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.

1 . In an 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.    
   
   
       2 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 1  wherein the air plenum includes an air inlet and at least one air outlet.  
   
   
       3 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 1  wherein each air outlet is fitted with a hose or duct for directing air to one of the one or more mechanisms.  
   
   
       4 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 2  wherein the air inlet, has the greatest cross-sectional area, while the at least one air outlet has a significantly smaller cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       5 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 2  wherein the air inlet of the plenum is secured to the cooling system.  
   
   
       6 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 2  wherein air is drawn through the system for cooling operating fluid by the at least one fan and exhausted through the at least one air outlet.  
   
   
       7 . An improved agricultural machine according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality of individual air outlets corresponding to individual knotters on a knotting mechanism of the baler.  
   
   
       8 . A 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.    
   
   
       9 . A cleaning system according to  claim 8  wherein the air plenum includes an air inlet and at least one air outlet.  
   
   
       10 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein the air inlet is adapted to matingly engage the system for cooling operating fluid.  
   
   
       11 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein the air inlet, has the greatest cross-sectional area, while the at least one air outlet has a significantly smaller cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       12 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein each air outlet is fitted with a hose or duct for directing air to the mechanisms.  
   
   
       13 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein the air inlet of the plenum is secured to the cooling system.  
   
   
       14 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein air is drawn through the system for cooling operating fluid by the at least one fan and exhausted through the at least one air outlet.  
   
   
       15 . A cleaning system according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality of individual air outlets corresponding to individual knotters on a knotting mechanism of an agricultural baler.  
   
   
       16 . 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.  
   
   
       17 . An air plenum according to  claim 16  wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality of individual air outlets corresponding to individual mechanisms of the baler.  
   
   
       18 . An air plenum according to  claim 17  wherein each air outlet is fitted with a hose or duct for directing air to the individual mechanisms.  
   
   
       19 . An air plenum according to  claim 16  wherein the plenum is of a varying cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       20 . An air plenum according to  claim 16  wherein the air inlet, has the greatest cross-sectional area, while the at least one air outlet has a significantly smaller cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       21 . An air plenum according to  claim 16  wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality of individual air outlets corresponding to individual knotters on a knotting mechanism of an agricultural baler.