Method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material
A method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material. A grain component is separated from the plant material such as by processing the plant material through a primary threshing and separating mechanism. At least one additional component of the plant material is selectively harvested such as by subjecting the plant material to a secondary threshing and separating mechanism. For example, the stems of a plant material may be broken at a location adjacent one or more nodes thereof with the nodes and the internodal stem portions being subsequently separated for harvesting. The at least one additional component (e.g., the internodal stems) may then be consolidated and packaged for subsequent use or processing. The harvesting of the grain and of the at least one additional component may occur within a single harvesting machine, for example, during a single pass over a crop field.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-99ID13727
- Assignee:
- Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
- Patent Number(s):
- 6,729,951
- Application Number:
- 10/112,021
- OSTI ID:
- 1245992
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2002 Mar 28
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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