ABSTRACT

Many applications require that the leaf count of the lint will be below a certain number, however the ginner does not have a direct means of obtaining that objective. By providing a method to vary the amount of lint cleaning performed in the cotton gin, the grower can specify a grade and benefit from increased turn out.

Motorized grid bars and an algorithm for controlling the operation of a lint cleaner provide a solution. The motorized grid bars can be positioned in an engaged or disengaged position. When the grid bar is in the engaged position it participate in the lint cleaning process. When it is in the disengaged position it does not participate in the active cleaning process. The grid bars can be engaged or disengaged in the cleaning operation by pneumatic actuators which are activated by the system processor. The system also includes an operator interface terminal, to allow the operator to enter the desired cotton gin output leaf content. An imaging device, such as a digital camera or a scanner, measures the amount of trash present in the lint before cleaning and another after the lint cleaning process. The signal received from the imaging device is analyzed and the trash content is determined. The system algorithm determines which grid bars should be engaged in the cleaning process to obtain the operator’s (or growe’s) desired output trash content.