COMBINE HARVESTER CONCAVE FRAME ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A threshing concave frame assembly for crop separating operations in a combine harvester is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the concave frame includes a first side member and a second side member opposing each other, wherein the first and second side members each have an interior surface and exterior surface. In addition, a crop threshing bar member is disposed between the interior surface of the first side and second side members of the concave frame. In particular, the crop threshing bar member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are secured to the interior surface of the first and second side members of the concave frame.

Claims

1. A threshing concave assembly comprised of: a concave frame having a first side member and a second side member opposing each other, wherein the first and second side members each have an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surfaces of the first and second side members oppose each other; the first and second side members each comprising a top surface, wherein each of the top surfaces comprise a first face and a second face each having a side profile; a crop threshing bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a third face and the second end comprises a fourth face, and wherein each of the third and fourth faces represent a cross-sectional side profile of the crop threshing bar; and wherein the first end of the crop threshing bar is affixed to an interior surface of the first side member and the second end of the crop threshing bar is affixed to the interior surface of the second side member, and wherein the side profile of the first and second face of each of the first and second side members substantially align with the cross-sectional side profile of the third and fourth face of the crop threshing bar.

2. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side member and second side member are comprised of upright rails having an arcuate configuration.

3. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second faces of the top surface of the first and second side members comprise a crest and trough configuration.

4. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third member disposed between the first and second side members.

5. The threshing concave assembly of claim 4, wherein the third member comprises an opening that receives the crop threshing bar therein.

6. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end and second end of the crop threshing bar is welded, fastened, fused, or bolted to the interior surface of the first and second sides of the frame.

7. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, wherein the crop threshing bar is adapted to thresh or separate grains of a crop in a combine harvester.

8. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, wherein the crop threshing bar comprises a cross-section having a round, oval, square, triangular, or polygonal configuration.

9. The threshing concave assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the crop threshing bars, wherein each of the crop threshing bars are spaced about 0.75 inches to about 1.25 inches from each other.

10. A threshing concave assembly comprised of: a concave frame having a first side member and a second side member opposing each other, wherein the first and second side members each have an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second side members oppose each other; the first and second side members each comprising a top surface, wherein each of the top surfaces comprise a first face in a first plane and a second face in a second plane; a crop threshing bar configured to thresh or separate crop, wherein a first end of the crop threshing bar comprises a first face in a third plane and a second opposing end of the crop threshing bar comprises a second face in a fourth plane; and wherein the first and second ends of the crop threshing bar are secured to the inner surfaces of the first and second side members of the frame, wherein the first plane of the first face of each of the first and second side members substantially align with the third plane of the first face of the crop threshing bar and the second plane of the second face of each of the first and second side members substantially align with the fourth plane of the second face of the crop threshing bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one non-limiting embodiment of a general overview for a concave bar and separator grate assembly of the disclosure described herein for a combine harvester.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional side view and a close-up perspective view for one non-limiting embodiment of one or more bars or rods of the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein.

[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective top view for one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a concave frame assembly of the disclosure described herein.

[0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective bottom view for the concave frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

[0020] FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective side view for the concave frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

[0021] FIG. 2D illustrates a detailed close-up perspective side view for the concave frame assembly of FIG. 2C.

[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 20-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0023] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 25-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0024] FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 35-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0025] FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 40-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0026] FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 45-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0027] FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 50-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0028] FIG. 3G illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 65-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0029] FIG. 3H illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 90-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0030] FIG. 3I illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a first 30-degree partial cut-out and second 45-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0031] FIG. 3J illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having a 30-degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0032] FIG. 3K illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a bar having dual or double 90-degree cut-outs for the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshing operations.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective side view for one non-limiting embodiment of a concave separator grate assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a bracket or grate member in one non-limiting embodiment having mounting points and further having a row of uniform small fingers or small protruding members of the separation grate of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0035] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective side view of another bracket or grate member having a row of uniform small fingers or protruding members that are intermixed or combined with large fingers or large protruding members of the separation grate of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0036] FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective front view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

[0037] FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective side view of another non-limiting embodiment of a small finger or small protruding member and large finger or large protruding member alternating configuration for a bracket member.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective side view of one non-limiting embodiment of the small finger or small protruding member of the separation grate of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective side view for one non-limiting embodiment of the large finger or large protruding member of the separation grate having a smooth outer edge of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective side view of another non-limiting embodiment of the large finger or large protruding member of the separation grate having a sharp serrated edge or teeth members of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates another perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9, shown with dimensions for various areas of the large finger or large protruding member having a serrated edge or teeth members of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

[0042] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrates perspective views of a bracket or grate member in a method of assembling a large finger or large protruding member of the separation grate to the bracket member of the disclosure described herein.

[0043] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the bracket or grate member in a method of securing the bracket member to the separation grate of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In the Brief Summary of the present disclosure above and in the Detailed Description of the disclosure described herein, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the disclosure described herein. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the disclosure described herein in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the disclosure described herein, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described herein, and in the disclosure described herein generally.

[0045] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure described herein and illustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosure described herein. In addition, the disclosure described herein does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the disclosure described herein.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial simplified view of a combine harvester having a concave bar and separation grate assembly of the disclosure described herein, shown in a generalized and overview depiction. In particular, a combine harvester 100 can include a feeder roller 110 configured to grasp and feed various crop material 400 to the concave rotors of the harvester. In addition, harvester 100 includes a helical rotor having a concave bar or rod assembly 200 for threshing the crop material 400, and wherein the helical rotor further includes a separation concave or separation grate for further separating the crop material 400 for separation operations after the threshing operations. More specifically, concave 200 and concave 300 can rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise configuration causing the crop material to rotate or move in an opposing direction thereby threshing the crop and separating it from its stalk or chaff. In addition, concave 200 can include a plurality of bars or rods 210 secured longitudinally within the concavity region of concave 210 for crop threshing operations. Further, concave 300 includes a plurality of bracket members 310 secured to the interior of the concavity of concave 300, wherein each bracket member 310 can have a variety of fingers or protruding members for crop separation operations.

Concave Threshing Bar and Frame

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the concave bar 200 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, each rod or bar 210 of concave bar extends laterally across the concave region. Alternatively, each bar 210 may also be staggered with respect to each other or not extend to the width fo the concave. In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3K, each bar 210 has a cut-out region or wedge shape in particular angles that significantly improve the threshing surface area of the bar, depending on the type of crop material being harvested or threshed. Moreover, this is accomplished by optimizing the threshing surface angle to bars with threshing angle from 25-degrees up to 90-degrees, preferably from about 30-degrees up to and including about 45-degrees, or 30-45-degrees. Here, such threshing angles provide significantly more threshing surface area with respect to conventional concave bars, thereby improving threshing effectiveness and the time it takes to thresh crop material. In particular, through testing, it has been found that the 25 to 90-degrees angles, preferably from about 30-degrees up to and including about 45-degrees, or 30-45-degrees, can provide up to thirty (30) times more threshing surface area with respect to conventional bars. In particular, this improved threshing surface area results in the crop being completely threshed and leaving little to or un-threshed crop. For example, in one example of corn on a cob, the increased threshing surface area resulted in more force or pressure applied to each single kernel on the cob, thereby causing each single kernel to separate or detach from the cob. In addition, the angled configurations of the concave bar 210 of the disclosure described herein further allows crop to be threshed in less time, thereby allowing more time for the grains of the threshed crop to sift through the concave.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, concave frame assembly 200 is shown in a more detailed view according to one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure described herein. Here, concave 200 is shown having a pair of upright side member frames or rails 202A and 202B substantially parallel to each other and generally having an arcuate or curved configuration. In addition, concave 200 further includes a middle frame or upright center rail 202C situated between rails 202A and 202B. Here, center rail 202C is further substantially parallel to rails 202A and 202B and is also generally configured in an arcuate or curved configuration. In addition, center rail 202C further includes an opening, cut-out, or groove 206B therein for receiving and supporting the threshing bars 210 therein, or each of threshing bar configurations 212A-212I therein. Here, the opening 206B may also be used as a guide for aligning bars 210 within the concave, and/or aligning the ends of bars 210 to the interior surfaces of rails 202A and 202B. Here, bar 210 may be fastened, secured, or affixed within opening 206B, such as via welding, fusion, adhesives, or bolting, among others methods.

[0049] Still referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, each of side frames or rails 202A and 202B include corresponding ridges 204 along their upper or top regions. More specifically, ridges 204 are configured such that they align with the configuration of each bar 210. For example, if bar 210 disposed within concave 200 includes the raised surface 212C (FIG. 3C), then the ridge of each concave will further be configured such that it aligns with the angle, shape, and configuration of the raised surface for that bar 210. In particular, referring to FIG. 2D, ridge 204 may include first straight cut-out or trough 204A and raised sloped 204B, wherein the angle between trough or surface 204A and slope or surface 204B is substantially the same or identical to the raised slope or angle of corresponding bar 210. For example, if bar 210 comprises surface 212E having a 45-degree angle, then the angle between surface 204A and surface 204B will be substantially the same or identical to that of 45-degrees or surface 212E of bar 210. Moreover, surface of 204A and 204B are configured such that they align with the surface of bar 210, such that surfaces 204A and 204B are substantially flush or parallel with the surface of bar 210. Alternatively, surfaces 204A and 204B may also not be aligned or not be flush with the surface of bar 210.

[0050] Still referring to FIG. 2D, raised or wave-like ridges 204 of rails 202A and 202B may also include surface 204C and 204D which are generally configured to align with and follow the path of surface 206A of center rail 204C. Here, depending on the angle or slope of bar 210, surfaces 204A-204D can generally include a pattern of an approximately sigmoid-type curve, or wave-like curve, having a flat or trough region 204A, followed by an upward sloping raised region 204B or flat incline region 204B, followed by a crest, peak or plateau region 204D, and further followed by a downward sloping region 204D towards a flattening region, in repeating intervals. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure that side frames 202A and 202B may not have a repeating pattern for ridges, wherein ridges 204 may comprise different or varying intervals or configurations 204A-204D. For example, concave 200 may be fitted with bars 210 in its top region having sloped surfaces with varying-degrees of angles, in which the corresponding ridges will also follow the varying angles of each of the bars 210 of concave 200.

[0051] In addition, the interior surfaces of side frame members or rails 202A and 202B may also include guides, markings, brackets, or indicia that would allow the opposing ends of bars 210 to be aligned therein and between the interior surfaces of the rails during the assembly of concave 200. In addition, each end of bars 210 are adapted to be secured or affixed to the interior surface of side frame members 202A and 202B. Here, such securement of bars 210 may be via welding, fusion, bolting, or adhesives, among others. Alternatively, the interior surfaces of side frame members 202A and 202B may each include a brackets on their interior surfaces for securing, supporting, and/or receiving bars 210. Alternatively, bars 210 may be secured to the interior surface of side frame members 202A and 202B such that they may also freely rotate or pivot about an axis. Accordingly, it is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure described herein that any methods may be employed for coupling, securing, and/or affixing bars 210 to the interior surface or interior regions of side frame members 202A and 202B, or between the interior side regions of side frame members 202A and 202B.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3K various configurations for the bars 210 of concave 200 are shown with respect to crop 400, such as grain kernels on a corn cob. Here, elongated bars or rods 210 are generally comprised of a round, partially round, notched, oval, rectangular, polygonal, semi-round, semi-cylindrical configuration, or a cylindrical configuration having a cut-out, channel, groove, or notch region. More specifically, semi-cylindrical configuration can include raised surfaces 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D, 212E, 212F, 212G, 212H, 212I, 214I, 212J, 212K, and 214K that raise from an approximate center or mid-point region of bar 210. Here, the diameter of each bar 212 can be generally from 3/16 inch up to and including two (2) inches, preferably 0.75 to 1.25 inches. In addition, the raised angle, grade, or slope of surfaces 212A-212K, that can range from approximately 20-degrees up to and including 90-degrees can be configured or adapted to the type of crop being threshed, the size of the crop, the moisture level of the crop, density of the crop, and/or the amount of force required to separate a grain from the stalk or chaff of the crop. For example, an angle of 65-degrees or 90-degrees, as shown in FIGS. 3G-3H, can be more disruptive and impactful to crop 400, as opposed to an angle of 20-degrees, as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D, crop 400 generally makes more contact with surfaces 212A-212D, in ascending order, before the crop reaches the top sharp edge of bar 210. In these embodiments, the 20-degree to 50-degree angles of bar 210 may be more beneficial for softer or less dense crop or grains that can more readily separate from the stalk or chaff, and also resulting in less damage to the crop. In contrast, angles 65 to 90-degrees, as shown in FIGS. 3G-3H, may be more suited for crops that may be more dense or have grains that are generally more difficult to separate from their stalk or chaff, thereby requiring crop 400 to make more contact with the sharp outer edge of bar 210 and less contact with surfaces 212G-212H.

[0053] FIG. 3I illustrates a combined or dual angled surfaces 212I and 214I for threshing operations. More specifically, bar 210 of FIG. 3I, can include a first raised surface 212I having an approximate 30-degree angle relative to a horizontal plane, and a second raised surface having a 45-degree angle relative to the horizontal plane. The configuration of FIG. 3I, and other embodiments thereof, can provide a dual or hybrid approach to threshing crop 400. In particular, the lower 30-degree angle can allow a grain or kernel of crop 400 to first make contact (and a first forced impact) with surface area 214I before it makes a second contact (and a second forced impact) with surface area 212I and the sharp edge of bar 210. Here, this dual surface configuration of bar 210 can provide additional threshing to crop 400, wherein if the first contact (and first impact) did not loosen or release the kernel or grain from crop 400, then the second contact (and second impact) can further assist in releasing the kernel or grain from crop 400, thereby essentially combining two rotary threshing operations (or two passes) in one rotary threshing operation (or one pass), thereby significantly improving the efficiency of the threshing operations.

[0054] It is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that any component of concave 200 or rods 210 may be comprised of steel material to improve longevity, durability, and wearability, including but not limited to: carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, and tool steels. Preferably, rods 210 may be made of carbon steel, having a carbon content ranging from approximately 0.1 to 1.5%. In particular, a low carbon steel may contain up to 0.3% carbon, a medium carbon steel containing 0.3-0.6% carbon, and a high carbon steel containing more than 0.6% carbon. Moreover, the steel of rods 210 may also be cold formed via processes such as rolling, bending, shearing, and drawing, among others.

[0055] TABLES 1-17 illustrate the the various test data simulations for an exemplary tested crop, here a corn cob with a 2-inch cob surface, with respect to a conventional round or cylindrical bar and the various bar 210 configurations or threshing angled surfaces 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D, 212E, 212F, 212G, 212H, 212I, 214I, 212J, 212K, and 214K of the disclosure described herein. In particular, the conditions or constraints of the crop and threshing operation for this particular exemplary test comprised of the following, as shown with respect to TABLE 1:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Conditions 220 bu/acre 18% moisture 57.51 lb/bu 1410 seeds/lb 81,089 seeds/bu 27 mm concave clearance 350 rpm rotor speed 12 row head (30 ft) 30 in corn rows

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Conventional Round Bar (Control) THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT Round Bar l 200 30.30 24.78 81.78% 10.0 5.52 7.0 7.00% Round Bar 2 200 30.30 25.33 83.60% 9.0 4.97 6.0 6.00% Round Bar 3 200 30.30 24.78 81.78% 10.0 5.52 9.0 9.00% Round Bar 4 200 30.30 25.89 85.45% 8.0 4.41 8.0 8.00% Round 20-degree 1 200 30.30 26.49 87.43% 5.0 3.81 2.0 2.00% 20-degree 2 200 30.30 25.62 84.55% 6.0 4.68 2.0 2.00% 20-degree 3 200 30.30 27.36 90.30% 4.0 2.94 2.0 2.00% 20-degree 4 200 30.30 26.43 87.23% 5.0 3.87 2.0 2.00% 20-degree 5 200 30.30 27.24 89.90% 4.0 3.06 1.0 1.00% AVERAGE 26.63 87.88% 4.80 3.67 1.80 1.80% indicates data missing or illegible when filed

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 4 25-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 Type # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 25-degree 1 200 30.30 28.29 93.37% 3.0 2.01 3.0 3.00% 25-degree 2 200 30.30 28.65 94.55% 2.0 1.65 2.0 2.00% 25-degree 3 200 30.30 28.21 93.10% 3.0 2.09 3.0 3.00% 25-degree 4 200 30.30 28.64 94.52% 2.0 1.66 2.0 2.00% 25-degree 5 200 30.30 28.98 95.64% 2.0 1.32 1.0 1.00% AVERAGE 28.55 94.24% 2.40 1.75 2.20 2.20%

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 5 30-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 30-degree l 200 30.30 29.58  97.62% 1.0 0.72 1.0 1.00% 30-degree 2 200 30.30 29.51  97.39% 1.0 0.79 0.0 0.00% 30-degree 3 200 30.30 28.82  95.12% 2.0 1.48 2.0 2.00% 30-degree 4 200 30.30 29.48  97.29% 1.0 0.82 0.0 0.00% 30-degree 5 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 1.0 1.00% AVERAGE 29.53  97.49% 1.00 0.76 0.80 0.80%

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 6 35-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 35-degree 1 200 30.30 27.96 92.28% 3.0 2.34 2.0 2.00% 35-degree 2 200 30.30 28.67 94.62% 2.0 1.63 1.0 1.00% 35-degree 3 200 30.30 28.72 94.79% 2.0 1.58 2.0 2.00% 35-degree 4 200 30.30 27.99 92.38% 3.0 2.31 1.0 1.00% 35-degree 5 200 30.30 28.74 94.85% 2.0 1.56 0.0 0.00% AVERAGE 28.42 93.78% 2.40 1.88 1.20 1.20%

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 7 40-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 40-degree 1 200 30.30 29.57 97.59% 1.0 0.73 1.0 1.00% 40-degree 2 200 30.30 28.74 94.85% 2.0 1.56 1.0 1.00% 40-degree 3 200 30.30 29.54 97.49% 1.0 0.76 1.0 1.00% 40-degree 4 200 30.30 29.55 97.52% 1.0 0.75 1.0 1.00% 40-degree 5 200 30.30 28.70 94.72% 2.0 1.6 2.0 2.00% AVERAGE 29.22 96.44% 1.40 1.08 1.20 1.20%

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 8 45-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 45-degree 1 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% 45-degree 2 200 30.30 29.83  98.45% 1.0 0.47 1.0 1.00% 45-degree 3 200 30.30 29.20  96.37% 2.0 1.1 0.0 0.00% 45-degree 4 200 30.30 29.87  98.58% 1.0 0.43 1.0 1.00% 45-degree 5 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% AVERAGE 29.90  98.68% 0.80 0.40 0.40 0.40%

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 9 Dual 30-Degree and 45-Degree Threshing Angle Surfaces THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 45-30-degree 1 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% 45-30-degree 2 200 30.30 29.91  98.71% 1.0 0.39 1.0 1.00% 45-30-degree 3 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% 45-30-degree 4 200 30.30 29.89  98.65% 1.0 0.41 1.0 1.00% 45-30-degree 5 200 30.30 30.04  99.14% 1.0 0.26 0.0 0.00% AVERAGE 30.09  99.30% 0.60 0.21 0.40 0.40%

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 10 50-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 50-degree 1 200 30.30 29.56 97.56% 1.0 0.74 0.0 0.00% 50-degree 2 200 30.30 28.86 95.25% 2.0 1.44 1.0 1.00% 50-degree 3 200 30.30 27.93 92.18% 3.0 2.37 0.0 0.00% 50-degree 4 200 30.30 28.76 94.92% 2.0 1.54 1.0 1.00% 50-degree 5 200 30.30 29.56 97.56% 1.0 0.74 0.0 0.00% AVERAGE 28.93 95.49% 1.80 1.37 0.40 0.40%

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 11 55-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 55-degree 1 200 30.30 26.45 87.29% 5.0 3.85 2.0 2.00% 55-degree 2 200 30.30 27.15 89.60% 4.0 3.15 2.0 2.00% 55-degree 3 200 30.30 26.49 87.43% 5.0 3.81 2.0 2.00% 55-degree 4 200 30.30 25.62 84.55% 6.0 4.68 3.0 3.00% 55-degree 5 200 30.30 26.55 87.62% 5.0 3.75 1.0 1.00% AVERAGE 26.45 87.30% 5.00 3.85 2.00 2.00%

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 12 60-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL EMPIR- THRESH- GRAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN ICAL ING LOSS LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 60-degree 1 200 30.30 26.40 87.13% 5.0 3.9 3.0 3.00% 60-degree 2 200 30.30 26.35 86.96% 5.0 3.95 3.0 3.00% 60-degree 3 200 30.30 27.22 89.83% 4.0 3.08 2.0 2.00% 60-degree 4 200 30.30 25.50 84.16% 6.0 4.8 3.0 3.00% 60-degree 5 200 30.30 26.40 87.13% 5.0 3.9 2.0 2.00% AVERAGE 26.37 87.04% 5.00 3.93 2.60 2.60%

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 13 65-Degree Threshing Angle THEO- EMPIR- THRESH- GAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS RETICAL ICAL ING LOSS LOSS DAMAGE LENGTH GRAIN GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ PER ACRE TANK (100 PER- TYPE PASS # (ft) VOLUME (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) CENT 65- 1 200 30.30 26.55 87.62% 5.0 3.75 5.0 5.00% degree 65- 2 200 30.30 26.60 87.79% 5.0 3.7 6.0 6.00% degree 65- 3 200 30.30 26.65 87.95% 5.0 3.65 6.0 6.00% degree 65- 4 200 30.30 25.19 83.14% 7.0 5.11 5.0 5.00% degree 65- 5 200 30.30 25.86 85.35% 6.0 4.44 5.0 5.00% degree AVERAGE 26.17 86.37% 5.60 4.13 5.40 5.40%

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 14 90-Degree Threshing Angle THEO- EMPIR- THRESH- GAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS RETICAL ICAL ING LOSS LOSS DAMAGE LENGTH GRAIN GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ PER ACRE TANK (100 PER- TYPE PASS # (ft) VOLUME (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) CENT 90- 1 200 30.30 26.87 88.68% 4.0 3.43 10.0 10.00% degree 90- 2 200 30.30 26.42 87.19% 5.0 3.88 12.0 12.00% degree 90- 3 200 30.30 27.28 90.03% 4.0 3.02 9.0  9.00% degree 90- 4 200 30.30 26.27 86.70% 5.0 4.03 11.0 11.00% degree 90- 5 200 30.30 26.49 87.43% 4.0 3.81 9.0  9.00% degree AVERAGE 26.67 88.01% 4.40 3.63 10.20 10.20%

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 15 Dual 90-Degree Threshing Angles THEO- EMPIR- THRESH- GAIN GRAIN GRAIN PASS RETICAL ICAL ING LOSS LOSS DAMAGE LENGTH GRAIN GRAIN EFFI- (1 SQ PER ACRE TANK (100 PER- TYPE PASS # (ft) VOLUME (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY FT) (Bu) KERNELS) CENT Double 1 200 30.30 29.05 95.87% 2.0 1.25 8.0  8.00% 90-degree Double 2 200 30.30 28.57 94.29% 3.0 1.73 10.0 10.00% 90-degree Double 3 200 30.30 28.41 93.76% 3.0 1.89 9.0  9.00% 90-degree Double 4 200 30.30 28.25 93.23% 4.0 2.05 10.0 10.00% 90-degree Double 5 200 30.30 28.87 95.28% 2.0 1.43 9.0  9.00% 90-degree AVERAGE 28.63 94.49% 2.80 1.67 9.20  9.20%

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 16 Trend Analysis of Threshing Angles THRESHING 2″ COB SURFACE THRESHING SUR- THRESHING EF- % ANGLE AREA FACE AREA FICIENCY DAMAGE Ideal 262.0 100.00% 100.0%  0.0% 30-45 252.6  96.4%  99.3%  0.4% 45 195.6  74.7%  98.7%  0.4% 30 174.7  66.7%  97.5%  0.8% 40 154.2  58.9%  96.4%  1.4% 50 132.4  50.55%  95.5%  1.2% Double 90 96.6  36.9%  94.5%  9.2% 25 121.2  46.2%  94.2%  2.2% 35 120.3  45.9%  93.8%  1.2% 90 90.0  34.3%  88.0% 10.2% 20 106.7  40.7%  87.9%  1.8% 55 100.6  38.4%  87.3%  2.0% 60 93.7  35.75%  87.0%  2.6% 65 92.7  35.4%  86.4%  5.4% Round Bar 83.4  31.8%  83.2%  7.2%

TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 17 Results Summary of Threshing Angles THRESHING 2″ COB SURFACE THRESHING SUR- THRESHING EF- % DAM- ANGLE AREA FACE AREA FICIENCY AGE 20 106.7  40.7%  87.9%  1.8% 25 121.2  46.2%  94.2%  2.2% 30 174.7  66.7%  97.5%  0.8% 35 120.3  45.9%  93.8%  1.2% 40 154.2  58.9%  96.4%  1.4% 45 195.6  74.66%  98.7%  0.4% 50 132.4  50.5%  95.5%  1.2% 55 100.6  38.4%  87.3%  2.0% 60 93.7  35.8%  87.0%  2.6% 65 92.7  35.4%  86.4%  5.4% 90 90.0  34.3%  88.0% 10.2% 30-45 252.6  96.4%  99.3%  0.4% Double 90 96.6  36.88%  94.5%  9.2% Round Bar 83.4  31.8%  83.2%  7.2% Ideal 262.0 100.00% 100.0%  0.0%

[0056] As shown in the trend analysis and summary of results of TABLES 16 and 17, the dual 30-45-degree surface angles, as depicted in FIG. 3I, provided the most optimal threshing efficiency (99.3%) of the tested crop and further resulting in the least amount damage (0.4%) to the crop. In second place, the 45-degree surface angle, as depicted in FIG. 3E, provided an optimal threshing efficiency of (98.7%) of the tested crop which further resulted in minimal damage (0.4%) to the crop. In contrast, the conventional cylindrical or round bar resulted in the least threshing efficiency (83.2%) of the tested crop with significant damage (7.2%) to the crop. From these results, it can be observed that any of the configurations for bars 210 provide a significant improvement over conventional concave threshing apparatuses.

Concave Separation Grate

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 4-12, a separation grate of the disclosure described herein is disclosed for the combine harvester. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a concave separation grate 300 of the disclosure described herein. Here, concave 300 can include various interchangeable bracket or grate members 310 secured laterally within concave 300. Here, each grate or bracket member 310 can include various combination of fingers or protruding members for separation operations of a crop, such as crop 400. For example, a grate or bracket member 320 may include an axially aligned row of small finger or small protrusion members 322 for separation operations, as also shown in FIG. 5. In addition, a bracket member 330 may include a combination of large finger or large protrusion members 332 in combination with small protrusion members 322, as also shown in FIGS. 6A-6B. Here, any of protrusion fingers of the bracket or grate member may resemble a rake or comb configuration.

[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an interchangeable bracket member 310, and more specifically grate or bracket 320, having having a plurality of small finger protrusions 322. In particular, each of bracket member 310 includes dual mounting points or mounting areas 330A wherein each can include a depression having at least two apertures for inserting a fastener therethrough, such as a nut and bolt, for attaching and securing bracket member 310 to concave 300. In addition, mounting areas 330A can also be used to interchange, secure, and mount other finger protrusions to a bracket member, such as mounting individual large fingers 332 or 334 to a bracket member, either alone, or in combination with the small finger protrusions 322.

[0059] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate one configuration of a bracket member 310, and more specifically bracket 330, having a combination of small finger protrusions 322 along with large finger protrusions 332 (which may also be serrated protrusions 334). Here, each protrusion 322 and 332/334 are equally spaced apart from each other. Namely, as measured from the top or distal end region of each small or large finger or protrusion, there is a space B1 having an approximate 0.75 inches between each protrusion. In addition, from the lower or proximal region of each small or large protrusion, there is a space B4 having an approximate 0.625 inches between each protrusion. Moreover, from the top or distal end region of each small or large finger or protrusion, each has a width or thickness B2 having approximately 0.375 inches and a lower or proximal region having with a width or thickness B3 having approximately 0.5 inches. Further, large fingers 332 can have a width or thickness ranging from 1.0-inches up to 2.0-inches, preferably 1.5-inches. In addition, small fingers 322 can have a width or thickness ranging rom 0.5-inches up to 1.0-inches, preferably 0.75-inches. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that each finger or protrusion may be configured at any spacing with respect to each other and be comprised of any desirable width or thickness. FIG. 6C illustrates another embodiment for the bracket member 338 having a plurality of large and small width finger protrusions in an alternating configuration. Here, any of the larger or smaller width finger protrusions may comprise a width or thickness ranging from 0.5 inches up to and including 1.5 inches.

[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of a small finger protrusion member 322 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, protrusion 322 can include a beveled, rounded, or smooth outer surface 322A to minimize or eliminate damage to a crop that is being processed through the separation operation. Alternatively, in other embodiments, surface 322A may include a sharp, teethed, serrated, rough, or textured surface area, depending on the type of crop to be separated. In addition, protrusion member 322 is configured at a tilted angle C2 between 50 to 90-degrees, and preferably approximately 78-degrees, relative to a horizontal plane. FIG. 8 illustrates a large finger protrusion member 332 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, protrusion 332 can include a beveled, rounded, or smooth outer surface 332A to minimize or eliminate damage to a crop that is being processed through the separation operation. Alternatively, in other embodiments, surface 332A may include a sharp, teethed, serrated, rough, or textured surface area, depending on the type of crop to be separated. In addition, protrusion member 332 is configured at a tilted angle C3 between 50 to 90-degrees, and preferably approximately 78-degrees, relative to a horizontal plane.

[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a large finger protrusion member 334 having a serrated or teethed edge for heavier threshing operations. In particular, protrusion member a jagged or serrated teeth 334A comprised of a cut-out between 334A and 334B, a second jagged or serrated teeth 334B comprised of a cut-out between 334B and 334C, and a third jagged or serrated teeth 334C comprised of a cut-out between 334B and 334C. FIG. 10 illustrates a more detailed dimensional view of the serrated large finger protrusion member 334 of FIG. 9. In particular, member 334 can have a height or length A1 of approximately 3.0 inches, side depth or width A2 of approximately 1.5 inches, a region A3 of approximately 0.75 inches, another region A4 of approximately 0.5 inches, another region A5 of approximately 0.25 inches, another region A6 of approximately 0.5 inches, another region A7 of approximately 0.5 inches, another region A8 of approximately 0.2 inches, and another region A9 of approximately 0.2 inches. In addition, serrated teeth region 334B can have an angle A10 of approximately 160-degrees, and serrated teeth region 334C can have an angle A11 of approximately 160-degrees. Here, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that each bracket member can have varying length and width/depth fingers or protrusions relative each other. For example, a bracket member can have a row of varying finger widths, wherein the width of a finger adjacent to another finger can vary anywhere from 5% up to and including 50%, or such as approximately a 10% variation.

[0062] FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate one method of interchanging, removing, installing, or securing an individual finger or protrusion member to any of grate or bracket members 310 and concave assembly 300, such as finger or protrusion members 322, 332, or 334 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, the finger protrusion member can have an aperture or mounting region 340 that allows it to be axially aligned with one or more mounting points or mounting regions on bracket 310, such as regions 330A, as shown in FIG. 5, and also axially aligning the aforementioned mounting points with an aperture and mounting point 344 of concave assembly 300, as shown in FIG. 12. Here, once the mountings regions of both the finger protrusion, bracket member, and concave assembly are aligned, a fastener 342 is threaded therethrough, thereby securing finger 322, 332, or 334 to grate or bracket member 310 and concave assembly 300. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure that any other type of securement means may be used to secure a finger protrusion member to the bracket members, such as via rivets, clamps, clasps, straps, adhesives, or via any type of welding operation.

[0063] Here, it is noted that the separation concave grate assembly 300 of the disclosure described herein is configured such that it can be as open as possible to provide various grains of a crop the highest probability of falling through the grate or bracket members 310 and be subsequently captured. Further, the finger protrusion members 322, 332, and 334 have been elevated, tilted, or raised in the secured positions, as shown in FIG. 4, such that the separation concave grate interrupts the previously threshed crop material as much as possible in order to create as much separation as possible of grain from MOG (i.e chaff, shucks, stalk, leafy material) such that the grain can be captured by the combine before being diverted or discharged out of the back of the combine or lost. To further illustrate, the agitating finger members of one row of brackets or grates of the disclosure described herein can take the straw and chaff and toss it upwards, and as it falls onto the next set of fingers of another row of brackets or grates, thereby causing the grain to fall through the openings of assembly 300, in a repeated operation. In addition, the serrated large finger protrusions, such as shown in FIGS. 9-10, allow the serrated-like to snag any MOG, such as stems or leafy material, that may be carrying out grain with it. In one method of operation, the elevated small fingers 322 are generally configured to toss or fluff the MOG whereas the serrated or non-serrated large fingers are configured to grab, pull, or snag any MOG in the separation section. Here, the small and large finger protrusions work to together in order to provide optimal and maximum interruption of MOG before it is discharged out of the the back of the combine. In particular, the more dense, thick, and less porous the MOG, crop material, or straw layer is, the more agitation that is required to toss, break-up, and release any threshold grain from the MOG, crop material, or straw layer.

[0064] Further, the increased spacing of any of the finger protrusion members, such as 322, 332, and 334, allows the grain to more easily be captured in the chaff and grain mixture while the long pieces of straw, shuck, and other MOG are displaced rearwardly and discharged out the back of the combine. In particular, the finger protrusion members are spaced apart from each other on bracket or grate member 310 so as to assure effective separation of the grain while preventing passage of an undesirable amount of MOG through the grates. Here, the disclosed spacing and finger protrusion configurations provide thorough separation between the coarse straw, grain, chaff, and MOG while capturing threshed grain that may have not capture in the threshing concave bar, such as concave assembly 200. Further, the alternating configuration of the various size/configuration fingers, such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 11C, is optimized to allow for more agitation, interruption, and disruption of the crop material. Here, the aforementioned-elevated finger protrusion configurations on the bracket or grate members can be similar to measuring surface roughness. Here, separation effectiveness can be found to be a function of roughness, wherein the more rough the grate (i.e. varying height of fingers/more peaks and valleys in separator grate), the more tossing and fluffing of the crop and thus the more effective separation of grain from MOG which results in more grain retained by the combined rather than being diverted out of the combine or lost.

[0065] It is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein that any of finger protrusions 322, 332, and 334 may be comprised of steel material to improve longevity, durability, and wearability, including but not limited to: carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, and tool steels. Preferably, protrusions 322, 332, and 334 may be made of carbon steel, having a carbon content ranging from approximately 0.1 to 1.5%. In particular, a low carbon steel may contain up to 0.3% carbon, a medium carbon steel containing 0.3-0.6% carbon, and a high carbon steel containing more than 0.6% carbon. Moreover, the steel protrusions 322, 332, and 334 may also be cold formed, via processes such as rolling, bending, shearing, and drawing, among others.

[0066] TABLES 18-30 illustrate the various test data simulations for an exemplary tested crop, such as a corn cob, with respect to a conventional separation grates and the various finger protrusions 322, 332, and 334 for grate or bracket members 310 or 320 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, the conditions or constraints of the crop and separation operation for this particular exemplary test are shown with respect to TABLE 18:

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 18 Conditions 260 bu/acre 16% moisture 56.33 lb/bu 1566 seeds/lb 88,212 seeds/bu 29 mm concave clearance 320 rpm rotor speed 12 row head (30 ft) 30 in corn rows

TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 19 Conventional Separation Grate (Control) with 0.25-in Width or Thickness Fingers THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 0 0.25 1 200 35.81 31.32 87.45% 12.0 4.49 0 0.25 2 200 35.81 31.52 88.02% 11.0 4.29 0 0.25 3 200 35.81 30.98 86.51% 13.0 4.83 0 0.25 4 200 35.81 31.47 87.89% 11.0 4.34 0 0.25 5 200 35.81 31.12 86.90% 12.0 4.69 AVERAGE 31.28 87.35% 11.80 4.53

TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 20 4-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 4 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.02 89.41% 10.0 3.79 4 0.75″ 2 200 35.81 31.57 88.17% 11.0 4.24 4 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 31.27 87.33% 12.0 4.54 4 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 31.51 88.00% 11.0 4.30 4 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 31.14 86.95% 12.0 4.67 AVERAGE 31.50 87.97% 11.20 4.31

TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 21 8-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 8 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.44 90.59% 9.0 3.37 8 0.75″ 2 200 35.81 31.52 88.02% 11.0 4.29 8 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 32.09 89.62% 10.0 3.72 8 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 31.47 87.89% 11.0 4.34 8 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 31.12 86.90% 12.0 4.69 AVERAGE 31.73 88.60% 10.60 4.08

TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 22 12-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 12 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 31.93 89.16% 10.0 3.88 12 0.75″ 2 200 35.81 32.46 90.65% 9.0 3.35 12 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 31.80 88.79% 11.0 4.01 12 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 32.33 90.28% 9.0 3.48 12 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 31.87 88.99% 10.0 3.94 AVERAGE 32.08 89.57% 9.80 3.73

TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 23 16-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 16 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.33 90.29% 9.0 3.48 16 0.75″ 2 200 35.81 32.69 91.28% 8.0 3.12 16 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 32.07 89.55% 10.0 3.74 16 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 32.25 90.05% 9.0 3.56 16 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 32.27 90.13% 9.0 3.54 AVERAGE 32.32 90.26% 9.00 3.49

TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 24 4-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 4 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 32.05 89.51% 9.0 3.76 4 1.50″ 2 200 35.81 32.33 90.28% 9.0 3.48 4 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 31.79 88.76% 10.0 4.02 4 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 31.45 87.83% 11.0 4.36 4 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 31.94 89.19% 10.0 3.87 AVERAGE 31.91 89.11% 9.80 3.90

TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 25 8-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 8 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 33.13 92.51% 7.0 2.68 8 1.50″ 2 200 35.81 32.71 91.33% 8.0 3.10 8 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 33.54 93.65% 6.0 2.27 8 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 33.08 92.38% 7.0 2.73 8 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 32.65 91.19% 8.0 3.16 AVERAGE 33.02 92.21% 7.20 2.79

TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 26 12-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 12 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 34.67 96.83% 3.0 1.14 12 1.50″ 2 200 35.81 34.23 95.59% 4.0 1.58 12 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 33.83 94.48% 5.0 1.98 12 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 34.65 96.76% 3.0 1.16 12 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 34.63 96.70% 3.0 1.18 AVERAGE 34.40 96.07% 3.60 1.41

TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 27 16-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEO- RETICAL EMPIR- SEPA- PASS GRAIN ICAL RATION GRAIN GRAIN # OF FINGER LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN EFFI- LOSS (1 LOSS PER FINGERS WIDTH PASS # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME CIENCY SQ FT) ACRE (Bu) 16 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 34.65 96.75% 3.0 1.16 16 1.50″ 2 200 35.81 35.02 97.81% 2.0 0.79 16 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 34.66 96.79% 3.0 1.15 16 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 34.64 96.72% 3.0 1.17 16 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 35.02 97.81% 2.0 0.79 AVERAGE 34.80 97.18% 2.60 1.01

TABLE-US-00027 TABLE 28 Control Grate Ra and Root Mean Square (RMS) Calculations (each row representing a row of bracket members having fingers on the concave separator) CONTROL GRATE-(143) 0.25″ FINGERS Ra RMS Row 1 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 2 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 3 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 4 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 5 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 6 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 7 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 8 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 9 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 10 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 11 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 12 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 13 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 AVG 0.2500 0.2750

TABLE-US-00028 TABLE 29 Ra and Root Mean Square (RMS) Performance Calculations of the Small and Large Finger Configurations (each row representing a row of bracket members having fingers on the concave separator) BEST PERFORMING PROTOTYPE GRATE-(16) 1.50″ FINGER Ra RMS Row 1 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 2 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 3 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 4 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 5 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 6 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 7 0 25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 8 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 9 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 10 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 11 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 12 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 13 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 AVG 0.3899 0.4288

TABLE-US-00029 TABLE 30 Summary of Results for the Control, Small, and Large Finger Configurations # OF CON- TROL # OF TEST SEPA- FIN- TEST FIN- ROUGH- ROUGH- RATION GERS FIN- GER NESS NESS EFFI- (0.25″) GERS WIDTH (Ra) (RMS) CIENCY Control 143 0 — 0.2500 0.2750  87.4% 139 4 0.75″ 0.2640 0.2904  88.0% 131 8 0.75″ 0.2780 0.3058  88.6% 119 12 0.75″ 0.2920 0.3212  89.6% 103 16 0.75″ 0.3059 0.3365  90.3% 99 4 1.50″ 0.2850 0.3135  89.1% 91 8 1.50″ 0.3199 0.3519  92.2% 79 12 1.50″ 0.3549 0.3904  96.1% Best Per- 63 16 1.50″ 0.3899 0.4289  97.2% forming Ideal 100.00%

[0067] As shown in the summary of results of TABLE 30, a bracket member 310 having a row of 16 large finger protrusions 332 or 334 having approximate 1.5-in width or thickness, either with or without serrated edges, respectively, provided the most optimal and efficient separation of the test crop. Specifically, based on the number of fingers per bracket member, finger width, surface roughness average (Ra) of the fingers (measured as surface peaks and valleys), and a Root Mean Square (RMS) calculation of the surface roughness, the most optimal separation efficiency was calculated to be the 16 large finger configurations of the disclosure described herein having a 97.2% efficiency rate, either in serrated or smooth non-serrated configurations. More significantly, all of the aforementioned configurations of the disclosure described herein had a markedly improved efficiency rate over conventional or standard concave separation grates in the art, such as grates having fingers with an approximately 0.25 in. width or thickness.

[0068] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the disclosure described herein is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts or method of assembly described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations.