Patent US10602679

Harvesting tumbler
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US10602679

1. A harvesting tumbler apparatus comprising: (6) (3)

first and second spaced apart grating segment retainers;

a tumbler grating comprising a plurality of resiliently tensionable grating segments connected to the first and second grating segment retainers, the resiliently tensionable grating segments extending from each of the first and second grating segment retainers in a spaced apart circular arrangement; and

a tension mechanism configured to apply a sufficient tension force to the resiliently tensionable grating segments to cause the grating to form a cylindrical shape.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resiliently tensionable grating segments are flexible. (1) (0)

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the resiliently tensionable grating segments comprise cord segments. (5) (0)

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resiliently tensionable grating segments comprise metal. (0)

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tension mechanism comprises a fluid tension mechanism configured to vary an axial distance between the grating segment retainers in response to varying fluid pressure. (1) (0)

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the fluid tension mechanism comprises an annular cylinder and an annular piston configured to move axially out of or into the annular cylinder in response to increasing or decreasing fluid pressure within the cylinder, respectively. (1) (0)

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: (1) (3)

the annular piston axially abuts against a first axially fixed rotating bearing race at one end region of the tumbler apparatus;

the annular cylinder is axially locked to the first grating segment retainer; and

the second grating segment retainer axially abuts against a second axially fixed rotating bearing race at an opposite end region of the tumbler apparatus, such that increasing the fluid pressure in the annular cylinder forces the annular cylinder and the first grating segment retainer to move axially away from the second grating segment retainer.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a synchronism mechanism configured to cause the first and second grating segment retainers to rotate in unison, wherein: (0) (4)

the synchronism mechanism comprises:

a first shaft gear coupled to the first rotating bearing race;

a second shaft gear coupled to the second rotating bearing race;

a shaft coupled to the first and second shaft gears at opposite ends thereof, such that the shaft and the first and second shaft gears lock the first and second rotating bearing races in synchronous rotation.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a synchronism mechanism configured to cause the first and second grating segment retainers to rotate in unison. (1) (0)

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more circumferential spacer rings positioned at intervals along the axial length of the tumbler grating. (2) (0)

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tension mechanism is configured to vary an axial distance between the grating segment retainers. (1) (0)

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the tension mechanism comprises an annular cylinder and an annular piston configured to move axially out of or into the annular cylinder. (1) (0)

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: (0) (3)

17. A tumbling method comprising: (0) (2)

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Patent US10602679

Harvesting tumbler

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