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  Integrated oil cooler and cleaning deviceUSPTO Application #: 20070175611Title: Integrated oil cooler and cleaning device Abstract: A cleaning system is provided for use with an operating fluid cooling system of an agricultural machine. The cleaning system includes an air plenum adapted to be attached to the cooling system. Fans provided for use in the cooling system exhaust air through the air plenum which has air outlets which direct air to individual mechanisms of the machine to blow away dust and debris from the mechanisms. Thus continuous cleaning of mechanisms during machine operation is enabled without the need for separate blowers, fans, or compressors and the expense and complexity associated therewith. (end of abstract)
Agent: Deere & Company - Moline, IL, US Inventors: Darin Ledru Roth, David Vincent Rotole, Eric Ryan Lang, Paul David Parker USPTO Applicaton #: 20070175611 - Class: 165095000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, With Cleaning Means For Heat Exchanger The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175611. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to agricultural machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to agricultural machines such as balers having a fluid cooling system used for cooling an operating fluid of the machine. Specifically, the present invention relates to means for using the cooling system as a source of air for use by a cleaning system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Agricultural machines such as balers and particularly large square or parallelepiped balers are susceptible to accumulations of dust and crop debris that can at times, foul the various mechanisms of the baler. For example, such balers typically employ a knotter system designed to tie off the bales they produce. These systems typically reside on the top of the machine and are susceptible to considerable crop and debris buildup. The crop and debris buildup on the knotters can impede function and cause a lower tie repeatability and poor knotter performance. Increased wear of knotter components and rust are also side effects. It has been known to use a variety of techniques to automatically keep the knotter area clean, but these techniques frequently add a considerable cost to the baler. Such systems typically comprise the addition of a blower system which includes a driver, motor, fan, and tubing to direct air flow across the knotters. Some manufacturers employ a hydraulically driven blower, fan, and tube system. Other manufacturers utilize electrically driven fan systems. The addition of such devices dedicated solely to the purpose of cleaning the knotter system adds significant cost to the baler. [0003] Accordingly, there is a clear need in the art for a cleaning system that utilizes existing machine systems to provide air for cleaning the knotter system and other mechanisms without the cost associated with a dedicated fan or blower system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a means for cleaning various mechanisms of an agricultural machine. [0005] Another object of the invention is the provision of such a means that utilizes existing machine components to provide a source of air for the cleaning system. [0006] A further object of the invention is to provide such a system that adds no moving parts and is inexpensive to produce. [0007] Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such a means that is lightweight and is easily removable for cleaning or repair. [0008] The foregoing and other objects of the invention together with the advantages thereof over the known art which will become apparent from the detailed specification which follows are attained by an improved agricultural machine having a system for cooling operating fluid of the machine by way of at least one fan, the machine having one or more mechanisms wherein it is desired to keep the mechanisms free of dust and debris, the improvement comprising: an air plenum for directing air exhausted from the at least one fan of the cooling system to at least one of the one or more mechanisms at a velocity to blow away dust and debris from the mechanism. [0009] Other objects of the invention are attained by cleaning system for removing dust and debris from mechanisms of an agricultural machine, the machine having an operating fluid cooling system including at least one fan, the cleaning system comprising: an air plenum for directing air exhausted from the at least one fan of the cooling system to the mechanisms at a velocity to blow away dust and debris from the mechanism. [0010] Still other objects of the invention are attained by an air plenum adapted for use with an operating fluid cooling system of an agricultural machine, the cooling system having at least one fan, the machine further having one or more mechanisms wherein it is desired to keep the mechanisms free of dust and debris, the air plenum comprising an air inlet, and at least one air outlet wherein the air plenum is secured to the cooling system and air exhausted from the at least one fan is directed to the one or more mechanisms to blow away dust and debris from the one or more mechanisms. [0011] The invention overcomes the problem of cleaning debris from various machine mechanisms such as the knotting mechanism on a baler by utilizing air flow from a separate onboard cooling system. Cooling systems are often present e.g. for removing heat from hydraulic oil used to drive other functions on a baler. The present invention leverages the pre-existing air flow from the fan of such a cooling system. The airflow is directed to machine mechanisms such as the knotters on a baler to remove foreign debris therefrom. With this concept there is very little overall cost impact to the machine. [0012] In order to utilize airflow off of an existing cooling system, the manifold that gathers the air and directs it to the mechanism to be cleaned ideally should be designed to balance internal static pressure and exit air velocity. These two parameters have an impact on the efficiency of the cooling system. The result is a design of a plenum that does not significantly reduce cooling efficiency, yet provides enough air volume and velocity to adequately clean the various baler mechanisms. [0013] In general, a cleaning system is provided for use with an operating fluid cooling system of an agricultural machine. The cleaning system includes an air plenum adapted to be attached to the cooling system. Fans provided for use in the cooling system exhaust air through the air plenum which has air outlets which direct air to individual mechanisms of the baler to blow away dust and debris from the mechanisms. Thus continuous cleaning of mechanisms during machine operation is enabled without the need for separate blowers, fans, or compressors and the expense and complexity associated therewith. [0014] To acquaint persons skilled in the art most closely related to the present invention, one preferred embodiment of the invention that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiment shown and described herein is illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the art, can be modified in numerous ways within the spirit and scope of the invention--the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques, and structure of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: [0016] FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of an integrated oil cooler and cleaning system according to the invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the integrated oil cooler and cleaning system according to the invention; [0018] FIG. 3 is rear perspective view of the air plenum according to the invention; and, [0019] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the air plenum according to the invention; and, [0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention. Continue reading... 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