Biomass Deflector

Abstract

A deflector for deflecting crop material from a combine harvester for biomass collection. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with defection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

1 . A combine harvester adapted for towing a baler, said combine harvester comprising:
 a discharge outlet for passing material from said combine; and   a hitch for towing a baler, said baler defining a target for receiving at least a portion of said material from said discharge outlet of said combine directly across the distance from said combine to said baler to impact on said target of said baler rather than impacting the ground, wherein said combine is free of a conveyor for conveying said material from said combine to said baler.   
     
     
         2 . The combine harvester  1  wherein said material travels through the air from said combine to said baler. 
     
     
         3 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  wherein said material is projected rearward and generally downward directly from said combine to said target on the baler. 
     
     
         4 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  further comprising a chopper for cutting a potion of said material, paddling another portion of said material, and directly projection both said portions of material toward said target on the baler. 
     
     
         5 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  further comprising a chopper and a tailboard, said chopper for cutting a portion of said material, paddling another portion of said material, and directly projection both said portions of material toward said target on the baler through said tailboard, said tailboard for altering the trajectory of both said materials to be received on said target. 
     
     
         6 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  further comprising a tailboard for altering the trajectory of said material to be received on said target. 
     
     
         7 . The combine harvester of  claim 6  wherein said tailboard comprises at least one deflection panel for altering the trajectory of material from said tailboard to said target on said baler. 
     
     
         8 . The combine harvester of  claim 7  wherein a distal end of said deflection panel extends beyond a board at least partially defining said tailboard. 
     
     
         9 . The combine harvester of  claim 7  wherein a control signal from the baler actuates at least one actuator to orient said deflection panel. 
     
     
         10 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  wherein a collector coupled to the baler at least partially defines said target. 
     
     
         11 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  wherein said combine adjusts the trajectory of said material from said combine based on a control signal generated from a performance characteristic of said baler. 
     
     
         12 . The combine harvester of  claim 11  wherein said trajectory is adjusted due to said combine turning. 
     
     
         13 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of material from a chopper of said combine and at least a portion of chaff from a chaff spreader of said combine are projected from said combine to form a combined stream where at least a portion of said combined stream is directed toward said target. 
     
     
         14 . The combine harvester of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of chaff from a chaff spreader is directed into a stream of crop material projected from said combine to form a combined stream where at least a portion of said combined stream is directed toward said target.