US20110185924A1 - Engineered top infeed hopper system - Google Patents
Engineered top infeed hopper system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110185924A1 US20110185924A1 US12/584,810 US58481009A US2011185924A1 US 20110185924 A1 US20110185924 A1 US 20110185924A1 US 58481009 A US58481009 A US 58481009A US 2011185924 A1 US2011185924 A1 US 2011185924A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- doors
- fingers
- door
- baler
- infeed opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 13
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 3
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001124569 Lycaenidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 241001520808 Panicum virgatum Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000002551 biofuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013138 pruning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000003433 Miscanthus floridulus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000219000 Populus Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000124033 Salix Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000490025 Schefflera digitata Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 bioenergy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- VJYFKVYYMZPMAB-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethoprophos Chemical compound CCCSP(=O)(OCC)SCCC VJYFKVYYMZPMAB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010908 plant waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010907 stover Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
- B30B9/3003—Details
- B30B9/301—Feed means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
- B30B9/3003—Details
- B30B9/3032—Press boxes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B30—PRESSES
- B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
- B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
- B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
- B30B9/3078—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor with precompression means
Definitions
- Our invention relates to harvesters, particularly balers, and provides a top infeed hopper system engineered to receive and direct cellulosic and particularly woody biomass materials into a baling chamber.
- the present inventors have reported their progress under a federal contract from the USDA CSREES SBIR program to develop better methods to collect and transport woody biomass (14-20). Our goal has been to engineer more efficient recovery and transport of woody biomass to second-generation bioenergy and biofuel plants.
- baler for making compacted bales of a cellulosic and preferably woody biomass material
- the baler comprising: a housing defining a compaction chamber therein, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, an infeed opening defined in the top wall for introducing the material into the compaction chamber, and a hopper system comprising: first and second doors pivotably attached to the housing in opposing array over the infeed opening, wherein each door comprises a pivot having a plurality of fingers extending in planar array therefrom and defining a plurality of recesses disposed therebetween, and wherein the fingers of the first and second doors are staggered such that the fingers of each door are positioned opposite to and receivable by the recesses of the other door, and actuator means for pivoting the doors upwardly to form a chute for directing the material toward the infeed opening, and downwardly to in
- FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a representative biomass baler with open hopper doors
- FIG. 2 shows the baler of FIG. 1 with closed hopper doors
- FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the front hopper door
- FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the rear hopper door
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the baler of FIG. 1 with open hopper doors;
- FIG. 6 shows the baler of FIG. 5 with closed hopper doors
- FIGS. 7A-7D depict a representative sequence for closing the hopper doors.
- cellulosic biomass refers generally to encompass all plant materials harvested by baling for use as industrial feedstocks, including woody biomass, energy crops like switchgrass, miscanthus, and hemp, and agricultural crop residues including corn stover.
- woody biomass refers to all parts of trees, shrubs and woody plants useable as industrial feedstocks for fiber, bioenergy, and biofuels, including timber harvest residues and land clearing debris, small-diameter trees, shrubs and brush, dedicated energy crops like willow and poplar, tree service prunings, and residential green waste.
- FIG. 1 shows a representative biomass baler 10 that we designed and constructed under the aforementioned Department of Agriculture grant.
- the baler 10 receives woody and other cellulosic biomass materials, compacts the biomass materials into parallelepiped bales, and discharges the bales.
- the baler 10 is preferably constructed of three separate modules, a platen assembly 12 , an infeed chamber assembly 14 , and a compaction chamber assembly 16 , that are bolted together by metal connectors 18 .
- the infeed chamber assembly 14 is in open communication with the compaction chamber assembly 16 and together house a baling chamber 20 .
- Modular construction makes it convenient to repair or replace failed components, or replace the compaction chamber assembly 16 with alternative modules configured to produce shorter or longer bales.
- one of four steel feet 22 by which the baler 10 can be bolted to, e.g., a trailer bed (not shown) or framework for stationary use.
- the platen assembly 12 has a welded steel framework 24 that anchors and supports two telescoping hydraulic cylinders 26 (three-stage: 6, 5, and 4 inches) that attach to and move a compression platen 28 reciprocally through the baling chamber 20 .
- the infeed chamber assembly 14 has an upper framework 30 that demarcates a large rectangular infeed opening 32 .
- a pair of closeable hopper doors 34 , 36 is mounted in opposing array over the infeed opening 32 .
- Each of the doors 34 , 36 is pivotally connected to the framework 30 by a hinge pin 38 .
- the hopper doors 34 , 36 When raised (as shown here), create an open chute through which a grapple loader (not shown) can drop and push biomass materials through the infeed opening 32 into the baling chamber 20 .
- When closed see FIGS.
- the hopper doors 34 , 36 intermesh and preferably interlock together in horizontal planar array so as to substantially close the infeed opening 32 and thereby form an upper wall of the infeed chamber assembly 14 without obstructing transit of the compression platen 28 .
- the infeed chamber assembly 14 also has two side walls 40 and a floor plate 42 that, together with the retracted compression platen 28 and the upper framework 30 with closed hopper doors 34 , 36 define the front end or infeed compartment of the baling chamber 20 . Construction and operation of the hopper doors 34 , 36 is discussed in detail below. Shown here is a single 2 ′′ hydraulic cylinder 44 that moves the front hopper door 34 , and two 2′′ hydraulic cylinders 46 that move the rear hopper door 36 .
- the compaction chamber assembly 16 houses the rear end or compression compartment of the baling chamber 20 .
- the compaction chamber assembly 16 has fixed upper and lower walls 48 , 50 .
- the rear wall or end cap is configured as a contingency door 52 (shown open) that is mounted on lateral hinges 54 .
- the contingency door 52 is bolted shut during the baling process but can be manually opened, if need be, to remove defective bales from the baling chamber 20 ; and for this purpose the compression hydraulic cylinders 26 are configured to push the compression platen 28 at least the entire length of the compaction chamber assembly 16 .
- An ejection platen 56 and a discharge door 58 form the sidewalls of the compaction chamber assembly 16 .
- the discharge door 58 is cantilevered downward into a horizontal platform (as shown in this view).
- Two pairs of telescopic hydraulic cylinders 60 (two stage: 4 and 3 inches) then move the ejection platen 56 to push the bale across the compaction chamber assembly 16 and onto the opened discharge door 58 .
- FIG. 2 shows the baler 10 with the hopper doors 34 , 36 , contingency door 52 , and side discharge door 58 in the closed positions. Shown also is a 2′′ hydraulic cylinder 62 that lowers and raises the discharge door 58 , which is secured closed by a hinged upper door latch 64 that is controlled by a 2′′ hydraulic cylinder 66 .
- FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the front hopper door 34 .
- seven fingers 68 of rectangular steel tube are welded in parallel array to a pivot 70 of rounded steel tube, which houses one of the hinge pins 38 .
- the fingers 68 are positioned along the pivot 70 to create a plurality of recesses 72 therebetween.
- a bracket 74 with supporting gusset 76 on the upper surface of one of the fingers 68 provides an attachment point for the hydraulic cylinder 44 .
- a pair of latch bars 78 is welded to the pivot 70 in the same plane as the fingers 68 and near the outermost ends of the pivot 70 .
- FIG. 4 shows the corresponding rear hopper door 36 , which also has a pivot 80 with in this embodiment six tubular fingers 82 forming a planar array of interposed recesses 84 .
- these fingers 82 are staggered in position with respect to the fingers 68 of the opposing front hopper door 34 such that the fingers of each door are positioned opposite to and receivable by the recesses of the other door (as shown in FIG. 5 ).
- the pivot 80 is provided with an outermost pair of latch fingers 86 that are sized and positioned to receive and contain the latch bars 78 on the opposing front hopper door 34 , in order to interlock the doors 34 , 36 in a horizontal closed position over the infeed opening 32 .
- the latch fingers 86 are provided with a notch 88 and an internal stop 90 .
- the notch 88 receives the pivoting latch bar 78 against the internal stop 90 as the doors 34 , 36 approach and reach the fully closed position.
- the outer sides of the latch fingers 86 are provided with external stop bars 92 that help position the rear hopper door 36 (and the closed, intermeshed doors 34 , 36 ) within the framework 30 surrounding the infeed opening 32 .
- the rear hopper door 36 also has a pair of brackets 94 , with supporting gussets 96 , which serve as attachment sites for the hydraulic cylinders 46 .
- the rear hopper door 36 is also provided with shear bars 98 that are mounted on the pivot 80 within the recesses 84 between the fingers 68 , 86 .
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the baler 10 showing the hopper doors 34 , 36 in the raised and chute-forming positions to guide biomass materials through the uncovered infeed opening 32 into the baling chamber 20 .
- the hopper door pivots 70 , 80 are preferably aligned parallel to the compression platen 28 .
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the baler 10 showing the hopper doors 34 , 36 in the closed and locked position.
- FIGS. 7A-7D are side views of the baler 10 showing a representative sequence for closing the hopper doors 34 , 36 .
- FIG. 7A shows the hopper doors 34 , 36 in the raised positions.
- the front and rear hopper doors 34 , 36 are preferably pivoted to positions about 120° and 105°, respectively, above the framework 30 .
- the front hopper door 34 is partially closed to a position about 55° above the framework 30 , as shown in FIG. 7B . This pivoting movement of the front hopper door 34 sweeps any overflowing biomass material toward the rear hopper door 36 .
- the rear hopper door 36 is pivoted to a position about 45° closed, which sweeps the material against the front hopper door 34 and entraps the material under the arched hopper doors 34 , 36 , as shown FIG. 7C .
- These pivoting movements may be coordinated to be concurrent, at appropriate cylinder velocities, or sequenced stepwise.
- the hopper doors 34 , 36 are then pivoted concurrently into full horizontal closure ( FIG. 7D ). These closing movements are coordinated so that the rear hopper door 36 reaches horizontal first, thereby presenting its notched latch fingers 86 for engagement by the door latches 64 on the first hopper door 34 .
- any such materials that become entrapped between the framework 30 and the outer latch bars 78 or the rear pivot 80 tend to be pulled into the baling chamber 20 as the compression platen 28 advances, and any materials entrapped between the front pivot 70 and the frame 30 are pushed and broken off against the rear shear bars 98 .
- the latch fingers 86 can additionally be provided with edged shear bars, knives, or slashing saws (not shown), as can any of the fingers 68 , 82 .
- Front hopper door 70 Pivot 3.25′′ ⁇ 0.375′′ ⁇ 48′′ tube 68 Fingers (7) 2′′ ⁇ 3′′ ⁇ 3/16′′ ⁇ 24′′ tube 74 Bracket (1) 1′′ ⁇ 2′′ ⁇ 5.125′′ bar, 1′′ radius 76 Gusset (1) 1 ⁇ 4′′ ⁇ 3′′ ⁇ 5.2′′ plate 78 Latch bars (2) 1′′ ⁇ 1.25′′ ⁇ 2′′ bar 44 Hydraulic (1) 2′′ dual acting cylinder ⁇ 16′′; 3000 psi 36
- Rear hopper door 80 Pivot (1) 3.25′′ ⁇ 0.375′′ ⁇ 48′′ tube 82 Fingers (6) 2′′ ⁇ 3′′ ⁇ 3/16′′ ⁇ 25′′ tube 86 Latch fingers (2) 3′′ ⁇ 4′′ ⁇ 1 ⁇ 4′′ ⁇ 25′′ tube 94 Brackets (2) 1′′ ⁇ 2.5′′ ⁇ 4.25′′ bar 96 Gussets (2) 1 ⁇ 4′′ ⁇ 3′′ ⁇ 5.2′′ plate 98 Shear bars (6) 2′′
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority from both patent application Ser. No. 12/386,964 filed Apr. 24, 2009, and provisional application No. 61/125,545 filed Apr. 25, 2008. This application also relates to patent application Ser. No. 12/386,807 filed Apr. 23, 2009, and patent application Ser. No. 12/456,620 filed Jun. 19, 2009. The contents of each of these prior and related applications are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.
- This invention was made with government support by the CSREES Small Business Innovation Research program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grant numbers 2005-33610-15483 and 2006-33610-17595. The government has certain rights in the invention.
- Our invention relates to harvesters, particularly balers, and provides a top infeed hopper system engineered to receive and direct cellulosic and particularly woody biomass materials into a baling chamber.
- In 1978 forestry researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) conducted field tests using a hay baler powered by the hydraulics of a knuckle-boom loader and concluded that baling offers considerable cost and operational advantages as a method of recovering forest residues for either fiber or fuel (1; see the appended Citations).
- The VPI researchers then built and tested a prototype in-woods logging residue baler (2-7). Following testing of the VPI prototype baler in the North Western U.S.A. in the early 1980's, several design modifications were suggested for a “second generation” baler (8-9), including the need for a top infeed to allow processing of small size material (See (8) at pp. 29-30).
- Various biomass bundlers and balers have been proposed in the patent literature (10). Presently the only commercial systems are a bundler, the John Deere 1490D Energy Wood Harvester (11), and a round baler, the SuperTrak WB55 Biobaler™ (12).
- Particularly relevant to the present invention are the open top finger baler disclosures of Risoda Pty. Limited (13).
- The present inventors have reported their progress under a federal contract from the USDA CSREES SBIR program to develop better methods to collect and transport woody biomass (14-20). Our goal has been to engineer more efficient recovery and transport of woody biomass to second-generation bioenergy and biofuel plants.
- Here we describe an infeed hopper system suitable for receiving and directing cellulosic biomass materials into a baling chamber situated below the hopper. Our invention provides a baler for making compacted bales of a cellulosic and preferably woody biomass material, the baler comprising: a housing defining a compaction chamber therein, wherein the housing comprises a top wall, an infeed opening defined in the top wall for introducing the material into the compaction chamber, and a hopper system comprising: first and second doors pivotably attached to the housing in opposing array over the infeed opening, wherein each door comprises a pivot having a plurality of fingers extending in planar array therefrom and defining a plurality of recesses disposed therebetween, and wherein the fingers of the first and second doors are staggered such that the fingers of each door are positioned opposite to and receivable by the recesses of the other door, and actuator means for pivoting the doors upwardly to form a chute for directing the material toward the infeed opening, and downwardly to intermesh and preferably interlock the fingers and substantially cover the infeed opening.
-
FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a representative biomass baler with open hopper doors; -
FIG. 2 shows the baler ofFIG. 1 with closed hopper doors; -
FIG. 3 is an isolated view of the front hopper door; -
FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the rear hopper door; -
FIG. 5 is a top view of the baler ofFIG. 1 with open hopper doors; -
FIG. 6 shows the baler ofFIG. 5 with closed hopper doors; and -
FIGS. 7A-7D depict a representative sequence for closing the hopper doors. - We have applied engineering design principles to the long-felt need of providing a top infeed system for cellulosic and particularly woody biomass balers.
- The term “cellulosic biomass” as used herein refers generally to encompass all plant materials harvested by baling for use as industrial feedstocks, including woody biomass, energy crops like switchgrass, miscanthus, and hemp, and agricultural crop residues including corn stover.
- The term “woody biomass” as used herein refers to all parts of trees, shrubs and woody plants useable as industrial feedstocks for fiber, bioenergy, and biofuels, including timber harvest residues and land clearing debris, small-diameter trees, shrubs and brush, dedicated energy crops like willow and poplar, tree service prunings, and residential green waste.
- The following Table lists the reference numerals used in the description of the currently preferred embodiment that is shown in the FIGURES.
-
- 10 baler
- 12 platen assembly
- 14 infeed chamber assembly
- 16 compaction chamber assembly
- 18 connector
- 20 baling chamber
- 22 foot
- 24 framework, platen assembly
- 26 hydraulic cylinder, compression
- 28 platen, compression
- 30 framework, upper infeed
- 32 infeed opening
- 34 hopper door, front
- 36 hopper door, rear
- 38 hinge pin
- 40 side wall, infeed chamber assembly
- 42 floor plate, infeed chamber assembly
- 44 cylinder, front hopper door
- 46 cylinder, rear hopper door
- 48 upper wall, compression chamber assembly
- 50 lower wall, compression chamber assembly
- 52 door, contingency
- 54 hinge
- 56 platen, ejection
- 58 door, discharge
- 60 hydraulic cylinder, ejection
- 62 hydraulic cylinder, discharge
- 64 door latch
- 66 hydraulic cylinder, door latch
- 68 finger, front door
- 70 pivot, front door
- 72 recess, front door chamber assembly
- 74 bracket, front door
- 76 gusset, front door
- 78 latch bar, front door
- 80 pivot, rear door
- 82 finger, rear door
- 84 recess, rear door
- 86 latch finger, rear door
- 88 notch
- 90 internal stop
- 92 external stop
- 94 bracket, rear door
- 96 gusset, rear door
- 98 shear bar
- 100 gap
-
FIG. 1 shows arepresentative biomass baler 10 that we designed and constructed under the aforementioned Department of Agriculture grant. Thebaler 10 receives woody and other cellulosic biomass materials, compacts the biomass materials into parallelepiped bales, and discharges the bales. Thebaler 10 is preferably constructed of three separate modules, a platen assembly 12, an infeed chamber assembly 14, and acompaction chamber assembly 16, that are bolted together bymetal connectors 18. The infeed chamber assembly 14 is in open communication with thecompaction chamber assembly 16 and together house a balingchamber 20. Modular construction makes it convenient to repair or replace failed components, or replace thecompaction chamber assembly 16 with alternative modules configured to produce shorter or longer bales. Also shown is one of foursteel feet 22 by which thebaler 10 can be bolted to, e.g., a trailer bed (not shown) or framework for stationary use. - Nomenclature with respect to the
baler 10 shown in the FIGURES: toward the platen assembly 12 is referred to herein for illustrative purposes as “front”, and toward thecompaction chamber assembly 16 as “rear”. - The platen assembly 12 has a welded
steel framework 24 that anchors and supports two telescoping hydraulic cylinders 26 (three-stage: 6, 5, and 4 inches) that attach to and move acompression platen 28 reciprocally through the balingchamber 20. - When fully retracted (as shown in this view) the
compression platen 28 forms the front wall of the infeed chamber assembly 14. The infeed chamber assembly 14 has anupper framework 30 that demarcates a largerectangular infeed opening 32. A pair ofcloseable hopper doors infeed opening 32. Each of thedoors framework 30 by ahinge pin 38. When raised (as shown here), thehopper doors infeed opening 32 into the balingchamber 20. When closed (seeFIGS. 2 and 6 ), thehopper doors infeed opening 32 and thereby form an upper wall of the infeed chamber assembly 14 without obstructing transit of thecompression platen 28. - The infeed chamber assembly 14 also has two
side walls 40 and afloor plate 42 that, together with the retractedcompression platen 28 and theupper framework 30 withclosed hopper doors chamber 20. Construction and operation of thehopper doors hydraulic cylinder 44 that moves thefront hopper door 34, and two 2″hydraulic cylinders 46 that move therear hopper door 36. - The
compaction chamber assembly 16 houses the rear end or compression compartment of the balingchamber 20. Thecompaction chamber assembly 16 has fixed upper andlower walls contingency door 52 is bolted shut during the baling process but can be manually opened, if need be, to remove defective bales from the balingchamber 20; and for this purpose the compressionhydraulic cylinders 26 are configured to push thecompression platen 28 at least the entire length of thecompaction chamber assembly 16. - An
ejection platen 56 and adischarge door 58 form the sidewalls of thecompaction chamber assembly 16. When bale formation is completed, thedischarge door 58 is cantilevered downward into a horizontal platform (as shown in this view). Two pairs of telescopic hydraulic cylinders 60 (two stage: 4 and 3 inches) then move theejection platen 56 to push the bale across thecompaction chamber assembly 16 and onto the openeddischarge door 58. -
FIG. 2 shows thebaler 10 with thehopper doors contingency door 52, and side dischargedoor 58 in the closed positions. Shown also is a 2″hydraulic cylinder 62 that lowers and raises thedischarge door 58, which is secured closed by a hingedupper door latch 64 that is controlled by a 2″hydraulic cylinder 66. -
FIG. 3 is an isolated view of thefront hopper door 34. In this illustrative embodiment, sevenfingers 68 of rectangular steel tube are welded in parallel array to apivot 70 of rounded steel tube, which houses one of the hinge pins 38. Thefingers 68 are positioned along thepivot 70 to create a plurality ofrecesses 72 therebetween. Abracket 74 with supportinggusset 76 on the upper surface of one of thefingers 68 provides an attachment point for thehydraulic cylinder 44. A pair of latch bars 78 is welded to thepivot 70 in the same plane as thefingers 68 and near the outermost ends of thepivot 70. -
FIG. 4 shows the correspondingrear hopper door 36, which also has apivot 80 with in this embodiment sixtubular fingers 82 forming a planar array of interposed recesses 84. Notably, thesefingers 82 are staggered in position with respect to thefingers 68 of the opposingfront hopper door 34 such that the fingers of each door are positioned opposite to and receivable by the recesses of the other door (as shown inFIG. 5 ). Preferably thepivot 80 is provided with an outermost pair oflatch fingers 86 that are sized and positioned to receive and contain the latch bars 78 on the opposingfront hopper door 34, in order to interlock thedoors infeed opening 32. For that purpose thelatch fingers 86 are provided with a notch 88 and an internal stop 90. The notch 88 receives the pivotinglatch bar 78 against the internal stop 90 as thedoors latch fingers 86 are provided with external stop bars 92 that help position the rear hopper door 36 (and the closed,intermeshed doors 34, 36) within theframework 30 surrounding theinfeed opening 32. Therear hopper door 36 also has a pair ofbrackets 94, with supportinggussets 96, which serve as attachment sites for thehydraulic cylinders 46. Preferably therear hopper door 36 is also provided with shear bars 98 that are mounted on thepivot 80 within therecesses 84 between thefingers -
FIG. 5 is a top view of thebaler 10 showing thehopper doors infeed opening 32 into the balingchamber 20. The hopper door pivots 70, 80 are preferably aligned parallel to thecompression platen 28. -
FIG. 6 is a top view of thebaler 10 showing thehopper doors -
FIGS. 7A-7D are side views of thebaler 10 showing a representative sequence for closing thehopper doors FIG. 7A shows thehopper doors rear hopper doors framework 30. When the infeed chamber assembly 14 has been loaded with biomass materials, thefront hopper door 34 is partially closed to a position about 55° above theframework 30, as shown inFIG. 7B . This pivoting movement of thefront hopper door 34 sweeps any overflowing biomass material toward therear hopper door 36. Therear hopper door 36 is pivoted to a position about 45° closed, which sweeps the material against thefront hopper door 34 and entraps the material under thearched hopper doors FIG. 7C . These pivoting movements may be coordinated to be concurrent, at appropriate cylinder velocities, or sequenced stepwise. - The
hopper doors FIG. 7D ). These closing movements are coordinated so that therear hopper door 36 reaches horizontal first, thereby presenting its notchedlatch fingers 86 for engagement by the door latches 64 on thefirst hopper door 34. - As the overlapping
hopper doors infeed opening 32, there is an opportunity for some of the material to become entrapped between thefingers hopper doors inch gap 100 ofrecess space fingers framework 30 and the outer latch bars 78 or therear pivot 80 tend to be pulled into the balingchamber 20 as thecompression platen 28 advances, and any materials entrapped between thefront pivot 70 and theframe 30 are pushed and broken off against the rear shear bars 98. For forestry applications thelatch fingers 86 can additionally be provided with edged shear bars, knives, or slashing saws (not shown), as can any of thefingers - Following bill of materials is for the hopper door assembly shown in the FIGURES, sized for an
infeed opening 32 measuring 48″ wide×30″ long. -
REF # PART NAME DESCRIPTION 34 Front hopper door 70 Pivot 3.25″ × 0.375″ × 48″ tube 68 Fingers (7) 2″ × 3″ × 3/16″ × 24″ tube 74 Bracket (1) 1″ × 2″ × 5.125″ bar, 1″ radius 76 Gusset (1) ¼″ × 3″ × 5.2″ plate 78 Latch bars (2) 1″ × 1.25″ × 2″ bar 44 Hydraulic (1) 2″ dual acting cylinder × 16″; 3000 psi 36 Rear hopper door 80 Pivot (1) 3.25″ × 0.375″ × 48″ tube 82 Fingers (6) 2″ × 3″ × 3/16″ × 25″ tube 86 Latch fingers (2) 3″ × 4″ × ¼″ × 25″ tube 94 Brackets (2) 1″ × 2.5″ × 4.25″ bar 96 Gussets (2) ¼″ × 3″ × 5.2″ plate 98 Shear bars (6) 2″ × 2″ × ¼″ × 4″ angle 90 Internal stops (2) 1″ × 1.625″ × 2.5″ bar 92 External stops (2) ¾″ × 1″ × 1″ bar 46 Hydraulics (2) 2″ dual acting cylinder × 16″; 3000 psi 38 Hinge pins (2) 2″ schedule 80 steel pipe × 55″ - The contents of each of the following publications are incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.
- (1) Stuart, W. B. and T. A. Walbridge, A new approach to harvesting, transporting, and storing logging residues, in: Hardwood Symposium Proceedings, 6th Annual Proceedings, The Business of Growing and Aging Hardwoods, Madison, Wis. Forest Products Society, pp. 74-83, 1978.
- (2) Stuart, W. B, et al., Economics of modifying harvesting systems to recover energy wood, Forest Products Journal 31(8):37-42, 1981.
- (3) Walbridge, T. A., and W. B. Stuart. 1981. An alternative to whole tree chipping for the recovery of logging residues. In Proceedings of the International Conference “Harvesting and Utilization of Wood for Energy Purposes” at Elmia, Jonkoping, Sweden. Sep. 20-30, 1980. Garpenberg, Sweden: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
- (4) Schiess, P., and K. Yonaka. 1982. Evaluation of new concepts in biomass fiber transport. In Progress in Biomass Conversion, Vol. III., edited by K. V. Sarkanen, D. A. Tillman and E. C. Jahn. New York: Academic Press.
- (5) Schiess, P., and K. Yonaka; Baling—a new concept in residue handling; Proceedings, First Technical conference on Timber Harvesting in Central Rockies, Ft. Collins, 29 pages, Jan. 4-6, 1983; pp. i-iii and 1-26.
- (6) Schiess, P., and W. E. Stuart; Baling of whole trees and/or residue as an alternative to in-woods chipping and/or residue treatment; Final Report submitted to Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experimental Station, Seattle, Wash., Jun. 1, 1983; pp. i-iii and 1-87.
- (7) Schiess, P., and K. Yonaka; Evaluation of industrial baling techniques for forest residue; Final Report to Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Wash., Jun. 30, 1983; pp. i-iv and 1-67.
- (8) Guimier, D. Y. 1985. Evaluation of forest biomass compaction systems. Special Report No. SR-30. ENFOR Project P-313. Pointe Claire, Canada: Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada.
- (9) Pottie, M. A., and D. L. Guimier, Harvesting and transport of logging residuals and residues, FERIC Special Report No. SR-33, IEA Cooperative Project No. CPC6, pp. i-vii and 1-62, May 1986.
- (10) U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,353 entitled CHRISTMAS TREE BALING MACHINE; U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,519 entitled LEAF COLLECTOR AND BALER; U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,362 entitled DEVICE FOR BUNDLING FIREWOOD; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,667 entitled LOG BUNDLING APPARATUS; U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,712 entitled WOOD BALER; U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,064 entitled BRUSH BUNDLING SYSTEM; U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,498 entitled LEAF BALER; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,901 entitled FIREWOOD BANDING MACHINE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,443 B1 entitled PRUNING BALER; U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,585 B1 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE LENGTH OF A WASTE LOG AND/OR WEIGHT OF WASTE LOG WHILE COMPACTING AND TRANSFERRING THE WASTE LOG FOR TRANSPORT; U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,570 B2 entitled WOOD GATHERING AND COMPACTION VEHICLE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,542 B1 entitled LEAF COMPACTOR AND BALER; US 2005/0132667 A1 entitled COLLECTION AND STACKING OF LUMBER PIECES FROM THE GROUND; US 2006/0086419 A1 entitled MOBILE HIGH-SPEED BIOMASS PROCESSOR FOR CHUNKWOOD WITH INTEGRAL CHUNKWOOD BALER; US 2007/0157825 A1 entitled FOLIAGE COMPACTOR; WO 2007/138165 A1 entitled METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR HARVESTING; and particularly US 2005/0145115 A1 entitled MACHINE FOR THE RECOVERY OF FOREST, AGRICULTURAL AND/OR URBAN WASTE.
- (11) www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/forestry/deere forestry/harvesters/wheel/1490d_general.html Accessed 23 Feb. 2009.
- (12) https://www.timberbuysell.com/Community/DisplayAd.asp?id=2686 Accessed 7 Nov. 2008; see also US 2009/0007537 entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING WOODY CROPS.
- (13) WO 03/031167 A1 entitled OPEN TOP FINGER BALER; WO 99/37474 entitled IMPROVED BALING PRESS; and WO 89/10836 entitled BALING PRESS.
- (14) Dooley, J. H., M. S. DeTray, and D. N. Lanning. March 2006. Technology to enable utilization of biomass from wildland-urban interface fuels reduction projects. Phase II: Field evaluation of baling vs. chipping. Auburn, Wash.: Forest Concepts, LLC.
- (15) Dooley, J. H., M. S. DeTray, D. N. Lanning, J. L. Fridley; Utilization of biomass from WUI fuels reduction: Biomass collection and handling from wildland-urban intermix projects on residential and suburban properties; Poster presented at SmallWood 2006, Richmond, Va., May 16, 2006.
- (16) Dooley, J. H., J. L. Fridley, D. N. Lanning. M. S. DeTray; Large rectangular bales for woody biomass; Paper No. 068054, presented at the 2007 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Portland, Oreg., Jul. 9-12, 2006.
- (17) Dooley, J. H., D. N. Lanning, C. Lanning, and M. S. DeTray; Transportation of biomass from wildland urban intermix (WUI): Biomass preprocessing and handling to reduce cost of transportation and add value; poster presented at Intermountain Roundwood Association Annual Meeting, Missoula, Mont., 2007.
- (18) Lanning, D. N., J. H. Dooley, M. C. DeTray, and C. J. Larming; Engineering factors for biomass baler design; ASABE Paper No. 078047, presented at the 2007 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Minneapolis, Mich., Jun. 17-20, 2007.
- (19) Lanning, D., C. Lanning, J. Dooley, M. DeTray, T. Aristidou; Baling to improve transport of biomass from urban areas; poster presented at the Forest Innovation Conference, Missoula, Mont., Apr. 25, 2008.
- (20) Dooley, J. H., D. Lanning, C. Lanning, J. Fridley; Biomass baling into large square bales for efficient transport, storage, and handling; paper presented at the Council on Forest Engineering 2008: 31st Annual Meeting, Charleston, S.C., Jun. 22-25, 2008.
- While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/584,810 US7992491B1 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2009-09-11 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US13/195,374 US8430025B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2011-08-01 | Engineered tall grass biomass baling system |
US13/204,898 US8205546B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-08 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US13/533,586 US8925451B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2012-06-26 | Engineered top infeed hopper system with side-mounted cutting device |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12554508P | 2008-04-25 | 2008-04-25 | |
US38696409A | 2009-04-24 | 2009-04-24 | |
US12/584,810 US7992491B1 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2009-09-11 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US38696409A Continuation-In-Part | 2008-04-25 | 2009-04-24 |
Related Child Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/195,374 Continuation US8430025B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2011-08-01 | Engineered tall grass biomass baling system |
US13/204,898 Continuation US8205546B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-08 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US13/204,898 Continuation-In-Part US8205546B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-08 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110185924A1 true US20110185924A1 (en) | 2011-08-04 |
US7992491B1 US7992491B1 (en) | 2011-08-09 |
Family
ID=45063425
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/584,810 Active 2029-10-28 US7992491B1 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2009-09-11 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US13/195,374 Expired - Fee Related US8430025B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2011-08-01 | Engineered tall grass biomass baling system |
US13/204,898 Expired - Fee Related US8205546B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-08 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/195,374 Expired - Fee Related US8430025B2 (en) | 2009-04-24 | 2011-08-01 | Engineered tall grass biomass baling system |
US13/204,898 Expired - Fee Related US8205546B2 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-08 | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US7992491B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170013784A1 (en) * | 2014-03-31 | 2017-01-19 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Strapping System for Agricultural Implement |
RU2775982C1 (en) * | 2021-12-27 | 2022-07-12 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Ржевмаш" | Horizontal reinforced press for waste compaction |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7992491B1 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-09 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US8925451B2 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2015-01-06 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered top infeed hopper system with side-mounted cutting device |
US8850970B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2014-10-07 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered woody biomass baling system |
US11021842B2 (en) | 2017-03-29 | 2021-06-01 | Brock Usa, Llc | Infill for artificial turf system |
US10945377B2 (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2021-03-16 | Deere & Company | Baler with segmented tension panels |
Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3827353A (en) * | 1973-04-12 | 1974-08-06 | Yule Tree Farms | Christmas tree baling machine |
US3911519A (en) * | 1973-03-01 | 1975-10-14 | Anlas Carl | Leaf collector and baler |
US4377362A (en) * | 1981-01-19 | 1983-03-22 | Meinke Herman E | Device for bundling firewood |
US4463667A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1984-08-07 | Merril Jones | Log bundling apparatus |
US4467712A (en) * | 1982-06-01 | 1984-08-28 | Fincham James R | Wood baler |
US4487120A (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1984-12-11 | Barstow James H | Method and apparatus for processing brush cuttings |
US4572064A (en) * | 1984-05-23 | 1986-02-25 | Burton R Edward | Brush bundling system |
US4594942A (en) * | 1985-02-12 | 1986-06-17 | B.V. Machinefabriek Boa | Baling press with large supply hopper |
US4771540A (en) * | 1982-09-13 | 1988-09-20 | Labounty Roy E | Metal grapple shear |
US4991498A (en) * | 1990-01-16 | 1991-02-12 | Mccurdy Harold L | Leaf baler |
US5193454A (en) * | 1990-03-20 | 1993-03-16 | H.S. Bollegraaf-Holding, B.V. | Baling press with prepress valves |
US5243901A (en) * | 1992-08-06 | 1993-09-14 | Richard Green | Firewood banding machine |
US6189443B1 (en) * | 1998-02-21 | 2001-02-20 | Michael H. Hilford | Pruning baler |
US6427585B1 (en) * | 1999-02-23 | 2002-08-06 | Marathon Equipment Company | Method and apparatus for measuring the length of a waste log and/or weight of waste log while compacting and transferring the waste log for transport |
US6779570B2 (en) * | 2002-11-06 | 2004-08-24 | Daniel Tardif | Wood gathering and compaction vehicle |
US6820542B1 (en) * | 2001-10-05 | 2004-11-23 | Bobby L. Truitt | Leaf compactor and baler |
US20050132667A1 (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2005-06-23 | Mcleod James A. | Collection and stacking of lumber pieces from the ground |
US20050145115A1 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2005-07-07 | Garcia Francisco G. | Machine for the recovery of forest, agricultural and/or urban waste |
US20060086419A1 (en) * | 2004-07-23 | 2006-04-27 | Aikins Warren A | Mobile high-speed biomass processor for Chunkwood with integral Chunkwood baler |
US20070157825A1 (en) * | 2005-01-12 | 2007-07-12 | Honda R&D Americas, Inc. | Foliage compactor |
US20090007537A1 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-08 | Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada As Represented By The | Device and method for harvesting woody crops |
US7752960B2 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2010-07-13 | Rpp America, Llc | High-compression baler |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3446026A (en) * | 1967-12-21 | 1969-05-27 | Tyman H Fikse | Landfill refuse-burying method and apparatus |
US3805689A (en) * | 1971-09-27 | 1974-04-23 | Stoelting Bros Co | Automatic hoop filling unit |
US4201129A (en) * | 1979-04-03 | 1980-05-06 | Etablissements Matthys and Societe G.A.R.A.P. | Machine for charging furnaces |
EP0365670A4 (en) | 1988-05-10 | 1991-08-28 | Risoda Pty. Ltd. | Baling press |
US4936206A (en) | 1988-12-30 | 1990-06-26 | Thomas R. Miles | High-density compactor for fibrous material |
US5343670A (en) | 1989-05-17 | 1994-09-06 | A.C.X. Trading, Inc. | Method of forming selected size and weight bales of hay into a selected size and weight non-palletized unit |
US5213030A (en) | 1990-10-31 | 1993-05-25 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Method for packaging and shipping fiber materials |
US5217188A (en) | 1991-04-08 | 1993-06-08 | Trw Inc. | Modular solid-propellant launch vehicle and related launch facility |
AUPP150898A0 (en) | 1998-01-27 | 1998-02-19 | Risoda Pty. Limited | Improved baling press |
WO2003031167A1 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2003-04-17 | Risoda Pty. Limited | Open top finger baler |
US7509788B2 (en) * | 2006-02-08 | 2009-03-31 | Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, Llc | Low profile packaging assembly for loose fill insulation material |
FI121209B (en) | 2006-05-29 | 2010-08-31 | Fixteri Oy | Operation and arrangement for operation |
US7992491B1 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2011-08-09 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered top infeed hopper system |
US8850970B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2014-10-07 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered woody biomass baling system |
US7987777B1 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2011-08-02 | Forest Concepts, LLC | Engineered tall grass biomass baling system |
-
2009
- 2009-09-11 US US12/584,810 patent/US7992491B1/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-08-01 US US13/195,374 patent/US8430025B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-08-08 US US13/204,898 patent/US8205546B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911519A (en) * | 1973-03-01 | 1975-10-14 | Anlas Carl | Leaf collector and baler |
US3827353A (en) * | 1973-04-12 | 1974-08-06 | Yule Tree Farms | Christmas tree baling machine |
US4377362A (en) * | 1981-01-19 | 1983-03-22 | Meinke Herman E | Device for bundling firewood |
US4463667A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1984-08-07 | Merril Jones | Log bundling apparatus |
US4467712A (en) * | 1982-06-01 | 1984-08-28 | Fincham James R | Wood baler |
US4771540A (en) * | 1982-09-13 | 1988-09-20 | Labounty Roy E | Metal grapple shear |
US4487120A (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1984-12-11 | Barstow James H | Method and apparatus for processing brush cuttings |
US4572064A (en) * | 1984-05-23 | 1986-02-25 | Burton R Edward | Brush bundling system |
US4594942A (en) * | 1985-02-12 | 1986-06-17 | B.V. Machinefabriek Boa | Baling press with large supply hopper |
US4991498A (en) * | 1990-01-16 | 1991-02-12 | Mccurdy Harold L | Leaf baler |
US5193454A (en) * | 1990-03-20 | 1993-03-16 | H.S. Bollegraaf-Holding, B.V. | Baling press with prepress valves |
US5243901A (en) * | 1992-08-06 | 1993-09-14 | Richard Green | Firewood banding machine |
US6189443B1 (en) * | 1998-02-21 | 2001-02-20 | Michael H. Hilford | Pruning baler |
US6427585B1 (en) * | 1999-02-23 | 2002-08-06 | Marathon Equipment Company | Method and apparatus for measuring the length of a waste log and/or weight of waste log while compacting and transferring the waste log for transport |
US20050132667A1 (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2005-06-23 | Mcleod James A. | Collection and stacking of lumber pieces from the ground |
US20050145115A1 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2005-07-07 | Garcia Francisco G. | Machine for the recovery of forest, agricultural and/or urban waste |
US6820542B1 (en) * | 2001-10-05 | 2004-11-23 | Bobby L. Truitt | Leaf compactor and baler |
US6779570B2 (en) * | 2002-11-06 | 2004-08-24 | Daniel Tardif | Wood gathering and compaction vehicle |
US20060086419A1 (en) * | 2004-07-23 | 2006-04-27 | Aikins Warren A | Mobile high-speed biomass processor for Chunkwood with integral Chunkwood baler |
US20070157825A1 (en) * | 2005-01-12 | 2007-07-12 | Honda R&D Americas, Inc. | Foliage compactor |
US7752960B2 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2010-07-13 | Rpp America, Llc | High-compression baler |
US20090007537A1 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-08 | Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada As Represented By The | Device and method for harvesting woody crops |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170013784A1 (en) * | 2014-03-31 | 2017-01-19 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Strapping System for Agricultural Implement |
US10271481B2 (en) * | 2014-03-31 | 2019-04-30 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Strapping system for agricultural implement |
RU2775982C1 (en) * | 2021-12-27 | 2022-07-12 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Ржевмаш" | Horizontal reinforced press for waste compaction |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110308403A1 (en) | 2011-12-22 |
US8205546B2 (en) | 2012-06-26 |
US7992491B1 (en) | 2011-08-09 |
US20110297018A1 (en) | 2011-12-08 |
US8430025B2 (en) | 2013-04-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8925451B2 (en) | Engineered top infeed hopper system with side-mounted cutting device | |
US8205546B2 (en) | Engineered top infeed hopper system | |
Pettersson et al. | Fuel quality changes during seasonal storage of compacted logging residues and young trees | |
US7987776B1 (en) | Engineered woody biomass baling system | |
Andersson et al. | Production of forest energy | |
CA2687074C (en) | Arrangement for harvesting | |
US10500806B2 (en) | Engineered woody biomass baling system | |
Bergström | Techniques and systems for boom-corridor thinning in young dense forests | |
Lindroos et al. | Productivity of a prototype truck-mounted logging residue bundler and a road-side bundling system | |
Way | Lanning et al. | |
Nordfjell et al. | Compressing and drying of bunched trees from a commercial thinning | |
Bergström et al. | Compression processing and load compression of young Scots pine and birch trees in thinnings for bioenergy | |
Hoyne et al. | Forest residues: Harvesting, storage and fuel value | |
Shinners et al. | Biomass Logistics–harvest and storage | |
WO2013019168A1 (en) | Engineered woody biomass baling system | |
Hudson et al. | Wood fuel supply chain in the United Kingdom | |
Dooley et al. | Conceptual specification of forest utility balers for wody biomass | |
Wamsley et al. | Work element time study for baling forest residual biomass into large rectangular bales | |
Federal Way et al. | Lanning et al. | |
Patterson et al. | Effects of 9 months of weather exposure on slash bundles in the Mid-South | |
Prince | WA (US); ChYistPhY J-Lanning» FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Fefleral Way’WA ms)’James L ‘Wo Wo 92/07762 Al 5/1992 | |
Marinov et al. | Technological opportunities survey of forest short rotation plantations in Bulgaria for energy biomass production | |
Prince | WA (US); Christ" P11er-7-Lanning, FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS lliiglgfjl\12 ‘: A\giS () I} g;'mes L ‘W0 WO 92/07762 A1 5/1992 y’’(Continued) | |
Federal Way et al. | patent is extended or adjusted under 35 | |
Mitchell | Bundling Logging Residues with a Modified John Deere B-380 Slash Bundler |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FOREST CONCEPTS, LLC, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LANNING, CHRISTOPHER J.;LANNING, DAVID N.;REEL/FRAME:026181/0694 Effective date: 20090901 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
SULP | Surcharge for late payment | ||
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: 7.5 YR SURCHARGE - LATE PMT W/IN 6 MO, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2555); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 12 |