arms extending from the hub 106.
[0048] The shape of the hollow body 102 can be that of a rectangular prism but is preferably configured with the distal ends of the hollow body tapered inwardly. The rear face 110 (FIG. 3B) of the suction wand is configured with three slot openings or, simply, slots 112, 114 and 116 each in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body 102 for allowing suction to be generated at the openings of each slot 112, 114 and 116. The first slot 112 is positioned about the first end of the suction wand and extends a length about to the longitudinal length of the suction wand. The second slot 114 extends from about the hub 106 a length about of the longitudinal length of the suction wand. The third slot 116 is positioned about a second end of the suction wand opposite the first end and extends a length about to the longitudinal length of the suction wand.
[0049] Each of the first, second and third slots 112, 114 and 116 have a width that is smaller than an overall width of the suction wand hollow body 102. For example, the ratio of the width of any slot to the overall width of the hollow body can be , , , or some other fraction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, at least the rear face 110 of suction wand 100 includes a plurality of stiffening ribs formed therein in order to minimize flexure of the suction wand during rotation.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, the suction wand is configured with a throat region 118 about the second slot 114 so as to retard the flow of fluid communication within the interior of the hollow body between the hub and the third slot such that greater amounts of suction is preserved at the distal ends i.e., at the first and third slots 112, 116, compared to the middle sections of the suction wand i.e., about the second slot 114. The throat region 118 can be formed e.g., by a concave or U-shaped riser 120 extending inwardly of the hollow body 102 from its rear face.
[0051] The throat region 118 effectively reduces the overall volume of space between the third slot 116 and the hub such that higher negative pressure about the third slot can be maintained.
[0052] The slots 112, 114 and 116 are also configured to be tapered such that the distal ends of the slots are wider than the proximal ends i.e., ends closer to the hub 106.
[0053] The slots are also configured as substantially rectangular or trapezoidal slots having their faces facingly engaging the circular screen 16.
[0054] The first and third slots 112, 116 can optionally be configured to have substantially the same shape and positioned along the longitudinal length of the suction wand such that during rotation of the suction wand, the first slot 112 substantially covers the same area across the screen as the third slot 116 thereby providing double coverage of the same screen area. That is, the first slot opening 112 is spaced from the third slot opening 116 such that upon rotation of the suction wand the first slot opening defines a circular path that overlaps with a circular path defined by the third slot opening.
[0055] The hollow body of the suction wand 100 extends further than the distal ends of the first and second slots 112, 116. In other words, the first and second slots 112, 116 are spaced slightly from the most distal ends of the suction wand which advantageously increases suction emanating from the ends of the first and second slots.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 3E, the height HA at the tips of the suction wand 100 is also preferably configured to be as large as possible relative to that of height H.sub.B at the center of the suction wand. That is, the reduction in height H.sub.A relative to H.sub.B is minimized to preserve suction performance at the ends of the suction wand. However, H.sub.A can be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or some other percentage of the height of H.sub.B.
[0057] Moreover, referring to FIG. 3F, owing to the structure of the riser 120, suction power is better distributed to the ends of the suction wand. That is, suction within a conventional wand is greatest closer to the hub than at its tips. Thus, to preserve suction power at the tips of the suction wand 100 relative to suction adjacent the hub, the riser 120 causes suction power or flow to be divided along the riser thereby resulting in lower suction at the second slot 114 and increasing suction at the third slot 116. In other words, the volume of space occupied by the riser facilitates the redistribution of flow and pressure along the suction wand.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 3F, the lateral sides 122, 124 of the suction wand are also configured to taper inwardly extending from its posterior surface towards its anterior surface.
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 3C the length of the second slot 114 extends a fixed distance so as to form an underlap with third slot 116 i.e., the second slot is spaced from the third slot. That is, the circular path defined by the second slot 114 is spaced from the circular path defined by the third slot 116 during rotation of the wand thereby advantageously preserving suction power across the suction wand. This underlap is also advantageous because suction forces extend slightly beyond the edges of the slots thereby negating the need for overlapping circular pathways and preserving suction power within the suction wand to fully cover the diameter of the screen despite the gap between the circular paths traversed by the second and third slots.
[0060] FIG. 3C further shows that the outer shape of the wand 100 can be asymmetrical. That is, the first end of the wand in which the first slot 112 resides is slightly narrower in width than the second end of the wand in which the second and third slots 114, 116 reside. The purpose of this asymmetry is to provide greater negative air flow to the arm of the wand that contains multiple or more slots e.g., the second and third slots in order to compensate for the greater slot opening space created by the second and third slots. That is, air flow is biased toward the second and third slots in order to maintain sufficient suction through all slots of the suction wand.
[0061] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate a suction wand 200 in accordance with a second aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand 200 is similarly constructed as suction wand 100 but with the following differences. The suction wand 200 has an overall shape configured as shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C. As illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the suction wand 200 includes first 208, second 210, third 212, fourth 214, fifth 216 and sixth 218 slots each in fluid communication with an interior of a hollow body 202 for facingly engaging the screen of the cooler box. Each of the second through sixth slots 210, 212, 214, 216 and 218 are separated by a partition member of the hollow body. First slot 208 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand about a first end thereof a longitudinal length about to of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot 210 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end a longitudinal length about to of the suction wand. Each of the third through sixth slots 212, 214, 216 and 218 are positioned between the second slot 210 and a hub 206 about the second end of the elongated body of the suction wand. Each of the third through sixth slots 212, 214, 216 and 218 are also configured to have an opening progressively smaller in size than the preceding slot.
[0062] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a suction wand 300 in accordance with a third aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand 300 is similarly constructed as suction wand 100 but with the following differences. Suction wand 300 includes a first slot 308 and a second slot 310. The first slot 308 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about to of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot 310 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub 306.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 5B-5D, the second slot 310 is also configured with a partial wall portion or riser 320 that circumscribes the second slot 310 and extends inwardly of the hollow body 302, but only partially circumscribing a circumference of the second slot, as best shown in FIG. 5C. The wall portion or riser 320 functions similarly to the aforementioned riser 120. That is, partial wall or riser 320 retards the flow of fluid communication within the interior of the hollow body nearest the hub such that greater amounts of suction is preserved at the distal ends of the slots compared to the middle sections of the suction wand i.e., about the central portion of the second slot 310. The partial wall 320 is also referred to as a U-shaped riser wherein both legs of the U extend substantially the same length. The partial wall is positioned about a proximal end of the second slot 310 e.g., between the slot and the hub.
[0064] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a suction wand 400 in accordance with a fourth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand 400 is similarly constructed as suction wand 100 but with the following differences. The suction wand 400 has an overall shape configured as best shown in FIG. 6B. Suction wand 400 includes a first slot 408 and a second slot 410. The first slot 408 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about to of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot 410 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub 406.
[0065] FIGS. 6B and 6D illustrate that the second slot 410 is also configured with a partial wall or riser 420 that circumscribes the second slot 410 and extends inwardly of the hollow body 402, but only partially along the circumference of the second slot, as best shown in FIG. 6B. The partial wall 420 is also referred to as a U-shaped riser and is configured substantially the same as the U-shaped riser 320 except that one leg of the U-shaped riser extends further or is longer than the other. That is, the wall portion circumscribes a most proximal end of the second slot opening 410 and extends along a first lateral side of the second slot opening further distally than along a second lateral side of the second slot opening opposite the first lateral side. The partial wall is also positioned between the hub and the second slot.
[0066] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a suction wand 500 in accordance with a fifth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand 500 is similarly constructed as suction wand 100 but with the following differences. The suction wand 500 has an overall shape configured as best shown in FIG. 7B. Suction wand 500 includes a first slot 508 and a second slot 510. The first slot 508 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a first end a longitudinal length about to of the overall suction wand longitudinal length. The second slot 510 extends from adjacent or slightly spaced from a tip of the suction wand at a second end opposite the first end and extends a longitudinal length of the suction wand from the tip of the second end to immediately adjacent the hub 506.
[0067] The second slot 510 of suction wand 500 also includes a riser or bump 520 that extends inwardly from the posterior surface (or facingly engaging surface) of the suction wand, as best shown in FIG. 7C, forming a throat region 518. That is, the throat region 518 is formed from the posterior wall or surface extending inwardly of the hollow body so as to be adjacent the anterior wall at least partially the longitudinal length of the second slot, thereby forming a region of restricted air flow from a tip of the suction wand to the hub region 506 of the suction wand.
[0068] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a suction wand 600 in accordance with a sixth aspect of the subjection application. Suction wand 600 is similarly constructed as suction wand 500 but with the following differences. The suction wand 600 additionally includes a flow retarder 604 (FIGS. 8B-8E) extending inwardly of the hollow body 602 from a posterior surface of the suction wand. As illustrated in FIGS. 8C, 8D and 8E, the flow retarder 604 is an inwardly extending C-shaped wall segment positioned adjacent a proximal end of a wall portion or riser 620 extending inwardly of an anterior surface of the suction wand. Suction wand 600 has a hub 606 located about a center of the elongated hollow body portion for connecting to suction hose 18 (FIG. 2) wherein the flow retarder is between the hub and the wall portion 620. The flow retarder and riser collectively form an increasingly restricted flow region for the flow of air from a distal end of the suction wand toward the hub of the suction wand. That is, suction is redistributed across the length of the wand 600 whereby it is greatest at distal ends of the wand and decreases radially inwardly in order to substantially uniformly remove debris from the entire surface of the circular screen 16 (FIG. 2).
[0069] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the various aspects described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that the various aspects of the subject application is not limited to the particular aspects disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the described subject application as defined by the claims.
